Ask Me Why: Introduction
“Ask Me Why” is a Beatles’ song from their first studio album, “Please Please Me,” from 1963. It is also the B-side of the single “Please Please Me” as well.
In Detail
- Format: 7-inch single (B-side) (the A-side is “Please Please Me”), also an album track
- Release Date: January 11, 1963 (single) March 22, 1963 (album) (UK) and February 25, 1963 (US) (single)
- Recorded: June 6, November 26, 1962
- Studios: Abbey Road Studios
- Genre: Pop
- Track Duration: 2:24
- Record Label: Parlophone (UK), Vee-Jay 498 (US)
- Songwriters: Lennon-McCartney
- Producer: George Martin
- Engineer: Norman Smith
Performers And Instruments
- John Lennon: vocals, acoustic rhythm guitar
- Paul McCartney: bass, backing vocals
- George Harrison: lead guitar, backing vocals
- Ringo Starr: drums
Where To Find “Ask Me Why”
You can still buy the song on the following releases:
Ask Me Why: Background
John Lennon wrote the song in 1962, but as usual, the arrangement gives credit to the Lennon-McCartney partnership.
“It was John’s original idea, and we both sat down and wrote it together, just did a job on it. It was mostly John’s.”
Paul McCartney
Many Years From Now, Barry Miles
Being one of their early songs, The Beatles would often perform this live, of course. However, the Fab Four were to move on very quickly once they won a contract with EMI in 1962. Indeed, this song is one of their first recordings at Abbey Road Studios. But the company destroyed the first master tapes on June 6th of that year because they thought very little of them! Pete Best was the drummer at the time, of course.
In November 1962, they did record the song again, but this time Ringo Starr was on the drums. This version was good enough for The Beatles’ first album, “Please Please Me.” Not only that, but “Ask Me Why” became the B-side on their second single, “Please Please Me.”
Influence
Smokey Robinson and the Miracles had some influence on John Lennon in the early days. In fact, “Ask Me Why” has a very similar opening guitar piece to their 1961 song, “What’s So Good About Goodbye.”
Obviously, in their early days, The Beatles, just like other bands at the time, would take much influence from other sources. They must have really admired Smokey Robinson and the Miracles because they also covered their version of “You Really Got A Hold On Me” which is on their 1963 album, “With The Beatles.”
Recording Studio
The Beatles recorded “Ask Me Why” for the second time on November 26, 1962, in Studio Two of the EMI Studios, London, during the 7 p.m.–10 p.m. session. There were 6 takes that day, and as per usual for the time, these would go in the bin once they had a successful mix.
This song became the B-side of a successful early Beatles’ single, “Please Please Me.” On the “Please Please Me” album, the track sits after track 5, “Boys,” and before the “Please Please Me” song.
The BBC were quick to see that The Beatles were hot property and would often feature them in various radio shows. Of course, The Fab Four, complete with their unique humour, jumped at the chance of free publicity.
They also sang “Ask Me Why” for the BBC radio show “Pop Go The Beatles,” airing on September 24, 1963. Therefore, that version appears on the 2013 album release “On Air: Live At The BBC, Volume 2”. On this album, it sits as track 16 after “Chains” and before “Till There Was You.”
Incidentally, after they recorded this track, they also recorded “Tip of My Tongue,” a Paul McCartney composition. However, George Martin wasn’t happy with the end result. So they gave that song to Tommy Quickly, but his resulting single didn’t reach the charts.
Ask Me Why: Chart Success
The “Please Please Me/Ask Me Why” single was a successful single, peaking at number 2 in the UK. However, some charts did place it at number 1. Nonetheless, it gave the public a glimpse of things to come!
“Ask Me Why” was also the second track on the “All My Loving” EP from 1964.
Take A Listen
Leave us a comment after you give this song a try.
