Written by: Buddy Holly
Recorded: 16 July 1963
Producer: Terry Henebery
Released: 30 November 1994
George Harrison: vocals, lead guitar
John Lennon: backing vocals, rhythm guitar
Paul McCartney: backing vocals, bass
Ringo Starr: drums
Available on:
Live At The BBC
Written and originally recorded by Buddy Holly, The Beatles taped a version of Crying, Waiting, Hoping in 1963 for the radio show Pop Go The Beatles.
George Harrison sang lead vocals on the song, which The Beatles also performed during their unsuccessful audition for Decca on 1 January 1962. The BBC version was recorded on 16 July 1963 at the BBC Paris Theatre, London, and first broadcast on 6 August.
Buddy Holly's version was released posthumously in 1959 as the b-side of the single Peggy Sue Got Married, and became popular among Liverpool's beat groups. The Beatles' BBC version contains a note-for-note reproduction by Harrison of Don Arnone's original guitar solo.
The group attempted a slower version of Crying, Waiting, Hoping in January 1969, during the Get Back sessions at Apple Studios.
Lyrics
Crying (crying), waiting (waiting)
Hoping (hoping) you'll come back
I just can't seem
To get you off my mind
Crying (crying), waiting (waiting)
Hoping (hoping) you'll come back
You're the one I love
I think about you all the time
Crying (crying)
Tears keep a-falling all night long
Waiting (waiting)
It seems so useless
I know it's wrong
Crying (crying), waiting (waiting)
Hoping (hoping) you'll come back
Baby, someday soon
Things will change and you'll be mine
Crying (crying)
Tears keep a-falling all night long
Waiting (waiting)
It seems so useless
I know it's wrong
Crying (crying)
Tears keep a-falling all night long
Waiting (waiting)
It seems so useless
I know it's wrong
Crying (crying), waiting (waiting)
Hoping (hoping) you'll come back
Baby, someday soon
Things will change and you'll be mine
Crying (crying), waiting (waiting)
Hoping (hoping)
I wonder if the Beatles thought that Buddy did the solo? Would the studio musician credits be listed on the records? I remember reading in some Beatles book that Merseyside audiences wanted to hear the record versions of the songs, and the bands would try to replicate as best they could. If George did an exact version it must have been thrilling for the audiences at the time.
No, back then session musicians didn’t get credit on the record sleeve. Actually, I remember George stating in an interview that he didn’t know until years later that this particular Holly song was overdubbed after his death.
This recording is just an example of how important George was during the band’s club days. Just on this Decca audition alone, he takes the lead vocal on 4 songs…
It is also on the “Lost Decca Sessions”
I just love this song. I don’t… it’s just one of my favorites in ” Live at the BBC”. I really love when George sings ” waiting ” in the
“Crying (crying)
Tears keep a-falling all night long
Waiting (waiting)
It seems so useless
I know it’s wrong”
I love his voice 🙂 They’re amazing.