Like Dreamers Do

“Like Dreamers Do” is indeed one of The Beatles’ recording for their unsuccessful Decca auditions in 1962. However, we can all hear this track now on their Anthology 1 album from 1995. Just to point out that at this stage, Ringo Starr was not a member of The Beatles. So, Pete Best was on the drums.

Anthology 1 Album (1995)

Track Source

Anthology 1

Like Dreamers Do

This is another early Beatles’ compositions from Paul McCartney around 1959 or possibly a little earlier. We certainly know that The Quarrymen sang “Like Dreamers Do” so this gives an indication of the year. They also sang the song at the Cavern Club and various other gigs:

“Like Dreamers Do was one of the very first songs I wrote and tried out at the Cavern [Club]. We did a weak arrangement but certain of the kids liked it because it was unique, none of the other groups did it. It was actually a bit of a joke to try your own songs.

For you to write it yourself was a bit plonky, and the songs obviously weren’t that great, but I felt we really had to break through that barrier because if we never tried our own songs we’d just never have the confidence to continue writing”.

Paul McCartney
Many Years From Now, Barry Miles

On New Years Day in 1962, The Beatles recorded this song for their failed Decca Records Audition Tape. Decca rejected The Beatles for Brian Poole and the Tremeloes, a decision which would be one of the worst blunders in recording history. That is not to detract anything from Brian Poole and the Tremeloes, on the contrary, they are responsible for some of the better songs from the 1960’s.

The Beatles’ Decca audition version complete with Pete Best on drums is now available on their 1995 album, “Anthology 1”. Just how Decca could reject such talent is a mystery, obviously in hindsight it’s easy to say this. However, even if you are not too much of a Beatles fan, you can hear the talent-in-waiting here.

The Applejacks’ Version

Although The Beatles would use “Like Dreamers Do” as part of their live repertoire, it soon faded. However, another British group from Birmingham took up the offer to record it commercially. The Applejacks released a single version of it on the 5th June, 1964, and it got to number 20 in the UK Charts. They had a hit a few months earlier with “Tell Me When”, of course.