Chains

“Chains” was composed by the husband-and-wife songwriting team Gerry Goffin and Carole King and originally recorded (but not released) by The Everly Brothers. In 1962 it was a hit for Little Eva’s backing singers, The Cookies (#17 U.S. Pop, #7 R&B), and later covered by The Beatles.

It was a popular cover song for Liverpool bands after its release in November 1962, and was included briefly in the Beatles’ live sets. They recorded it for inclusion on their British debut, Please Please Me.

My instrumental arrangement preserves the shuffle rhythm of the Beatles version.

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