Peak
29
Weeks
12
Score
1,237
Chart Year
1967
Their first hit, this song launched the Ohio Express into "stardom." However, it was not recorded by the same Yummy Yummy" artists. It was originally released under the Attack label by The Rare Breed, and the same exact song was later released under the label Cameo Parkway by the Ohio Express. According to Rare Breed keyboard player Barry Stolnick, producers Jeff Katz and Jerry Kasenetz named the group when 'Beg Borrow and Steal' was first released on the Attack label. They were 16-17 year old kids, and weren't under contract, which made it very easy to take advantage of them. According to Stolnick, the song sold about a half a million copies, and the 5 young artists that recorded this song never received their recognition. The Rare Breed members were Stolnick, John Freno, Alexander (Botts) Norbett, Joel Feigenbaum and Tony Cambria. Stolnick adds: "We never expected it to be a hit, and did not know they would call us the Rare Breed. We were playing locally under different names. Being in High School we were in no position to go on tour, and that's part of the reason Katz and Kasenetz got other people to do the tour. Joey Day and Lou Zerato wrote this song.
You threw me out the night before last and now you want me back in your arms again You think I'm a fool, you treat me like dirt, you pull the string and hope I will be your friend But I know what's on your mind, and I'd rather be out in street without a dime And I'd rather Beg, Borrow and Steal, I'd rather Beg, Borrow and Steal, I'd rather Beg Borrow and Steal, than go back to you, go back to you than go back to you, go back to you, go back to you, go back to you... How long 'dja think I'd hang around pretending not to see the tricks you pulled on me. There's only so much a man can take before his life turns into a tragedy. So I'm gettin' out now while I can, cause I do't want to crawl I want to walk out like a man. And I'd rather Beg, Borrow and Steal, I'd rather Beg, Borrow and Steal, I'd rather Beg, Borrow or Steal, than go back to you, go back to you, than go back to you, go back to you, than go back to you, back to you.... I'd rather Beg, Borrow and Steal, I'd rather Beg, Borrow and Steal
| Week | Chart Date | Position | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oct 7, 1967 | 96 | 30 |
| 2 | Oct 14, 1967 | 93 | 33 |
| 3 | Oct 21, 1967 | 77 | 49 |
| 4 | Oct 28, 1967 | 72 | 54 |
| 5 | Nov 4, 1967 | 58 | 68 |
| 6 | Nov 11, 1967 | 48 | 78 |
| 7 | Nov 18, 1967 | 36 | 90 |
| 8 | Nov 25, 1967 | 35 | 91 |
| 9 | Dec 2, 1967 | 29 | 97 |
| 10 | Dec 9, 1967 | 29 | 97 |
| 11 | Dec 16, 1967 | 31 | 95 |
| 12 | Dec 23, 1967 | 43 | 83 |