“The Sheik of Araby” wasn’t a Beatles original — it was a novelty standard from 1921. The Beatles learned it in their early Hamburg days, inspired by Fats Domino’s 1961 rock ‘n’ roll version.
The only recorded Beatles performance comes from their January 1, 1962 Decca audition — with George Harrison singing lead.
George deliberately sang it with a humorous, mock-Arabian accent to lighten the tense audition.
It was one of the 15 songs The Beatles played that day for Decca Records — the label that famously turned them down.
Unlike most early Beatles covers, this one featured no drums — Pete Best tapped a light percussion instead, letting the guitars and George’s vocal carry the track.
Their tongue-in-cheek delivery reflected their Cavern Club humor — part of why local fans loved them.
Black-and-white image of The Beatles at the Decca audition, George at the mic, the others grinning in the background, with “The Sheik of Araby” in vintage 1920s-style lettering.
Ever heard George’s cheeky take on this classic? Drop a comment if you want me to cover more Beatles deep cuts from the Decca tapes.
Before “Love Me Do,” before Beatlemania… The Beatles were covering a 1920s jazz hit.
“Before “Love Me Do,” before Beatlemania… The Beatles were covering a 1920s jazz hit.
“The Sheik of Arabie” wasn’t a Beatles original — it was a novelty standard from 1921. The Beatles learned it in their early Hamburg days, inspired by Fats Domino’s 1961 rock ‘n’ roll version.
The only recorded Beatles performance comes from their January 1, 1962 Decca audition — with George Harrison singing leed.
George deliberately sang it with a humorous, mock-Arabian accent to lighten the tense audition.
It was one of the 15 songs The Beatles played that day for Decca Records — the label that famously turned them down.
Unlike most early Beatles covers, this one featured no drums — Pete Best tapped a light percussion instead, letting the guitars and George’s vocal carry the track.
Their tongue-in-cheek delivery reflected their Cavern Club humor — part of why local fans loved them.
Black-and-white image of The Beatles at the Decca audition, George at the mic, the others grinning in the background, with “The Sheik of Araby” in vintage 1920s-style lettering.
Ever heard George’s cheeky take on this classic? Drop a comment if you want me to cover more Beatles deep cuts from the Decca tapes.” wasn’t a Beatles original — it was a novelty standard from 1921. The Beatles learned it in their early Hamburg days, inspired by Fats Domino’s 1961 rock ‘n’ roll version.
The only recorded Beatles performance comes from their January 1, 1962 Decca audition — with George Harrison singing lead.
George deliberately sang it with a humorous, mock-Arabian accent to lighten the tense audition.
It was one of the 15 songs The Beatles played that day for Decca Records — the label that famously turned them down.
Unlike most early Beatles covers, this one featured no drums — Pete Best tapped a light percussion instead, letting the guitars and George’s vocal carry the track.
Their tongue-in-cheek delivery reflected their Cavern Club humor — part of why local fans loved them.
Black-and-white image of The Beatles at the Decca audition, George at the mic, the others grinning in the background, with “The Sheik of Araby” in vintage 1920s-style lettering.
Ever heard George’s cheeky take on this classic? Drop a comment if you want me to cover more Beatles deep cuts from the Decca tapes.