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Released in 1963

Please Mister Postman

Written by Georgia Dobbins • William Garrett • Freddie Gorman • Brian Holland • Robert Bateman

Last updated on February 8, 2016

Album This song officially appears on the With the Beatles (Mono) LP.

Timeline This song was officially released in 1963

Master album

Related sessions

This song was recorded during the following studio sessions:

From Wikipedia:

“Please Mr. Postman” is the debut single by The Marvelettes for the Tamla (Motown) label, notable as the first Motown song to reach the number-one position on the Billboard Hot 100 pop singles chart. The single achieved this position in late 1961; it hit number one on the R&B chart as well. “Please Mr. Postman” became a number-one hit again in early 1975 when The Carpenters’ cover of the song reached the top position of the Billboard Hot 100. “Please Mr. Postman” has been covered several times, including a 1963 version by the English rock group the Beatles.

The Marvelettes version

In April 1961, the Marvelettes (then known as “The Marvels”) arranged an audition for Berry Gordy’s Tamla/Motown label. Marvels member Georgia Dobbins needed an original song for their audition, and got a blues song from her friend William Garrett, which she then reworked for the group. Dobbins left the group after the audition and was replaced, Gordy renamed the group and hired “Brianbert”—Brian Holland and Robert Bateman’s songwriting partnership—to rework the song yet again. Freddie Gorman, another songwriting partner of Holland (before Holland became part of the Holland–Dozier–Holland team) was also involved in the final reworking.

The Marvelettes recording features lead singer Gladys Horton hoping that the postman has brought her a letter from her boyfriend, who is away at war. Accompaniment is provided by The Funk Brothers, including Marvin Gaye on drums.

Songwriting credits for “Please Mr. Postman” seem to have changed over the years. The original Tamla 45 single for the Marvelettes’ version credits “Dobbins/Garett/Brianbert” as the songwriters, and credits “Brianbert” as producer. The original With the Beatles album cover credited it to just Brian Holland. The 1976 Beatles discography book All Together Now credits it to Holland, Bateman, and Berry Gordy. The 1992 Motown boxed set Hitsville USA: The Motown Singles Collection credits Dobbins, Garrett, Holland, Bateman, and Gorman as the composers. The Songwriters Hall of Fame credits “Please Mr. Postman” to just Holland, Bateman, and Gorman. EMI Music Publishing, the current music publisher of the song list all five writers in their catalog. […]

The Beatles version

“Please Mr. Postman” was covered in a version by The Beatles on their With the Beatles album. Sung by John Lennon, their version reverses the genders. The song was produced by George Martin.

The Beatles included “Please Mister Postman” as part of their live act in 1962, performing it regularly at the Cavern Club. By the time it was recorded for their second album, With The Beatles, it had been dropped from their set, and required some work in the studio to bring it up to an acceptable standard. Ian MacDonald criticised their version for having a “wall of sound” and for a “general airlessness.” […]

From The Usenet Guide to Beatles Recording Variations:

  • [a] mono 21 Aug 1963. edited.
    UK: Parlophone PMC 1206 With the Beatles 1963.
    CD: EMI CDP 7 46436 2 With the Beatles 1987.
  • [b] stereo 29 Oct 1963.
    UK: Parlophone PCS 3045 With the Beatles 1963.
  • [b1] stereo remixed from [b] 1964, by Capitol.
    US: Capitol ST 2080 Second 1964.
  • [b2] mono made from [b] 1964, by Capitol.
    US: Capitol T 2080 Second 1964.

Lyrics

Wait!

Oh yes, wait just a minute mister postman

Wait!

Wait mister postman

(Mister postman look and see) oh yeah

(If there's a letter in the bag for me)

Please, please mister postman

(I've been waiting a long long time) oh, yeah

(Since I heard from that girl of mine)

There must be some word today

From my girlfriend so far away

Please mister postman look and see

If there's a letter, a letter for me

I've been standing here waiting Mister Postman

So patiently

For just a card or just a letter

Saying she's returning home to me

Please Mister Postman

(Mister postman look and see) oh yeah

(If there's a letter in the bag for me)

Please mister postman

(I've been waiting a long long time) oh, yeah

(Since I heard from that girl of mine)

So many days you past me by

See the tears standing in my eye

You didn't stop to make me feel better

By leaving me a card or letter

Mister Postman, look and see

Is there a letter, yeah, for me

I've been waiting such a long long time

Since I heard from that girlfriend of mine

You gotta, wait a minute wait a minute oh yeah

Wait a minute wait a minute oh yeah

(You gotta) check and see one more time for me

You gotta, wait a minute wait a minute oh yeah

Mister Postman, oh yeah

Deliver the letter, the sooner the better

You gotta, wait a minute wait a minute oh yeah

Wait a minute wait a minute oh yeah

you gotta, wait a minute wait a minute oh yeah

you gotta, wait a minute wait a minute oh yeah

Officially appears on

See all official recordings containing “Please Mister Postman”

Bootlegs

See all bootlegs containing “Please Mister Postman”

Live performances

“Please Mister Postman” has been played in 4 concerts.

Latest concerts where “Please Mister Postman” has been played

Going further

Paul McCartney writing

Talk more talk, chat more chat

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