{{Short description|Song by John Lennon}} {{For|the Desperate Housewives episode|Hello, Little Girl}} {{Infobox song | name = Hello Little Girl | cover = | alt = | type = | artist = [[the Beatles]] | album = [[Anthology 1]] | released = 20 November 1995 | recorded = 1 January 1962 | studio = [[Decca Studios]], London | genre = *[[Rock and roll]] *[[Merseybeat]] | length = 1:40 | label = [[Apple Records]] | writer = [[Lennon–McCartney]] | producer = [[Mike Smith (British record producer)|Mike Smith]] }}
"'''Hello Little Girl'''" is a song written by [[John Lennon]] in 1957, one of the first songs he wrote and one of the earliest written songs credited to [[Lennon–McCartney]]. It was most notably performed by [[the Beatles]] at their unsuccessful 1 January 1962 [[The Beatles' Decca audition|audition]] for [[Decca Records]] and ultimately included on the 1995 [[compilation album]] ''[[Anthology 1]]''. A 1960 home demo recording has never been officially released.
[[Liverpool]] groups [[the Fourmost]] and [[Gerry & the Pacemakers]] recorded versions in 1963. The former reached number nine in the British charts while the latter remained unreleased until 1991.
==Composition and structure== [[John Lennon]] wrote "Hello Little Girl" near the end of 1957, around the same time [[Paul McCartney]] wrote "[[I Lost My Little Girl]]".{{sfn|Lewisohn|2013|p=10}} Lennon described it as one of his first finished compositions.<ref>{{harvnb|Miles|Marchbank|1978|p=79}}, quoted in {{harvnb|Everett|2001|p=372n44}}</ref> Beatles historian [[Mark Lewisohn]] describes it as "the third song he wrote (but the first to stick)".{{sfn|Lewisohn|2013|p=513}} According to Lennon, he drew on an old "Thirties or Forties song" that his mother sang to him.{{sfn|Sheff|2000|p=172}} Lewisohn identifies it as the 1939 dance-band and film number "Scatterbrain". In particular, Lennon was captured by the rhythmic flow of lines like, "When you smile it's so delightful / When you talk it's so insane / Still it's charming chatter, scatterbrain."{{sfn|Lewisohn|2013|p=152}} Lewisohn writes that the song is "steeped in [[the Crickets]]' sound"{{sfn|Lewisohn|2013|p=10}} and that, "the [[Buddy Holly]] influence is overwhelming."{{sfn|Lewisohn|2013|p=152}} [[Musicology|Musicologist]] [[Walter Everett (musicologist)|Walter Everett]] agrees, writing the song "has strong Holly characteristics."{{sfn|Everett|2001|p=52}} In particular, "Hello Little Girl" is the first Beatles song to recreate Holly's [[Double tracking|double-tracked]] vocal parts with Lennon on lead and McCartney singing the [[descant]]; the Beatles used this arrangement in almost all of their duets through 1969.{{sfn|Everett|2001|p=76}}
The song underwent significant changes between 1960 and 1962.{{sfn|Everett|2001|p=33}} Everett notes that in measures 22–23, the earlier version seeks to emulate Buddy Holly much more than the [[Syncopation|syncopated]] passage in the later version.{{sfn|Everett|2001|pp=33–34}} The earlier version is also "supported by a single chain of applied V<sup>7</sup>s, VI<sup>{{music|#}}7</sup>–II<sup>{{music|#}}7</sup>–V<sup>7</sup>, whereas the later version repeats much faster-moving [[diatonic scale|diatonic]] [[Perfect fifth|fifth]]-sequence heard nearly four full times."{{sfn|Everett|2001|p=34}} The change was likely made in part to accommodate added backing vocals from McCartney and [[George Harrison]],{{sfn|Everett|2001|p=34}} emulating [[the Jordanaires]] and the Crickets in singing sustained vowels behind the soloist.{{sfn|Everett|2001|p=78}} Everett writes that the earlier version is the closest any composition by [[the Beatles]] comes to using the eight-bar bridge chord change III<sup>{{music|#}}</sup>–VI<sup>{{music|#}}</sup>–II<sup>{{music|#}}</sup>–V typical to [[Tin Pan Alley]] songs;{{sfn|Everett|2001|p=50}} He also writes that, like most early compositions by the Beatles', the song is "thoroughly diatonic, grounded solidly in the major scale,"{{sfn|Everett|2001|p=55}} though the song features a "bluesy" guitar solo.{{sfn|Everett|2001|p=56}} The later version also includes a new ending, using the same triplet close heard in "[[Twist and Shout#The Beatles version|Twist and Shout]]" and "[[I Want to Hold Your Hand]]".{{sfn|Everett|2001|p=103}} Musicologist and writer [[Ian MacDonald]] writes that the only musically interesting part of the song is "the swift chromatic descent at the end, paralleling the equally swift chromatic ascents in "[[Like Dreamers Do]]".{{sfn|MacDonald|2005|p=52n1}}
==Recording== The earliest known recording of the song is from 1960.{{sfn|Lewisohn|2013|pp=326–327}}{{refn|group=nb|Lewisohn writes it was recorded around 18 June 1960 (McCartney's 18th birthday).{{sfn|Lewisohn|2013|p=326}} Everett writes it was around April 1960.{{sfn|Everett|2001|p=43}}}} This recording features Lennon on lead vocal and his [[Höfner]] Club 40 guitar while McCartney provides harmony vocals and plays his [[Framus]] Zenith [[Steel-string acoustic guitar|acoustic guitar]].{{sfn|Everett|2001|p=43}} McCartney recalls, "Sometimes I'd borrow a tape recorder—a Grundig with a little green eye—[or] John would manage to borrow one, and we'd go around my house and try to record things. I seem to remember recording '[[Hallelujah, I Love Her So]],' because I had the [[Eddie Cochran]] record. They were very much home demos, very bad sound quality."{{sfn|Lewisohn|2013|p=326}}{{refn|group=nb|This quotation is from a 3 November 1995 interview with Lewisohn. Audio of it is included on ''[[Anthology 1]]'', "Sometimes I'd borrow ... those still exist".{{sfn|Lewisohn|2013|p=834n11}}}} Though the recording features Lennon, McCartney and [[Stu Sutcliffe]], "Hello Little Girl" includes only Lennon and McCartney on guitars.{{sfn|Lewisohn|2013|pp=326–327}} The track has never been officially released but circulates unofficially.{{sfn|Lewisohn|2013|p=834n12}}
The Beatles recorded the song for their [[The Beatles' Decca audition|Decca audition]] on 1 January 1962. Lewisohn writes that Harrison's guitar work on this recording of "Hello Little Girl" is substandard compared to his normal work.{{sfn|Lewisohn|2013|p=541}} [[Pete Best]] adds full-measure [[drum roll|snare rolls]] between sections.{{sfn|Everett|2001|p=84}} Lewisohn further writes that the track is one of the few in the session that turned out well, mostly due to Lennon and McCartney's combined lead vocal.{{sfn|Lewisohn|2013|p=542}}
On 8 February 1962, the Beatles recorded "Hello Little Girl" and three other songs in an audition for radio producer Peter Pilbeam.{{sfn|Lewisohn|2013|p=562}} As audition tapes were not kept, the recording is almost definitely lost.{{sfn|Lewisohn|2013|p=562n}} From the performance of "Hello Little Girl" in particular, Pilbeam marked McCartney as "NO" but Lennon as "YES".{{sfn|Lewisohn|2013|p=563}} On 7 March 1962, the Beatles recorded at the [[Playhouse Theatre]] for Pilbeam's BBC program. They recorded four tracks for the program, including "Hello Little Girl", though it was the only song of the four not broadcast.{{sfn|Lewisohn|2013|p=581}}
On 13 February 1962, Beatles manager [[Brian Epstein]] visited producer [[George Martin]] for the first time. He gave Martin a 78 acetate of "Hello Little Girl" and "[[Till There Was You#The Beatles version|Till There Was You]]" from their Decca audition.{{sfn|Lewisohn|2013|pp=570–571}} Epstein marked the record in pen as "Hullo Little Girl" {{sic}} by "John Lennon & the Beatles", crediting the song to "Lennon, McCartney" and "Til There Was You" {{sic}} as "Paul McCartney & the Beatles".{{sfn|Lewisohn|2013|p=570}}<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |date=2016-03-22 |title='Holy Grail' Beatles record sold for £77,500 at auction |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-merseyside-35870751 |access-date=2022-05-28}}</ref> In the raw transcripts and manuscripts for his 1964 autobiography, ''[[A Cellarful of Noise]]'', Epstein recalls "George [Martin] liked Hello Little Girl, Till There Was You. Liked George on guitar. Thought Paul was the one for discs."{{sfn|Lewisohn|2013|pp=571, 856n31}}
[[The Fourmost]]'s lead guitarist Brian O'Hara recalls that Lennon and Harrison made him a demo tape of "Hello Little Girl" on acoustic guitars and gave it to him a few days before the recording session.{{sfn|Everett|2001|p=167}}
==Release== The Beatles rendition for their Decca audition was released on their 21 November 1995 [[compilation album]] ''[[Anthology 1]]''.{{sfn|MacDonald|2005|p=51}}
A Decca-made acetate of "Hello Little Girl" and "[[Like Dreamers Do]]" sold for [[Pound sterling|£]]4,000 in 1996 ({{Inflation|UK|4000|1996|fmt=eq|r=-2|cursign=[[Pound sterling|£]]}}).<ref>{{harvnb|Gottfridsson|1997|p=188}}, quoted in {{harvnb|Everett|2001|p=379n46}}</ref>
In March 2016, Omega Auctions auctioned off an acetate once owned by Les Maguire of [[Gerry and the Pacemakers]] (dubbed the "Holy Grail") featuring "Hello Little Girl" and "Till There Was You" for £77,500, exceeding the original estimate of £10,000.<ref name=CNN>{{cite web |url=http://www.cnn.com/2016/03/22/europe/beatles-record-auctioned-110k/index.html |title='Holy Grail' of Beatles records sells for $110k |author=Todd Baxter |publisher=[[CNN]] |date=22 March 2016}}</ref><ref name=":0" />
==Personnel== '''Decca audition (''Anthology 1'') version'''
According to [[Ian MacDonald]]:{{sfn|MacDonald|2005|p=51}} * [[John Lennon]] – lead vocal, rhythm guitar * [[Paul McCartney]] – bass, harmony vocal * [[George Harrison]] – lead guitar * [[Pete Best]] – drums
==Versions by the Fourmost, Gerry and the Pacemakers, and Sheila== {{Infobox song | name = Hello Little Girl | cover = | alt = | type = single | artist = [[the Fourmost]] | album = | B-side = "[[It's Everly Time|Just in Case]]" ([[Boudleaux Bryant]]) | released = 30 August 1963 | written = 1957 | recorded = 3 July 1963 | studio = [[EMI Studios]] | genre = [[Beat music|Merseybeat]] | length = | label = [[Parlophone]] | writer = [[Lennon–McCartney]] | producer = [[George Martin]] | prev_title = | prev_year = | next_title = [[I'm in Love (Lennon–McCartney song)|I'm in Love]] | next_year = 1963 }} On 3 July 1963, with the Beatles in the studio, the [[England|English]] [[Beat music|Merseybeat]] band [[the Fourmost]] recorded "Hello Little Girl" at [[Abbey Road Studios|EMI Studios]].{{sfn|Everett|2001|p=167}} The song was released as their debut single.
On 17 July 1963,{{sfn|Everett|2001|p=387n178}} [[Gerry and the Pacemakers]] recorded a version of the song, but the version by the Fourmost was selected for the issue.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jpgr.co.uk/col_r5056.html|title=Hello Little Girl|publisher=JPGR|author=Graham Calkin|access-date=31 August 2011}}</ref> The Fourmost's release reached number 9 in the [[United Kingdom]].{{sfn|MacDonald|2005|p=52n2}} Everett describes both performances as "straight" with "square syncopation, in strictly even eights as opposed to John's much freer style, in the music-hall tradition and lacking all soul."{{sfn|Everett|2001|p=375n89}}
The recording by Gerry and the Pacemakers was not released until the 1991 compilation, ''The Best of Gerry & the Pacemakers''.{{sfn|Everett|2001|p=375n89}} The Fourmost's version of this song is also on 1979 ''[[The Songs Lennon and McCartney Gave Away]]'' [[compilation album]].
In early 1964, local pop star Sheila – later internationally famous as Sheila B. Devotion - released a French-language version "Hello Petite Fille" on her fifth maxi-single for Philips (cat.no. 434849). The song became the lead track for media play and the record eventually sold over 150,000 copies, reaching number 4 in the French charts and number 19 in Belgium.<ref>{{Cite web |title=TOP 45 Tours - 1964 |url=http://www.top-france.fr/html/45tours/45t1964.htm |access-date=2025-07-26 |website=www.top-france.fr}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Hello petite fille par Sheila |url=https://www.bide-et-musique.com/song/21870.html |access-date=2025-07-26 |website=www.bide-et-musique.com}}</ref> Her May 1964 TV performance of the track on the programme ''Jeunesse Oblige was'' the first time this piece of Lennon & McCartney music had been broadcast on francophone television.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sheila on TV 22 May 1964 |url=https://www.instagram.com/reel/CxQR2I9tKI8/ |access-date=2025-07-26 |website=www.instagram.com}}</ref>
===Weekly charts=== {|class="wikitable sortable" !Chart (1963) !Peak<br>position |- |{{singlechart|UK|9|date=19631030|access-date=8 February 2021}} |}
==References== ===Footnotes=== {{Reflist|group=nb}}
===Citations=== {{Reflist}}
===Sources=== {{refbegin}} * {{cite book |last=Everett |first=Walter |author-link=Walter Everett (musicologist)|year=2001 |title=The Beatles As Musicians: The Quarry Men through Rubber Soul |url=https://archive.org/details/beatlesasmusicia00ever |url-access=registration |publisher=Oxford University Press |location=Oxford and New York |isbn=978-0-19-514105-4 |access-date=4 February 2021}} * {{cite book |last1=Gottfridsson |first1=Hans Olof |title=The Beatles from Cavern to Star-Club: the Illustrated Chronicle, Discography & Price Guide 1957-1962 |date=1997 |location=Stockholm, Sweden |isbn=978-9-197-18947-7}} * {{cite book|last=Lewisohn |first=Mark |author-link=Mark Lewisohn |title=[[The Beatles: All These Years|The Beatles – All These Years]], Volume One: Tune In |publisher=Crown Archetype |year=2013 |isbn=978-1-4000-8305-3 }} * {{cite book |last=MacDonald |first=Ian |year=2005 |author-link=Ian MacDonald |title=Revolution in the Head: The Beatles' Records and the Sixties |edition=2nd revised |publisher=Pimlico |location=London |isbn=978-1-84413-828-9}} * {{cite book |editor1-last=Miles |editor1-first=Barry |editor1-link=Barry Miles |editor2-last=Marchbank |editor2-first=Pearce |title=Beatles in their Own Words |date=1978 |publisher=Omnibus |location=New York}} * {{cite book| last=Sheff| first=David| year=2000| title=All We Are Saying| publisher=St Martin's Griffin| isbn=0-312-25464-4| url-access=registration| url=https://archive.org/details/allwearesayingla00lenn}} {{refend}}
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[[Category:1963 songs]] [[Category:1963 debut singles]] [[Category:The Beatles songs]] [[Category:Song recordings produced by George Martin]] [[Category:Parlophone singles]] [[Category:Songs written by Lennon–McCartney]] [[Category:Song recordings produced by Mike Smith (British record producer)]] [[Category:The Beatles Anthology]]