March 1963 - UK Mono Version; April 1963 - UK Stereo Version
Charted:
#1 UK
Album Notes:
The band's first album was recorded in one day, in three sessions totaling a little over nine hours.
Album Cover Notes:
Photographed in a stairwell in the London headquarters of the band's UK record label, EMI.
Track List & Song Info:
Side One
1. "I Saw Her Standing There" (Lennon-McCartney)
Peaked at #14 US in January 1964
2. "Misery" (Lennon-McCartney)
Originally written for singer Helen Shapiro, whose manager rejected it
3. "Anna (Go to Him)" (Arthur Alexander)
A personal favorite of Lennon's, though he sang the title phrase as "go with him"
4. "Chains" (Gerry Goffin-Carole King)
Featured lead vocals by George Harrison
5. "Boys" (Luther Dixon-Wes Farrell)
Ringo on lead vocals; originally recorded by The Shirelles in 1960
6. "Ask Me Why" (Lennon-McCartney)
Released as a single B-side in UK January 1963
7. "Please Please Me" (Lennon-McCartney)
Released as a single A-side in UK January 1963; peaked at #3 US in January 1964
Side Two
1. "Love Me Do" (Lennon-McCartney)
Released as a single A-side in UK October 1962; peaked at #1 US in May 1964
2. "P.S. I Love You" (Lennon-McCartney)
Released as a single B-side in UK October 1962; peaked at #10 US in 1964
3. "Baby It's You" (Burt Bacharach-Mack David-Barney Williams)
Originally a hit for The Shirelles; the only Bacharach song recorded by The Beatles
4. "Do You Want to Know a Secret" (Lennon-McCartney)
Peaked at #2 US in April 1964
5. "A Taste of Honey" (Ric Marlow-Bobby Scott)
Based on the 1958 play and 1961 film of the same name
6. "There's a Place" (Lennon-McCartney)
Peaked at #74 US in 1964
7. "Twist and Shout" (Phil Medley-Bert Russell)
Recorded in one take because Lennon was losing his voice; peaked at #2 US in 1964