2 “New” Early Beatles Recordings Surface Decades After They Were Thought Lost

A Surprise From the Early Years

Two early Beatles recordings, long believed lost, have surfaced and quickly caught the attention of fans. The tracks include a solo acoustic demo of Paul McCartney’s “Love of the Loved” and the earliest known recording of the Lennon-McCartney song “Misery.” Both appeared on YouTube on Dec. 10, 2025.

The recordings are believed to come from a recent Beatles bootleg release. While unofficial, their arrival has sparked serious discussion among historians and collectors. Each track offers a clearer look into the band’s writing and sound during a key period before global fame arrived.

A Demo Long Out of Reach

“Love of the Loved” was previously known only through the band’s failed Decca Records audition from Jan. 1, 1962. That version was poorly recorded and featured McCartney singing in a deep, Elvis-like voice. For years, no other recording was thought to exist.

The newly surfaced demo was auctioned by Christie’s in 1991 but never released publicly. This version features a clean acoustic sound and a more natural McCartney vocal. Acoustic guitars back the performance, likely played by McCartney along with John Lennon or George Harrison.

A Song Waiting for a Home

The demo of “Love of the Loved” is believed to have been recorded for singer Cilla Black, a friend of the Beatles from Liverpool. Black later released the song in October 1963 with help from McCartney and production by George Martin.

Her version reached No. 35 on the U.K. singles chart. The song itself dates back to early 1959. According to Mark Lewisohn, it was written during a walk home and inspired by McCartney’s girlfriend at the time, Dot Rhone.

McCartney Looks Back

“It was one of those very early songs of mine I’d written up in Liverpool,” McCartney said years later. “We performed it at our audition for Decca when they unwisely passed us up. We played the song live a few times too but didn’t ever properly record it, so the song was sitting around waiting for a home.”

That quote helps explain why the demo matters. It fills a gap between the song’s creation and its later success, offering a missing chapter in the band’s early writing history.

The First Full Take of “Misery”

The second recording is an early version of “Misery,” believed to come from a Jan. 30–31, 1963 rehearsal at an empty Cavern Club. While its existence had been rumored, only short clips had ever been heard before.

Beatles author Mark Lewisohn once played a brief excerpt during lectures. This marks the first time the entire song has been available. The recording includes alternate lyrics not heard on later versions.

A Song With a Different Voice

The early lyrics include lines such as: “The world is treating me bad, misery/I’m the kind of girl/who used to love the world/The world is treating me bad, misery…” The full band is present, including Ringo Starr.

“Misery” was reportedly written for singer Helen Shapiro, who toured with the Beatles at the time. She declined the song. It was later recorded by Kenny Lynch, whose version failed to chart.

How “Misery” Came Together

Lewisohn reported that Lennon and McCartney began working on “Misery” on Jan. 26, 1963, likely backstage before a show at King’s Hall in Stoke-on-Trent. The song was completed days later at McCartney’s Forthlin Road home.

At the time, McCartney said, “We’ve called it ‘Misery,’ but it isn’t as slow as it sounds; it moves along at quite a pace, and we think Helen will make a pretty good job of it.”

Lennon and McCartney Reflect

Over the years, Lennon described “Misery” as more his song, “but it was written together.” McCartney later said, “I don’t think either one of us dominated on that one, it was just a hacking job.”

Despite their doubts, the song is now seen as an early favorite. The same is true for “Love of the Loved,” which many now view as inventive and ahead of its time.

Rethinking Second-Rate Songs

The Beatles often gave songs they considered weaker to other artists. Many of those tracks later became hits for performers like Billy J. Kramer and the Dakotas, or even the Rolling Stones.

With time, it has become hard to see how “Misery” or “Love of the Loved” were ever viewed as lesser works. Their rediscovery only strengthens their standing in the band’s catalog.

Questions About Anthology 4

The appearance of these recordings has renewed criticism of The Beatles Anthology Vol. 4. Fans have noted that the release relies heavily on tracks already issued, with few surprises.

“These two songs would have been a perfect fit for Anthology 4,” said Casey Piotrowski, host of The Beatles Show. “You know, every time we think we’ve heard the last undiscovered music from the Beatles, someone discovers more.”

The Music Keeps Appearing

Piotrowski added, “Hank Williams died in 1953 and they were still putting out unreleased music as late as 2014. I think it’ll be the same with the Beatles. I don’t think we’ll ever run out of new music from them.”

For fans, the discovery of these recordings suggests that more unheard material may still exist, waiting to surface decades after it was first recorded.