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Okay, let me get this out of the way right off the bat: In 2023, Today's "Great Song" has been labeled socially and politically incorrect...but back when it was written in 1960, and when Ringo Starr recorded it in 1974, it was a fun little song about teenage love.
"You're Sixteen" was written by--get this--the Sherman Brothers (Robert and Richard), the same guys who wrote all the songs from "Mary Poppins" and other Disney classics like "It's a Small, Small World." (How's THAT for trivia!?)
It was originally recorded and released in 1960 by rockabilly star Johnny Burnette, who took the song to #8 on Billboard's Hot 100. His version was later used in the classic film, "American Graffiti."
The Beatles were fans of rockabilly in general and Johnny in particular, so when Ringo was looking for something fun to record for his self-titled "Ringo" album, he decided on "You're Sixteen."
TRIVIA: Paul McCartney either played the kazoo on the song, or, according to producer Richard Perry, did an impression of a kazoo, calling it a "vocal sax solo." Harry Nilsson sang backup!
By all accounts, the whole idea was to have fun with it, and you can tell. So could radio listeners, who helped propel the song into the Top 10 in 11 countries, including #1 in the US and New Zealand, #2 in Canada and Ireland, and #3 in South Africa.
In it's time, it was a Great Version of a "Great Song," and although "You're Sixteen" may not be exactly "correct" in 2023, it's tough to retroactively apply that label to a song from 49 years--or even 63 years ago. Especially when it was never intended to be anything more than lighthearted fun.
Ringo:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hv1GSTR-JE Johnny Burnette:
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