The Beatles lined songs in quite a few genres. Nonetheless, The Beatles’ “My Bonnie” stands above the remainder of their covers. Right here’s a take a look at why.
The Beatles’ ‘My Bonnie’ makes a boring outdated track sound vivacious and enjoyable
The Beatles lined songs by many nice artists, together with Little Richard, Chuck Berry, and Phil Spector. Typically they out their very own distinctive stamp on their overs, and different instances they faithfully recreated an excellent track. Regardless, most Beatles covers are tributes to musical geniuses.
Alternatively, “My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean” is an outdated sea shanty that everybody is aware of however no one appears to love. Whereas some songs of that age have aged superbly (e.g. “God Save the King”), “My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean” might be higher left within the ashbin of historical past. The indisputable fact that The Beatles turned the tune into one thing worthwhile makes it their greatest cowl. They didn’t simply cowl an excellent track, they elevated the fabric.
What precisely makes The Beatles’ “My Bonnie” so nice? One of many best issues concerning the Fab 4’s early songs was their vitality. Whereas songs like “She Loves You” or “Can’t Buy Me Love” aren’t terribly complicated, they’ve infectious vibes. In the identical vein, “My Bonnie” provides the unique track a pulse. Reasonably than feeling like a crusty sea shanty, the band’s rendition is a bubbly love track.
The Beatles collaborated with an early rock ‘n’ roll singer to report the track
As well as, the vocals on the track are good. “My Bonnie” is definitely a collaboration between The Beatles and early rock ‘n’ roll singer Tony Sheridan. Sheridan is generally forgotten right this moment (aside from this one track), however one take heed to “My Bonnie” makes you marvel if he’s unjustly missed. His vocals, and the track’s jangly guitar, make this track really feel like a misplaced Elvis Presley lower. That’s most likely the very best praise anybody can provide an old style, easy rock track.
Notably, “My Bonnie” got here out close to the beginning of The Beatles’ profession. The Beatles lined one other outdated folks track, “Maggie Mae,” on their remaining studio album, Let It Be. The two covers are a examine in distinction. Whereas “My Bonnie” is enjoyable and contemporary, “Maggie Mae” seems like a labored monitor from the Stone Age. Whereas “My Bonnie” is filled with promise, “Maggie Mae” is an efficient instance of why the Fab 4 couldn’t have lasted without end.
How ‘My Bonnie’ carried out on the charts in the US and the UK
“My Bonnie” reached No. 26 on the Billboard Hot 100, staying on the chart for six weeks. A model of the tune appeared on the album Anthology 1. That album reached No. 1 on the Billboard 200 for 3 of its 29 weeks on the chart.
In accordance with The Official Charts Company, “My Bonnie” reached No. 48 in the UK for a single week. Alternatively, Anthology 1 hit No. 2 and remained on the chart for 12 weeks.
“My Bonnie” gave followers an early inkling that The Beatles would develop into an all-time nice band.