Leave My Kitten Alone

Leave My Kitten Alone was made popular in 1959 by R&B artist Little Willie John. The Beatles probably became aware of this song in 1961, when the original version and a cover by Johnny Preston both ranked in Billboard's US Hot 100. The Beatles were short of original material for their fourth album in 1964 (Beatles For Sale), and so took up this song again, recording 5 takes and overdubs on August 14, 1964 and September 29. 1964. John Lennon sang solo vocals, with Paul on the piano and bass, George on lead guitar, and Ringo on tambourine and drums. Evidently the song failed to please the band and the producer, as the song was never mixed and never released until Anthology 1 came out in 1995. Speculation is that the album needed a vocal by George Harrison, so Everybody's Trying To Be My Baby was substituted instead. Critics have agreed that this song is superior to other songs that did make it on to the Beatles For Sale album, so the reasons behind its rejection remain unknown.