You Really Got a Hold on Me

Smokey Robinson was greatly admired by the Beatles, especially Lennon. You've Really Got a Hold on Me was a 1962 release by Smokey Robinson and the Miracles. It made the U.S. charts in January of 1963. By June, the Beatles had decided to include a cover of it on their second album. It was the first song they recorded for With the Beatles. (The Beatles' version changed the "You've" in the title to "You.") It is arguably the best cover recorded by the Beatles in the first part of their career. The song has an unusual structure (two verses, a refrain, then a bridge, then verse and refrain with coda). The Beatles copied Smokey Robinson's intro exactly. Lennon sings a strong and believable young man in love, worried that it's the wrong thing to do. Harrison contributes excellent vocal harmonies and virtuoso lead guitar.