Ask Me Why

Infobox Single
Name = Ask Me Why


Caption =
Artist = The Beatles
Album = Please Please Me
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
Writer = McCartney/Lennon
Label = Parlophone R4983 (UK) Vee-Jay 498 (US)
Producer = George Martin
Misc = Extra tracklisting
Album = Please Please Me
Type = studio
Tracks = ;Side one
# "I Saw Her Standing There"
# "Misery"
# "Anna (Go to Him)"
# "Chains"
# "Boys"
# "Ask Me Why"
# "Please Please Me";Side two
# "Love Me Do"
# "P.S. I Love You"
# "Baby It's You"
# "Do You Want to Know a Secret"
# "A Taste of Honey"
# "There's a Place"
# "Twist and Shout"

"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".

Written in early 1962, "Ask Me Why" is principally a John Lennon composition,cite book |first=Barry |last=Miles |authorlink=Barry Miles |title=Paul McCartney: Many Years From Now |year=1998 |pages=92 |publisher=Vintage |location=London |isbn=0-7493-8658-4] , 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.cite book |first=Barry |last=Miles |title=Paul McCartney: Many Years From Now |year=1992 |pages=92] cite book |first=Bill |last=Harry |authorlink=Bill Harry |title=The Ultimate Beatles Encyclopedia |year=1992 |pages=50 |publisher=Virgin Books |location=London |isbn=0-86369-681-3] Complex in its arrangement, 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’ "What’s So Good About Goodbye" (1961). cite book |first=Ian |last=MacDonald |authorlink=Ian MacDonald |title=Revolution in the Head |year=1998 |pages=57 |publisher=Pimlico |location=London |isbn=0-7126-6697-4]

"Ask Me Why" was recorded on 26 November 1962, the same day the Beatles rehearsed another Lennon and McCartney song - entitled "Tip of My Tongue" - which, along with "Ask Me Why" was also being considered for the B-side of the "Please Please Me" single.cite book |first=Ian |last=MacDonald |title=Revolution in the Head |year=1998 |pages=57] However, George Martin felt that "Tip of My Tongue" still needed some work, and it was eventually given to Tommy Quickly to record. cite book |first=Mark |last=Lewisohn |authorlink=Mark Lewisohn |title=The Complete Beatles Recording Sessions |year=1988 |pages=23 |publisher=Hamlyn |location=London |isbn=0-600-55798-7]

Other releases

*Capitol Records, EMI's American counterpart to Parlophone, initially refused to distribute Beatle music in the U.S, and so the "Please Please Me"/"Ask Me Why" single was released by Vee-Jay Records on 25 February 1963.
*Vee-Jay included "Ask Me Why" on version 2 of "Introducing... The Beatles".
*Capitol eventually released "Ask Me Why" in 1965 on "The Early Beatles" when Vee-Jay's rights expired.

Personnel

*John Lennon – rhythm guitar, lead vocal
*Paul McCartney – bass guitar, backing vocal
*George Harrison – lead guitar, backing vocal
*Ringo Starr – drums

Notes