Maggie Mae
From BeatlesWiki
Maggie Mae is a song off The Beatles' 1970 album Let It Be. It is a traditional 19th-century Liverpool folk song about a prostitute who robbed a sailor.
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Early Performances
The Beatles covered it when they were still The Quarrymen, playing it live from 1957 to 1959. It is believed to have been played live on July 6, 1957, when Paul met John playing the Woolton Fete.
Recording
The song was recorded during the Get Back rehearsals on January 24, 1969 at Apple Studios on 3 Savile Row. It is the second-shortest song by The Beatles, the first being Her Majesty, recorded the same year for the Abbey Road album. Originally, the lyrics were "I was paid off at the pool, in the port of Liverpool/Three pounds ten a week, that was my pay/With a bucket full of tin, I was very taken in, by a girl called Maggie Mae." However, John forgets the lyrics and sings, "'Tis the part of Liverpool/They returned me to/Two pounds ten a week, that was my pay," before the band stops playing.
Personnel
The Beatles
- Lead Vocals: John Lennon
- Rythm Guitar: John Lennon
- Backing Vocals: Paul McCartney
- Rythm Guitar: Paul McCartney
- Lead Guitar: George Harrison
- Drums: Ringo Starr
Production
- Engineer: Glyn Johns
Available Versions
- Get Back Session, February 24, 1969, (Let It Be)
- Get Back Session, February 24, 1969, (Let It Be... Naked) (A Medley with Fancy Me Chances)
- Get Back Session, February 24, 1969, (Bootlegs)
Available On
- Let It Be, 1970
- Let It Be... Naked, 2003
Sources
- [1]
- [2]
- [3]
- LEWISOHN M., 1992, The Complete Beatles Chronicle, Hamlyn -- Buy it on Amazon.com
