BEHIND THE SONG: Money (Thats What I want ) By TBU Senior Editor- Cynthia Avery Released: 22 November 1963 (UK), 10 April 1964 (US) John Lennon: vocals, rhythm guitar Paul McCartney: backing vocals, bass George Harrison: backing vocals, lead guitar Ringo Starr: drums George Martin: piano Originally recorded in 1959 by Barrett Strong, Money (Thats What I Want) was the thrilling closing track on The Beatles second album. Money (Thats What I Want) - With The Beatles First released in August 1959, Money (Thats What I Want) was written by Tamla founder Berry Gordy and Janie Bradford. In June 1960 became the first hit record for Gordys Motown label, having previously been a hit in the midwest. The single reached number two on the US R&B chart and number 23 on the pop chart. The Beatles version of Money (Thats What I Want) was a clear attempt to emulate the success of Twist And Shout, the show-stopping finale of Please Please Me. The Beatles took Strongs original and lowered it from the key of F to E, added a searing vocal from John Lennon, close harmonies from Harrison and McCartney, and turned it into a thundering powerhouse. Much of this was down to the climactic final chorus, driven along by Ringo Starrs eight-to-the-bar bass drum - a sound which would soon become characteristic of early 1960s beat music. The cover songs recorded for With The Beatles were chosen by whoever liked them. It was interesting that when I joined The Beatles we didnt really know each other, but if you looked at each of our record collections, the four of us had virtually the same records. We all had The Miracles, we all had Barrett Strong and people like that. I suppose that helped us gel as musicians, and as a group. Ringo Starr Anthology Lennons cry of I wanna be free was from the heart: after many long years on the road, and despite the promises of greater riches in their sights, The Beatles nonetheless anticipated their success only lasting a short time in the early 1960s - a typical career for pop stars at the time was just a few years. When it looked as though they would enjoy more lasting fortunes, McCartney countered Moneys desperate materialism with Cant Buy Me Love. The Beatles first recorded Money (Thats What I Want) at their audition for Decca Records on 1 January 1962. Although the music lacked the primal energy of the Abbey Road version, it nonetheless featured a powerful vocal from Lennon. The group also recorded the song six times for BBC radio. The first attempt was on 21 May 1963 for the Saturday Club programme, which was recorded at the Playhouse Theatre in London and first broadcast four days later. They returned to it on 1 June, for the third edition of Pop Go The Beatles. This show was recorded at the BBC Paris Studio, London, and first heard by radio listeners on 18 June. This was the first recorded instance of Lennon exclaiming I wanna be free! in the final verse. The Anthology 1 album contains a live version of Money, recorded on 24 October 1963 at the Karlaplansstudion in Stockholm, Sweden. This show was broadcast live on Swedish National Radio on 11 November that year. The only known live performance on film was captured during the UK television special Its The Beatles. It was filmed at Liverpools Empire Theatre on the afternoon of 7 December 1963, and screened by the BBC later that evening. In the studio The Beatles recorded Money (Thats What I Want) in seven takes, on 18 July 1963. Twelve days later, on 30 July, George Martin added the songs piano chords. The piano overdub was completed in seven attempts, numbered 8-14. An edit of takes six and seven was made on 21 August, from which a mono mix was made the same day. George Martin recorded more piano overdubs on 30 September, while The Beatles were holidaying abroad. Stereo mixes were made on 29 and 30 October, ahead of With The Beatles 22 November release.
Posted on: Wed, 12 Mar 2014 08:05:27 +0000
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