Beatles - "Please Please Me" / "From Me To You" - VJ-581 - 45 w/Pic Slv

$

50

 The Beatles

“Please Please Me”

”From Me To You”

Vee-Jay 45 with Picture Sleeve

Vee-Jay Records VJ-581 - 1964

"Please Please Me" was the Beatles second single in the UK, and the first to be issued in the U.S. It was also the title track of their first LP, which was recorded to capitalize on the success of the single. John wrote the song, although George Martin significantly influenced its final form. "Please Please Me" backed with "Ask Me Why" was released by Vee-Jay on February 7, 1963. Coincidentally, this was exactly one year before the Beatles' plane landed in New York on their first visit as a band to America. The record did not chart on any of the major national surveys.

"From Me to You" was released as a single in 1963 in the UK. The single was the Beatles' first number one in some of the UK charts, second in others, but failed to make an impact in the U.S. at the time of its initial release. However, a 1963 cover version released by Del Shannon resulted in the song becoming the first Lennon/McCartney tune to enter the American pop chart. It was one of the very last songs to be credited "McCartney/Lennon"; soon afterwards their songs began appearing credited to "Lennon/McCartney". "From Me to You" was released on VJ 522, with "Thank You Girl" on the B-side, on May 27, 1963. Even though Cash Box magazine called it a "Pick of the Week" when it was released, it initially failed even more miserably than its predecessor; through the end of June, "From Me to You" sold fewer than 4,000 copies and had failed to chart anywhere.

Vee-Jay chose to couple "From Me to You" with "Please Please Me" when it re-released the single on January 30, 1964, shortly after film of the Beatles had appeared on The Jack Paar Show, 1964’s equivalent  of The Tonight Show. With Beatlemania  taking over America, the double-sided hit record sold approximately 1.1 million copies in 1964.

This auction is for VJ 581, “Please Please Me” backed with “From Me To You”. This copy has the black label with the oval VJ logo and the colorband. The Record is in Good+ condition, with ring wear on both sides and light scratching on the vinyl; although I can’t test it, it should be playable without skipping. The Picture Sleeve is in Very Good- condition, with no writing or stickers, but with a 2 ½” seam split along one side, some ring wear, some damage along one glued edge, and small tears on the top.

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The Fine Print: Payment is required within 3 days. Returns are accepted within 7 days, provided the item is not as described, and I am notified first. I reserve the right to cancel the auction at any time. Shipping is by Media Mail within the U.S. International bidders: Please contact me for shipping information before bidding.

I have many Beatles group and solo items including LP's, 45's, CD's, promo's, books and memorabilia. Please call Ron at (619) 328-2891 if you have questions about this or any other Beatles item.