| Following up on the modest
success of "Love Me Do," George Martin and the Beatles needed a song and
recording that could help cement their reputation. |
| |
| 1962 |
| 26 November. George
Martin, in his role as producer, was responsible for overseeing both the
musical performance and the recording process. Most of his training was
in music and so he took an active role in the choice of songs and the
way the Beatles played the music. In the case of "Please Please Me" he
(1) suggested that the Beatles speed up their imitation of a Roy Orbison
song, (2) arranged an introduction from first line of music, (3) had John
double the introduction on harmonica as a way of identifying the song
with the group's previous hit, "Love Me Do," and (4) composed a chord
sequence for the conclusion of the song. "Please Please Me" represents
Lennon and McCartney's synthesis of various American rock and pop elements
including "girl" groups, Motown, and rockabilly. They also show that they
have assimilated a command of melody, harmony, and rhythm from their hours
of performance. |
| |
| 1963 |
| 11 January. "Please
Please Me" / "Ask Me Why" (Parlophone 45 / R 4983) released in the
UK, eventually reaching UK #1 on the Melody Maker, New Musical
Express, and Disc charts. |
| 11 February. Responding
to the success of "Please Please Me," Martin, Parlophone, and the Beatles
quickly moved to record an album to capitalize on their success. The resulting
album was basically the Beatles' stage act and was a mixture of six covers
and seven originals beginning with their own "I Saw Her Standing There"
and ending with their version of the Isley Brothers' "Twist
and Shout." The Beatles recorded ten of the fourteen songs on the
album, which Parlophone (PMC 1202 [mono] and PCS 3042 [stereo]) released
in the UK on 22 March 63. The record soon became the best selling LP in
the country. |
| Through all of this period,
Lennon and McCartney made a conscious attempt to highlight themselves
as songwriters, presuming (as they did) that the success of the Beatles
would be short-lived. |
