The Rolling Stones Song Written By The Beatles
via Marcelo FT - Sono Lab / YouTube
Back in the early days of the Beatles, John Lennon and Paul McCartney had a habit of sharing their songs with friends. One such occasion led to the creation of “I Wanna Be Your Man,” a song penned by Lennon and McCartney for none other than the Rolling Stones. This musical exchange took place at London’s De Lane Lea Studio on September 10, 1963, and it remains a fascinating chapter in the history of rock and roll.
But how did this collaboration come about?
The meeting of these two iconic bands was orchestrated by none other than Rolling Stones manager Andrew Loog Oldham, who had previously worked as the Beatles’ publicist. It all began when Oldham quite literally ran into Lennon and McCartney as they stepped out of a cab. He seized the opportunity and invited them to the studio where the Rolling Stones were rehearsing. (Zolpidem)
In that studio, magic happened. Lennon and McCartney took a rough sketch of an idea, which had originally been conceived by McCartney, and together with the Stones, they transformed it into “I Wanna Be Your Man,” a song that would become a single for the Rolling Stones. This collaborative effort between two of the biggest bands of the era was a testament to the camaraderie and creativity that flowed within the music scene of the time.
At that particular juncture, the Rolling Stones were still in the early stages of their career, having released only one single, a cover of Chuck Berry’s “Come On.”
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Their repertoire primarily consisted of R&B covers. However, watching Lennon and McCartney work their songwriting magic that day left a lasting impact on Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, providing them with valuable insights into the art of crafting songs.
This newfound understanding of songwriting became especially handy when Andrew Loog Oldham famously confined Mick Jagger and Keith Richards to a kitchen, challenging them to compose a song. The result of this creative challenge was “As Tears Go By,” a song that showcased the evolving songwriting talents of the Rolling Stones.
On the other side of this musical exchange, Lennon and McCartney had become a prolific songwriting duo.
They frequently shared their surplus of songs with friends and fellow musicians. Acts like Gerry and the Pacemakers (“Do You Want to Know a Secret”), Billy J. Kramer and the Dakotas (“Bad to Me”), and Cilla Black (“Step Inside Love”) all benefited from the generosity of Lennon and McCartney.
As for “I Wanna Be Your Man,” some alterations were needed before the Rolling Stones put their stamp on it. They infused the song with a more robust R&B beat, and Brian Jones contributed his signature slide guitar part, giving the song its distinctive sound. The Rolling Stones recorded “I Wanna Be Your Man” a month after that fateful day in the studio, and it was released on November 1, 1963.
The song quickly gained traction, reaching No. 12 on the U.K. charts. Notably, the Beatles’ own version of “I Wanna Be Your Man” was released just three weeks later on their album “With the Beatles,” featuring Ringo Starr taking the lead vocal. This remarkable exchange of musical ideas and the sharing of songs between two legendary bands remains a captivating piece of rock history, demonstrating the spirit of collaboration and creative energy that defined the era.
Listen to the song below:
