Written by: Holland-Bateman-Garrett-Dobbins-Gorman
Recorded: 30 July 1963
Producer: George Martin
Engineer: Norman Smith
Released: 22 November 1963 (UK), 10 April 1964 (US)
John Lennon: vocals, rhythm guitar
Paul McCartney: backing vocals, bass
George Harrison: backing vocals, lead guitar
Ringo Starr: drums
Available on:
With The Beatles
Originally the debut single in 1961 by Motown group The Marvelettes, Please Mister Postman was recorded two years later by The Beatles for their second album With The Beatles.
It had been a part of their set since 1962, but by the time The Beatles came to record it they found it took some time to get right. It took nine takes to perfect, and was completed in the morning on 30 July 1963, the same day that they recorded It Won't Be Long, Till There Was You, Roll Over Beethoven and All My Loving, plus edit pieces for Money (That's What I Want).
The second album was slightly better than the first, inasmuch as we spent more time on it, and there were more original songs. We did Money for that album, and other cover versions: Please Mister Postman, You Really Got A Hold On Me and Devil In Her Heart, an obscure American song by The Donays.
Anthology
John Lennon took lead vocals, double tracking his performance for added weight. McCartney and Harrison provided backing vocals, resulting in one of the better cover versions included on With The Beatles.
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 mail 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
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There are handclaps in the intro and coda.
I always liked this very much as a kid. I didn't know though it was originally written for a Motown group. But since I also like most Motown this makes kind of sense.
One of my favourite covers by the band. I love Ringo's drum fill in the middle of the song.
I was 7 years old when this came out, and I remember so distinctly imagining that it was OUR postman that John was singing to. Even now, 49 years on, the postman from my boyhood comes to mind every time I hear this song!
And I've always loved "Deliver de letter, de sooner de better!"