TheBeatlesOnline

Ringo Starr: Vocals, drums
John Lennon: Electric guitar, vocals
Paul McCartney: Bass guitar, vocals
George Harrison: Electric guitar, vocals

Recorded February 11 1963.

Available on:
Please Please Me
Anthology 1 (live version)

The original version of Boys was recorded by the female trio The Shirelles in November 1960 and ended up on the B-side of the single Will You Love Me Tomorrow. Ringo sings a convincing lead vocal on the Beatles’ version of the song, however.

It seems odd that the Beatles only changed “boy” to “girl” once in the song: "My girl says when I kiss her lips," but kept lines such as "Well, I talk about boys, now, what a bundle of joy!".

Nevertheless, the Beatles performed Boys regularly in concerts until 1964.

Boys

I been told when a boy kiss a girl
Take a trip around the world
Hey, hey, (bop shuop, m'bop bop shuop)
Hey, hey, (bop shuop, m'bop bop shuop)
Hey, hey, (bop shuop) yeah, she say ya do (Bop shuop)

My girl says when I kiss her lips
Gets a thrill through her fingertips
Hey, hey, (bop shuop, m'bop bop shuop)
Hey, hey, (bop shuop, m'bop bop shuop)
Hey, hey, (bop shuop) yeah, she say ya do (Bop shuop)

Well, I talk about boys
Don't ya know I mean boys
Well, I talk about boys, now
Aaahhh, boys
Well, I talk about boys, now
What a bundle of joy! (Alright, George!)

My girl says when I kiss her lips
Gets a thrill through her fingertips
Hey, hey, (bop shuop, m'bop bop shuop)
Hey, hey, (bop shuop, m'bop bop shuop)
Hey, hey, (bop shuop) yeah, she say ya do (Bop shuop)

Well, I talk about boys
Don't ya know I mean boys
Well, I talk about boys, now
Aaahhh, boys
Well, I talk about boys, now
What a bundle of joy!