Beatles Greatest Hits BOTB series: I Want To Hold Your Hand
In the course of what I think is a very short Career, the Beatles recorded more than 200 songs and 20 of those became chart toppers. Not wanting to get stuck in necessarily a chronological rut, I turned to DH one day and said, “What’s the first Beatles’ song that comes to mind”. Without hesitating he responded, “I Want to Hold Your Hand”.
I learned this Beatles’ 1963 classic went straight to #1 in the UK where it stayed for five weeks. I also found out that “I Want to Hold Your Hand” became the group’s first American number one hit and it became a world wide best selling single for the Beatles.
My job today is to bring to you artists worthy for consideration in this showdown. I ran through a couple dozen covers easily. I was torn between three tribute bands and a couple of slow-tempo arrangements with female leads. What am I to do? Let’s take a look at which cover bands found favor with my ears.
The other tribute bands I considered were The Bestbeat and The Reo Brothers.
It’s gonna be hard to not let Anne’s fun video presentation influence your decision. Aside from that, I liked her soft vocals with a bit of a bouncy slower pace cover. The Iveys also chose to keep the slow tempo. I worried it might be too slow for some of you but I threw it in the pop. The only tribute band I added to the mix is held the tempo and feel true to the original. There’s no reason you’re not going to love it for that reason alone. However if you’re like me when you look for covers, you want to find someone who breaks away from the original. Each contender has his/her good points to take away from this battle but the decision is yours, which Beatle’s cover artist does it better – Anne Reburn, The Iveys, or The Beatles Revival?
I am on my summer blogging hiatus which means I’m typically posting once a week. For the next three months, I’m only taking part in BOTB on the 1st. You’ll want to check in on the 12th to learn how things go down in this showdown. Don’t forget to check out more battles going on now. All participants are listed in my side bar beneath the BOTB banner. 😉
I’ll see ya next time on the Monday’s Music Moves Me dance floor. So, come join the fun! This is CAAC signing off, have a bandtastic day! X💋X💋, Cathy
21 Comments
Kinga
Such a classic song <3
Arlee Bird
Definitely #2 The Iveys for me. The first was too cutesy and the last was a faithful recreation. The Iveys gave the song a nice edginess.
Lee
Cathy Kennedy
Lee,
Hooray for THE IVEYS getting their second vote in this round! I’m surprised how this showdown is turning out.
Mary B
Hi Cathy!
Finally making the rounds here it’s been quite the year for me. My days all blend together . Thanks for reaching out to me. Sorry for not responding.
I’m going with Beatles Revival. I think they were the only ones to do the song any justice.
Cathy Kennedy
Mary,
I more than understand. You amaze me with you are able to do. God bless you, darlin’! Thanks for popping by to put in your vote for the BEATLES REVIVAL. You’re in my prayers! xo
Brian
Our Dad remembers watching the Beatles on The Ed Sullivan Show. We go with the Beatles Revival too, the other two are just too slow and drippy!
Cathy Kennedy
Brian,
The ladies are falling behind THE BEATLES REVIVAL. I really didn’t see this one coming…well, I don’t think I did or at least hoped it wouldn’t be so.
John Holton
I’m going with the Beatles Revival band because I didn’t like either version done by the women.
Cathy Kennedy
John,
Whew, THE BEATLE REVIVAL is doing quite well this round!
Ellen J Pilch
Definitely #3. I just didn’t like the women singing a song I was used to men singing. 🙂
Cathy Kennedy
Ellen,
I like using the opposite sex usually for the cover artist(s). I’ll pencil you in for THE BEATLE REVIVAL!
messymimi's meanderings
Anne Reburn. The groups that mimic the Beatles are great, but to me they aren’t doing covers, they’re just singing the music and trying to make it as authentic as possible, a different point from a cover.
Cathy Kennedy
Mimi,
So goo to see ANNE REBURN take another vote! 😉
Debbie D.
Hi Cathy, I’m a Beatles fan from way back in 1963, when I heard “I Wanna Hold Your Hand” for the very first time! I was eight years old. 🙂 The ladies both did a marvellous job, but sorry, I MUST go with the tribute band. Beatles forever! 💖
Cathy Kennedy
Debbie,
It’s hard to not go with a cover that sounds like the original with your choice THE BEATLES REVIVAL. They do a great job replicating the classic sound.
Stephen T. McCarthy
CAThy! It’s That You!!
Alright, straight to the chase…
#1, Anne Reburn did not woik fer me in the slightest. First of all, I didn’t care for her voice. It was kinda weak and too cutesy. Plus, a female singing “let me be your man” doesn’t work for me, either. I mean… I know it’s 2023 and “they” and “them” are replacing “men” and “women”, but still… no bueno, sez I.
#2, The Iveys… eh. Just too doggone slow; and again, she wants to be my man? How about “let me be your gal”? Still three letters but a different meaning, methinks.
#3, THE BEATLES REVIVAL… well, yeah, they sound exactly like The Beatles alright. No points for originality, but they had the sound spot-on, and at least it was guys singing “let me be your man”. (The answer is still “No”, however. ;^)
Yip! Third time’s the charm.
~ STMcC
Cathy Kennedy
It’s me, Stephen! 🙂 I get where you’re coming from the girls not changing up the lyrics to match a female’s approach. That bothers me, too. I loved your analysis of each version and why you wound up going with THE BEATLES REVIVAL. You’re so funny!
diedre
Awesome battle, Cathy! I was talking about this song just yesterday 😉 The Revival did an excellent job, but I agree with Birgit in that they’re a different league. As to the ladies, I’m going with Anne Reburn for voice and clever presentation 😉
Happy Times!
Cathy Kennedy
Diedre,
I’m glad you and Birgit preferred how the ladies took this classic Beatles song in a different direction. I have your vote secured for ANNE REBURN. 😉
Birgit
Such an iconic song and the tribute band I love and my vote would go to them in a heartbeat but I feel they need their own BOTB so I’m sticking just with the 2 gals for this battle. I will go with The Iveys because I like hr voice and the rendition seemed better than the first.
Cathy Kennedy
Birgit,
The first vote goes to THE IVEYS. Thanks for playing along, my dear.