Do you ever want to escape? You know, forget all your troubles, the woes of the world, and the dark clouds in your mind keeping you from feeling balanced? As much as I love exploring new music, I recognize there are so many songs from the past which form a strong foundation to the innovative songs of today. Over and over, I speak with successful new bands and strong musicians who grew up listening to their parents and grandparents albums. They often reference classic rock albums from the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s as being the reason they began playing an instrument or writing their own music.
Each Thursday, I hope to explore a rock tune from the past.
Join me and take a moment out of your hectic day to close your eyes, listen carefully, and reminisce with a golden oldie. We can all probably benefit from a few minutes away from the wild world we live in. I will choose some of the most essential rock songs that I think you should hear. There are so so many! In fact, I may have a difficult time deciding. For now, I think I will lean into my mood and hopscotch across the decades. Enjoy.
Today, I must start with The Beatles. The four man band from Liverpool, England is essential listening when exploring the most influential rock songs of all time.
“Please Please Me” was one of the first hit songs by The Beatles and was one of the first songs written by both Lennon and McCartney where they collaborated almost equally on the music and the lyrics. Released in 1963 (56 years ago), the song set in motion the wild trajectory of The Beatles to rock and roll celebrity status. Screaming fans immediately loved “Please Please Me”, but the fast tempo of the song was originally written as a ballad (more like Roy Orbison’s “Only The Lonely”). Fortunately during recording, George Martin intervened and suggested they create a more upbeat pop style while continuing to lean heavily on their rhythm and blues roots. Golden advice.
Keith Richards of The Rolling Stones confessed to Jimmy Fallon that “Please Please Me” is one of his favorite Beatles’ songs.
“I’ve always told McCartney, ‘Please Please Me.’ I just love the chimes, and I was there at the time and it was beautiful. Mind you, there’s plenty of others, but if I’ve got to pick one, ‘Please Please Me’ … oh, yeah!”
The Beatles-Please Please Me
Last night I said these words to my girl
I know you never even try, girl
Come on (come on)
Come on (come on)
Come on (come on)
Come on (come on)
Please please me, whoa, yeah
Like I please you
I know you never even try, girl
Come on (come on)
Come on (come on)
Come on (come on)
Come on (come on)
Please please me, whoa, yeah
Like I please you
You don’t need me to show the way, love
Why do I always have to say “love”?
Come on (come on)
Come on (come on)
Come on (come on)
Come on (come on)
Please please me, whoa, yeah
Like I please you
Why do I always have to say “love”?
Come on (come on)
Come on (come on)
Come on (come on)
Come on (come on)
Please please me, whoa, yeah
Like I please you
I don’t wanna sound complainin’
But you know there’s always rain in my heart (in my heart)
I do all the pleasin’ with you, it’s so hard to reason
With you, whoa yeah
Why do you make me blue?
But you know there’s always rain in my heart (in my heart)
I do all the pleasin’ with you, it’s so hard to reason
With you, whoa yeah
Why do you make me blue?
Last night I said these words to my girl
I know you never even try, girl
Come on (come on)
Come on (come on)
Come on (come on)
Come on (come on)
Please please me, whoa, yeah
Like I please you
(Please) me, whoa, yeah
Like I please you
(Please) me, whoa, yeah
Like I please you
I know you never even try, girl
Come on (come on)
Come on (come on)
Come on (come on)
Come on (come on)
Please please me, whoa, yeah
Like I please you
(Please) me, whoa, yeah
Like I please you
(Please) me, whoa, yeah
Like I please you
“Please Please Me” is a winner of a song and stands the true test of time. It brings me immense joy to listen to tunes from the past and especially this one. I hope you will enjoy traveling back with me and exploring important music.
What are your thoughts about this song? What song or songs do you think I should feature? I have started a pretty extensive list, but I can always add yours.
Your feedback is always welcome! Until next Thursday!
For some reason, and just recently but not before, George Harrison‘s “Whis is Life “struck me in a big way where it simply hadn’t before. I mediately thought of this while reading this post. Cheers! -cp
I agree that over time they can simmer nicely and listening again the song can sometimes make a bigger impact. Music in my past is connected with so many memories, but every now and again I am not as familiar and it can be like a new song for me. I love listening. Now I think I will listen to What Is Life!