The Beatles
Photo: Getty Images, Central Press. All rights reserved.
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When The Beatles released their first single “Love Me Do” in the UK on October 5th, 1962, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr were very young and miles away from the sound they had settled on with in 1970 and “Let It.” Be” would say goodbye.
Written by the legendary songwriting duo that McCartney and Lennon would later become, the single became an instant hit, promptly entering the UK charts at number 17 upon its release. The remarkable success of the newcomers was so unusual that in retrospect it was even rumored that the band’s manager, Brian Epstein, helped out by buying ten thousand copies himself.
The American ROLLING STONE voted “Love Me Do” at number 21 of the best debut singles of all time. According to Rob Sheffield, the reason for this is the inexperience but also the fearfulness of the then early 20-year-olds, which can be heard from the track.
“You can hear how scared they are – four guys from Liverpool who have no idea what they’re doing in a real studio and are making their own record for the first time. (When in Hamburg, West Germany, they backed singer Tony Sheridan on his rough version of “My Bonnie,” they definitely weren’t prepared).
When they performed “Love Me Do” on stage, John Lennon had always sung the hook, but George Martin decided that John should play the harmonica instead. So you’re hearing Paul McCartney sing it for the first time – as he says, “I can still hear the nervousness in my voice”. But that only adds to the nervous excitement everyone can hear on “Love Me Do.” Spoiler: the band got even better after that.”
The Beatles: “Love Me Do”
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