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The “beautiful” 1962 song John Lennon could listen to forever
The article discusses John Lennon’s admiration for ‘Some Other Guy’, a 1962 song by Richie Barrett, which The Beatles regularly performed in their early live sets. It matters because Lennon reportedly regarded the group’s version as one of his most satisfying recordings, illustrating the lasting influence of early rock and roll on his musical tastes.
Lennon made the comments in a 1968 interview, naming ‘Some Other Guy’ alongside rock and roll standards such as ‘Be-Bop-A-Lula’, ‘Heartbreak Hotel’ and ‘Good Golly, Miss Molly’. The article also notes that he was often highly critical of his own work and of cover versions, though he praised selected interpretations of Beatles songs by Ray Charles and José Feliciano.
In short
- Lennon admired The Beatles’ rendition of Richie Barrett’s 1962 song.
- He considered it among his most satisfying recordings.
- The choice reflected his enduring love of early rock and roll.
Explained simply
'Some Other Guy' is a rock and roll song released in 1962 by Richie Barrett. The Beatles frequently performed it during their early years, when they regularly included rock and roll standards in their live shows.
John Lennon later expressed admiration for the song, describing it as beautiful and saying he could listen to it forever. In a 1968 interview, he named it alongside other rock and roll classics that had shaped his musical taste.
Lennon was generally critical of his own work and cover recordings. He did, however, express particular admiration for 'Some Other Guy'.