"Please Please Me" was the Beatles' first number one hit record in the United Kingdom, reaching
that position on March 2nd, 1963 (according to the trade publication Melody Maker).
Originally was conceived as a slower, Roy Orbison-like song, possibly having a feel similar
to "Only the Lonely".
John Lennon was intrigued by the double use of the word "please" in a Bing Crosby song
"...please lend your little ears to my pleas..." and was inspired to use the same ploy
in "Please Please Me".
"Please Please Me" was included in their repertoie from 1962 through mid-1964.
So sure of it's success, in 1963 Dick James, who published the Beatles' early work and then
formed Northern Songs, their subsequent publishing company, borrowed 10,000 pounds and gave
it to manager Brian Epstein as an advance on their royalties for "Please Please Me".
