Like a lot of people, I’m sure, my first exposure to ‘Please Mr. Postman’ was through The Beatles’ excellent cover version on their 1963 album With the Beatles. It’s one of John Lennon’s best early vocal performances (check it out here).
In fact, I couldn’t have told you that a group called The Marvelettes performed the original version of this song — not before I found it on a Web site just the other day. And I certainly didn’t know that The Marvelettes’ ‘Please Mr. Postman,’ released in 1961, was the very first #1 hit for Motown Records in the U.S.
Listening to this high-quality version of the original track, I’m struck by how faithfully The Beatles’ version adheres to this one. Lead singer Gladys Horton has a wonderfully raspy voice that gives the song an edge, not unlike Lennon’s passionate delivery. I’d probably choose The Beatles’ version if I had to pick just one, but that’s more due to my familiarity with it than anything else.
I was reading up on this song on a site called Songfacts that lists, well, facts about songs. I’m not sure who researches or writes them, but this one had me laughing: “This is about a woman awaiting a letter from her lover. This was before E-mail.”
Oh yes, wait a minute Mister Postman
(Wait)
Wait Mister Postman
Please Mister Postman, look and see
(Oh yeah)
If there’s a letter in your bag for me
(Please, Please Mister 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
Pleas Mister Postman, look and see
If there’s a letter, a letter for me
I’ve been standin’ here waitin’ Mister Postman
So patiently
For just a card, or just a letter
Sayin’ he’s returnin’ home to me
(Mister Postman)
Mister Postman, look and see
(Oh yeah)
If there’s a letter in your bag for me
(Please, Please Mister 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
(Mister Postman)
Mister Postman, look and see
(Oh yeah)
If there’s a letter in your bag for me
(Please, Please Mister 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
(Mister Postman)
Mister Postman, look and see
(C’mon deliver the letter, the sooner the better)
Mister Postman
Meet Me In Montauk 
Such insight those song facts provide! I am familiar with this version, though I’m not sure where I first heard it. It makes more sense to hear a single woman singing for her letter than it does a group of guys entreating the postman. Not sure why. I guess it’s sexism. 🙂 Regardless, they’re both great versions, but I prefer the original.
This song brings back some memories. So far the Marvelettes have not been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. I just checked it out and read some interesting stuff about them, they first called their group “Casinyets” because when they were deciding on a name, one of them said “we can’t sing yet” and they came up with their name. Also Marvin Gaye was the 22 year old drummer on their recording debut. Good song, and it reminds me of the days I waited for letters from Dad.
I knew this version before ever hearing the Beatles version, but I have to confess to liking the Beatles version better. Sorry Marvelettes.
The Marvelettes are not in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame??? The Marvelettes? Seriously?