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The Beatles - Ask Me Why (2009 Mono Remaster)

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Uploaded by on Apr 30, 2010

READ DESCRIPTION TO KNOW THE STORY.
A-side "Please Please Me"
Released 11 January 1963 (UK)
25 February 1963 (US)
Recorded: 26 November 1962
Genre: Beat, Rock and roll
Length: 2:24
Label: Parlophone
Writer(s): McCartney/Lennon
Producer: George Martin
John Lennon: vocal, rhythm guitar
Paul McCartney: backing vocal, bass
George Harrison: lead guitar
Ringo Starr: drums
Personnel per Ian MacDonald

"Ask Me Why" is a song by The Beatles originally released in the United Kingdom as the B-side of their hit single "Please Please Me". It was also included on their first UK album, Please Please Me.

COMPOSITION
Written in early 1962, "Ask Me Why" is principally a John Lennon composition, but was credited to Paul McCartney and John Lennon, as were all other Lennon/McCartney originals on the first pressings of Please Please Me album. It was part of their live act prior to their recording contract, and was one of the songs performed at their Parlophone audition in Abbey Road's studio three on 6 June 1962. The song emulates in style that of Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, by whom Lennon was influenced, and draws its opening guitar phrase from the Miracles "Whats So Good About Goodbye" (1961).

STRUCTURE
The song is in the key of E major, with some leaning to its relative minor of C#, and is in 4/4 time. Structurally, the song is complex and, as Alan Pollack states, contains three different variants of the verse. The song also contains "jazzy parallel sevenths" in most of the chords, and has a live ending.

RECORDING
"Ask Me Why" was originally recorded at Abbey Road studios on 6 June 1962 with an unknown number of takes as part of The Beatles' EMI audition. The two quarter-inch tape reels from that session were later destroyed by EMI. It was recorded again on 26 November 1962, the same day The Beatles rehearsed "Tip of My Tongue", another Lennon and McCartney song which, along with "Ask Me Why", was also being considered for the B-side of the "Please Please Me" single. However, George Martin felt that "Tip of My Tongue" still needed some work, and it was eventually given to Tommy Quickly to record.

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