The Beatle Invasion

Album - “Please Please Me” (1963)

by gisrael on July 19th, 2007

Propelled by the success of the "Please Please Me" single, George Martin and The Beatles set out to record a whole album. In addition to the four tracks from their two released singles, they would record 10 more. Due to time and budgetary constraints, and pleased with the sound of their live act, the album was recorded all in one 10-hour day, on 11 February 1963. There would be very few overdubs or edits. The recording costs came to about £400, and each member of the band was paid £22.50 for his time.

"It was a straightforward performance of their stage repertoire - a broadcast, more or less." - George Martin

Eight of 14 tracks were penned by Paul and John (credited as "McCartney/Lennon").

Side one

1. "I Saw Her Standing There" – 2:55"
2. "Misery" – 1:50
3. "Anna (Go to Him)" (Arthur Alexander) – 2:57
4. "Chains" (Gerry Goffin, Carole King) – 2:26
5. "Boys" (Luther Dixon, Wes Farrell) – 2:27
6. "Ask Me Why" – 2:27
7. "Please Please Me" – 2:03

Side two

1. "Love Me Do" – 2:22
2. "P.S. I Love You" – 2:05
3. "Baby It’s You" (Mack David, Barney Williams, Burt Bacharach) – 2:38
4. "Do You Want to Know a Secret" – 1:59
5. "A Taste of Honey" (Bobby Scott, Ric Marlow) – 2:05
6. "There’s a Place" – 1:52
7. "Twist and Shout" (Phil Medley, Bert Russell) – 2:33

Released on 22 March 1963, it reached #1 on the UK charts on 11 May, where it remained for 30 weeks.

album, Beatles, George Martin, John, Paul, Please Please Me

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POSTED IN: album, history