The Beatles debut album "Please Please Me" goes to #1 on the UK charts on May 11, 1963

The Beatles debut album Please Please Me went to #1 on the UK charts on May 11 of 1963, 44 years ago today. The album set a record of 30 consecutive weeks at #1. A record that still stands today.

The album was released on March 22nd of 1963. 10 of the songs (all of the songs that weren't previously released on singles) were recorded in less than 10 hours all on February 11th of 1963!

The final track on the album was also the last recorded due to the tremendous stress it put on John Lennon's voice. That track was a cover of the song "Twist & Shout" which the Beatles made their own.

Watch this live performance of "Twist & Shout" at the London Palladium on November 4th of 1963:


The albums track list is as follows:
1. I Saw Her Standing There (Lennon/McCartney original)
2. Misery (Lennon/McCartney)
3. Anna (cover)
4. Chains (cover)
5. Boys (cover)
6. Ask Me Why (Lennon/McCartney)
7. Please Please Me (Lennon/McCartney)
8. Love Me Do (Lennon/McCartney)
9. PS I Love You (Lennon/McCartney)
10. Baby It's You (cover)
11. Do You Want To Know A Secret? (Lennon/McCartney)
12. A Taste Of Honey (cover)
13. There's A Place (Lennon/McCartney)
14. Twist & Shout (cover)

Learn To Play Guitar Like The Beatles

The Beatles First Album Please Please Me Was Released On March 22, 1963

The Beatles very first album Please Please Me was released in the UK 44 years ago today, March 22nd.

The album contained 8 originals by the Lennon/McCartney songwriting team and 6 covers including "Twist & Shout" which The Beatles made their own by making the original version irrelevant. The 8 originals were attributed to McCartney/Lennon rather than the more familiar Lennon/McCartney which was how the songwriting team was attributed from their second album on.

The albums recording and release were very rushed. The Beatles had had a minor UK hit with their first single "Love Me Do" and a major UK hit with their second single "Please Please Me" so there was a feeling that they must capitalize on this new popularity by releasing their first album as soon as possible.

They already had four songs from the two sides of each of their first two singles. They wanted 10 more to make a 14 song album. All 10 of these songs were recorded in less than 10 hours on February 11, 1963. There were very few edits or overdubs. The last recording of the day was "Twist & Shout" which was saved for last due to the intense stress it put on John Lennon's voice particular because Lennon was suffering from a cold. Producer George Martin didn't want Lennon's voice to be shot for the day so it was saved for last.

The album went to #1 in the UK but was not released in America. The Beatles wouldn't hit it big in the States till the following year.

Unlimited Music Downloads For Your iPod

Check out this early performance of the hit single "Please Please Me":