#1 for week of May 30th, 1964.
Here is further proof that during the peak of Beatlemania, anything that was put out by them could potentially hit #1. However, this particular release is a bit different as it was Vee-Jay records, not Capitol who sanctioned it. "Love Me Do" of course was the group's very first single which was originally released back in October 1962 in the UK. Its highest chart position there was #17, which is quite good for a recording debut.
Flash forward to 1964 in America, the only song off of The Beatles' debut album that Capitol themselves have released is "I Saw Her Standing There". Vee-Jay records actually beat Capitol to the punch by releasing "Introducing The Beatles" just a few days before "Meet The Beatles". The former record contained most of the songs on the group's British debut album "Please Please Me". In April, Vee-Jay released "Love Me Do" on their subsidiary label "Tollie" as a single for the first time in America where it effortlessly reached #1.
One important fact about "Love Me Do" is that there are two official versions (Not counting the earlier demo version with Pete Best on drums). The version people are less familiar with is the original British single version which is only available on CD via the "Past Masters Vol 1" compilation. The version that most people are familiar with is the one found on the album "Please Please Me", which is also the version that became a #1 in America.
The main difference between the two versions is that the more common one that appears on the album and U.S. single had tambourine. The less common British single version does not. The rarer version was from the group's first official recording session on 9/4/62. Due to producer George Martin considering newly acquired drummer Ringo to be studio-inexperienced, he arranged for a session drummer to be brought in for the group's second session exactly one week later.
That is why the more common version features tambourine - It is played by a rather dejected Ringo while session drummer Andy White plays the drums. This would be the first and only time a session musician would be brought in to replace a band member in the studio. Aside from the fact that Ringo no doubt has frosty memories about this song, the rest of the band is on point. From John's fiery harmonica playing to Paul's thumping bassline, to the group's lead vocals which remind me of classic R&B bands like The Coasters. The only instrument that is a bit buried in the mix is the guitar.
Just for fun, let's compare "Love Me Do" to the other four debut singles of the "Big 4". The Rolling Stones gave us a Chuck Berry cover with "Come On" in 1963, The Kinks gave us a version of "Long Tall Sally" in early 1964, and The Who put out a single under the name The High Numbers called "I'm The Face" in 1964 which borrows heavily from the song "Got Love If You Want It". While all four of these bands would later produce some of the best music ever recorded, it was The Beatles who started off the strongest.
Final Verdict - A classic song which showcases the band pre-fame, back when they played to fans in packed basement halls and Hamburg nightclubs. Even though it became a #1 hit nearly two years later, I'd say better late than never!
Coming Up Next - "Chapel Of Love" by The Dixie Cups.
Until Next Time - "Ple-e-e-eeeeese", keep up with Dr. Rock -
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