Today marks the 60th anniversary of the release of “Love Me Do” the first single from The Beatles. It’s initial reception was modest reaching No.17 in the UK singles chart. Yet twelve months later Beatlemania would take over the country.

There are three recorded versions of Love Me Do. The first features Pete Best on drums and would end up on the Anthology album. The second version features Ringo on drums. However, George Martin was still dissatisfied with final result and was not willing to risk releasing that version. He brought in session drummer Andy White for the version that would end up being released, much to Ringo’s disappointment.

The song itself is a pleasant pop song where John Lennon’s harmonica acts as the lead instrument. What stands out are the vocal harmonies between John and Paul. Love Me Do would reach No.1 on the US Charts in 1964 and No.4 when reissued in 1982.

Steve Whitty