| Title: | Boys |  |
| Credits: | Luther Dixon - Wes Farell | |
| Recorded: | EMI Studios, London, 11 February, 1963 | |
| Producer: | George Martin | |
| Engineer: | Norman Smith | |
| Location: | Please Please Me - track 5 Introducing The Beatles - track 5 |
| Title: | Boys | |
| Credits: | Luther Dixon - Wes Farell | |
| Recorded: | EMI Studios, London, 11 February, 1963 | |
| Producer: | George Martin | |
| Engineer: | Norman Smith | |
| Location: | Please Please Me - track 5 Introducing The Beatles - track 5 |
Ringo's first recorded lead vocal. The song was written by Luther Dixon and Wes Farell and first recorded by the Shirelles in 1960. the Beatles frequently performed Shirelles material on stage, songs like, Mama Said, Baby It's You and Will You Love Me Tomorrow.
The Beatles recorded 'Boys' in one take on February 11, 1963 for release on their "Please Please Me" LP. Both the stereo and mono mixes were prepared February 25. The track was first released on that album on March 22, 1963.
The simulated mono version was released on the US LP "The Early Beatles" on March 22, 1965 and contains the stereo mix with the separate tracks combined into one.
In the spring of 1976 George Martin remixed a stereo version of 'Boys' in Los Angeles for the LP "Rock 'N' Roll Music." This album was released in the US on June 7, 1976 and in the UK on June 11, 1976. The original UK release of this LP consisted of direct transfers of the early master tapes, until October 1980, when the double-LP was issued as two single budget label LP's. At the time, the new George Martin remixes were used.
On February 26, 1987 the album "Please Please Me" was released in both the US and the UK on the CD format. Originally, a new stereo mix was prepared for this release; however, George Martin later remixed the album in mono. The new mono mix is found on the CD release of the album "Please Please Me."
The Beatles recorded 'Boys' several times in 1963 for various BBC Radio programs including April 1 for "Side By Side" (aired May 13), April 4 again for "Side By Side" (aired June 24), May 21 for "Saturday Club" (aired May 25), September 3 for "Pop Go The Beatles" (aired September 17), and December 18 for "From Us To You" (aired December 26). The Beatles also performed an afternoon concert at the Empire Theatre in Liverpool on December 7, 1963, during which they played 'Boys'. BBC Television filmed this concert and aired it as a 30-minute film titled "It's The Beatles." All of these performances have been bootlegged.
The Beatles recorded this song on June 17, 1963 for the "Pop Go The Beatles" episode which aired June 25. This recording was released in both the US and the UK in March 1995 as a bonus track on their 'Baby, It's You' CD single. This song was also recorded on April 19, 1964 for the television special "Around The Beatles" which aired May 6; however, this recording was not used. This recording was released in both the US and the UK on November 21, 1995 on "The Beatles Anthology Volume 1."
On July 17, 1964 The Beatles recorded 'Boys' for their fourth BBC Radio holiday special "From Us To You," which aired August 3. The song was again recorded on October 3 for the US TV show "Shindig," which aired October 7. These recordings as well as the performances of 'Boys' at The Beatles' concerts in Vancouver (August 22), Philadelphia (September 2) and Indianapolis, Indiana (September 3) are all available on various bootlegs.
The Beatles performed a concert at the Hollywood Bowl on August 23, 1964. This performance was recorded and released on the album "The Beatles At The Hollywood Bowl" in the US on May 4, 1977 and in the UK on May 6, 1977.
Ringo Starr performed this song during a concert with his All-Starr Band at the Pacific Amphitheater in Costa Mesa, California on September 2, 1989. This performance has been bootlegged and can be found on "Live From The Pacific Amphitheater."
Ringo also performed this song at the concert at the Greek Theater in Los Angeles on September 3, 1989 and was broadcast live on the "Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Telethon." This performance has been bootlegged and can be found on "1989 Beatleg News Christmas Record."
Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band performed this song at the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland on July 13, 1992. This track was released in the UK and the US on September 14, 1993 on the album "Ringo Starr And His All-Starr Band: Live From Montreux."
Ringo's performance of this song at the Budokan Arena in Tokyo, Japan during 1997 was released in the US on August 12, 1997 on "Ringo Starr And His Third All-Starr Band Volume 1."