Act Naturally

It wasn't until 1963 that the song found its first major home. Buck Owens, a singer from Bakersfield, California, recorded it with his Buckaroos. Owens' version was a resounding success, reaching the top spot on Billboard's Country Singles charts and marking his first number one. The story of someone who, after being rejected, can play a sad and lonely character without needing acting experience, resonated strongly. The Beatles' version, recorded in 1965, became one of the best-known. George Martin produced this take, which was done in 13 attempts, with the last one being the one that made it to the album. Ringo Starr, in addition to singing, handled the drums and percussion, while Paul McCartney contributed backing vocals and bass, John Lennon played acoustic guitar, and George Harrison played lead guitar, giving it a choral effect by doubling it. The inclusion of Act Naturally on The Beatles' album Help! had a particular fate in the United States. As the Capitol Records version of the album only included the songs from the film, Yesterday and Act Naturally were released as a separate single. In that context, Act Naturally reached number 47 on the charts in October 1965. Later, in 1971, the single was reissued under the Apple Records label, and the song regained special prominence by being considered the original A-side.