Log In
Register
Read the original blog post
4.52pm
8 August 2012
Offline
Happy 50th Birthday to Love Me Do ! I certainly agree that LMD wouldn’t win any literary awards, but John’s wonderful harmonica really commands your attention. It would more than hold its own against other debut singles, especially of the time. Straying ever so slightly off topic, demographically speaking, I would pair the Beatles and Manchester United (no, I’m definitely not a fan of the latter!): For the millions that love them, there are billions who despise them and see them as the root of all evil. Up until 2021, there will be a whole host of Beatle-related 50th anniversaries, mainly, I suspect, of single and album releases. Beatles agnostics will just have to deal with it!
4.59pm
26 July 2011
Offline I don’t think anyone listening to this song when it was first released 50 years ago would ever have guessed a musical Revolution had begun. It still boggles my mind to think that a band could go from “Love Me Do , you know I love you” to “Turn off your mind, relax and float downstream” in just four years.
I've got nothing to say, but it's okay..
GOOD MORNING!
GOOD MORNING!!
GOOD MORNING!!!
6.36pm
Reviewers
14 April 2010
Offline Oh boy! An excuse to listen to the first song and the first album again (he said, as if he needed an excuse)!
Happy Birthday to “Love Me Do “.
To the fountain of perpetual mirth, let it roll for all its worth. And all the children boogie.
7.13pm
15 September 2012
Offline You’ve posted some great stuff to celebrate the day properly, meanmistermustard, fantastic job.
I took the day off, and pulled out an old treasure to play on my turntable and copy to CD; it’s a Parlophone 20th Anniversary 12-inch single with the original single version of “Love Me Do ” plus the Andy White version and “P.S. I Love You.” On the jacket it says: ‘As the single version with Ringo on drums has not been manufactured in the U.K. since early 1963 it has now become something of a collectors’ item.’ Hard to believe this record is older than the anniversary it celebrates!
I never would have known it was out when I bought it in 1982, but I happened to be visiting the record stores in Greensboro, NC then, and one of them had a few imported copies. I framed it with the picture sleeve over ten years ago, and just took it back out this morning to play, probably for only the second or third time ever!
Just another “Beatley Moment” from one of the “dying breed” I wanted to share on this historic occasion.
By the way, what is the last Beatles‘ song John ever played harmonica on?
7.27pm
Reviewers
Moderators
1 May 2011
Offline If its not a harmonica on Rocky Raccoon then I Should Have Known Better (thats without checking). There was a Pepper track where 3 of them played something like a harmonica – was a harmonica on Being For The Benefit Of Mr Kite ? It was paper and combs on Lovely Rita .
After checking there is a harmonica on Rocky Raccoon – unless a harmonica is buried on Abbey Road .
"I told you everything I could about me, Told you everything I could" ('Before Believing' - Emmylou Harris)
7.55pm
15 September 2012
Offline OH, IRONY OF IRONIES!!
Right after I posted, I checked my email messages and received this one from Amazon:
Hello,
Due to a lack of availability, we will not be able to obtain the following item(s) from your order:
The Beatles “Love Me Do (7″)”
We’ve canceled the item(s) and apologize for the inconvenience. If you see a charge for the canceled item, we will refund you within 1-2 business days.
If you are still interested in purchasing this item, it may be available from other sellers. Please visit the detail page for this item below:
I was hoping to get that record in the mail TODAY! Ringo has been slighted yet again!!! 
8.06pm
Reviewers
Moderators
1 May 2011
Offline Yeah despite aeons to get it right they went and put Andy Whites drumming version on instead.
Sorry for that Wildcat as im sure it would have been a great thing to own. Joe ordered 3, no idea if he received them. Joe, did you?
"I told you everything I could about me, Told you everything I could" ('Before Believing' - Emmylou Harris)
9.37pm
15 September 2012
Offline My Diary- 6:22am Friday, October 5, 2012:
I get out of bed to finish the work week, and I’m almost out the door when I decide to ‘slag off’ and enjoy the day, and the Anniversary – 50 years since the release of ‘Love Me Do ’. I must celebrate appropriately…
8:54am:
Everything is done! I called in sick, did some laundry and some house cleaning, got the rest of the day to myself…
9:18am:
I’ve opened up my framed ‘Special 12” single featuring rare recording of ’Love Me Do ’ from Parlophone/EMI Records from 1982 to re-listen and record to CD on my computer. I thought this was a 30th-anniversary release; I’m in shock that it’s a 20th–anniversary disc!
9:41am:
Re-connected my turntable to my pc, started the Audacity equalizer and finally got the sound I wanted! Forgot how much John’s harmonica adds to the overall feel, and wouldn’t have been able to distinguish the Andy White drums from Ringo’s – to me the main difference is in the uncertain timbre of Paul’s “Love Me Do ” solo line. I was never a huge fan of this tune, but for the ‘historical perspective’ experience, it takes on an entirely new vibe for me, even though I probably would have selected ‘P.S. I Love You’ as the A-side, and just as probably would have been wrong.
It’s still a bit fantastic that this ‘anniversary’ record is older than the anniversary it’s celebrating! And I’m older than both of them..
11:30am:
Dad calls to give me the official news that I did not get my copy of the 50th anniversary EMI single in the mail from Amazon today, as promised. I use his address to get my mail, since he’s home all day.
Oh well, I’ll check my email to see if there’s any update..
11:33am:
Email from Amazon, 5:33am this morning –
Hello,
Due to a lack of availability, we will not be able to obtain the following item(s) from your order:
The Beatles “Love Me Do (7″)”
We’ve canceled the item(s) and apologize for the inconvenience. If you see a charge for the canceled item, we will refund you within 1-2 business days.
If you are still interested in purchasing this item, it may be available from other sellers. Please visit the detail page for this item below:
wh-whh-whaaaat??
I desperately search the interwebs for an answer..
11:56am:
I don’t believe it. I mean, really, my own disappointment is minimal – I didn’t think getting the 20th-anniversary disc was a big deal.. THIRTY YEARS AGO..
But Ringo is slighted AGAIN??!?? First by George Martin, then FIFTY YEARS LATER by EMI?????
..This day turned out to be more memorable than I could have ever imagined.
Sorry, Ringo – multiply that by millions more, and don’t blame Andy White..
9.46pm
10 November 2009
Offline
A special stereo remix and remaster I made for this special day, enjoy!
Let me take you down 'cause I'm going to...Strawberry Fields.
1.42pm
Reviewers
Moderators
1 May 2011
Offline 
Another interesting bbc article this time looking at the UK and, to a lesser degree, the US music scenes when Love Me Do first entered the charts in October 1962.
What are peoples thoughts on the story of Brian buying extra copies of LMD to bolster its chart position. Does it matter if he did?
"I told you everything I could about me, Told you everything I could" ('Before Believing' - Emmylou Harris)
8.47pm
15 September 2012
Offline Good question. Love Me Do only made it to #17, which sounds about right if you consider how The Beatles were indeed a ‘new act’ at the time, and the song as a whole isn’t especially original to separate from most other tunes of the day.
As a hypothetical, assuming that Epstein did purchase extra copies to bolster its chart position, how much difference did it make in the perception of how successful the single was? In other words, if the ratings number changed from, say, #23 to #17, would the impact of favorable publicity have been lessened, as opposed to a (hypothetically) larger gap of #33 to #17 solely because of Epstein’s purchase?
I say, it doesn’t matter if he did, or on what scale it was done: Please Please Me was undeniably destined to be a smash on its release, and it eclipsed Love Me Do in every conceivable way to guarantee The Beatles‘ success whether or not Love Me Do had even existed.
There are many iconic groups whose debut singles gave no indication of the artistic plateaus they would eventually reach (see: Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, The Beach Boys , etc)
4.50am
19 September 2010
Offline Firstly – I have no doubt Brian did buy more to screw with the numbers, but it’s no worse then using your “friend” who works on a particularly popular music programme to get you a particularly good spot. It’s what you do.
But, possibly relevant, is how many people initially write them off after Love Me Do ? It’s a timid, not particularly good song. I wonder how many people, after hearing Please Please Me , said “how are these the same guys who released Love Me Do ?”
This is not a good song. But it served their needs – it got them into the charts, and respect at EMI.
As if it matters how a man falls down.'
'When the fall's all that's left, it matters a great deal.
2.28pm
Reviewers
14 April 2010
Offline I’ve heard the rumors as well regarding Brian’s manipulations.
- If he did, and it was his own idea, I applaud him for his brilliance. What an investment!
- If he did, I doubt very much he thought of it on his own. Despite what I typed in bullet number 1., I do not think he was that brilliant. It could have been a practice executed by others before him. Whether or not it was the right thing to do is debate fodder for a different thread.
To the fountain of perpetual mirth, let it roll for all its worth. And all the children boogie.
7.47pm
3 May 2012
Offline Last night on the documentary aired on BBC 4 about Love Me Do , Pete Best claimed that he played drums on the Please Please Me single, and the narrator said that nobody knows who really plays on it. I´ve never heard this before, I´ve always thought Ringo plays on it. Hadn´t Pete been chucked out by then?
I have been thinking about it all day because this changes things a bit, in my mind at least. If it´s true then he played a bigger role in the group than I thought, although of course it´s still pretty small.
Moving along in our God given ways, safety is sat by the fire/Sanctuary from these feverish smiles, left with a mark on the door.
(Passover - I. Curtis)
7.53pm
Reviewers
14 April 2010
Offline fabfouremily said
Last night on the documentary aired on BBC 4 about Love Me Do , Pete Best claimed that he played drums on the Please Please Me single, and the narrator said that nobody knows who really plays on it. I´ve never heard this before, I´ve always thought Ringo plays on it. Hadn´t Pete been chucked out by then?I have been thinking about it all day because this changes things a bit, in my mind at least. If it´s true then he played a bigger role in the group than I thought, although of course it´s still pretty small.
Highly unlikely. George Martin would not have allowed Pete a second chance…unless of course he arrived dressed as Ringo wearing an Andy White costume.
To the fountain of perpetual mirth, let it roll for all its worth. And all the children boogie.
8.00pm
3 May 2012
Offline Zig said
fabfouremily said
Last night on the documentary aired on BBC 4 about Love Me Do , Pete Best claimed that he played drums on the Please Please Me single, and the narrator said that nobody knows who really plays on it. I´ve never heard this before, I´ve always thought Ringo plays on it. Hadn´t Pete been chucked out by then?I have been thinking about it all day because this changes things a bit, in my mind at least. If it´s true then he played a bigger role in the group than I thought, although of course it´s still pretty small.
Highly unlikely. George Martin would not have allowed Pete a second chance…unless of course he arrived dressed as Ringo wearing an Andy White costume.
Thought so. Strange that he said that, he seemed quite convinced that he did.
Moving along in our God given ways, safety is sat by the fire/Sanctuary from these feverish smiles, left with a mark on the door.
(Passover - I. Curtis)
11.50pm
Reviewers
Moderators
1 May 2011
Offline Please Please Me was recorded on 11th September (Andy White on drums and on Anthology 1 ) and then remade in November, i think 26th, with Ringo back on the drums. Its been documented anywhere so any claims for there being another drummer are complete garbage.
Pete was long gone and i doubt ever got near the song as it was tried out after the June session, Pete’s only time in EMI with the other 3 (if he had turned up again George Martin would have heard Pete’s drumming and chased him out the studio armed with a hi hat as a weapon).
John, Paul and George needed a drummer to go to Hamburg, had a look around, saw Pete who was decent and willing to go and off they went. John, Paul and George wanted Ringo for a number of reasons. The timing sucked and their hand was forced, thankfully. Pete’s still pissed off about it and keeps making stupid claims that have toes in fantasy and grow every time he is interviewed. Next he’ll be claiming he was brought in as a musical arranger for the drum parts in ’63.
Sorry but the more i hear him speak the more annoyed i get. He’s turned himself into the best drummer in Liverpool who’s playing style was copied by everyone from Ringo to Keith Moon, Charlie Watts and Roger Taylor.
———————————————————————————————-
I completely stand by my comments above but it was bugging me about Pete’s claim as i would have posted it in annoyance so i went back to that part of the documentary. Its Andy White who claims to have played drums of PPM (the released version), he’s wrong and he doesnt. Pete shows great delight in Andy being the drummer on LMD and PSILY by the way.
Sorry still say that Pete talks nonsense and builds his part up far too highly.
Oh and that documentary – Love Me Do : The Beatles ’62 – i didnt enjoy it. Another documentary that says little during its airing.
"I told you everything I could about me, Told you everything I could" ('Before Believing' - Emmylou Harris)
7.42pm
15 September 2012
Offline Thanks for the clarification and the review. If the doc was shown here in the states, I certainly didn’t hear about it.
fabfouremily‘s statement about Pete Best, I wondered just how he thought he could get away with a claim like that; upon learning it came from Andy White, I’m still thinking the same thing. There are at least three other living witnesses who could dispute that nonsense!
While I have no doubt that Best has tried adding his own footnotes to The Beatles‘ well-documented history on many occasions through the years, one would think that surely he’s had enough time to dream up some really sensational stories from the Hamburg days that would be more difficult to disprove. Or maybe his lack of imagination equals his drumming skills.
‘Love Me Do ‘ may not be remembered as The Beatles‘ finest musical moment, but who among us would have preferred celebrating a 50th-anniversary release of ‘How Do You Do It ?’
8.12pm
Reviewers
Moderators
1 May 2011
Offline Pete claimed that Brian made advances to him in a car i think in Blackpool (John and Cyn were also there at the time). Has anyone heard this before or is this new? As said above i wouldnt believe anything Pete says without a good number of witnesses and some hard evidence. Ive heard stories of Brian making advances towards John (one story goes that John reciprocated to some degree) but not to any of the others.
Some guy called something like Buddy or something claimed he dubbed over Ringo’s playing on a number of beatles tracks. Its thought that what he really overdubbed was some of the German tracks and therefore Petes work. Why does that make me laugh?
"I told you everything I could about me, Told you everything I could" ('Before Believing' - Emmylou Harris)
6.46pm
3 May 2012
Offline meanmistermustard said
Pete claimed that Brian made advances to him in a car i think in Blackpool (John and Cyn were also there at the time). Has anyone heard this before or is this new? As said above i wouldnt believe anything Pete says without a good number of witnesses and some hard evidence. Ive heard stories of Brian making advances towards John (one story goes that John reciprocated to some degree) but not to any of the others.
I think I have heard that before, yes, but I´m pretty sure it´s him I heard it from so I dunno whether it´s true or not. I take everything he says with a pinch of salt.
One good thing I have to say about Pete though, he seems very civil about The Beatles, Paul and John and his time with them, the sacking for no apparent reason (it was much later he found out why) etc… He could be really bitter and he isn´t, I respect him for that. Although the number of things that he´s making up (or trying to) kind of outweighs that.
Moving along in our God given ways, safety is sat by the fire/Sanctuary from these feverish smiles, left with a mark on the door.
(Passover - I. Curtis)
