Love Me Do

So far, it seems John, Paul, Ringo, and George just wanted their girlfriends to love them.

Or were they trying to cry loud enough for their fans to hear?

Did they, predicting the purpose of twenty-first century music, long for sex from their female counterparts?

Swinging drums and a blaring harmonica introduce the voices. Paul McCartney had to sing the lead vocal part; John Lennon was buzzing on the harmonica. “Love Me Do” was recorded three different times, with three different drummers: first with Pete Best, then with Ringo, then with Andy White. I listened to each version, and I have to say that Pete was not the best. Ringo’s sound resonates clearly, draws attention, and locks it in. Andy’s take is missing something. The YouTube title for White’s version says “The Beatles: Love Me Do ***NO TAMBOURINE***”, but I feel that it is short of more than just a tambourine. The voices aren’t engaging; I don’t feel the desire to listen to this song when I know there is a better recording available. On Pete’s version, the harmonica is unpleasantly loud, and it doesn’t seem that the singers want to sing. In the lyric, “So, please… Love me do,” one of The Beatles shouts the word “so” — almost yelling at the girl he wants love from. It makes me cringe every time. During the instrumental break Pete bangs his drums on the offbeat: a sharp and short tap that doesn’t fit the mood of the song.

Ringo may be special to me because he is one of the main Beatles, while Pete Best and Andy White were only temporary. When Ringo plays the drums, the echoes off of the walls are smiling. The happiness of the band is apparent with the way they sing and play, and in their synchronized outcome. The harmonica is bouncing through the melodies and John adds some twists and turns that make the song so catchy. Paul sings the word “do” with extra flair, directing the tune to be more interesting and causing fans to scream even louder. Comfortable (and typical-Beatle) harmonies are created: the melody is low and sexy, while a higher background voice gives the song its light feel.

By far, Ringo’s drumming is the most memorable. Deep notes vibrate through your mind: bing, bong, bing, bong. Since the song has so much going on, the strong downbeats he creates are much-needed. The Beatles may not have realized, but the other two versions don’t reflect a capable and lasting band. The sound is weak and it is obvious that the group wasn’t pleased with the recording. That’s ironic, because it debuted on Please Please Me.

Maybe its about sex. Maybe its about girls. Maybe its about fans. No one will know for sure. But, I say “Love Me Do” is about Ringo Starr. He should thank Best and White; without them, the other three Beatles may not have trusted Ringo to stay and be the right choice. He earned his respect through this song, and will forever hold it accountable for his fame. Even though Ringo’s drumming was only released as the single, Beatlemania sprouted because of his work, his sound, his drums.

Thank you, Ringo, for changing rock history forever with the classic Beatles song: “Love Me Do.”

Ranking: 1 out of 2

Please Please Me

The Beatles’ first album and first number one single both have the same name. These three words catapulted the songwriters to fame not only in Europe, but created a worldwide infestation. “Please Please Me” let the group hit the ground running and remains a legend.

An enticing lead is presented by the blend of the harmonica, drums, and guitar. The Beatles enter the song with vocal harmony that stays strong throughout the number. Right before the chorus John breaks into a series of sexy “come on”s with the other three backing him up—a style that the Jackson 5 would later adapt.

I read through online reviews of “Please Please Me” and found that most people viewed the song as a sexual plea. The lyric “Please, please me, woah yeah, Like I please you” suggests this desire, but I interpret it instead as a beg for attention. An aunt raised John Lennon, and just as he created a relationship with his mother she was torn away from him in a car accident. Without a doubt he felt abandoned throughout his life—somewhat related to many middle children feeling left out. It’s no surprise that John would have wanted popularity and spotlights. Eventually he received his wish in one hundred-fold, but maybe not in the authentic way at first.

All of The Beatles went through many relationships with women in their lives: some of the most famous being John and Cynthia Lennon; John and Yoko Ono; Paul and Linda McCartney; and most recently, Paul and Nancy Shevell. Of course the Fab Four had thousands of girls in love with them, but they were all searching for people whom they could love back. Women were interested in the group because of their immense fame—in love with only their fame—and that can be deteriorating. The relationships of John and Paul with other women are the most memorable, which fits because “Please Please Me” is credited to Lennon-McCartney.

The song is very upbeat, but as you break it apart you can’t help but feel heartbroken as it becomes clear the length that The Beatles went to get real attention for their personalities and love. I am not denying that the song wasn’t written in a sexual way, but I feel that the lyrics represent an expression of appreciating (and pleasing) what you have that is worthy of being loved.

The Greatest Hit

The Beatles debut their American performances on the Ed Sullivan Show in 1964 with 73 million people watching.

1964 — Martin Luther King, Jr. took home a Nobel Peace Prize; China exploded an atomic bomb for the first time; and “Funny Girl” opened on Broadway. Tremendous feats were reached in ’64, but none quite compare to the enormous footprint The Beatles laid on America. Their music touched millions world-wide, and continues to steal a spot on the Billboard Top 100 Albums Chart in this 21st century.

306 songs, 19 albums, and 27 number one hits. But what is The Beatles’ greatest song ever recorded?

The Potpourri Story will take apart each petal of the flower, dig into the roots, and replant every seed to uncover the most notable Beatles song in history. In each entry will dissect a song and give it a ranking based on the number of songs I have previously evaluated. My challenge is extensive, so bring your mop top’s and Yellow Submarines, for this is going to be A Hard Day’s Night.