10 Beatles Songs You Didn't Know Were Recorded by Other Artists
The Beatles, known for their iconic songs, also wrote tracks for other artists, often under different names to test their songwriting abilities. These songs, penned by John Lennon and Paul McCartney, showcase the band's influence beyond their own albums. Here are 10 songs recorded by other artists that were actually written by The Beatles.
The Rolling Stones released "I Wanna Be Your Man," written by Lennon and McCartney, as one of their early singles. The song helped boost the Stones' popularity before they became global stars. Both bands shared a raw rock sound in their early years, evident in their versions of the track.
Paul McCartney wrote and produced "Come and Get It" for Badfinger, the first band signed to Apple Records. The song's catchy pop sound, guided by McCartney's clear demo, propelled Badfinger into the spotlight. This collaboration showcased The Beatles' support for other artists through Apple Records.
"Bad to Me," a Lennon-McCartney track, was given to Billy J. Kramer, who scored a No. 1 hit in the U.K. with the song. Kramer's version remains the well-known recording, while a John Lennon demo was released years later. The song's bright sound helped Kramer reach a wider audience.
"Cilla Black recorded "Love of the Loved," written by Lennon and McCartney, which became a Top 40 hit in the U.K. The song's direct lyrics and clear melody reflect The Beatles' early writing style. This track highlights the strong ideas that never made it to The Beatles' albums.
Five years later, Cilla Black returned to a Lennon-McCartney song with "Step Inside Love," used as the theme song for her TV show. The Beatles' version remained unreleased until 1996, showcasing their support for artists from Liverpool. The track's warm tone suited a TV theme.
Peter and Gordon's No. 1 hit "A World Without Love" was written by Paul McCartney but credited to Lennon-McCartney. The duo's soft harmony gave the song a different feel from Beatles records. This track demonstrates how even songs The Beatles passed on found success with other artists.
McCartney wrote "Woman" for Peter and Gordon under the pseudonym Bernard Webb to test if a song could succeed without the Lennon-McCartney credit. The song reached number 14 on the Billboard Hot 100, showcasing the duo's recognizable vocal style. The Beatles' experimentation with songwriting credit is evident in this track.
Folk singer Mary Hopkin recorded "Goodbye," written by Lennon-McCartney, which rose quickly on the charts but stayed at No. 2 in the U.K. due to another Beatles single holding the top spot. The gentle sound of the song suited Hopkin's voice, highlighting The Beatles' promotion of artists with different styles under the Apple label.
George Harrison wrote "Sour Milk Sea" for Jackie Lomax, an Apple Records artist, with support from McCartney and Starr. Despite the star-studded lineup, the song did not sell well. The track's energy and strong guitar riff showcase Harrison's early writing outside The Beatles, hinting at his future musical explorations.