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Kansas City is a 1958 song by Little Richard. The Beatles covered it live from 1961 to 1962 and then again in 1964. They covered it in the studio for the 1964 album Beatles for Sale in a medley with Kansas City.
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Original Version and Early Performances
The song was written by Little Richard. It was originally released in 1958, as the B-Side of his single Good Golly Miss Molly. The Beatles saw Little Richard perform it live in a medley with Kansas City and immediately started covering both songs live as a medley. The Beatles would end up performing with Little Richard twice in November 1962, while at the Star Club for two weeks. They soon became friends. Paul recalled trying to imitate Little Richard in his authorized biography, Many Years From Now. "I could do Little Richard's voice, which is a wild, hoarse, screaming thing; it's like an out-of-body experience. You have to leave your current sensibilities and go about a foot above your head to sing it. You have to actually go outside yourself. It's a funny little trick and when you find it, it's very interesting." Granada TV recorded The Beatles performing this song live at The Cavern Club on September 5, 1962. Part of this footage was featured in The Beatles' Anthology TV series, although it had a voice-over from Paul. The audio from the unedited clip without Paul's interview has not been fully released, on legitimate album or bootleg. Another version was recorded at The Star Club on December 25, 1962. This version is available fully on bootlegs. By 1963, they had completely dropped the song from their live set, although they did record it for the BBC Radio program Pop Goes The Beatles on July 16, 1963. This version was inclued on the 1994 album Live At The BBC. They recorded it for BBC radio again on May 1, 1964 for From Us To You. It was recorded once again for From Us To You on July 17. The final BBC version was recorded on November 25 for Saturday Club.
Recording
Despite dropping it from their set in 1963, The Beatles performed it when their first American tour arrived in Kansas on September 17, 1964. The crowd had enjoyed it, so The Beatles decided to record it in the studio. They did so on October 18, when it was perfected in just one take. Because they did not have enough new material for Beatles for Sale, they brought back several songs which they did not play anymore. They did record a second take, but the first was considered best, and Take 2 went unissued until 1995's Anthology 1.
Personnel
The Beatles
- Lead Vocals: Paul McCartney
- Bass: Paul McCartney
- Backing Vocals: John Lennon
- Rythm Guitar: John Lennon
- Backing Vocals: George Harrison
- Lead Guitar: George Harrison
- Drums: Ringo Starr
Guest Musicians
- Piano: George Martin
Production
- Producer: George Martin
- Engineer: Norman Smith
Available Versions
- Live at The Cavern Club (Partial with Kansas City), September 5, 1962, (Bootlegs, The Beatles Anthology TV series)
- Live at The Star Club (with Kansas City), December 25, 1962, (Bootlegs)
- BBC Radio Pop Goes The Beatles Rerecording (with Kansas City), July 16, 1963, (Live At The BBC, Bootlegs)
- BBC Radio From Us To You Rerecording (with Kansas City), May 1, 1964, (Bootlegs)
- BBC Radio From Us To You Rerecording (with Kansas City), July 17, 1964, (Bootlegs)
- Live on "Shindig" TV program (with Kansas City), October 3, 1964, (Bootlegs)
- Take 1 (with Kansas City), October 18, 1964, (Beatles for Sale)
- Take 2 (with Kansas City), October 18, 1964, (Anthology 1)
- BBC Radio Saturday Club Rerecording (with Kansas City), November 25, 1964, (Bootlegs)
Available On
- Beatles for Sale, 1964.
- Beatles VI, 1965.
- Live At The BBC, 1994.
- Anthology 1, 1995.
