PS I Love You: Introduction

“PS I Love You” is the B-side to The Beatles’ debut single, “Love Me Do.” However, the song is also on their debut album, “Please Please Me,” from 1963.

In Detail

• Release Date: October 5, 1962 (UK), April 27, 1964 (US)
• Recorded: September 11, 1962
• Studio: Abbey Road Studios, London
• Format: 7-inch single (B-side) (A-side being “Love Me Do”)
• Genre: Merseybeat, pop
• Track Duration: 2:06
• Label: Parlophone R4949 (UK), Tollie 9008 (US)
• Songwriters: Lennon-McCartney
• Producer: Ron Richards
• Engineer: Norman Smith

Performers And Instruments

• Paul McCartney: vocals, also the bass guitar
• John Lennon: backing vocals, also the acoustic rhythm guitar
• George Harrison: backing vocals and acoustic guitar
• Ringo Starr: maracas
• Andy White: drums

Where To Find “PS I Love You”

You can still buy this song on the following releases:

For the original version of this song, purchase the single, EP, or 1964 album. Of course, we recommend all the Beatles albums. But if you are on a limited budget, get what is right for you.

PS I Love You: Background

Paul McCartney wrote the song while he was in Hamburg, Germany. Although some folk think he wrote it for then-girlfriend Dot Rhone, McCartney distances himself from that theory:

“It’s just an idea for a song, really, a theme song based on a letter, like the Paperback Writer idea.

It was pretty much mine. I don’t think John had much of a hand in it. There are certain themes that are easier than others to hang a song on, and a letter is one of them. ‘Dear John’ is the other version of it. The letter is a popular theme, and it’s just my attempt at one of those. It’s not based in reality, nor did I write it to my girlfriend from Hamburg, which some people think.”

Paul McCartney
Many Years From Now, Barry Miles

John Lennon’s Words

“That’s Paul’s song. He was trying to write a Soldier Boy like The Shirelles. He wrote that in Germany or when we were going to and from Hamburg. I might have contributed something. I can’t remember anything in particular. It was mainly his song.”

John Lennon
All We Are Saying, David Sheff

Recording Studio

The Beatles began recording “PS I Love You” on September 11, 1962, at EMI’s Abbey Road Studios in London. They recorded ten takes during the 10 a.m.–1 p.m. session.

George Martin wasn’t at the studio at the time of recording. He wasn’t even aware that Ringo Starr joined The Beatles as a replacement for Pete Best. Martin thought that Pete Best shouldn’t be the drummer on the day, having heard the band previously, so they hired session drummer Andy White to play the drums.

Ron Richards was covering for George Martin on the day. Meanwhile, Ringo Starr’s job was to play the maracas after the producers had concerns over his previous drumming sessions on September 4.

For the Beatlemaniacs, there is also a version of “PS I Love You” on their 2013 album, “On Air: Live At The BBC, Volume 2.” Of course, that version is from their early BBC radio appearances. In fact, this version was on their “Pop Go The Beatles” show from June 25, 1963 (recorded June 17). They recorded the song another two times for those early BBC Radio programmes.

PS I Love You: Master Tape Erased

However, we don’t know what the future might hold for recordings such as these.

Update: Since we wrote this article in 2017 and published it in January 2018, some information has changed in 2023. Using new demix technology, which strips away individual parts of the song for remixing later, they have a new stereo release of Love Me Do and She Loves You.

However, there can never be a true stereo mix, even though these releases are excellent. Who would have thought that was possible a few years ago? We now await a professional stereo mix of the other two songs, of course.

Take A Listen

Finally, press play and listen to the track. Then, consider giving us your thoughts about this song below.