[1] I Saw Her Standing There (Lennon, John)
[2] Misery (Lennon, John)
[3] Anna (Go to Him) (Alexander, Arthur)
[4] Chains (Goffin, Gerry)
[5] Boys (Dixon, Luther)
[6] Ask Me Why (Lennon, John)
[7] Please, Please Me (Lennon, John)
[8] Love Me Do (Lennon, John)
[9] P.S. I Love You (Lennon, John)
[10] Baby It's You (Bacharach, Burt)
[11] Do You Want to Know a Secret? (Lennon, John)
[12] Taste of Honey (Marlowe, Ric)
[13] There's a Place (Lennon, John)
[14] Twist and Shout (Medley, Phil)
"Love Me Do" and "P.S. I Love You" were recorded in September 1962. The
other 12 tracks were recorded on February 11, 1963 ("Twist And Shout"
was the last song to be recorded). The songs reflected the Beatles'
live show at the time: some original songs sprinkled with cover tunes
by their favorite artists (The Isley Brothers, girl groups like the
Shirelles, and others). Recorded at Abbey Road Studios, London, England.
Thirty years after its release, the Beatles' first album still stands
not only as a blueprint for what the group itself would accomplish in
the next three years, but for what a large part of popular music would
sound like from then on. Listening now, one revels anew in the
songwriting of John Lennon and Paul McCartney (songs include "I Saw Her
Standing There"), their remarkable harmonies and solo singing, and the
encyclopedia of pop and rock they offer from other sources --
especially light pop and hard R&B (like the show-stopping closer,
Lennon's take on the Isley Brothers' "Twist and Shout"). The CD reissue
is in the original mono, but Mobile Fidelity has issued the album in
stereo.
William Ruhlmann, All-Music Guide
Legends surround the Beatles, but few have been as musically relevant
as the story behind Please Please Me, their debut album. Once "Please
Please Me" rocketed to number one, the group rushed into the studio to
record their first album. There was no time to hesitate, since pop
stardom was a transient thing, and the band acted accordingly, bashing
out Please Please Me in a day. Decades after its initial release, the
album still sounds fresh, precisely because of its intense origins. As
the songs rush past, it's easy to get wrapped up in the sound of the
record itself, without realizing the variety of styles, but Please
Please Me effectively summarizes the band's eclectic influences as well
as any of their more ambitious latter-day efforts. Naturally, the
influences are apparent through their choice of covers, none of which
are conventional choices and almost all of which illustrate the group's
superior taste. The Shirelles' "Baby It's You" is the only rock &
roll cover that was a significant hit on either side of the Atlantic. A
few of the other covers were moderate hits, yet they were never part of
the standard rock cover repertoire, so they all are testaments to the
band's shockingly far-reaching musical scope. There's a clear love of
girl groups and vocal harmonies ("Chains"), sophisticated melodies
("Baby It's You"), schmaltz ("A Taste of Honey," a showtune included at
McCartney's behest), R&B (Arthur Alexander's "Anna [Go to Him]," a
particular favorite of Lennon's) and hard-driving rock & roll (the
Ringo-fronted "Boys," "Twist and Shout"). Their taste in covers alone,
and their passionate performances, would have made Please Please Me an
impressive debut, but what makes it astonishing is how all those
elements converge in the original material which dominates half the
album. "I Saw Here Standing There," afor instance, is one of the
Beatles' best rockers, but it's distinguished by a surprising harmonies
and melodic progressions in the bridge, something that did not happen
in many other bands' Chuck Berry homages. "Misery" and "There's a
Place" are propulsively melodic pop-rockers that grow out of the girl
group tradition without being tied to it. A few of their originals,
such as "Do You Want to Know a Secret" and the pleasantly light "PS I
Love You," ahave dated slightly, but in an endearing way, since they
are not only well-crafted, they are indications of cheerful innocence
and enthusiasm of the era. And there is an innocence to Please Please
Me. The Beatles may have spent years in the notoriously rough dives in
Hamburg, but the only way you could tell that on their first album was
how the constant gigging turned the group into a tight, professional
band that could run through their set list at the drop of a hat and
with seemingly boundless energy. It's no surprise that Lennon had
shouted himself hoarse by the end of the session, barely getting
through "Twist and Shout," aone of the most famous single-takes in rock
history. He simply got caught up in the music, just like generations of
listeners did.
Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All-Music Guide
Recorded in between a cup of tea and a cigarette, this album is raw yet
dazzling. Here were four lads, highly experienced on stage, but with
little or no idea of what a recording studio was like. They were
subtley marshalled by the much respected George Martin to deliver an
entire album that was exactly what the fans wanted, but was still a
surprise. Things were never as simple as this again, yet the genius is
there - for example, Lennon's unmatchable rasping on 'Twist And Shout',
McCartney's graceful ease in singing 'I Saw Her Standing There',
Harrison's sparse but definite Gretsch chords and Starr's ace vocal on
'Boys'.
"Nearly 30 years after its release, the Beatles' first album still
stands not only as a blueprint for what the group itself would
accomplish in the next three years, but for what a large part of
popular music world sound like from then on. Listening now, one revels
anew in the songwriting of John Lennon and Paul McCartney (songs
include "I Saw Her Standing There")."
ROLLING STONE ALBUM GUIDE *****
Their first-ever album, raw and rough and still very rock & roll.
Lennon and McCartney begin to flex their writing muscles and had
already scored two UK hits when this appeared, but they still relied
heavily on the cover material to see them through. Their insecurity
about their own abilities seems curious in hindsight since they'd
pulled the title song and "I Saw Her Standing There" (with thanks to
Little Richard) out of their hats. But they were an unknown quantity,
still to launch a million bands and take pop music to places it had
never dreamed off. A small step for four men, a giant leap for music.
Chris Nickson, Amazon.com
Ihr aller allererstes Album, noch im Rohzustand und ein wenig
ungeschliffen, aber schon sehr rockig. Lennon und McCartney zeigen zum
ersten Mal ihre Talente beim Songschreiben; sie hatten zwar schon
vorher zwei Hits in England gelandet, aber sich dabei noch sehr stark
auf Coverversionen verlassen, um über die Runden zu kommen. Wenn
man heute zurückblickt, kommen uns diese Zweifel an den eigenen
Fähigkeiten seltsam vor, denn sie zauberten den Titelsong und "I
Saw Her Standing There" (dank der Unterstützung von Little
Richard) einfach so aus ihrem Hut. Aber sie waren noch eine unbekannte
Größe, und sie sollten noch unendlich vielen Bands den Weg
ebnen und die Popmusik in Regionen führen, von denen sie vorher
noch nicht einmal geträumt hatte. Ein kleiner Schritt für
vier junge Männer, ein großer Schritt für die Musik.
Well, she was just 17,
You know what I mean,
And the way she looked was way beyond compare.
So how could I dance with another (ooh)
And I saw her standin' there.
Well she looked at me, and I, I could see
That before too long I'd fall in love with her.
She wouldn't dance with another (whooh)
And I saw her standin' there.
Well, my heart went "boom,"
When I crossed that room,
And I held her hand in mine...
Whoah, we danced through the night,
And we held each other tight,
And before too long I fell in love with her.
Now I'll never dance with another (whooh)
Since I saw her standing there
Well, my heart went "boom,"
When I crossed that room,
And I held her hand in mine...
Whoah, we danced through the night,
And we held each other tight,
And before too long I fell in love with her.
Now I'll never dance with another (whooh)
Since I saw her standing there
Misery
The world is treating me bad... Misery.
I'm the kind of guy,
Who never used to cry,
The world is treatin' me bad... Misery!
I've lost her now for sure,
I won't see her no more,
It's gonna be a drag... Misery!
I'll remember all the little things we've done
Can't she see she'll always be the only one, only one.
Send hewr back to me,
'Cause everyone can see
Without her I will be in misery
I'll remember all the little things we've done.
She'll remember and she'll miss her only one, lonely one.
Send her back to me,
'Cause everyone can see,
Without her I will be in misery (oh oh oh)
In misery (ooh ee ooh ooh)
My misery (la la la la la la)
Anna (Go To Him)
Anna,
You come and ask me, girl,
To set you free, girl,
You say he loves you more than me,
So I will set you free,
Go with him.
Go with him.
Anna,
Girl, before you go now,
I want you to know, now,
That I still love you so,
But if he loves you mo',
Go with him.
All of my life,
I've been searchin' for a girl
To love me like I love you.
Oh, now.. But every girl I've ever had,
Breaks my heart and leaves my sad.
What am I, what am I supposed to do.
Anna,
Just one more thing, girl.
You give back your ring to me, and I will set you free,
Go with him.
Chorus
Anna,
Just one more thing, girl.
You give back your ring to me, and I will set you free,
Go with him.
Chains
Chains, my baby's got me locked up in chains.
And they ain't the kind that you can see.
Whoa, oh, these chains of love got a hold on me, yeah.
Chains, well I can't break away from these chains.
Can't run around, 'cause I'm not free.
Whoa, oh, these chains of love won't let me be, yeah.
I wanna tell you, pretty baby,
I think you're fine.
I'd like to love you,
But, darlin', I'm imprisoned by these...
Chains, my baby's got me locked up in chains,
And they ain't the kind that you can see,
Oh, oh, these chains of love got a hold on me.
Please believe me when I tell you,
Your lips are sweet.
I'd like to kiss them,
But I can't break away from all of these...
Chains, my baby's got me locked up in chains.
And they ain't the kind that you can see.
Whoa, oh, these chains of love got a hold on me, yeah.
Chains, chains of love...
Boys
I been told when a boy kiss a girl,
Take a trip around the world,
Hey, hey, (bop shuop, m'bop bop shuop)
Hey, hey, (bop shuop, m'bop bop shuop)
Hey, hey, (bop shuop) yeah, she say ya do. (Bop shuop)
My girl says when I kiss her lips,
Gets a thrill through her fingertips,
Hey, hey, (bop shuop, m'bop bop shuop)
Hey, hey, (bop shuop, m'bop bop shuop)
Hey, hey, (bop shuop) yeah, she say ya do. (Bop shuop)
Well, I talk about boys,
Don't ya know I mean boys,
Well, I talk about boys, now,
Aaahhh, boys,
Well, I talk about boys, now,
What a bundle of joy! (Alright, George!)
My girl says when I kiss her lips,
Gets a thrill through her fingertips,
Hey, hey, (bop shuop, m'bop bop shuop)
Hey, hey, (bop shuop, m'bop bop shuop)
Hey, hey, (bop shuop) yeah, she say ya do. (Bop shuop)
Well, I talk about boys,
Don't ya know I mean boys,
Well, I talk about boys, now,
Aaahhh, boys,
Well, I talk about boys, now,
What a bundle of joy!
Ask Me Why
I love you, 'cause you tell me things I want to know.
And it's true that it really only goes to show,
That I know,
That I, I, I, I should never, never, never be blue.
Now you're mine, my happiness still makes me cry.
And in time, you'll understand the reason why,
If I cry,
It's not because I'm sad, but you're the only love that I've ever had.
I can't believe it's happened to me
I can't conceive of any more misery.
Ask me why, I'll say I love you,
And I'm always thinking of you.
I love you, 'cause you tell me things I want to know.
And it's true that it really only goes to show,
That I know,
That I, I, I, I should never, never, never be blue.
Ask me why, I'll say I love you,
And I'm always thinking of you.
I can't believe it's happened to me.
I can't conceive of any more misery.
Ask me why, I'll say I love you,
And I'm always thinking of you.
Please Please Me
Last night I said these words to my girl,
I know you never even try, girl,
C'mon...
Please please me, whoa yeah, like I please you.
You don't need me to show the way, love.
Why do I always have to say "love,"
C'mon...
Please please me, whoa yeah, like I please you.
I don't wanna sound complainin',
But you know there's always rain in my heart (in my heart).
I do all the pleasin' with you, it's so hard to reason
With you, whoah yeah, why do you make me blue.
Last night I said these words to my girl,
I know you never even try, girl,
C'mon...
Please please me, whoa yeah, like I please you.
Love Me Do
Love, love me do.
You know I love you,
I'll always be true,
So please, love me do.
Whoa, love me do.
Love, love me do.
You know I love you,
I'll always be true,
So please, love me do.
Whoa, love me do.
Someone to love,
Somebody new.
Someone to love,
Someone like you.
Love, love me do.
You know I love you,
I'll always be true,
So please, love me do.
Whoa, love me do.
Love, love me do.
You know I love you,
I'll always be true,
So please, love me do.
Whoa, love me do.
Yeah, love me do.
Whoa, oh, love me do.
P.S. I Love You
As I write this letter,
Send my love to you,
Remember that I'll always,
Be in love with you.
Treasure these few words 'till we're together,
Keep all my love forever,
P.S., I love you.
You, you, you.
I'll be coming home again to you, love,
And 'till the day I do, love,
P.S., I love you.
You, you, you.
As I write this letter,
Send my love to you,
Remember that I'll always,
Be in love with you.
Treasure these few words 'till we're together,
Keep all my love forever,
P.S., I love you.
You, you, you.
As I write this letter, (Oh oh oh)
Send my love to you, (You know I want you to)
Remember that I'll always, (Yeah)
Be in love with you.
I'll be coming home again to you, love,
And 'till the day I do, love,
P.S., I love you.
You, you, you.
You, you, you.
I love you.
Baby It's You
Sha la la la la la la la
Sha la la la la la la la
Sha la la la la la la la
Sha la la la la
It's not the way you smile that touched my heart. (sha la la la la)
It's not the way you kiss that tears me apart.
Uh, oh, many, many, many nights go by,
I sit alone at home and I cry over you.
What can I do.
Can't help myself, 'cause baby, it's you.
Baby, it's you.
You should hear what they say about you, "cheat," "cheat."
They say, they say you never never never ever been true. (cheat cheat)
Uh oh,
It doesn't matter what they say,
I know I'm gonna love you any old way.
What can I do, and it's true.
Don't want nobody, nobody, 'cause baby, it's you. (sha la la la la la la)
Baby, it's you. (sha la la la la la la)
Uh oh,
It doesn't matter what they say,
I know I'm gonna love you any old way.
What can I do, when it's true.
Don't want nobody, nobody, 'cause baby, it's you. (sha la la la la la la)
Baby, it's you. (sha la la la la la la)
Don't leave me all alone...
Do You Want to Know a Secret
You'll never know how much I really love you.
You'll never know how much I really care.
Listen,
Do you want to know a secret,
Do you promise not to tell, whoa oh, oh.
Closer,
Let me whisper in your ear,
Say the words you long to hear,
I'm in love with you.
Listen,
Do you want to know a secret,
Do you promise not to tell, whoa oh, oh.
Closer,
Let me whisper in your ear,
Say the words you long to hear,
I'm in love with you.
I've known the secret for a week or two,
Nobody knows, just we two.
Listen,
Do you want to know a secret,
Do you promise not to tell, whoa oh, oh.
Closer,
Let me whisper in your ear,
Say the words you long to hear,
I'm in love with you.
A Taste of Honey
A taste of honey... tasting much sweeter than wine.
I dream of your first kiss, and then,
I feel upon my lips again,
A taste of honey... tasting much sweeter than wine.
I will return, yes I will return,
I'll come back for the honey and you.
Yours was the kiss that awoke my heart,
There lingers still, 'though we're far apart,
That taste of honey... tasting much sweeter than wine.
I will return, yes I will return,
I'll come back (he'll come back) for the honey (for the honey) and you.
There's A Place
There is a place,
Where I can go,
When I feel low,
When I feel blue.
And it's my mind,
And there's no time when I'm alone.
I think of you,
And things you do,
Go 'round my head,
The things you said,
Like "I love only you."
In my mind there's no sorrow,
Don't you know that it's so.
There'll be no sad tomorrow,
Don't you know that it's so.
There is a place,
Where I can go,
When I feel low,
When I feel blue.
And it's my mind,
And there's no time when I'm alone.
There's a place...
Twist and Shout
Well, shake it up, baby, now, (shake it up, baby)
Twist and shout. (twist and shout)
C'mon c'mon, c'mon, c'mon, baby, now, (come on baby)
Come on and work it on out. (work it on out)
Well, work it on out, honey. (work it on out)
You know you look so good. (look so good)
You know you got me goin', now, (got me goin')
Just like I knew you would. (like I knew you would)
Well, shake it up, baby, now, (shake it up, baby)
Twist and shout. (twist and shout)
C'mon, c'mon, c'mon, c'mon, baby, now, (come on baby)
Come on and work it on out. (work it on out)
You know you twist your little girl, (twist, little girl)
You know you twist so fine. (twist so fine)
Come on and twist a little closer, now, (twist a little closer)
And let me know that you're mine. (let me know you're mine)
Well, shake it up, baby, now, (shake it up, baby)
Twist and shout. (twist and shout)
C'mon, c'mon, c'mon, c'mon, baby, now, (come on baby)
Come on and work it on out. (work it on out)
You know you twist your little girl, (twist, little girl)
You know you twist so fine. (twist so fine)
Come on and twist a little closer, now, (twist a little closer)
And let me know that you're mine. (let me know you're mine)
Well, shake it, shake it, shake it, baby, now. (shake it up baby)
Well, shake it, shake it, shake it, baby, now. (shake it up baby)
Well, shake it, shake it, shake it, baby, now. (shake it up baby)