OTD in ‘62, the Beatles record a song that would never be released during their career yet we believe the events of this day are the singular most important in Beatles history.

George Martin had secured the rights to “How Do You Do It,” which he wanted to be their debut single. The Beatles were signed to the record label as performers and not songwriters and it was common in those days for groups, particularly new acts, to only record songs written by professional songwriters.

Moreover, Martin believed that John and Paul were “no great shakes” as songwriters.

The Beatles complained bitterly to Martin about recording such a breezy pop song. They would lose credibility in Liverpool and be “laughed off the stage.” John called the song “crap” and told Martin “Paul and I have written better songs than this.”

“We want to do our own stuff, George. We’re going for a different feel,” Paul said.

The Beatles wanted one of their originals, “Love Me Do,” to be the debut single. They had previously played the song for Martin and he was unimpressed.

“When you can write material as good as (“How Do You Do It”), then I’ll record it,” said Martin.

The Beatles reluctantly recorded “How Do You Do It,” but only after making significant changes. A guitar solo was added and the band removed most of the pop elements of the song.

John and Paul told Martin that they had rearranged “Love Me Do” and pleaded with him to hear the song again. He agreed.

They recorded the song that evening and Martin decided to release the Beatles original as their debut single. The song was their first hit and become a #1 in the United States.

“I looked very hard at 'How Do You Do It?', but in the end I went with 'Love Me Do', it was quite a good record,” said Martin.

Martin had Gerry and the Pacemakers record “How Do You Do It,” which raced to the number slot in the U.K. The Beatles recording of the song was buried in a vault and released in 1995 on Anthology.

Photos below are from the September 4, 1962 recording session of both songs..

Also below is a rare photo of the Beatles, with their brand new drummer, Ringo, at Speke Airport in Liverpool before their flight to London on this day.
Note George’s black eye in photos. He was punched by a fan after announcing Pete Best had been replaced by Ringo.
Thanks as always to Boris for tracking down these photos.

https://scontent.fewr1-5.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/375450654_708639304416009_2531575263254028656_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=5614bc&_nc_ohc=yoT_blrM3kUAX_QzUde&_nc_oc=AQnOUCkYNijVF3vLjDKnhHgdxZHU_NvoUYPjPCboZM-oLe2VenxRwOJbM_uUI3A5Pj4&_nc_ht=scontent.fewr1-5.fna&oh=00_AfCzFd09n4TCyNn_QhdXJbBd4ZKREL1tVW3X6MY0UUWNzw&oe=64FB1152

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https://scontent.fewr1-6.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/375215267_708639174416022_3454115386347183987_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=5614bc&_nc_ohc=jGDD44QJoIAAX_8531l&_nc_ht=scontent.fewr1-6.fna&oh=00_AfAClhUaN3LsBjN3bwmPz3avUjQR2EgxQEDCfFKBzx1Jkg&oe=64FBB64F

https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/375219474_708639121082694_1530636921078104088_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=5614bc&_nc_ohc=8_89dXPv4qYAX-pPx7y&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBI32MomhpMwCVY8UoGrTqUQLA3IZm2jT1hW5L5w58p5w&oe=64FB3909

https://scontent-lga3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/375131002_708639294416010_4173958214167676744_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=5614bc&_nc_ohc=V5cpsZ2UQp8AX9sJ_j9&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-2.xx&oh=00_AfAs4ISK5pd4DDPJaFN5aMPpw3fOQjkdt0ymoMR5wMBYxg&oe=64FB47D1

On Monday, September 4, 2023 at 8:28:25 PM UTC-4, Bruce wrote:
> OTD in ‘62, the Beatles record a song that would never be released during their career yet we believe the events of this day are the singular most important in Beatles history.
>
> George Martin had secured the rights to “How Do You Do It,” which he wanted to be their debut single. The Beatles were signed to the record label as performers and not songwriters and it was common in those days for groups, particularly new acts, to only record songs written by professional songwriters.
>
> Moreover, Martin believed that John and Paul were “no great shakes” as songwriters.
>
> The Beatles complained bitterly to Martin about recording such a breezy pop song. They would lose credibility in Liverpool and be “laughed off the stage.” John called the song “crap” and told Martin “Paul and I have written better songs than this.”
>
> “We want to do our own stuff, George. We’re going for a different feel,” Paul said.
>
> The Beatles wanted one of their originals, “Love Me Do,” to be the debut single. They had previously played the song for Martin and he was unimpressed.
>
> “When you can write material as good as (“How Do You Do It”), then I’ll record it,” said Martin.
>
> The Beatles reluctantly recorded “How Do You Do It,” but only after making significant changes. A guitar solo was added and the band removed most of the pop elements of the song.
>
> John and Paul told Martin that they had rearranged “Love Me Do” and pleaded with him to hear the song again. He agreed.
>
> They recorded the song that evening and Martin decided to release the Beatles original as their debut single. The song was their first hit and become a #1 in the United States.
>
> “I looked very hard at 'How Do You Do It?', but in the end I went with 'Love Me Do', it was quite a good record,” said Martin.
>
> Martin had Gerry and the Pacemakers record “How Do You Do It,” which raced to the number slot in the U.K. The Beatles recording of the song was buried in a vault and released in 1995 on Anthology.
>
> Photos below are from the September 4, 1962 recording session of both songs.
>
> Also below is a rare photo of the Beatles, with their brand new drummer, Ringo, at Speke Airport in Liverpool before their flight to London on this day.
> Note George’s black eye in photos. He was punched by a fan after announcing Pete Best had been replaced by Ringo.
> Thanks as always to Boris for tracking down these photos.
>
> https://scontent.fewr1-5.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/375450654_708639304416009_2531575263254028656_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=5614bc&_nc_ohc=yoT_blrM3kUAX_QzUde&_nc_oc=AQnOUCkYNijVF3vLjDKnhHgdxZHU_NvoUYPjPCboZM-oLe2VenxRwOJbM_uUI3A5Pj4&_nc_ht=scontent.fewr1-5.fna&oh=00_AfCzFd09n4TCyNn_QhdXJbBd4ZKREL1tVW3X6MY0UUWNzw&oe=64FB1152
>
> https://scontent.fewr1-5.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/375196310_708639247749348_7280161810072070500_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=5614bc&_nc_ohc=MxpoJzPWNYsAX_0IUYy&_nc_ht=scontent.fewr1-5.fna&oh=00_AfDABYue28dX_zY6CtzNdik3TWSayMr3QO5GfXIsWq9BkA&oe=64FB5B81
>
> https://scontent.fewr1-6.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/375266719_708639231082683_2739123239632433958_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=5614bc&_nc_ohc=ds_gQRNPbMYAX_GYJ6N&_nc_ht=scontent.fewr1-6.fna&oh=00_AfDY4iqU_1Zofo7p1xK6Yffd0ZPNi10FISCkyS-3FGBZXA&oe=64FB9E08
>
> https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/375458339_708639137749359_1674395340224655105_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=5614bc&_nc_ohc=lxOFOQiSXbAAX8CUfHP&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-1.xx&oh=00_AfCT7IxjbrNEXY8mmBAlbhaXZxPwmIt_H5PwPCHQRHBJlw&oe=64FB3604
>
> https://scontent.fewr1-6.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/375215267_708639174416022_3454115386347183987_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=5614bc&_nc_ohc=jGDD44QJoIAAX_8531l&_nc_ht=scontent.fewr1-6.fna&oh=00_AfAClhUaN3LsBjN3bwmPz3avUjQR2EgxQEDCfFKBzx1Jkg&oe=64FBB64F
>
> https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/375219474_708639121082694_1530636921078104088_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=5614bc&_nc_ohc=8_89dXPv4qYAX-pPx7y&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-1.xx&oh=00_AfBI32MomhpMwCVY8UoGrTqUQLA3IZm2jT1hW5L5w58p5w&oe=64FB3909
>
> https://scontent-lga3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/375131002_708639294416010_4173958214167676744_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=5614bc&_nc_ohc=V5cpsZ2UQp8AX9sJ_j9&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-2.xx&oh=00_AfAs4ISK5pd4DDPJaFN5aMPpw3fOQjkdt0ymoMR5wMBYxg&oe=64FB47D1

Great story. I don't much like '-Love Me Do,' but they got better fast.