Boys

The Shirelles

The first song of many where Ringo Starr, The Beatles drummer, holds the lead vocals, Boys is the fifth song in The Beatles first album. Written by Luther Dixon and Wes Farrell, Boys was originally performed by The Shirelles. This would be the first of two songs by the Shirelles covered by The Beatles in their début album. The Shirelles were an American girl group famous in the early 60s. They were also the first to have a number one single on the Billboard Hot 100.


Boys had always been The Beatles "drummer" song since their cavern days. Before Ringo Starr became part of The Beatles, Pete Best, their original drummer, used to sing this song in the live repertoire. Coincidentally, Starr also sang Boys for his solo spot when he was with Rory Storm and the Hurricanes.

Ringo singing while playing drums

As this song was first sang by a girl group, the possibility of homosexual undertones that go with singing a song about boys exist. However, The Beatles did not concern themselves about this. Paul McCartney has this to say about this

I'm sure this was for fun!!
Starr and McCartney

 "...here's us doing a song and it was really a girls' song.'I talk about boys now!'. Or it was a gay song. But we never even listened. It's just a great song. I think that's one of the things about youth - you just don't give a shit. I love the innocence of those days"

The Beatles did alter the gender pronouns employed on The Shirelles i.e second paragraph from "Mama says when you kiss my lips" to "My girls says when I kiss her lips".


Homosexual undertones or not, it is still a great song, and Ringo's voice on lead vocals just make it extra special. It's not easy to play drums and sing at the same time. Hope you enjoy the song.