Who Are Your Favorite Beatle "Back-up" Singers?????

[Paperback Writer]

"What," you say?

Well, often in Beatle songs, there is one 'lead' singer and  2 others perform roles as back-up singers.

See the examples below, and vote for your favorite lead-back-up combo! (Your voting on the singing combo, not the song example)

A. John lead, back-up Paul and George (Twist & Shout, etc.)

B. Paul lead, back-up John and George (The Night Before, etc.)

C. George lead, back-up Paul and John, (Think For Yourself, etc.)

D. Ringo lead, back-up John and Paul, ( A Little Help From My Friends)

Some pretty good vocal options, heh? LOL

[lampie1970]

I am a pretty good beatle back up singer...hahahaha cept i have never been on any of the recordings...i end up on the cuttin room flor for some reason ;) ;) (hey merv, can we get a "nudge" smilie??)

[mervap]

Gotta say "A".

[2 of 3]

I say E.....John singing and Paul screaming his guts out with a harmony vocal. Think Don't Let Me Down or Ballad of John and Yoko.

[Greg]

I am going to give some recognition to the Harrisong Singers on My Sweet Lord.  "They" were great.

[Paperback Writer]

I love all of A-E,, and hear great highlights in all -  but, having to pick one, I'll go with A - for my $, the fullest, best use of all the vocals.

[chris]

i have another...

john singing lead, and paul's escalating back up vocals on dig a pony. it might be even better on the anthology version.

do we have an f?

[Greg]

Oh I didn't read the post correctly.  Cool post.

B. 

Absolutely B.

(The Yeah, Yeah's on It Won't Be Long are cool too.)

[acebackwords]

Anybody ever hear the accapella out-take of "Because" where the three Beatles are singing harmonies? Those boys could sing.

But I always thought the Beatles secret weapon was, not only were they great singers, but they were great mimics. John and Paul could have made it as comedians with the voice impressions. Like on "You Know My Name" or out-takes of "Hey Bulldog."  Let alone all the stuff like spot-on Beach Boys impressions on "Back in the U.S.S.R." and etc.

[mervap]

Anybody ever hear the accapella out-take of "Because" where the three Beatles are singing harmonies? Those boys could sing.

That's what I imagine it sounds like in heaven....

[Greg]

Yeah, Paul was especially good at creating different voices.  Lady Madonna's vocal delivery is something unto itself.  Helter Skelter is copying something that never existed and was only described to him in print.  I always thought She's A Woman had a special vocal voicing.

("Because a capella is the sound of heaven".  Good one.  Yes, me too.)

[Paperback Writer]

Excellent points, all!

How about Paul and George's backing vocals on Happiness Is A  Warm Gun? DOO WAP! (Now there's another example of versatility).

[acebackwords]

John, Paul and George were such versatile mimics, that I often couldn't tell who was singing what with the background vocals.  John once described George as the "invisible singer," and himself as the "invisible guitarist." I know this is a little off-topic, but a lot of times I like to concentrate on Lennon's acoustic guitar strumming thats usually buried at the bottom of the mix.  Very distinctive and under-rated as a guitarist.  But really, the acoustic guitar at the bottom is what really drives a band and a song.  Just ask Keith Richards.  Often what George is playing as the lead guitar part seems like a slightly slicker, cleaner version of what John is playing on the bottom.

[rockmusicnut]

Out of your list I'll go with C.  I tend to like George songs.

[mervap]

Welcome to the site, RMN!!! George is often overlooked.....nice to see him getting some due, eh? :)