Mr. Moonlight by The Beatles

Album: Beatles For Sale (1964)

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Songfacts®:

The original version of "Mr. Moonlight" was released by a blues group called Dr. Feelgood And The Interns in 1962. It was written by Roy Lee Johnson, who was a guitarist with The Interns. This original version the song was a B-side to the single "Dr. Feelgood" (no relation to the Motley Crue album and song of the same name), by the aforementioned group. As if that didn't muddy the waters enough, there's also a TV series Moonlight with an episode titled "Dr. Feelgood," which appears to be a complete coincidence.

The song is best known for its Beatles cover, but even among hardcore Beatles fans, this song doesn't have as much enthusiastic support. It was part of their standard stage set for many years, in part because it gave John Lennon a chance to show off his blistering vocals on stage.
George Harrison played the African drum, and Paul McCartney played the Hammond organ solo on this track. The sound of a Hammond organ sounds quite dated now, but they were a big rage back in the mid-20th century. The electric organs were manufactured from the 1930s to the 1970s, by which time they were a staple of every shopping mall, where the organ store would often feature bored showroom employees plonking out show tunes. The organs were widely popular for being a cheap alternative to pipe organs, and thus easily affordable for churches.

Comments: 19

Ted Rogers from WalesJust love the sound of johns voice (amazing)
Zam from MadridBeautiful song. Not the usual "yeah, yeah" song. Unique voice, rare instruments for today standards, amazing harmonies. I can understand that some people don't like it, but I cannot believe it can rank into the "worst" Beatles song list. This song only needs to appear as a track of a good movie and people will love it. People loves to mimic other people and don't have much capacity to develop a real musical taste. The hate for this song is prove of that
Rmatrix from Las VegasI recently bought the album with this song on it. I must have forgotten it, as a buddy probably had the album back when, so its somewhat of a new song to me.
I enjoy this song very much.
Jane from London, United Kingdomwow, seriously, I love this song. I don't understand how anybody could hate it.
Michael from Oakland, CaThis may sound crazy, but I've always thought it sounded like George singing the "cause we love you" part.
Maureen from Rochester, Ny@ Nick from CA.

What do you mean, "people died because of" Piggies?
Wayne from Salem, VaAnother great early cover song by The Beatles. With John Lennon at the helm! And as for all of this negative crap below. Least favorite and hate it and all this other garbage--"You people don't know squat!" Listen to it on Anthology 1, John's vocals are wonderful. And of course the original studio version that was on Beatles 65'.
Barry from New York, NcThe original artist "Dr. Feelgood & The Interns" was not really a band, but pseudonym of Piano Red (1911-1985). Piano Red was an African American blues singer/disc jockey from Georgia who played with Blind Willie McTell. He was also an albino.
Matthew from Melbourne, AustraliaI love this song. It's way better than that overrated peice of crap known as "Imagine".
Forrest from Rochester, MnThe best part is when John sings "And from your beam, you made my dream".
Steve from Fenton, MoI got to thinking that the guy (Roy Lee Johnson) that wrote this song basically hit the lottery. A very obscure song that ended up being covered by The Beatles had to have given him a good income stream since the mid-60's.
Nick from Murrieta, CaI can hate a few. Thats it, only a few. They are Revolution 9, Helter Skelter *Sudders*, and Piggies *Shudders again*

I wouldn't hate them if people didnt die because of them and that demon Charlse Manson. Other than that, the Beatles are awesome!

Oh, I also hate Wild Honey Pie.
George from Athens, GreeceI cannot possibly hate any Beatles song ... It is just impossible, they could make a great sound out of anything
Ian from Lethbridge, CanadaThe Anthology version of this song has one of the weirdest guitar solos I've ever heard.
Joey from Nowhere Land, CaI love this song, why do people hate it??
Ian from Lethbridge, CanadaI don't know why everybody seems to hate this song so much. I don't see anything wrong with it. I quite like it actually.
Joshua from Twin Cities, MnMr. Moonlight was also the title of a 1995 album by Foreigner. (It tanked.)
Barry from New York, NcBack in the Seventies, the NYC newspaper Village Voice held a poll of the fans' five least favorite Beatles songs. MR. MOONLIGHT came in at #4!!!!
Kenny from Baltimore, MdThe opening is the best!

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