Why the Beatles Never Played This Underrated 1964 Song Live

There are plenty of songs out there that The Beatles never played live for one reason or another. Many songs never saw the light of day in terms of a live performance simply because the band retired from touring in 1966.

However, a few memorable hits by The Beatles were never performed live, even with a few years available ahead of their touring retirement. One such song is the 1964 hit “Every Little Thing” from Beatles For Sale. This early-career love song is quite a special one, considering it is one of very few Fab Four tunes that was penned by Paul McCartney but sung by John Lennon.

There has never been an official statement by any of the Fab Four on why “Every Little Thing” didn’t get stage time. However, the most likely reason why they never performed it is pretty easy to understand.

Why The Beatles Never Played “Every Little Thing” Live

When The Beatles toured through 1966, their live sets were… something else. And it really didn’t have much to do with the band’s quality on stage. In fact, they were great live performers.

However, Beatlemania was a wild time. Those who were around to see The Beatles live remember it all too well. And there is even some footage out there of the Fab Four performing at their concerts that lend some context to those who became fans after The Beatles’ time.

When it comes down to it, the cult-like behavior of their fans made it difficult to hear them live. A Beatles concert was sonically 90% screaming and 10% music.

[See The Beatles’ Paul McCartney Live On Tour]

“Every Little Thing” is a pretty, soft song. It would be impossible to hear over the screeching and screaming of fans, which rarely ever stopped when the band was performing live. The band often added some of their sharper, louder songs to their setlists so that they could at least be heard. “Every Little Thing” is a melancholic, gentle tune that just wouldn’t be audible live.

Though, it is a bit strange that the track never even made it to live television or BBC radio. Just as well, none of the four members have performed the song live. This might have something to do with the fact that “Every Little Thing” wasn’t a single, though there was some consideration for it early on during sessions for Beatles For Sale.

It’s unfortunate, but at least we can still enjoy the recorded version on Beatles For Sale.

Photo by Getty Images

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.