Act Naturally — Buck Owens vs. The Beatles

Welcome to the first in a new spin-off of Chillers called Cover Up, where we pit two versions of the same song against each other to see which one reigns supreme. The originals are cold, the covers are warm — so make sure you Cover Up and get ready to dive in.

The Song: Act Naturally is about a man whose rough life makes him a perfect fit to play a tragic role on screen. He’s been through so much heartbreak that “acting” the part of a broken man doesn’t require rehearsal — all he has to do is act naturally. It’s a clever, slightly cheeky bit of wordplay, packaging a tragic premise in a deceptively upbeat delivery.

The Original: In 1963, Buck Owens recorded Act Naturally with his signature Bakersfield sound — twangy guitars, crisp rhythms, and enough country charm to make you believe the man could lasso the moon. It’s a textbook country heartbreak track: loneliness, perseverance, and just enough humor to keep you from reaching for the whiskey. The song hit No. 1 on the Country charts, proving that Owens knew how to wrap pain in a hook you can’t shake.

The Cover: In 1965, The Beatles — arguably the most successful band in history — took a swing at Act Naturally. It appeared as the B-side to Yesterday (no pressure, right?) and later made its way to the 1966 album Yesterday and Today. Originally, it was meant for Help!, but Capitol decided the album would only include songs from the movie. Vocals went to Ringo Starr, which is always a bit of a coin toss. In this case, the toss landed fine enough — it’s a charming cover that fits the band’s early-era energy, but it doesn’t quite sparkle like their best work.

The Verdict: While anything The Beatles touch tends to turn to gold, I’m giving this one to Buck. The Beatles had the fun meta-tie-in of actually making movies at the time, but their version feels a little flat next to Owens’ personality-driven performance. Buck is the song — you believe every word when he sings it. The Beatles? They’re just visiting.

So, give them both a listen — but don’t be surprised if you find yourself two-stepping straight into Buck’s camp. Sometimes the cold country clichés are exactly what warm you up.