#148 – Do You Want To Know A Secret with Jim Berkenstadt

Written in Hamburg at the end of 1962, and inspired by a very early memory of his mother, “Do You Want To Know A Secret?” is a John tune given to George (or maybe a John & Paul tune written specifically for George, depending on who’s telling the story) to sing on their debut album. It’s genetic make up is a bit all over there place…a dash of Disney, a pinch of Spanish soap opera dramatics, a hint of a band called The Stereos, and just a kiss of the doo-wah-doos. It makes for a perfectly pleasant song, one that would released as an American single in 64 and go all the way to #2, while Billy J. Kramer and the Dakotas would cover it and take to #1 in the UK. Despite that, by the summer of ’63 the Beatles were well and done with the song, and maybe that’s rightfully so. It doesn’t seem to have any of the hallmarks of what made a great Beatles song, nor does it necessarily sound very different from any other number of pop groups of the day. But that said, it’s charming and catchy and a pleasant way to spend 1:58.

Joining us this week to chat is “The Rock & Roll Detective,” Jim Berkenstadt! Jim’s the author of a number of books including Black Market Beatles, Classic Rock Albums: Nirvana – Nevermind, The Beatle Who Vanished, and his newest one, Mysteries In The Music: Case Closed. We discuss run-ins with rock legends, working with Apple Corps, George Harrison and his estate, the mystery and excitement of bootlegs, and so much more! Check out Jim’s goings-on at rockandrolldetective.com, on Twitter @rockdetective, and on Facebook!

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