1963 : PLEASE PLEASE ME

PLEASE PLEASE ME : The first Beatles record ever. The one that started it all. What's even more amazing was that 10 of the 14 songs from this album was recorded in one single day. This was almost unheard of during the sixties when singers and songwriters were two separate entities. Fans and critics alike, looking over the credits, were amazed at the numbers of originals on the album. This album was also the first and only Beatles album that have the composition credits of  Lennon / McCartney reversed to McCartney / Lennon. We never have this in the house. I only got to hear snippets of the songs and only years later when I managed to borrowed the album from a relative of mine and have it tapped down on cassette did I finally got myself familiar me with these songs. When our cassette player broke down, I managed to get my neighbor to play it for me. Lucky for me, they were the obliging kind.

I Saw Her Standing There : It's very appropriate that the very first song from The Beatles from their first ever album started off with " 1..2..3...4."........ and the Lennon / McCartney composition team were off to a rollicking start. I loved this song. It was not totally unlike what other were doing at that time but the beat was so infectious and irresistible that you just can't control your hip from swaying and of course the fact that they wrote it didn't hurt either. The song was so popular that there was even a Chinese version of it. Paul McCartney sang vocal on this one.

Misery : To say they excel at rock 'n' roll and ballads is an understatement, as this next track proved. They were equally adapt on the slower numbers. Meant originally as a vehicle for Helen Shapiro, The Beatles recorded it themselves when she declined. A bad judgement. She shouldn't have rejected it 'cos this was one damn catchy song. I love this one too. One of the early instantly recognizable sounds of The Beatles.

Anna ( Go To Him ) : This is one cover that is even better than the original. I've heard the original. It just doesn't have the heart wrenching vocal of John Lennon. John was only 23 during the recording of this track and it's pretty amazing the way he managed to convert so much emotion into this track that you can even feel his pain. And no, I am not biased. I loved this song too.

Chains : George's chance to shine and shine he does. This was a lesser hit for Little Eva who scored with ' The Locomotion'. I've heard a later version of this song by it's composer, Carole King but I haven't really heard the original version of it. But I don't need to 'cos I can't see any other version beating this. Here you have The Beatles singing in a playful mood. One of those songs that recall the days of old  when life was so much more simple.

Boys : Ringo's turn at the mike. Over the years, Ringo does have his moment on The Beatles' album but unfortunately, this is not one of them. Said to cause quite a riot whenever Ringo sings it at their concert but it doesn't work for me. Why is he singing about boys anyway ?  See, told you I was not biased.

Ask Me Why :  This solely John Lennon written vehicle was another one that I don't like at all. Incredibly it was intended to be their next single. Well, I'm glad that idea was not followed through.

Please Please Me : Thankfully, with this track, the boys were back on track. Though it was universally liked everywhere, it was not really my favorite, probably due to over exposure.This thing do happened you know, sometimes they played a song so much that you just wanna scream.

Love Me Do: I much preferred this little lovable ditty to 'Please Please Me'. John's playing of the harmonica is worth the price of admission alone. John was quite obsessed with the harmonica during this period and there were a couple of his songs with harmonica and it was definitely not a bad thing.

P.S. I LOVE YOU : Paul's very own version of The Shirelles' 'Soldier Boy'. It was a prelude to his more successful 'All My Loving' in the next album. A throwaway by Beatles standard. Nevertheless, it still have its charm.

BABY IT'S YOU : I like this cover version. The Beatles singing in answer to the lead singer is impeccable and playful like. I use to sing this with my band mates and it never failed to raise a smile from them. One of my favorite non Beatles' composition track.

DO YOU WANT TO KNOW A SECRET : This was said to be inspired by the Disney's movie "Snow White & The Seven Dwarfs ". John wrote it for George to sing. George doesn't really have a wide range with his voice and this was not the world most difficult so sing. So probably John was trying to give George some of the limelight. Nevertheless. a charming song.

A TASTE OF HONEY : Paul was always considered to be The Beatles' balladeer par excellent so this piece from the board way show "The Music Man" serve as a vehicle for him to prove his meddle. It paved the way for him to write all those timeless classics. Initially I don't like it but as time passed, I grew to love it, especially the Spanish guitar middle part.

THERE'S A PLACE : A throwaway to most but even The Beatles' throwaway have catchy melodies. This track serves as a reminder that during this time The Beatles couldn't write a bad song even if they want to. I love singing this with the guitar.

TWIST AND SHOUT : The last track that closes the first Beatles album is also the only non Beatles' composition that is in serious competition as the best song on the album. Legends has it that John Lennon save this song for last 'cos he wanted his vocal to be as raw as it could be. And what a vocal it turned out to be. There you have it, 14 songs that made the world sit up and take notice.