Please_Please_Me - Can You Take Me Back

ALBUM RELEASE

PLEASE PLEASE ME

Parlophone PMC 1202 (mono)

Released: March 22, 1963

Parlophone PCS 3042 (stereo)

Released: April 26, 1963

Highest chart position: 1 (May 11, 1963)

PRODUCED BY GEORGE MARTIN

Track listing:

01. I SAW HER STANDING THERE

02. MISERY

03. ANNA (Go To Him)

04. CHAINS

05. BOYS

06. ASK ME WHY

07. PLEASE PLEASE ME

08. LOVE ME DO

09. P.S. I LOVE YOU

10. BABY IT'S YOU

11. DO YOU WANT TO KNOW A SECRET

12. A TASTE OF HONEY

13. THERE'S A PLACE

14. TWIST AND SHOUT

PLEASE PLEASE ME FACTS

“Please Please Me” was initially titled “Off the Beatle Track” before they settled on the final name.
It is the debut studio album by The Beatles, released on March 22, 1963, in the UK.
The album was produced by George Martin, often referred to as the “Fifth Beatle.” His
collaboration with the Beatles played a crucial role in shaping their sound.
The entire album was recorded on February 11, 1963, in a single day at EMI Studio 2 in London,
later known as Abbey Road Studios. The studio had a relatively primitive recording setup compared
to modern standards.
The album was recorded using a two-track recording system, which was common
in the early 1960s. The limited tracks meant that the Beatles had to perform live in the studio,
contributing to the energetic feel of the record.
The entire process took approximately 9 hours and reflects the band’s energetic early sound. It
quickly rose to the top of the UK charts, marking the beginning of The Beatles unparalleled success.
The intense recording schedule showcased The Beatles ability to deliver a polished sound quickly,
emphasizing their talent and chemistry as a live band. The decision to record the album in a
single day was partly due to budget constraints, but it became a defining characteristic of the
album’s energetic and spontaneous feel.
The title track, “Please Please Me,” was released as a single in January 1963 and became the
Beatles’ first number one hit in the UK. The success of the single helped propel the album to
the top of the charts.
The song “Please Please Me” was inspired by a Roy Orbison song titled “Please, Please, Please,”
which the Beatles were familiar with.
The album itself held the top position on the UK Albums Chart for 30 weeks. The quick and
cost-effective recording process, capturing the band’s live energy, contributed to the album’s
raw and authentic sound, making it a landmark in the evolution of pop music.
The iconic album cover photo was taken in a stairwell at EMI Studios by Angus McBean and
captures the band’s playful spirit.
The success of “Please Please Me” laid the foundation for The Beatles’ global phenomenon,
setting the stage for their prolific career.
The success of “Please Please Me” marked the beginning of Beatlemania and the beginning of the
Beatles’ extraordinary career. The Beatles quickly became a sensation with their catchy tunes
and charismatic performances.
The album consists of 14 tracks, with eight original compositions by John Lennon and Paul
McCartney and six cover songs. The original songs include “I Saw Her Standing There,” “Misery,”
“Anna (Go to Him),” “Chains,” “Boys,” “Ask Me Why,” “Please Please Me,” and “Love Me Do.”
The cover songs featured on the album include “Twist and Shout,” “Baby It’s You,” “Do You Want
to Know a Secret,” “A Taste of Honey,” “There’s a Place,” and “P.S. I Love You.”
The Beatles were known for covering songs by artists they admired. The album
includes cover versions of songs by artists such as The Shirelles, Arthur Alexander, and The Isley
Brothers.
The album showcases Paul McCartney’s versatility as a vocalist. His ability to sing a variety of
styles, from the soulful “Till There Was You” to the energetic “I Saw Her Standing There,”
highlighted the band’s musical diversity.
Notably, John Lennon’s raspy vocals on “Twist and Shout” were recorded last, due to him
having a severesore throat and the strain it would put on his voice.
The album is often considered one of the most important and influential albums in the history
of popular music. It captured the energy and excitement of the early 1960s and set the stage for
the Beatles’ global success.
The album was not initially released in the same form in the United States. Instead,
a modified version titled “Introducing… The Beatles” was released by Vee-Jay Records in
January 1964.
The release of “Please Please Me” came just 10 months after the Beatles’ formation as a band. The
speed at which they achieved success was unprecedented in the music industry.
The album prominently features the songwriting partnership of John Lennon and Paul McCartney.
However, George Harrison and Ringo Starr had not yet fully established themselves as songwriters
at this early stage in the Beatles’ career.
The version of “Love Me Do” on the album features session drummer Andy White on drums. However,
the original single release had Ringo Starr on drums. The change was made because the producer,
George Martin, was not satisfied with Starr’s initial drumming.
Despite being the last song recorded and featuring Lennon’s strained vocals, “Twist and Shout”
became one of the most iconic tracks on the album. It was released as a single in the United States
and reached number two on the Billboard Hot 100.
“Please Please Me” received positive reviews from critics, with many praising its energy and
capturing the spirit of the band’s live performances. The success of the album laid the foundation
for the Beatles’ enduring impact on the music industry.
The pose of the Beatles on the album cover, with them leaning over the stairwell railing, has been
imitated and referenced in various ways over the years.
In 2009, a remastered edition of “Please Please Me” was released as part of The Beatles’
remastered album catalog, providing improved audio quality for modern listeners.
“Please Please Me” remains a landmark album in the history of popular music, showcasing
the Beatles talent and innovation during the early years of their remarkable career.

PLEASE PLEASE ME LYRICS

I Saw Her Standing There:

1 – 2 – 3 – 4 !
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 (wooo)
And I saw her standin’ there.
Well, my heart went “boom,”
When I crossed that room,
And I held her hand in mine…
Whoa, 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 (wooo)
Since I saw her standing there.
Well, my heart went “boom,”
When I crossed that room,
And I held her hand in mine…
Whoa, 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 (wooo)
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 her 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.
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 shu-op, m’bop bop shu-op)
Hey, hey, (bop shu-op, m’bop bop shu-op)
Hey, hey, (bop shu-op) yeah, she say ya do. (Bop shu-op)
My girl says when I kiss her lips,
Gets a thrill through her fingertips,
Hey, hey, (bop shu-op, m’bop bop shu-op)
Hey, hey, (bop shu-op, m’bop bop shu-op)
Hey, hey, (bop shu-op) yeah, she say ya do. (Bop shu-op)
Well, I talk about boys,
Don’t ya know I mean boys,
Well, I talk about boys, now,
Aaaah, boys,
Well, I talk about boys, now,
What a bundle of joy! (All right, George!)
My girl says when I kiss her lips,
Gets a thrill through her fingertips,
Hey, hey, (bop shu-op, m’bop bop shu-op)
Hey, hey, (bop shu-op, m’bop bop shu-op)
Hey, hey, (bop shu-op) yeah, she say ya do. (Bop shu-op)
Well, I talk about boys,
Don’t ya know I mean boys,
Well, I talk about boys, now,
Aaaah, 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, whoa 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…

Baby It’s You:

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.

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)