Paul McCartney on The Beatles song 'Anna (Go To Him)'

Paul McCartney chats to Ronnie Wood about The Beatles lesser known song 'Anna (Go To Him)', written by Arthur Alexander from the 'Please Please Me' album, and The Beatles' BBC radio show, 'Pop Go The Beatles'.
This clip is taken from The Ronnie Wood Show, an award-winning TV series first broadcast on Sky Arts. Every episode features top artists joining Ronnie for impromptu jamming, lively chat and reminiscing about the wild days of rock'n'roll.

[@utubemusiccritic]

I love the chorus to Anna: "All of my life, I've been searching for a girl to love me like I love you..."

[@lorraineb.4698]

I just learned this song in the past year. Awesome song. Cannot believe I never heard it before!! I was young when the album came out. One of their best.

[@utub1473]

Isn’t that the bridge?

[@rosyclouds9132]

OMG! This is my favourite part!

[@musafir7189]

Whole part of that song is my favourite hahah

[@jodeeb.6496]

John's voice is perfect for Anna

[@Kuyjac258]

Funny that Anna (Go To Him) is not a well known track, it's one of my all time favourites by the Beatles, but then the entire PPM album amazes me every time I listen to it. This entire record was done in something like 12 hours straight. Just awesome.

[@evilchynette]

I know! My name is Ana I'm latina so its spelled in Spanish. That's how it's spelled in the spanish version. Out of all the bealtes fans I know only 2 knew about it. Well they brought it up before I did. Others I'd have to say what album in what year. Definitely a lovely song. Have a great day, liked your comment.

[@hammier1.033]

Kelly Burton I love love it too!

[@Beatlefish]

I didn't realize it was not well known . I've always liked it.

[@rosyclouds9132]

Mine too, I love it!

[@flemit35]

I prefer the original version myself.

[@peliche77]

John's voice on 'Anna' was sensational (as usual, as a matter of fact)

[@selwynkatz519]

...and he had the flu...a most sincere voice in that song.

[@m.e.d.7997]

John had one of the best voices ever.

[@FiremanSam60]

Yeah, his early Beatle voice was outstanding.

[@hackshawridge]

I thoughtt he singer is George😮

[@obbor4]

Why?

[@georgelopez541]

I love the song Anna. I didn't even realize it was thought of as one of The Beatles lesser known songs.

[@alanc1491]

Me neither. I told me music professor brother recently that Anna may be my favorite Beatles tune.

[@niggato23]

Amanuel W Mehari yeah Ik it’s a cover but idgaf

[@rosyclouds9132]

I love "Anna" too!

[@dailycoffee8533]

Anna is one of my favorites from the Beatles.

[@niggato23]

Daily Coffee very underrated

[@soniagrgas3402]

What!!!! nobody ever knows about that song??? It's one of my favorites!

[@Kuyjac258]

One of mine too.

[@itziarcontreras9627]

One of my favorites also.

[@geneland]

One of my favorites as well.

[@ryebass]

Ditto.

[@GamePlayWithNolan]

One of mine too!

[@barnabyaprobert5159]

"Anna" is such a 'formula' song but it's sung with such sincerity by John that it *WORKS*!

[@peaceasyx]

i actually disagree. its different, most of their other songs at this time were more formulaic

[@annavogt826]

Paul sings it.

[@annavogt826]

Oops you're right it was John,

[@miguelmanzano3960]

@@annavogt826 i always make mistake to recognize who is who when i listen to them for the first time when i first listen to norweigan wood i tought it was george singing lol until i watch more of theur clips and videos george scousce accent is better that all of 'em

[@freeguy77]

I can't think of a song that John sings that does NOT work! He makes every song he sings sound deeply personal to him, and as if the theme was something he experienced. Such is why he was so dearly loved and adored by Beatles fans. Singing about peace in his later years did not hurt his ranking with me or millions of others! Paul did not go into the peace songs as John did, as John hated war and destruction and death more than almost anything else. I"ve always ranked John just a little higher than Paul in songwriting, and peace is just one reason why. Missed John for over 41 years now, more time than he was allowed to have on Earth!

[@americangirl6029]

When I was little, This was my favorite Beatle’s song. I could listen to this song over and over (I still can, lol). So, when my mom found out she was pregnant with my little sister and asked what we should name her, of course, I excitedly suggested, ANNA! My sister, Anna is now in her 30’s. 🥰

[@carlosmagnocorrea194]

Great Great Great.......Congratulations for this..........

[@wilkesysublime]

Proper Beatles fans know about the song Anna

[@vgr112261]

"Anna" is a classic gem.

[@loilt5091]

One of Lennon's greatest vocals👍

[@robbikuushti9022]

Couldn’t agree more. It’s an absolute masterpiece in singing.

[@chrisst8922]

He had a terrible cold that day.

[@loilt5091]

@@chrisst8922 I hope it's contagious. 😷

[@sellmeyoursoul6601]

Man Lennon really poured his heart out on this one elevating the original, he really had a way of getting a point across, not many singers today think about conveying anything

[@kathygrosvenor4464]

Arthur Alexander was the most underrated artist in music. Enormously gifted. He never received proper credit/airplay for his song, Beatles or no Beatles. Please look Stan to Arthur’s original rendition. It’s brilliant ♥️

[@mangaas]

Al Bundy made him slightly viral, and gave that track some recognition.

[@tonyfan3]

He quietly retire as a bus driver after years of making fantastic music, which makes me sad that his standards stand as Beatles instead of AA

[@tysongames2750]

I always thought that that was one of the best songs on the Please Please Me album.

[@AnnaLVajda]

Yeah we had that album too.

[@sharp78htdc61]

Lennons vocals on Anna are brilliant! Great song, one of my favourite on the album.

[@jackgill6519]

You should check out the original, it’s soulful

[@PeteyS.D.]

@@jackgill6519 Way better than the Beatles version!

[@TeekiesPlace]

Paul is one of the nicest guys in the music business (and in the world at large). He's earned the right to a swelled head, but he's too classy to go that route. Apart from being an extremely talented musician, he's a natural diplomat. I've never heard him say a bad thing about anyone. He could gag on Anna every time he hears it ...BUT...he'd say something nice about it. He's learned that there's always a bright side to everything, and he unfailingly (well, as unfailingly as a human can be) takes the high road.

[@matheusmello1995]

You know what's amazing? His personality flows so clear all over his music, especially his lyrics. That's why he and John were the greatest of all times. "Well, you could say that he provided a lightness, an optimism, while I would always go for the sadness, the discords, a certain bluesy edge." John Lennon on his 1980 interview to Playboy.

[@MurrayMelander]

+Buffalo Springthorpe Well yes and no. I've seen him get up and walk out of interviews when the questioner went "off script".

[@deefmcstrabe8733]

Paul has always been a I-say-yes-you-say-no kind of guy

[@ROOKTABULA]

Buffalo Springthorpe He is VERY ruthless about having things done in the manner he expects in some respects. He's not as cold as the Young Bros are but I've read accounts Paul can be very Machiavellian if he wants something suppressed. That being said, maybe we all might in his position.....

[@toastyplatters70]

It's definitely John singing. He had that strident voice, nearly blowing out the mic with the line, "All of my life.."

[@lindaevans8804]

John at his best ~ I’ve always loved this song…his voice is Heaven ❤️

[@tinkie101]

Arthur Alexander (RIP), one of my fave singer/songwriters!

[@todd7416ify]

Paul says, "The Bee-ulls."

[@Khayyam-vg9fw]

The technical term is a glottal stop. This is not a natural feature of Liverpudlian speech. It occurs mainly in London and - quite separately - in Glasgow, although the London version has spread northwards and westwards in recent decades. In Paul's case, he's probably acquired it from spending so much time in London and the South-East of England. Apart from a couple of Liverpudlian features that he presumably retains for professional reasons he's very close to having no regional accent at all now.

[@lamper2]

interesting

[@RyanSerrano69]

Khayyam1048 “because he’s English” haha. I’m just playin, mad fax dawg

[@helene7917]

He’s Bri’ish

[@barbozie2991]

My parents sang this to me as a baby because my name is Anna 😭 so i love this song

[@incaguaya]

It was Al Bundy's favorite song on married with children.. Went threw hell to get that record because nobody knew the song.

[@nigeh5326]

LOL thank you both you have give. Me a great laugh cheers

[@ttoehz8981]

Hmm Hmm Hiiiiim. . . 😂

[@assholio203]

Surprised there ain’t more comments about this lol

[@incaguaya]

@@ttoehz8981 lmao "sorry sir, never heard of it"

[@informer]

I can’t hear Anna now without thinking of Al bundy humming/singing and dancing this song lol

[@loobyloo1955]

I never knew this song existed until a friend told me about it and I looked it up. As an Anna, I approve!

[@alaitain]

My name is Anna. I 1st heard this song in 1976, I've remembered every since. Here it is 2020. I've had Piano player play this for me on date. It was Amazing. A co-worker played this song Anna over intercom at work 1 night. Romantic..

[@Kohl423]

John sang on this number showing off a voice that had learned the hard way working long hours in tough, smokey clubs giving it that hard raw edge. For those not so familiar with the songs from first Beatles album a much better vocal is John singing Baby Its You off the same record.

[@Kuyjac258]

He was sick with a terrible cold during the recording session of PPM, this was the main reason they left Twist and Shout to the very end because it in his own words "almost killed me". It's an incredible album. It's my second favourite after Help!

[@ComeOnIsSuchAJoy]

Kelly Burton And, oddly, because of that cold, John almost sounds more like George on both "Anna" and "Baby It's You."

[@pinup60]

Kohl423 this voice is also on 'this boy'.. in the bridge part

[@Colsoloact-po9wv]

Really love that album!

[@lorraineb.4698]

Both are equally good by John Lennon IMO.

[@someonesaccountforwritingn9894]

i love anna. especially the part where its "but every girl ive ever had, breaks my heart and leaves me sad"

[@TheVictor0911]

Love you guys your the best, "Anna (Go to Him)", or simply "Anna", is a song written and originally recorded by Arthur Alexander. His version was released as a single by Dot Records on September 17, 1962.

[@yorstkiddeen9365]

I grew up waiting for the next Beatles cartoons every Saturday. Anna was on those more than once and I'm sure everyone who watched loved that tune.

[@aqueatlefan8182]

Anna (Go To Him) is my favorite song from Please Please Me album. Already fall in love with this song since I first heard it on my third grade of elementary school 😄😄😄

[@jpetersgoyanks]

Because there own songs were so great people often forget what a great cover band they were & Anna is one of my favorites, great of Ronnie to highlight it.

[@MrJJackFLASH]

That song is the first Beatles tune I heard. My reaction was "Oh, jeez! That's fabulous!"

[@song8777]

One of the first songs I ever remember hearing! 🎶

[@tonyajohnson827]

The vocals were fab !

[@tompatclark]

OMGSFRICKINH!! SUCH TREMENDOUS VOCALS ITS LIKE THEYRE NOT EVEN THERE!!!

[@tompatclark]

But if you have a ink to vocals of this song pls send VATO LOCO

[@lisagilbert8895]

When John says the word searching it breaks my heart everytime ❤

[@eleanorerigby5503]

"Anna" version sung by John - is one of my favorites! I am exactly the one of many Annas out there. : o) Regards from Vienna.

[@reillygaitens5038]

süchtig nach Sprüngli Pâtisserie hehe my favorite song is called Vienna

[@DooWopFanatic]

I have sung this song at karaoke many times, and discovered the Arthur Alexander version in that past few years, and love the song even more. Such a tragic story to Mr. Alexander. He was awesome, but like so many black artists in the day were just cast aside. STILL one of my favorite Beatles songs of all time! I try to strum my guitar and sing this song off and on. They (The Beatles) did such justice to this song. Love both versions, and would love to sing it with The Beatles some time, but unfortunately 2 of the 3 vocalists on this track have left us. Paul, you are awesome, and I hope you appreciate you time with two other music legends (you are a legend also). Love you guys!!!

[@wayamaya1326]

anna its definitely one of my favorites, and its hard to choose your favorite songs when it comes to the beatles

[@twj1996]

Thanks for posting. Love this.

[@user-zl6gi5co9q]

Anna is one of my all time fav. Beatle song...even if they didn't write that one. John's voice is just great on that song.

[@Rita123xyz]

You did Anna for my sister and Rita for me! Thank you.

[@EdExTechur]

Arthur Alexander recorded 'Anna', 'You Better Move On', and others at Muscle Shoals in Alabama, one of the first hit songs to come out of that marvelous institution. Arthur did some fantastic stuff in the early 60's..

[@cweefy]

It's one of my favorite Beatles songs

[@robbieclark7828]

Paul and John, thank you for writing my namesake- Doctor Robert

[@johnbenuku7035]

Yess, i like this song, so old i listen this song, Anna 🥰🥰🤘🤘

[@fshoaps]

Arthur Alexander is a genius.

[@DavidAndrewsPEC]

Ronnie, thank you for this clip! :)

[@oldhippiejon]

My mates group were doing that song years before the Beatles put it out around 61ish if I remember correctly it caused quit a stir in our house when the LP was released and saw Anna 'Go to him' on the play list.

[@oldermusiclover]

never heard the name till I heard this song I love and have an Anna who is a friend. I loved Georges guitar on this song

[@AnnaTheGothicGirl]

"Anna" is wonderful song. And my name is Anna too. 😁

[@AnnaD25]

💕

[@boxianparkk]

me encanta este cover de ellos y creo fielmente en que gana completamente al original, dicen que John había despertado temprano esa mañana y un poco enfermo por lo cual su voz es super más ronca de lo usual, esto sólo le dio eSE toque lo cual hace tan pero tan especial esta música para mí, al principio pensé que Paul era el que cantaba esto ya que ciertamente hay tonos en lo que parece él pero no, es John, y.. ugh esta versión es simplemente perfecta

[@miguelangeljuarez6196]

Hermoso canal Ronnie, me encanta te mando un abrazote desde Zacatecas, México.

[@terryshoemaker8570]

Anna was a good song !

[@jennifursun3303]

+Terry Shoemaker it was . loved George's guitar that played what was the piano part in the origional version

[@hart.6230]

And still is!

[@bearblackhawk9362]

Anna has been one of my favorite beatles songs Since i first heard it. I was surlrised to hear paul say no one knows that song.

[@TheAnnaFisher]

Thanks, love to hear the story behind the song!

[@simonhodgetts6530]

I was recently bought a new copy of PPM on vinyl - it’s a wonderful album, and Anna is (alongside There’s A Place) one of the best tracks on the album (imho). They recorded John’s vocals in the echo chamber at Abbey Road, and they sound fantastic!

[@nettenepomuceno1754]

One of my favorites♥️

[@davidpike1487]

Really, pleased that "Anna" has been mentioned here. The Stones did, "You Better Move On", another Arthur Alexander song very early on in their career. The A Alexander ACE CD of his early stuff is well worth getting hold of.

[@julieannemichelle]

I’ve always love listening to other tracks on an album that are wonderful but not overplayed. Anna is an amazing song by the original artist and the Beatles.

[@user-vm8qv9su3h]

love it guys

[@annasobeski9913]

I always wondered if there was a song after my name. Low and behold I was watching a reaction video today, and some said to listen to some oldies to the person doing the reaction; and Anna was one of them .So I did and loved it by A.Authur and the Beatles!! Loved both versions. I was so excited! I’m 62.😁

[@annawood1147]

Anna go to him was the first song I ever heard and my first fave song

[@potdog1000]

i remember pop goes the Beatles , highlight of the week

[@sheihello]

One of my fav's too!

[@user-pg8rc8kf9m]

How can people forget ‘anna’ I LOVE THAT SONG !!!!

[@drsgtpepper95]

When I worked at Universal I use to know a girl named Anna so every time I’d come in and see her I’d always sing it Oh Annaaaa🎶

[@paulm3481]

Anna one of my all time favourites.

[@jeffrobdine]

Ronnie is awesome !

[@jeremyhoke1782]

After hearing Arthur Alexander's original version I started getting into all of his music.

[@basketburger]

Such a good song

[@Gethsemane956]

My Favorite Beatles song is twist and shout. Followed by ANNA!!!

[@joeramirez709]

Old school. An all time favorite. One of those rare times the cover is better than the original.

[@EricScottBloom]

it's insanely simple, but has that bohemian Mersey strut, which kills me every time...plus i'm in love with an anna...THE anna!!! I'm strutting!!!~E

[@alancooper6443]

I knew of Anna (Go To Hi) because it was on The Beatles Rarities album by Capitol in the Eighties, along with Misery. Those two songs have always been among my favorites.

[@annavogt826]

I lost a good friend because of that song. She invited me to spend the weekend at their lake house and she had a new Beatle album with "Anna" on it and she wanted me to hear is because my name is Anna. I played it over and over again all weekend. By the time I left she said she hated that I spent all my time listening to that song.

[@DouglasIRL]

I know it was my mom's favorite she would play the old album and play along on her guitar and we would sing.. She died a few years ago and yeah I miss that

[@rgrbkrin]

Please, play this song this June in Prague. I pray for live version of this song since my parents bought a computer in 90´s and I did not find it on the internet. (I am still looking for some). Sending you a very, very sad face :C and looking forward to your concert again! I will be sitting few rows from the top and looking on you with field glasses/telescope through the tears of happiness. (I dont know the correct word in English for the thing that looks good). Peace, love and rock.

[@SammytheBammy1]

Simply a great song.

[@user-vm8qv9su3h]

this is great

[@spongebobsquarepants888]

The Please Please Me album is one of my absolute FAVORITES.

[@andy71501]

thanks for anna

[@davido3026]

Arthur Alexander, a genius!!!

[@williamhalpin674]

Paul was one prolific artist. So talented in writing lyrics Singing and writing music

[@judymarasco4231]

I have an album entitled Introducing the Beatles and Anna was one of the songs

[@2xl830]

Arthur Alexander wrote Go to him (Anna) in 1960 and released on DOT records in 1962. He also wrote “ The Wanderer” which was later a big Dion number. Alexander wrote and was released 25 or more songs.Alexander was literally a black Paul McCartney

[@nameandsurname33]

I love 'Anna'!

[@user-hb5ho8sc6v]

Wao ! Unique meeting!

[@debradonato408]

I LoVE Paul’s Accent🎼🎶🎵

[@kathrynschimpf8957]

My sister and I somehow got Introducing the Beatles out of England!? The album was under the V Jay label, the album was thicker than most and it read McCartney/ Lennon!! We loved the song Anna and Misery!!!

[@juliojordan5601]

well, they think the song is unknown hehehe, but in Cuba that was the most played song in the 60's. and also in the 70's. All the parties in Cuba used to started and ending with Anna, also the 15th birthdays parties, every girl chose this song for the opening act of their parties, in other worlds, the most famous song in Cuba from 1964-1978. Shame in other part of the world people were deaf

[@TheFruitloop186]

+Julio Jordan 'Unknown song' ? Alexander's version was played on the radio almost non stop way before the British invasion when the Beatles were unknown. I grew up in a time and place in the South where 9th Ward music ruled Arthur Alexander Ernie K Doe Irma Thomas and the like. You could recognize the 9th Ward sound instantly, it had a distinctive sound like no other. Anna ( Alexander's version ) was played at every sorority and frat party and parties and get togethers, especially at the beach, Panama City at The Hang Out constantly I'm not putting the Beatles down, but Alexander's version is the go to for this particular song.

[@gtrdoc911]

No lo sabia por que me fui de Cuba con seis anos hace mucho tiempo. Pero adoro los Beatles y BVSC.

[@cbgadget4740]

Classic 👍👍👍😎😎😎🎼🎼🎼

[@cutestrawberryflower]

I love paul!! Xx

[@paulbruno8327]

Anna! Very Fab Indeed

[@fougee1]

Great song! Written by Arthur Alexander his songs were covered by lots of top bands.

[@MrDanHatton]

I’m surprised how many people do not know the song Anna. One of my favourites off the album. I’ve just covered the song myself on my channel, just love it 🇬🇧❤️❤️🎵

[@kyotocoversjimanderson782]

Ronnie does a great job on his show.

[@Anna-im4lv]

Where the anna's @? lol. Btw its one of my fav beatles songs, johns voice feels as if hes actually singing the song for you.

[@mrfester42]

"Anna" What a great cover the Beatles did of this song. It was that very early period when their voices had not yet quite matured and there was still a touch of that adolescent nasality to them. It was sometimes a bit difficult to distinguish between John and Pauls voice because they both had that same quality. Of course, for us oriiginal Beatlemaniacs the difference eas obvious.

[@annathellama4022]

Ahh finally a song about all the Anna's xx

[@peteravella4579]

When you think “Anna” was recorded not long after the Cavern, Johns voice was exceptional. The whole PPM Album is exceptional.

[@46singledad46]

Anna you call and ask me girl To set you free girl.you say he loves you more than me. So i will set free go with him. All of life I've been search For girl to love me, like i love you ooo Let me tell now Every girl I've EVER had Broke my heart and leve me,sad What am i What ami Supost too do Oohoh anna You give back your ring to me And,i will set free go with him You can go with him girl Go with him.

[@westfield90]

He is such a legend

[@krustenpizza]

I can't believe people don't know the song because it's one of my very favourite songs from them I really love it! Maybe I should name my child after it