On This Day in 1963, The Beatles Unveiled a Song Whose Original Lyric Made John Lennon “Scream With Laughter”
On this day in 1963, The Beatles released a song that would go on to become a charming footnote in music history—not just for its sound, but for a moment of pure, unfiltered laughter it sparked inside the studio. At a time when Beatlemania was rapidly spreading across the world, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr were still experimenting, refining their songwriting instincts, and enjoying the creative freedom that defined their early years.
Few fans know that one original lyric from this song was so unexpected and amusing that it made John Lennon “scream with laughter,” a rare glimpse into the playful spirit behind the serious rise of the world’s biggest band.
Background
The song in question is I Want to Hold Your Hand, released in late 1963 and marking a major turning point for The Beatles. Written primarily by Lennon and McCartney, the track was designed to appeal to a broad audience and became their first massive hit in the United States shortly after its release.
What’s less widely known is that during the songwriting process, the duo initially included a line that was far more cheeky than romantic. According to later interviews, one early version contained the lyric “I want to hold your hand… I want to hold your gland,” a wordplay joke that instantly sent Lennon into uncontrollable laughter. 😂
While the line was never meant for public release, it reflected the band’s irreverent humor and close creative bond during those formative sessions.
Introduction
From a deeper perspective, this song symbolized a transition. It was playful yet sincere, innocent yet confident—qualities that helped The Beatles cross cultural and generational boundaries. For middle-aged and older audiences in the U.S. today, I Want to Hold Your Hand often evokes memories of first dances, teenage romance, and a time when music felt new and full of promise. The laughter behind its creation only adds warmth to its legacy, reminding fans that even history-making artists were once young musicians enjoying the joy of creativity.
Video
Lyrics
🎵 Let’s sing along with the lyrics! 🎤
[Intro: Paul McCartney]
One, two, three, four[Verse 1: Paul McCartney, Paul McCartney & John Lennon]
Well, she was just seventeen
If you know what I mean
And the way she looked was way beyond compare
So how could I dance with another
Ooh, when I saw her standin’ there?[Verse 2: Paul McCartney, Paul McCartney & John Lennon]
Well, she looked at me
And I, I could see
That before too long, I’d fall in love with her
She wouldn’t dance with another
Woo, when I saw her standin’ there[Bridge: Paul McCartney & John Lennon]
Well, my heart went boom
When I crossed that room
And I held her hand in mine[Verse 3: Paul McCartney, Paul McCartney & John Lennon]
Oh, we danced through the night
And we held each other tight
And before too long, I fell in love with her
Now, I’ll never dance with another
Woo, since I saw her standin’ there