Please Mister Postman

Album This song officially appears on the With the Beatles (Mono) LP.
Timeline This song has been officially released in 1963

Master release


Related sessions

This song has been recorded during the following studio sessions




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Song facts

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.

Last updated on February 8, 2016

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


With the Beatles (Stereo)

LP • Released in 1963

2:34 • Studio versionB • 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:
Jul 30, 1963
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

Session Mixing:
Oct 29, 1963
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Three, Abbey Road


With the Beatles (Mono)

LP • Released in 1963

2:34 • Studio versionA • 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:
Jul 30, 1963
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

Session Mixing:
Aug 21, 1963
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Three, Abbey Road


The Beatles' Second Album (Stereo)

Official album • Released in 1964

2:36 • Studio versionB1 • Stereo • Stereo remixed from [B] 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:
Jul 30, 1963
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

Session Mixing:
Oct 29, 1963
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Three, Abbey Road


The Beatles' Second Album (Mono)

Official album • Released in 1964

2:37 • Studio versionB2 • Mono • Mono made from [B] 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:
Jul 30, 1963
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

Session Mixing:
Oct 29, 1963
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Three, Abbey Road


The Beatles' Second Album (2004 remaster)

Official album • Released in 2004

2:37 • Studio versionB2.2004 • Mono • 2004 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:
Jul 30, 1963
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

Session Mixing:
Oct 29, 1963
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Three, Abbey Road


The Beatles' Second Album (2004 remaster)

Official album • Released in 2004

2:36 • Studio versionB1.2004 • Stereo • 2004 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:
Jul 30, 1963
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

Session Mixing:
Oct 29, 1963
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Three, Abbey Road


With the Beatles (Mono - 2009 remaster)

Official album • Released in 2009

2:34 • Studio versionA2009 • 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:
Jul 30, 1963
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

Session Mixing:
Aug 21, 1963
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Three, Abbey Road


With the Beatles (Stereo - 2009 remaster)

Official album • Released in 2009

2:34 • Studio versionB2009 • Stereo • 2009 stereo 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
Guy Massey :
Remastering
Steve Rooke :
Remastering
Sam Okell :
Remastering
Allan Rouse :
Project co-ordinator

Session Recording:
Jul 30, 1963
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

Session Mixing:
Oct 29, 1963
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Three, Abbey Road


On Air - Live at the BBC Volume 2

Official live • Released in 2013

2:17 • LiveL1 • In December 1961, The Marvelettes’ record on the Tamla label was the first American pop number one for Berry Gordy’s Motown company. American hits issued on Tamla and Motown struggled to be heard on the BBC in the early sixties. When The Beatles became successful, they were tireless champions of the labels’ Mary Wells.

Terry Henebery :
Producer

Concert From "Pop Go The Beatles" in London, United Kingdom on Jul 30, 1963


The Beatles' Second Album (2014 reissue)

Official album • Released in 2014

2:34 • Studio versionA2009 • 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:
Jul 30, 1963
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

Session Mixing:
Aug 21, 1963
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Three, Abbey Road


Bootlegs



The Beatles At The Beeb - Volume 4

Unofficial live • Released in 2003


The Beatles At The Beeb - Volume 9

Unofficial live • Released in 2003


With The Beatles - Studio Sessions - Back To Basics

Unofficial album • Released in 2011

2:38 • Outtake • Mono • Take 3 monitor mix

Session Recording:
Jul 30, 1963
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road


With The Beatles - Studio Sessions - Back To Basics

Unofficial album • Released in 2011

2:35 • Outtake • Mono • Take 9 monitor mix

Session Recording:
Jul 30, 1963
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road


Live performances

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

Latest concerts where Please Mister Postman has been played


From Us To You

Mar 30, 1964 • Part of BBC Sessions


Big Night Out

Feb 23, 1964 • United Kingdom • London • Teddington Studios • TV show


Pop Go The Beatles

Jul 30, 1963 • Part of BBC Sessions


Teenager's Turn - Here We Go

Mar 08, 1962 • Part of BBC Sessions

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