Cilla Black's Secret Beatles Songbook

Peter Checksfield author of Cilla Black – Yesterday (Every Song From Every Session) chooses Cilla Black’s lesser known covers of songs written by The Beatles.

Step Inside Love (1967 acoustic Demo / released 1997)

Cilla Black’s associations with The Beatles were numerous: Hanging about with Ringo when he was still in Rory Storm and The Hurricanes; appearing on stage with The Beatles at The Cavern; managed by Brian Epstein; Produced by George Martin; and being gifted three Lennon-McCartney exclusives in ‘Love Of The Loved’, ‘It’s For You’ and ‘Step Inside Love’.

With just two singles that failed to reach the UK top 20 and no album, people in 1967 could be forgiven for believing that Cilla Black’s career was in terminal decline. Behind the scenes however, there had been intense preparations and rehearsals for her own TV series. Instead of a glitzy song and dance number though, Paul McCartney suggested that Cilla go for something far more intimate, as she was effectively inviting viewers into her show. The song he wrote is ‘Step Inside Love,’ which restored her to the UK Top 10 and would remain the theme song for her ‘Cilla!’ TV series for the next few years. Nearly three decades later, 1997’s essential ‘1963-1973 – The Abbey Road Decade’ box-set saw the release of a lovely lower-keyed demo, with Cilla accompanied solely by Paul McCartney’s acoustic guitar and occasional vocal accompaniment.

Across The Universe (‘Sweet Inspiration’ album, 1970)

A major change that had happened between the release of Cilla’s last record and this album was the acrimonious split of her friends The Beatles. She very likely first became aware of ‘Across The Universe’ via the December 1969 release of the various artists album ‘No One’s Gonna Change Our World’ – an album that she also appeared on. Cilla’s version of the song is wonderful, with a truly superb vocal and sympathetically orchestrated musical backing – indeed, it was deemed good enough to be issued as a single in some territories around the world, getting to No. 14 in New Zealand.

Junk (‘Images’ album, 1971)

Cilla would continue to champion their songs post-split, both group and solo compositions. Although demoed by The Beatles in 1968, ‘Junk’ was a highlight of Paul McCartney’s 1970 solo album. Cilla’s version retains both the beauty and the melancholy of the original.

The Long And Winding Road (‘Day By Day’ album, 1973)

Perhaps in an attempt not to offend any of them, Cilla included songs by Lennon and McCartney on this album. Featuring some quite different piano work to Paul McCartney’s playing on The Beatles’ version and marginally faster-paced, her version of ‘The Long And Winding Road’ is also less over-Produced than their Spector-dubbed original. Paul later highly praised Cilla’s version, even describing it as the definitive version of the song – and who are we to argue?

Oh My Love (‘Day By Day’ album, 1973)

There are several great tracks on this album (as well as a few rather average ones), but if push comes to shove, the absolute highlights are Paul McCartney’s ‘The Long And Winding Road’ – and this one, John Lennon’s ‘Imagine’ album track ‘Oh My Love.’ Beautifully sung, Cilla is backed by piano, guitar, bass, and a truly stunning string arrangement. The closing song on her final George Martin-Produced album, it was a very fitting end to their decade-long collaboration.

In My Life (‘In My Life’ album, 1974)

With George Martin occupied elsewhere, Cilla was now working with Australian Producer David Mackay, someone who previously had success with The New Seekers and Cliff Richard. His remit was to move away from big orchestrated ballads, and push her further in a more contemporary Soft-Rock direction, with mixed results. Nevertheless, their partnership would produce two albums and a handful of singles in the ‘70s, as well as an additional album in the mid. ‘80s.

Cilla rarely disappointed when recording Beatles songs, and such is the case here. Her version of the ‘Rubber Soul’ classic In My Life is much more than just a straight cover though. It starts off almost acapella for the first verse, featuring just Cilla, male backing singers, percussion and the occasional electric piano – before proceeding with a full production that includes strings and a brief but fabulous George Harrison-style slide guitar solo. Though one can understand her reluctance to be seen to be relying on her Beatles association after all these years, it is such a shame that some of them weren’t issued as singles.

I’ll Still Love You (When Every Song Is Sung) (1975 outtake / released 2003)

Written by George Harrison, outtake I’ll Still Love You (sometimes called When Every Song Is Sung) had a troubled life. George himself attempted it during the 1970 sessions for his ‘All Things Must Pass’ triple album, but after numerous takes abandoned it. He then offered it to Shirley Bassey, Leon Russell and Ronnie Spector (assisting on versions by the latter two artists), before Producing a version for Cilla in the summer of 1972. Remarkably, none of these were released (Cilla’s George-Produced version is thought to be lost). However, she loved the song enough to attempt it again with David Mackay – but even that was kept in the can for decades, finally surfacing on 2003’s ‘The Best Of 1963-78’ 3-CD set. Finally, Ringo Starr recorded and released the song as ‘I’ll Still Love You’ for his 1976 ‘Ringo’s Rotogravure’ album, though not without controversy, as George Harrison was less than pleased with his version. And as for Cilla’s 1975 version? She does a stunning job with a wonderful song, and it’s one of her finest ever recordings.

The Fool On The Hill (Live 1976 / released 2019)

There has never, ever, been a Cilla Black live album, but it later emerged that at least a couple of live performances had been professionally taped, with two songs from 1976 plus another three from 1980 appearing on 2019’s ‘Especially For You: Revisited’ / ‘Classics & Collectables’ 2-CD set. The 1976 tracks come from her ‘Cilla Black at the Palace’ run of variety shows at the Victoria Palace Theatre in late ‘76, with this particular song being something she could barely fail at. Again making a Beatles classic very much her own, the verses on The Fool On The Hill have a curious Bossa Nova rhythm with Cilla’s excellent vocals supported by prominent female backing vocalists, but then go into a solid Rock beat during the verses.

Here, There And Everywhere (‘Through The Years’ album, 1993)

Reaching 40 in 1983, Cilla was beginning to think her career was over. Yes, she remained very famous, and still did the occasional guest spots on top TV shows, but it had been several years since she’d been in a studio or hosted her own TV series. And then came along not one, but two prime-time TV shows: 1984’s ‘Surprise Surprise’, which lasted until 2001; and 1985’s ‘Blind Date’, which spanned 18 years, until she famously announced her resignation live on air in 2003. During much of this time, she was the highest paid woman on British TV! However, this did mean that her recording career was far less prolific during this period, but nevertheless, she would put out another four albums over the next 18 years.

Cilla’s 30th anniversary in the music business saw the release of her penultimate album, the Charlie Skarbek Produced ‘Through the Years’, a largely satisfying collection of songs both old and new. A song from ‘Revolver’ of course, ‘Here, There And Everywhere’ was the latest in a long line of Beatles-associated songs recorded by Cilla. With one of her best vocals since the George Martin era, she doesn’t disappoint here, and nor does the arrangement featuring piano, subtle strings and lush harmonies.

Photograph (‘Beginnings’ album, 2003)

Very sadly, after nearly 4 decades together, Cilla’s husband Bobby died of cancer in 1999. She never remarried. So, with their son Robert now managing her career, Cilla celebrated her 40th anniversary in the music business with what would turn out to be her final album. Produced By Ted Carfrae, whose previous work had included new millennium albums by David Cassidy, Jane McDonald and Bonnie Langford, ‘Beginnings: Greatest Hits & New Songs’ combines 9 vintage recordings from the ‘60s and early ‘70s recordings with 12 new ones.

Cilla had previously recorded solo songs by John Lennon, Paul McCartney and George Harrison; now it was Ringo Starr’s turn. A world-wide hit for him in 1973, judging by her fun and playful vocal, Cilla clearly loved the song ‘Photograph’ as much as Ringo’s fans do.