Please Please Me Songs Ranked
Please Please Me is the debut studio album by the English rock band the Beatles. Produced by George Martin, it was released on EMI’s Parlophone label on 22 March 1963 in the United Kingdom, following the success of the band’s first two singles “Love Me Do”, which reached number 17 on the UK Singles Chart, and “Please Please Me” which reached number 1 on the NME and Melody Maker charts. The album topped Record Retailer’s LP chart for 30 weeks, an unprecedented achievement for a pop album at that time. Aside from their already released singles, the Beatles recorded the majority of Please Please Me in one long recording session at EMI Studios on 11 February 1963. On 20 February, Martin added overdubs to “Misery” and “Baby It’s You”. Of the album’s 14 songs, eight were written by Lennon–McCartney (originally credited “McCartney–Lennon”). Rolling Stone magazine later cited these original compositions as early evidence of the Beatles’ “[invention of] the idea of the self-contained rock band, writing their own hits and playing their own instruments”. In 2012, Please Please Me was voted 39th on Rolling Stone’s list of the “500 Greatest Albums of All Time”. It was voted number 622 in the third edition of Colin Larkin’s All-Time Top 1000 Albums (2000). Here are all of the Please Please Me songs ranked.
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14. A Taste of Honey
“A Taste Of Honey was a popular 60’s instrumental (A Grammy Award winner for Herb Alpert in ’65) and remarkably, to this day, no one knows who came up with the lyrics to the song, they have been un-credited ever since the first vocal recording (Lenny Welch in ’62). Paul sings a beautiful lead and during the middle-8 his vocals are double tracked, resulting in an outstanding pop performance.”
13. Baby It’s You
“”Baby It’s You” with John on vocals is next. It is a cover of a song written by Burt Bacharach (music), and Barney Williams (a.k.a. Luther Dixon) and Hal David (lyrics). This is the second song that The Beatles included which was done previously by The Shirelles. George Martin plays Celesta on this track. Next up is “Do You Want to Know a Secret”, the second song that George handles the vocals.”
12. Chains
“Chains is a classic originally composed by Carole King and her husband Gerry Goffin during their tenure as the Brill Building machine. It was recorded as a hit single by The Cookies (Little Eva’s backup singers) in 1962. It is another standout rock & roll track but not nearly as emotionally delivered as the first two album tracks. Critics weren’t receptive, thinking the original a much more appreciable song, but Beatle fans loved it and Chains was a regular cover song performed by many British rock & roll bands in those days, it was almost a staple.”
11. Misery
“This song was written for Helen Shapiro, but she turned it down, it was the first song to be covered by another artist as Kenny Lynch recorded it just days after The Beatles recorded it, and released it as a single before “Please Please Me” was released. This song is the first to have George Martin play on it as he added the piano.”
See more: The Beatles Albums Ranked
10. Ask Me Why
“Ask Me Why” is a return to the McCartney-Lennon compositions, with John on lead vocals. The song had been recorded as early as June 6th of 1962, but this take is from November 26th of the same year.”
9. P.S. I Love You
“Many groups struggle to have even a single great song. The Beatles had several excellent songs on this album. “P.S. I Love You” was a wonderful song that was easily better than most of the pop of the era. This song could have been a hit single had it been released in the U.S.”
8. Boys
“Boys” gives us another early number that the band covered; and they make “Boys” all their own with their awesome natural style and creativity! Good harmony and a few subtle key changes make “Boys” an even stronger number.”
7. Anna (Go to Him)
“This song proves John was always great at singing with soul regardless of it being his composition or not. I love this song too, good laid back song with a nice 50’s feel too it..”
6. There’s a Place
“A energetic duet between John and Paul that is another reason I prefer this album over Abbey Road or Let it Be. It’s great to hear them this united. Another personal favorite, that middle part, the “Like I love only you…..In my mind theres no sorrow…” part, that part right there just makes this song. Just how they throw that in there and they only do it once, no matter how simple it is, its genius, in my opinion. Also the Harmonica (I think thats what that is) sounds great.”
5. Do You Want to Know a Secret
“his is the sound of George redeeming himself after “Chains”. This song quite has one of my favorite lyrical structures in all of popular music. I love how the intro has an old Hollywood feel to it.”
See more: The Beatles Songs Ranked
4. Love Me Do
“Another Mersey standard which makes me imagine riding on a train past rolling hills, through a tunnel. “Love me Do”is a good song, a little over-played, probably the simplest Beatles song, but it works”
3. Please Please Me
“With a driving beat and its iconic harmonica riff, this is easily one of the strongest tracks on the album. Lennon and McCartney team up on the vocals, with McCartney singing a constant note on the high harmony while Lennon contributes the descending melody. however, it’s Lennon’s vocals on the chorus that really shine — especially in the final chorus, when he goes into almost a growl on the “come on”. If I had to pick a favorite from this album, it would almost certainly be “Please Please Me”.
2. Twist and Shout
“The album wraps up with what is certainly its most famous song, “Twist and Shout”. What could I say about this song that has not already been said? John’s vocals, destroyed by a cold, are still undeniably passionate and fervent, the call-and-response with Paul and George is infectious, and the sheer charisma emanating from this track makes it easy to see why the Beatles became the stars that they did. Oh, and the vocal buildup is iconic.”
1. I Saw Her Standing There
“Right out of the gate, the Beatles hit you with a burst of energy: “I Saw Her Standing There”, one of their biggest hits, features a twangy, almost-country guitar riff and energetic hand claps, setting the pace for the album immediately. McCartney’s excited count-in at the top helps to enhance the “live” feel, and his scream towards the beginning of the guitar solo helps to give the track a “raw” energy.”