Songs the Beatles Didn't Do

Songs the Beatles didn't do: meaning, songs they wrote while the Beatles existed, but which did not appear on official EMI Beatles records. This list is limited to songs that might be considered finished, which we'll define as one of: published; recorded by someone else; registered for copyright; or attempted at EMI for release. Composer credit is shown only where established by publisher or copyright documentation. Comments mention the probable composer in other cases.

Songs

In spite of all the danger (McCartney--Harrison)
You'll be mine (Lennon--McCartney)
Cayenne (McCartney)
Pre-Beatles recordings issued on the CD "Anthology 1" in 1995.
Cry for a shadow (Harrison--Lennon)
Recorded 22 June 1961 (probably), by the Beatles with Pete on drums and released many times over. Of course this is the Beatles, so I'm breaking my own rule, but since it is the only original that was not originally on an EMI Beatles record, here it is. An instrumental. It appeared on the "Anthology 1" CD in 1995.
I'll be on my way (Lennon--McCartney)
Single by Billy J Kramer with the Dakotas, April 1963. The Beatles did it on BBC radio 4 April 1963, and that version is available on the 1994 CD set "Live at the BBC".
Bad to me (Lennon--McCartney)
Single by Billy J Kramer with the Dakotas, July 1963. A demo by John alone (I think) has been bootlegged. The B-side of Kramer's single, "I call your name" was a "song the Beatles didn't do" for almost a year.
Tip of my tongue (Lennon--McCartney)
Single by Tommy Quickly, July 1963. The Beatles attempted to record it, November 1962, but the tape is not at EMI (per Lewisohn) and has not been bootlegged.
Hello little girl (Lennon--McCartney)
Single by the Fourmost, August 1963. A very similar Beatles version with John lead vocal is on the so-called Decca Tape of 1962, bootlegged, and included on the CD "Anthology 1" in 1995.
Love of the loved (Lennon--McCartney)
Single by Cilla Black, September 1963. A Beatles version with Paul lead vocal is on the so-called Decca Tape of 1962, bootlegged, but vetoed by Paul from "Anthology 1".
I'll keep you satisfied (Lennon--McCartney)
Single by Billy J Kramer with the Dakotas, November 1963.
I'm in love (Lennon--McCartney)
Single by the Fourmost, November 1963. A version of this by John has been bootlegged as the demo, but now is believed to be post-1975. A previously unissued version by Billy J Kramer with the Dakotas has recently appeared on the CD "Best of Billy J Kramer and the Dakotas".
A World without love (Lennon--McCartney)
Single by Peter and Gordon, February 1964.
One and one is two (Lennon--McCartney)
Single by the Strangers with Mike Shannon, May 1964. A Beatles demo has been bootlegged.
Nobody I know (Lennon--McCartney)
Single by Peter and Gordon, May 1964.
Like dreamers do (Lennon--McCartney)
Single by the Applejacks, June 1964. Last-released of the three originals on the so-called Decca tape of 1962, and the second of the two appearing on the CD "Anthology 1". Paul lead vocal.
You'll know what to do (Harrison)
Known for some years only as a demo recorded at EMI 3 June 1964, and a UK copyright registration. No recording of any sort appeared even on bootlegs until the CD "Anthology 1" in 1995. However, George scat-sang the first line of it in an Australian interview that is on LP, possibly the one called "The Beatles Talk Down Under".
From a window (Lennon--McCartney)
Single by Billy J Kramer with the Dakotas, July 1964.
It's for you (Lennon--McCartney)
Single by Cilla Black, July 1964.
I don't want to see you again (Lennon--McCartney)
Single by Peter and Gordon, September 1964.
If you've got troubles
Attempted by the Beatles 18 February 1965; the one take has been bootlegged. Ringo lead vocal, written Lennon--McCartney. On the CD "Anthology 2".
That means a lot (Lennon--McCartney)
Single by P J Proby, July 1965. Attempted by the Beatles 20 February 1965 and again 30 March 1965; some takes have been bootlegged. Paul lead vocal. On the CD "Anthology 2".
12-Bar original
Attempted by the Beatles 4 November 1965; it has been bootlegged. Long instrumental. Shorter edit on the CD "Anthology 2".
Woman (Webb)
Single by Peter and Gordon, January 1966. Songwriter Bernard Webb is Paul McCartney, revealed later, but reissues still say Webb. In the US for some reason the fake credit was "A. Smith" instead.
Everywhere it's Christmas
Orowanya
Please don't bring your banjo back
Recorded 25 November 1966 as part of "Pantomime: Everywhere It's Christmas", the 1966 Christmas record. By all four and Mal Evans.
'Carnival of Light' Rave
A very long tape of sound effects made 5 January 1967 and used once for a festival.
Catcall (McCartney)
On an album by the Chris Barber Band, October 1967, with Paul in a group of voices at the end. A Beatles version is on an undated tape, possibly November 1962, that has been bootlegged. Instrumental. Said to be the same as Catswalk, which appears on early Beatles song lists.
Shirley's wild accordion (Lennon--McCartney)
Recording made 12 October 1967 by Shirley Evans, Reg Wale, Paul and Ringo for the "Magical Mystery Tour" film, but not used in it. Shirley Evans does play some accordion in the film.
Jessie's dream (McCartney--Starkey--Harrison--Lennon)
Made at an unknown date by "one or more of the Beatles" (Lewisohn) and used in "Magical Mystery Tour" as Jessie eats tons of spaghetti.
Christmas time (is here again) (Lennon--McCartney--Harrison--Starkey)
Plenty of jam jars
Recorded 28 November 1967 as part of "Christmas Time is Here Again!", the 1967 Christmas record. A longer version of the title song has been bootlegged, and some of it was finally in general release on the "Free as a bird" CD single in 1995.
Step inside love (Lennon--McCartney)
Single by Cilla Black, March 1968. An extremely poor-quality copy of a demo by Paul has been bootlegged.
Thingumybob (Lennon--McCartney)
Single by John Foster and Sons Ltd Black Dyke Mills Band, 26 August 1968 (one of the first 4 Apple singles), produced by Paul. Instrumental.
Sour milk sea (Harrison)
Single by Jackie Lomax, 26 August 1968 (another of the first 4 Apple singles), with George playing guitar and producing. A demo by George has been bootlegged.
Circles
Demo by George, recorded at the same time as many demos for songs heard on the white album. This one was never heard again.
Not guilty (Harrison)
Attempted by the Beatles 7 to 12 August 1968. Bootlegged, and an edited version (made for the unreleased "Sessions" LP) is on the CD "Anthology 3". A demo by George has also been bootlegged. Recorded by George years later.
What's the new Mary Jane
Attempted by some of the Beatles 14 August 1968, with more added to the same recording 26 November 1969. Came close to being a Plastic Ono Band single with "You know my name". John lead vocals. A specially edited version is on the CD "Anthology 3".
Etcetera
Demo made by Paul at EMI, 20 August 1968, and taken away. No version has come out, including bootlegs.
Badge (Harrison--Clapton)
On an album by Cream, February 1969, with George on rhythm guitar as L'Angelo Mysterioso.
Paul piano intro (Lennon--McCartney)
Slow piano piece by Paul, used at the beginning of the "Let it be" film, recorded January 1969. The entire soundtrack has been bootlegged.
Jazz piano song (McCartney--Starkey)
Fast instrumental by Paul and Ringo on one piano, used in the "Let it be" film, recorded January 1969.
Suzy Parker (Lennon--Starkey--Harrison--McCartney)
Rock guitar song with John lead vocal, used in the "Let it be" film, recorded January 1969. Suzy Parker was a celebrity; the song lyric really sounds more like "Suzy's parlor".
Teddy boy (McCartney)
A Beatles rehearsal version of 24 January 1969 was on the "Get Back" album compiled in May 1969. Paul recorded it on his first album.
All things must pass (Harrison)
George recorded a demo of the complete song in February 1969, which is on the CD "Anthology 3". The Beatles had tried it in January but never got back to it. George of course recorded it in 1971.
Goodbye (Lennon--McCartney)
Single by Mary Hopkin, March 1969, produced by Paul. A demo by Paul has been bootlegged.
Come and get it (McCartney)
Single by Badfinger, December 1969, produced by Paul. A nearly identical demo version by Paul has been bootlegged.
Penina (McCartney)
On obscure recordings by Carlos Mendes (Portugal, 1969) and Jotte Herra (Holland, 1970). Paul sings part of it during the "Get Back" sessions, bootlegged.

Get Back tapes

This is the morass of any project attempting to list unreleased Beatles songs. Firstly, do you want to call rehearsals and partial, off-the-cuff renditions Beatles versions? And then there's the problem that more Get Back stuff is still leaking out, and who can keep up with it. But I'll toss out a few lists of songs more or less performed. I'll skip the fact that much of "Abbey Road" appears here too. For much more detail, see the book "Drugs, Divorce and a Slipping Image".

Known or possible old Lennon--McCartney originals: all are fragments and the titles are speculative in most cases
Hot as sun [with words], I lost my little girl, I fancy me chances [?], If tomorrow ever comes (I'll wait till tomorrow), Just fun, Thinking of linking, Too bad about sorrows, Wake up in the morning (Because I know you love me so), Won't you please say goodbye
Improvisations or work songs never finished
Commonwealth/White power/Can you dig it medley (Paul and John), How do you tell someone (George), I look out the window (George), I'm going to pay for his ride (Paul), Madman (John), Negro in reserve (John and Paul), Pillow for your head (Paul), Shakin' in the sixties (John), Taking a trip to Carolina (Ringo), There you are Eddie (Paul), Watching rainbows (John)
Songs Paul finished later
Another day, Back seat of my car, Every night, Suicide, Teddy boy
Songs John finished later
Child of nature [as Jealous guy], Give me some truth
Songs George finished later
All things must pass, Let it down, Hear me lord, Isn't it a pity

Note, on the unreleased "Get Back" albums, "The Walk" is the Jimmy McCracklin hit written by McCracklin--Gorlic, and the opening instrumental sometimes called "Rocker" is pretty much "Down the road apiece" by Raye and recorded by Chuck Berry.

Print sources

Mark Lewisohn, "The Beatles Recording Sessions" and "The Beatles Chronicle".

L.R.E. King, "Do You Want to Know a Secret" and "Fixing a Hole".

Doug Sulpy and Ray Schweighardt , "Drugs, Divorce and a Slipping Image".

Doug Sulpy, ed., issues of "The 910" (journal).