Here comes the Third Pairing

I took me a little while to decide which song to use for this post. I thought about four or five different pairings. After thinking about it, I decided on Please Mr. Post Man by the Marvelettes and covered by the Beatles. Both versions of this song are really good. This will probably be the closest pair yet.

The Marvelettes version was released in 1961. It was the first Motown song to reach number 1 on the Billboard Top 100.

The Beatles started preforming the song in 1962 at the Cavern Club. Near the end of 1963, they recorded it for their second album With the Beatles.

The Marvelettes:

The Beatles:

Okay, so now we've listened to both back to back, and this one still isn't an easy decision. The arrangements on both songs sound great. It’s really close.

Gladys Horton’s lead vocal on the Marvelettes version is killer. And Marvin Gaye’s drumming is sick. Yeah, it’s that Marvin Gaye. I think I like his drumming better than Ringo’s.

John’s double tracked vocal is great, and Paul and George singing the background harmonies makes the whole thing sound even better. Paul’s bass line really stands out as well. I’m going to have to listen again before I decide.

After listening to them both a couple more times, I've decided. It’s got to be the Beatles. Both versions are so good, but it comes down to the harmonies. The way John, Paul and George sing together just pulls you right into the song. The background vocals in the Marvelettes version aren't quite as good, and with everything else being so close, the Beatles Harmonies put them over the top.