Helen Shapiro/"Misery".

OK, girls and boys, more Fabdom: In early 1963 this songbird was the most successful female British singer. While she was touring with The Beatles as a headliner, John and Paul wrote this melancholy Merseybeat ballad backstage for her to record. Her manager declined it, saying that the lyrics were "too somber". She thus became THE first person in history to pass on recording a Beatles tune (now, that's a dubious distinction!)! The Beatles recorded it at Abbey Road Studios with Sir George Martin playing the memorable piano part. Included in their first UK and U.S. albums ("Please Please Me" and "Introducing... The Beatles" respectively). "Ask Me Why" was the B-side on the single. Their tourmate Kenny Lynch recorded it to a tepid reception, however he became THE first artist to cover a Beatles song. The song received considerable airplay on BBC Radio and is one of the tunes that planted the seeds for John and Paul to be recognized as bona fide tunesmiths. British songbird? Song? Answer: Helen Shapiro. "Misery". Curiously, the B-side "Ask Me Why" also includes "misery" in the lyrics (one of my favorite Beatles tunes). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qhbcN3ew9z0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2HyjUZ60AdI https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ttGjtfQ7EA

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