LP Review: Please Please Me – The Beatles

Love Me Do reviews The Beatles’ first LP, Please Please Me, from I Saw Her Standing There to Twist and Shout, which stayed in the UK Top Ten for a year.

Released on March 22, 1963, Please Please Me was the Beatles’ first album and a defining moment in the history of rock and roll. The album was recorded in a single one-day marathon session at Abbey Road Studios on February 11, 1963, capturing the raw energy and enthusiasm of a band on the brink of stardom.

The Beatles, consisting of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr, brought a fresh, youthful sound that would prove to resonate with audiences worldwide.

George Martin was keen to record a live album for the Beatles’ debut, but finding The Cavern Club unsuitable for quality recording he tried to capture their live sound on a studio album.

Please Please Me Highlights

The album opens with the infectious I Saw Her Standing There, featuring a driving bass line and McCartney’s exuberant vocals. With its loud “1-2-3-4” opening, it’s a perfect introduction to the band’s signature blend of rock and roll, pop, and skiffle influences.

The title track, Please Please Me, is a brilliant example of Lennon and McCartney’s songwriting prowess, with its catchy melody and clever wordplay. The harmonica riff adds a unique touch, making it a standout track on the album. The single of Please Please Me was still number 5 in the Top Ten when the LP was released. Cliff Richards’ Summer Holiday was still number 1, but destined to become the sound of yesterday when Beatlemania really kicked in.

Please Please Me stayed in the Top Ten charts for over a year, a record for a debut album which stood for fifty years. It remained at Number One in the charts for 30 weeks, until it was replaced by their second LP, With the Beatles.

Love Me Do, the Beatles’ debut single, is another highlight. Its simple, catchy melody and tight harmonies showcase the band’s ability to craft memorable pop songs. Ringo Starr’s steady drumming and Lennon’s harmonica playing add depth to the track, making it a timeless classic. P.S. I Love You, the B-side of Love Me Do, is a charming ballad that showcases McCartney’s tender vocals and the band’s tight harmonies.

One of the most striking aspects of Please Please Me is the variety of musical styles on display. Misery and Ask Me Why are introspective ballads that reveal the band’s softer side, while Chains and Boys highlight their love for American girl groups.

The LP was voted 39th on Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.

The Beatles also show their rock and roll chops with energetic covers of Anna (Go to Him), Baby It’s You, and Twist and Shout. Lennon’s gritty vocals on Twist and Shout are a standout, capturing the raw, visceral energy of the band’s live performances. His throat was raw after the energy he put into this recording. This was the sound George Martin was looking for.

George Harrison’s contributions should not be overlooked. He takes the lead on Do You Want to Know a Secret, a sweet, melodic tune that showcases his gentle vocals. His guitar work throughout the album is stellar, providing a solid foundation for the group’s sound. Ringo Starr also shines on his one vocal track, Boys, where his enthusiastic drumming and spirited singing add a fun, carefree vibe.

There were various recordings of Love Me Do with different people playing drums. An early version had Pete Best on drums but this was never released at the time as he was soon replaced in the group by Ringo Starr. The Pete Best version was included on Anthology 1. Best’s drumming on Love Me Do was one of the reasons he was replaced, as George Martin was not impressed. For the re-recording, Ringo was not impressed as Martin brought in session drummer Andy White, purely for that track. Ringo only played the tambourine and this was used on the Please Please Me LP. However, a third version with Ringo on drums is the one that was released as a single, and also on the Past Masters LP.

The production on Please Please Me is remarkably polished for a debut album. George Martin, later referred to as the Fifth Beatle, played a crucial role in shaping the band’s sound. His keen ear for arrangements and innovative studio techniques helped elevate the album beyond the typical rock and roll fare of the time.