The Beatles - Please Mister PostmanCopyright - 1963 EMI Records Ltd.Please Mr. Postman" was the debut single by The Marvelettes for the Tamla (Motown) label, notable as the first Motown song to reach the number-one position on the Billboard Hot 100 pop singles chart. The single achieved this position in late 1961; it hit number-one on the R&B chart as well. "Please Mr. Postman" became a number-one hit again in early 1975, when the Carpenters' cover of the song also reached the top position of the Billboard Hot 100.HistoryIn early 1961, The Marvelettes (then known as "The Marvels") arranged an audition for Berry Gordy's Tamla/Motown label. Marvels member Georgia Dobbins needed an original song for their audition , and got a blues song from her friend William Garrett, which she then reworked for the group. Dobbins left the group after the audition and was replaced, Gordy renamed the group and hired "Brianbert"—Brian Holland and Robert Bateman's songwriting partnership—to rework the song yet again. Freddie Gorman, another songwriting partner of Holland (before Holland became part of the Holland-Dozier-Holland team) was also was involved in the final reworking.The Marvelettes recording features lead singer Gladys Horton hoping that the postman has brought her a letter from her boyfriend, who is away at war. Instrumentation is provided by The Funk Brothers, including Marvin Gaye on drums.Songwriting credits for "Please Mr. Postman" seem to have changed over the years. The original Tamla 45 single for the Marvelettes' version credits "Dobbins/Garett/Brianbert" as the songwriters, and credits "Brianbert" as producer. The original With the Beatles album cover credited it to just Brian Holland. The 1974 Beatles discography book All Together Now credits it to Holland, Bateman, and Berry Gordy. The 1992 Motown boxed set Hitsville USA: The Motown Singles Collection credits Dobbins, Garrett, Holland, Bateman, and Gorman as the composers. As of 2006, the Songwriters Hall of Fame credits "Please Mr. Postman" to just Holland, Bateman, and Gorman."Please Mr. Postman" has been covered frequently, including a version by The Beatles on their With the Beatles album. Sung by John Lennon, their version reverses the genders. Later, a second hit version was recorded by The Carpenters, whose version took the song again to number-one on the Hot 100 in early 1975. The song has also been sampled by rapper Juelz Santana for his single "Oh Yes," as well as Lil' Wayne in his single off The Carter III "Mr. Postman", and is used by the Rob, Arnie and Dawn Show to introduce their Listener Mail segment.The Beatles' versionThe Beatles included "Please Mister Postman" as part of their live act in 1962, performing it regularly at the Cavern Club. By the time it was recorded for their second album, With the Beatles, it had been dropped from their set, and required some work in the studio to bring it up to an acceptable standard. Ian MacDonald criticised their version for having a "wall of sound" and for a "general airlessness."Recorded Abbey Road Studios:July 30, 1963 Lyrics: Oh yes, wait just a minute mister postman Wait, wait mister postman (Mister postman look and see) oh yeah (If there's a letter in the bag for me) Please mister postman (I've been waiting a long long time)oh, yeah (Since I heard from that gal of mine) There must be some mail today From my girlfriend so far away Please mister postman look and see If there's a letter, a letter for me I've been standing here waiting Mister Postman So patiently for just a card or just a letter Saying she's returning home to me Please Mister Postman (Mister postman look and see) oh yeah (If there's a letter in the bag for me)Please mister postman (I've been waiting a long long time)oh, yeah (Since I heard from that gal of mine) So many days you past me by See the tears standing in my eye You didn't stop to make me feel better By leaving me a card or letter Mister Postman, look and see Is there a letter, yeah, for me I've been waiting such a long long time Since I heard from that gal of mint You gotta, wait a minute wait a minute oh yeah Wait a minute wait a minute oh yeah (you gotta) check and see one more time for me You gotta, wait a minute wait a minute oh yeah Mister Postman, oh yeah deliver the letter, the sooner the better You gotta, wait a minute wait a minute oh yeah Wait a minute wait a minute oh yeah you gotta, wait a minute wait a minute oh yeah you gotta, wait a minute wait a minute oh yeah