Genre Rock and roll Label Parlophone | Length 1:48 Writer(s) Lennon–McCartney | |
Released 22 November 1963 (mono)
30 November 1963 (stereo) Recorded Abbey Road Studios
11–12 September and 3 October 1963 | ||
"Little Child" is a song by English rock group the Beatles from their album With the Beatles. It was written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney for Ringo Starr, but Starr was instead given "I Wanna Be Your Man" as his album song.
Contents
Background
McCartney describes "Little Child" as being a "work song", or an "album filler". He admits to taking the line "I'm so sad and lonely" from the song "Whistle My Love" by British balladeer and actor Elton Hayes. The phrase "sad and lonely" also appears in the song "Act Naturally", which the Beatles covered (with Starr singing) for the album Help!.
Recording
The song was recorded in three different sessions, with the first on 11 September 1963, where the Beatles recorded two takes. They later came back to it the next day, where they recorded 16 takes, including overdubs of piano from McCartney, and harmonica from Lennon. They later returned to it on 3 October, where they recorded three more takes. According to the stereo mix, the harmonica pans from left to right for the solo. Then it pans back from right to left after the solo. The song's solo follows a "twelve-bar blues format that does not appear in the rest of the [song]."
Reception
Music critic Richie Unterberger of Allmusic said of the song: "It might have been one of the less sophisticated and impressive tracks on the record, but it was still pretty good", and "'Little Child' might not be a work of genius, but it's sheer rock 'n' roll fun".
Personnel
MacDonald said that the vocals were "credited to Lennon and McCartney, but more like the former double-tracked", though it is possible that McCartney sings a lower harmony to Lennon's lead during the verses, plus McCartney can be heard at the end singing "oh yeah" on his own, so the original credit is probably correct.
Cover versions
Wreckless Eric covered the song with James Nicholls for Mojo's CD We're With The Beatles in 2013.