Please Please Me / From Me To You
Vee Jay 581, January 30, 1964

Please Please Me

History

John wrote Please Please Me and claimed that he thought of the idea when he remembered hearing a Bing Crosby song which included the line 'Please lend a little ear to my pleas'. The group had originally hoped to use the number as the 'B' side of 'Love Me Do', but George Martin was unhappy about the arrangement and suggested they put it aside after the original versions were recorded on September 11, 1962 at EMI Studios.  These were slow, Roy Orbison influenced, recordings.

The new arrangement owed something to Martin, as Paul commented: 'George Martin's contribution was a big one, actually. The first time he really ever showed that he could see beyond what we were offering him was "Please Please Me". It was originally conceived as a Roy Orbison type thing, you know. George Martin said, "Well, we'll put the tempo up." He lifted the tempo and we all thought that was much better and that was a hit.'

Takes 1 to 18 of Please Please Me were recorded on November 26, 1962, after which George Martin said 'You’ve just made your first No. 1!'  He was right of course.   John's harmonica was overdubbed that same day, since he could not sing, and play both harmonica and guitar at the same time.  After final mixing on the 30th, the song was ready for release.

First Release

January 11, 1963:  Parlophone R4983, England, b/w Ask Me Why
#1 on the English Record Charts

US Releases

Highest US Chart Position

February 1, 1964 at #3

BBC Performances

Live Performances

From Me To You

History

From Me To You was written on the Beatles' coach while travelling from York to Shrewsbury on February 28, 1963.  This was during the Helen Shapiro Tour.  Takes 1 to 13 were recorded on March 5.  The first 7 takes were 'live' in the studio performances.  Takes 8 to 13 featured the additional edit pieces, including the harmonica, guitar solo, and the introduction.  George Martin performed the final Mono and Stereo mixes on March 14.

In Britain, EMI issued a press release to go with the single, which read:

'Vocally and instrumentally this new deck matches the high spirits of PLEASE PLEASE ME with John, Paul and George chanting and harmonizing expertly. BUT don't get the idea that this is a carbon copy of their last single - in fact it is the most unusual number THE BEATLES have recorded to date.

'In defiance of the tiresome trend towards weepie lost-love wailers, FROM ME TO YOU is a rip-rockin’ up tempo ballad which has a happy-go-lucky romantic story-line.

'EAR-CATCHING HIGH SPOT: Those unexpected falsetto-voice high-kicks on the line "If there's anything I can do".

'OFF-BEAT FINALE: Sudden switch of speed and rhythm for that end-of-the-track instrumental climax.

'UNANIMOUS VERDICT: The sturdy beat plus the unique Beatle-blending of harmonica, guitars and voices plus the thoroughly infectious tune make FROM ME TO YOU another dead-cert Number One chart-smasher!'

On December 18, 1963, the Beatles recorded a special version entitled "From Us To You" to be used on the BBC.  Four "From Us To You" programs were eventually broadcast using this recording as the title song.  The first was on
December 26, 1963.

First Release

April 11, 1963:  Parlophone R5015, England, b/w Thank You Girl
#1 on the English Record Charts

US Releases

Highest US Chart Position

February 22, 1964 at #41

BBC Performances

Live Performances