- Album This song officially appears on the Please Please Me / Ask Me Why 7" Single.
Related sessions
This song has been recorded during the following studio sessions
Home recordings, aka "The Hodgson Tape"
Circa July 1960 (?)
Nov 26, 1962
Mixing "Please Please Me" and "Ask Me Why"
Nov 30, 1962
"Please Please Me" album session #3
Feb 25, 1963
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Song facts
From Wikipedia:
“Ask Me Why” is a song by English rock group the Beatles originally released in the United Kingdom as the B-side of their hit single “Please Please Me“. It was also included on their first UK album, Please Please Me.
Composition
Written in early 1962, “Ask Me Why” is principally a John Lennon composition, but was credited to Paul McCartney and John Lennon, as were all other Lennon–McCartney originals on the first pressings of Please Please Me album. Paul McCartney: “It was John’s original idea and we both sat down and wrote it together, just did a job on it. It was mostly John’s.” (Barry Miles. Paul McCartney: Many Years From Now). It was part of their live act prior to their recording contract, and was one of the songs performed at their first Parlophone recording session in EMI’s Abbey Road studio two on 6 June 1962. The song emulates in style that of Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, by whom Lennon was influenced, and draws its opening guitar phrase from the Miracles’ “What’s So Good About Goodbye” (1961).
The song is in the key of E major, with some leaning to its relative minor of C#, and is in 4/4 time. Structurally, the song is complex and, as Alan Pollack states, contains three different variants of the verse. The song also contains “jazzy parallel sevenths” in most of the chords, and has a live ending.
Recording
“Ask Me Why” was originally recorded at Abbey Road studios on 6 June 1962 with drummer Pete Best. None of the performances recorded that day were deemed suitable for release, and the two quarter-inch tape reels from that session were later destroyed by EMI.
It was recorded again, along with “Please Please Me“, on 26 November 1962 with Ringo Starr on drums. The Beatles also rehearsed “Tip of My Tongue“, another Lennon and McCartney song which was also being considered for the B-side of the “Please Please Me” single. However, George Martin felt that “Tip of My Tongue” still needed some work, and it was eventually given to Tommy Quickly to record.
From The Usenet Guide to Beatles Recording Variations:
[a] mono 26 Nov 1962.
UK: Parlophone R4983 single 1963.
US: Vee Jay VJ 498 single 1963.[b] mono 25 Feb 1963.
UK: Parlophone PMC 1202 Please Please Me 1963.
US: Vee Jay VJLP 1062 Introducing second issue 1963, Vee Jay VJ 581 single 1964.
CD: EMI CDP 7 46435 2 Please Please Me 1987, EMI single 1988.[c] stereo 25 Feb 1963.
UK: Parlophone PCS 3042 Please Please Me 1963.
US: Vee Jay VJSR 1062 Introducing second issue 1963.[c1] stereo remixed from [b] 1965, by Capitol.
US: Capitol ST 2309 The Early 1965.[c2] mono made from [c] 1965, by Capitol.
US: Capitol T 2309 The Early 1965.There is no known difference between the two mono mixes. The Vee Jay single is early enough that it must be the older mix. I assume blindly that the later mix is the one used for all subsequent appearances including the CD single, but possibly the CD single uses the older mix.
Last updated on May 21, 2021
Lyrics
I love you
Cause you tell me things I want to know
And it's true
That it really only goes to show
That I know that I, I, I, I,
Should never never never be blue
Now you're mine
My happiness dear makes me cry
And in time
You'll understand the reason why
If I cry it's not because I'm sad
But you're the only love that I've ever had
I can't believe,
It's happened to me
I can't conceive of anymore misery
Ask me why, I'll say I love you
And I'm always thinking of you
I love you
Cause you tell me things I want to know
And it's true
That it really only goes to show
That I know that I, I, I, I
Should never never never be blue
Ask me why, I'll say I love you
And I'm always thinking of you
I can't believe, it's happened to me
I can't conceive of anymore misery
Ask me why, I'll say I love you
And I'm always thinking of you, you, you
Officially appears on
LP • Released in 1963
2:24 • Studio version • B • Mono
- Paul McCartney :
- Backing vocals, Bass
- Ringo Starr :
- Drums
- John Lennon :
- Rhythm guitar, Vocals
- George Harrison :
- Backing vocals, Lead guitar
- George Martin :
- Producer
- Norman Smith :
- Recording engineer
- Session Recording:
- Nov 26, 1962
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
- Session Mixing:
- Nov 30, 1962
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
7" Single • Released in 1963
2:25 • Studio version • A • Mono
- Paul McCartney :
- Backing vocals, Bass
- Ringo Starr :
- Drums
- John Lennon :
- Rhythm guitar, Vocals
- George Harrison :
- Backing vocals, Lead guitar
- George Martin :
- Producer
- Norman Smith :
- Recording engineer
- Session Recording:
- Nov 26, 1962
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
- Session Mixing:
- Nov 30, 1962
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
LP • Released in 1963
2:24 • Studio version • C • Stereo
- Paul McCartney :
- Backing vocals, Bass
- Ringo Starr :
- Drums
- John Lennon :
- Rhythm guitar, Vocals
- George Harrison :
- Backing vocals, Lead guitar
- George Martin :
- Producer
- Norman Smith :
- Recording engineer
- Session Recording:
- Nov 26, 1962
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
- Session Mixing:
- Nov 30, 1962
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
EP • Released in 1964
2:29 • Studio version • B
- Paul McCartney :
- Backing vocals, Bass
- Ringo Starr :
- Drums
- John Lennon :
- Rhythm guitar, Vocals
- George Harrison :
- Backing vocals, Lead guitar
- George Martin :
- Producer
- Norman Smith :
- Recording engineer
- Session Recording:
- Nov 26, 1962
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
- Session Mixing:
- Nov 30, 1962
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Official album • Released in 1965
2:28 • Studio version • C2 • Mono • Mono made from [C] by Capitol
- Paul McCartney :
- Backing vocals, Bass
- Ringo Starr :
- Drums
- John Lennon :
- Rhythm guitar, Vocals
- George Harrison :
- Backing vocals, Lead guitar
- George Martin :
- Producer
- Norman Smith :
- Recording engineer
- Session Recording:
- Nov 26, 1962
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
- Session Mixing:
- Nov 30, 1962
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Official album • Released in 1965
2:28 • Studio version • C1 • Stereo • Stereo remixed from [C] by Capitol
- Paul McCartney :
- Backing vocals, Bass
- Ringo Starr :
- Drums
- John Lennon :
- Rhythm guitar, Vocals
- George Harrison :
- Backing vocals, Lead guitar
- George Martin :
- Producer
- Norman Smith :
- Recording engineer
- Session Recording:
- Nov 26, 1962
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
- Session Mixing:
- Nov 30, 1962
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
The Early Beatles (2006 remaster)
Official album • Released in 2006
2:28 • Studio version • C1.2006 • Stereo • 2006 remaster
- Paul McCartney :
- Backing vocals, Bass
- Ringo Starr :
- Drums
- John Lennon :
- Rhythm guitar, Vocals
- George Harrison :
- Backing vocals, Lead guitar
- George Martin :
- Producer
- Norman Smith :
- Recording engineer
- Ted Jensen :
- Remastering
- Session Recording:
- Nov 26, 1962
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
- Session Mixing:
- Nov 30, 1962
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
The Early Beatles (2006 remaster)
Official album • Released in 2006
2:28 • Studio version • C2.2006 • Mono • 2006 remaster
- Paul McCartney :
- Backing vocals, Bass
- Ringo Starr :
- Drums
- John Lennon :
- Rhythm guitar, Vocals
- George Harrison :
- Backing vocals, Lead guitar
- George Martin :
- Producer
- Norman Smith :
- Recording engineer
- Ted Jensen :
- Remastering
- Session Recording:
- Nov 26, 1962
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
- Session Mixing:
- Nov 30, 1962
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Please Please Me (Mono - 2009 remaster)
CD • Released in 2009
2:24 • Studio version • B2009 • Mono • 2009 mono remaster
- Paul McCartney :
- Backing vocals, Bass
- Ringo Starr :
- Drums
- John Lennon :
- Rhythm guitar, Vocals
- George Harrison :
- Backing vocals, Lead guitar
- George Martin :
- Producer
- Norman Smith :
- Recording engineer
- Paul Hicks :
- Remastering
- Guy Massey :
- Remastering
- Steve Rooke :
- Remastering
- Allan Rouse :
- Project co-ordinator
- Session Recording:
- Nov 26, 1962
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
- Session Mixing:
- Nov 30, 1962
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Please Please Me (Stereo - 2009 remaster)
Official album • Released in 2009
2:24 • Studio version • C2009 • Stereo • 2009 remaster
- Paul McCartney :
- Backing vocals, Bass
- Ringo Starr :
- Drums
- John Lennon :
- Rhythm guitar, Vocals
- George Harrison :
- Backing vocals, Lead guitar
- George Martin :
- Producer
- Norman Smith :
- Recording engineer
- Paul Hicks :
- Remastering
- Guy Massey :
- Remastering
- Steve Rooke :
- Remastering
- Allan Rouse :
- Project co-ordinator
- Session Recording:
- Nov 26, 1962
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
- Session Mixing:
- Nov 30, 1962
- Studio :
- EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Bootlegs
Star Club - Hamburg, Germany - December 1962
Unofficial live
2:36 • Live • The recording date is a guess - all we now for certain is that the Star-Club tapes were recorded between December 18 and 31, 1962.
The Beatles At The Beeb - Volume 1
Unofficial live • Released in 2003
2:24 • Live
Concert From "Teenager's Turn - Here We Go" in Manchester, United Kingdom on Jun 15, 1962
The Beatles At The Beeb - Volume 1
Unofficial live • Released in 2003
2:13 • Live
Concert From "Here We Go" in Manchester, United Kingdom on Jan 25, 1963
The Beatles At The Beeb - Volume 1
Unofficial live • Released in 2003
2:21 • Live
Concert From "The Talent Spot" in London, United Kingdom on Jan 29, 1963
The Beatles At The Beeb - Volume 7
Unofficial live • Released in 2003
1:55 • Live
Concert From "Pop Go The Beatles" in London, United Kingdom on Sep 24, 1963
Live performances
“Ask Me Why” has been played in 6 concerts.
Latest concerts where Ask Me Why has been played
Sep 24, 1963 • Part of BBC Sessions
Jul 16, 1963 • Part of BBC Sessions
Jan 29, 1963 • Part of BBC Sessions
Jan 25, 1963 • Part of BBC Sessions
Birkenhead • Majestic Ballroom • United Kingdom
Jan 17, 1963 • Part of Winter 1963 UK Tour
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