Please Please Me

Lennon, Harrison, McCartney and St

The second single released by the Beatles in the UK, Please Please Me is also the title track of The Beatles début album. The Beatles début album was recorded to capitalise on the success of the single.

Young Lennon with mother, Julia

Please Please Me is a John Lennon original, though like most of their songs, credited to Lennon/McCartney. The original Please Please Me was envisioned as a bluesy, slow tempo song. It was inspired by two main sources - Roy Orbisons' Only The Lonely and Bing Crosby's Please. John used to listen to his mother, Julia, sing Please around the house during his childhood and Lennon liked the wordplay in the song so much that he decided to write a song that did the same thing. The wordplay that I am referring to is "Please, lend your little ear to my pleas". 

Martin, left, with The Beatles in the studio

When their producer, George Martin, heard the original Please Please Me, he immediately requested for them to make major changes to the song, including increasing its tempo. The Beatles did as requested, and also decided at some point to repeat the "lead harmonica" effect they had used on Love Me Do.  After 18 takes of the song, the final result would be The Beatles' first major hit. George Martin, upon hearing the completed track, turned on the intercom and told the group "Gentlemen, you have just recorded your first Number One record. 

Martin with The Beatles receiving a silver disc in1963

Some would argue that George Martin was partially correct as it is a common belief that Please Please Me was never a #1 single in Britain. But on 22 February 1963, the song reached #1 on all charts but that of Record Retailer, and is used by the Guinness Book of Records. They only have it at #2, and it is the most widely quoted today.

Whether it was in #1 or not, Please Please Me is still a great song, and with both Lennon and McCartney on lead vocals, this song shows how compatible those two voices are and they should never have parted. Enjoy the song!!!

Please Please Me (Album)

Please Please Me is The Beatles debut album. It features 14 songs, of which 8 were credited to Lennon/McCartney or McCartney/Lennon. Rolling Stone (magazine) calls this "their invention of the idea of the self-contained rock band, writing their own hits and playing their own instruments".


Please Please Me was a rush release by Parlaphone Studio to capitalise on the success of singles "Please Please Me" which was released earlier and was number one on most charts. The Beatles started recording on the 11th February 1963 at 10.00 am and completed their recording on the same day. The album was completed in 9 hours and 45 minutes. With Please Please Me, The Beatles managed to produce an authentic representation of the band's sound during their Cavern Club playing days. There were very few overdubs and edits done on the album. George Martin, the album's producer later said "It was a straightforward performance of their stage repertoire - a broadcast, more or less"

L-R:Martin (Sitting), McCartney, Harrison, Lennon and Starr

The last song on the album, "Twist and Shout" had to be recorded last as Lennon had a particularly bad cold and it was feared that the throat shredding vocal would ruin Lennon's voice for the day. The decision to do so was a blessing in disguise as "Twist and Shout", captured first take, is now generally captured as a classic. Lennon produced a memorable vocal performance with his throaty voice. Just proves that Lennon is a dynamic rocker.

L-R:McCartney, Harrison, Starr, Martin and Lennon

Please Please Me was a huge success as it hit the top of the UK album charts in May 1963 and remained there for thirty weeks only to be replaced by The Beatles next album, With The Beatles. In 2003, Rolling Stone magazine ranked the album #39 on its list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. Please Please Me has remained on UK catalogue continuosly from the day it was released on 22 March 1963 till today, and chances are it will remain there for years to come. 


Below are the list of songs in The Beatles début album, Please Please Me:

L-R: Harrison, McCartney, Lennon and Starr

Side One
1. I Saw Her Standing There
2. Misery
3. Anna (Go to Him)
4. Chains
5. Boys
6. Ask Me Why
7. Please Please Me


Side Two
1. Love Me Do
2. P.S. I Love You
3. Baby It's You
4. Do You Want to Know a Secret
5. A Taste of Honey
6. There's a Place
7. Twist and Shout




The articles that follows will briefly elaborate the songs in this album.