Tonight I’m taking you back … waaaayyyyy back some 62 years to a song that would become Motown’s first #1 hit.  A few nights ago, Pete commented on a post and included a clip from a song by the Marvelettes … wow, that brought back memories!  Today’s song is the first ever recorded by the Marvelettes and the only #1 hit they ever had.  There is some interesting background to the song, as told by SongFacts …

When The Marvelettes auditioned for Motown, the label didn’t have their full songwriting machinery in place, so they asked the girls to bring in material. William Garrett, a songwriter friend of group member Georgia Dobbins, offered this to The Marvelettes when she asked if he had anything for them to sing. He wrote it as a blues song, but Dobbins completely rewrote it (she saved only the title) and taught it to lead singer Gladys Horton. Before The Marvelettes recorded it, Dobbins left the group to care for her mother. Motown producers Robert Bateman and Brian Holland worked on the song with The Marvelettes and crafted it into a hit. Holland, along with his brother Eddie and Lamont Dozier, went on to write many other Motown classics.

Marvin Gaye played drums on this song. He was 22 at the time and trying to break into the business.

Part of this song was written by a postman who helped complete the lyrics. His name was Freddie Gorman and his mail route included Brewster public housing where members of The Supremes lived. Gorman also sang with the Motown group The Originals. He passed away in 2006.

The Marvelettes were five teenage girls from Inkster, Michigan. This was their first single and their only #1. They went through many member changes before breaking up in 1969.

When they recorded this song, it was the first time The Marvelettes had ever been in a recording studio – their singing experience was in choirs and glee clubs. They got some help from Florence Ballard, who was a member of another Motown girl group, The Supremes. Ballard suggested they loosen up, stretch out the word “postman,” and add “oh yeah” backing vocals. “We were all tight – petrified,” Gladys Horton said. “Florence was a sweetheart, and what he said was dead on.”

I had no idea … or perhaps I knew once upon a time, but my brain lost the data as it often does … that the Beatles had also covered this!  According to Wikipedia …

John Lennon sang lead vocal, Paul McCartney and George Harrison providing backing vocals, while all three added handclaps at their head level.  The Beatles’ 7 March 1962 performance of the song on BBC Radio’s Here We Go was the first time any Tamla song was played over BBC radio. Beatles author Mark Lewisohn reflects: “Without even realising it (and they’d have been thrilled to know), the Beatles broke the Detroit ‘Motown sound’ to the British listening public.”

The Beatles’ version does not appear to have charted, but then along came the Carpenters who covered it in 1975, and their version went to #1 in the U.S. and Canada, and #2 in the UK.  Go figure.

I think I’ll play all three tonight, just for kicks, but to me, this song belongs to the Marvelettes!  Let’s see what you think …

Please Mr. Postman

Marvelettes/Beatles/Carpenters

oh yes, wait a minute, Mr. Postman
(Wait) wait, Mr. Postman

Oh, yeah (if there’s a letter in your bag for me)
Please, please, Mr. Postman (why’s it takin’ such a long time)
Oh, yeah (for me to hear from that boy of mine?)

There must be some word today
From my boyfriend so far away
Please, Mr. Postman, look and see
If there’s a letter, a letter for me

I’ve been standin’ here waiting, Mr. Postman
So patiently
For just a card, or just a letter
Sayin’ he’s returnin’ home to me

Mr. Postman (Mr. Postman, look and see)
Oh, yeah (if there’s a letter in your bag for me)
Please, please, Mr. Postman (why’s it takin’ such a long time)
Oh, yeah (for me to hear from that boy of mine?)

So many days you passed me by
See the tears standin’ in my eyes
You didn’t stop to make me feel better
By leavin’ me a card or a letter

Mr. Postman (Mr. Postman, look and see)
Oh, yeah (if there’s a letter in your bag for me)
Please, please, Mr. Postman (why’s it takin’ such a long time?)

Why don’t you check it and see one more time for me?
You gotta wait a minute, wait a minute
Wait a minute, wait a minute
Ooh, Mr. Postman (Mr. Postman, look and see)
C’mon, deliver the letter, the sooner, the better, ah

Mr. Postman
Ah-ah
Ooh-ooh-ooh
Ah-ah-ah
Ooh-ooh-ooh
Ah-ah-ah

Source: Musixmatch

Songwriters: Brian Holland / Robert Bateman / Freddie Gorman / Georgia Dobbins / William Garrett

Please Mr. Postman lyrics © Emi Blackwood Music Inc., Stone Agate Music, Jobete Music Co Inc