In memoriam to singer/songwriter Robert Bateman, this week’s Featured Lyrics are to “Please Mr. Postman, and made most famous by the Marvelettes. We’re posting lyrics of hit songs so that our songwriters can study them to see how winning songs are constructed. Of course a lot depends on the melody, the rhythm and the artist as to whether or not the song will sell… and whether or not it is in the right place at the right time!
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“Please Mr. Postman” is a song written by Georgia Dobbins, William Garrett, Freddie Gorman, Brian Holland, and Robert Bateman. It is the debut single by the Marvelettes for the Tamla (Motown) label, notable as the first Motown song to reach the number-one position on the Billboard Hot 100 pop singles chart. The single achieved this position in late 1961; it hit number one on the R&B chart as well. “Please Mr. Postman” became a number-one hit again in early 1975 when the Carpenters’ cover of the song reached the top position of the Billboard Hot 100. “Please Mr. Postman” has been covered several times, including a 1963 version by the English rock group the Beatles.
In April 1961, the Marvelettes (then known as “The Marvels”) arranged an audition for Berry Gordy’s Tamla label. Marvels member Georgia Dobbins needed an original song for their audition, and got a blues song from her friend William Garrett, which she then reworked for the group. Dobbins left the group after the audition and was replaced, Gordy renamed the group and hired “Brianbert”—Brian Holland and Robert Bateman’s songwriting partnership—to rework the song yet again. Freddie Gorman, another songwriting partner of Holland (before Holland became part of the Holland–Dozier–Holland team) was also involved in the final reworking.
The Marvelettes recording features lead singer Gladys Horton hoping that the postman has brought her a letter from her boyfriend, who is away at war. Accompaniment is provided by the Funk Brothers, including Marvin Gaye on drums. The Marvelettes’ version later appeared in a bar fight scene in the film Mean Streets (1973), directed by Martin Scorsese.
Songwriting credits for “Please Mr. Postman” seem to have changed over the years. The original Tamla 45 single for the Marvelettes’ version credits “Dobbins/Garett/Brianbert” as the songwriters, and credits “Brianbert” as producer. The original With the Beatles album cover credited it to just Brian Holland. The 1976 Beatles discography book All Together Now credits it to Holland, Bateman, and Berry Gordy. The 1992 Motown boxed set Hitsville USA: The Motown Singles Collection credits Dobbins, Garrett, Holland, Bateman, and Gorman as the composers. The Songwriters Hall of Fame credits “Please Mr. Postman” to just Holland, Bateman, and Gorman. EMI Music Publishing, the current music publisher of the song, lists all five writers in their catalog.
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“Please Mr. Postman” was covered in a version by English rock group the Beatles on their With the Beatles album in the UK and on The Beatles Second Album in the US. Sung by John Lennon, their version reverses the genders. The song was produced by George Martin.
The Beatles included “Please Mister Postman” as part of their live act in 1962, performing it regularly at the Cavern Club. By the time it was recorded for their second album, With The Beatles, it had been dropped from their set, and required some work in the studio to bring it up to an acceptable standard. Ian MacDonald criticized their version for having a “wall of sound” and for a “general airlessness.”
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Bateman_(songwriter)
Lyrics to “Please Mr. Postman”
(Stop)
Oh yes, wait a minute
Mr. Postman (Wait)
Wait Mr. Postman
(Please 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)
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
Waitin’ Mr. Postman so patiently
For just a card or just a letter
Sayin’ he’s returning’ home to me
Mister Postman (Mister 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
Mister Postman (Mister 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 Mr. Postman
Ooh Mr. Postman (Mr. Postman look and see)
C’mon deliver the letter, the sooner, the better
Mr. Postman
Aaah
Written by Georgia Dobbins, William Garrett, Freddie Gorman, Brian Holland, and Robert Bateman
© Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
http://www.metrolyrics.com/please-mr-postman-lyrics-the-carpenters.html