The Beatles first single, "Love Me Do," was released in the UK on October 5, 1962 - I remember it well. Okay, I lied. I love that song: the easy but insistent beat, the harmonica, the extended "plea..eee..ease," the cheeky confidence and good cheer - they were on their way.
- Love Me Do, recorded in 18 takes in London's Abbey Road Studios on September 11, 1962, was released just over three weeks later on October 5.
It peaked in the British charts at number 17 but briefly hit the number one spot in the United States when it was finally released there in April 1964 as the band's second U.S. single.
The song featured on the Please Please Me album issued in 1963 — the first of 13 albums released by the band in just seven years.
It was an auspicious debut for the Fab Four — John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr — who went on to score a total of 27 number one singles on either side of the Atlantic
The Beatles phenomenon, which far outlived the band itself, set the trend for fashion for years and for music for decades.
Article comments
1 - Ralph Del Rio
After all these years 'Love Me Do" stands up as a fine first single for any rock band. It is not as hot as 'I Can't Explain or 'You Really Got Me' but then again, those songs came more than a couple years later. The two versions of the song are barely indistinguishable. George Martin at the time felt a session drummer 'White' was needed. What's interesting is that Ringo re-recorded it for his "Vertical Man' album. I guess that experience is still a thorn in his side. So what better resolution than taking the song for himself. It was great to hear him singing that!
2 - Eric Olsen
Great story Ralph, I didn't know that.