Please Mr. Postman

by

The Marvelettes

Album: Please Mr. Postman     Released: 1961

US Chart: 1     

Get the Ringtone  Get Song @ Amazon
Get the Sheet Music

Send "Please Mr. Postman" Ringtone to your Cell

Songfacts:  You can leave comments about the song at the bottom of the page.

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. He was 22 at the time and trying to break into the business. (thanks, Brad Wind - Miami, FL, for above 2)

Part of this song was written by a postman who helped Dobbins 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 Motown group The Originals. He passed away in 2006. (thanks, hal - atlanta, GA)

The Marvelettes were 5 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.

This is about a woman awaiting a letter from her lover. This was before E-mail.

This was the first #1 hit for Motown Records. Motown soon flourished into a legendary label with hundreds of hits.

The Marvelettes' follow-up single "Twistin' Postman" (a #34 American hit) tried to capitalize on the dance craze and also continued the story of the woman who waits for a letter from her boyfriend. In the continuing story, the woman begins to lose hope on ever receiving a letter and then finally receives one. (thanks, Jerro - New Alexandria, PA)

This was #1 US hit for The Carpenters, who covered this on their 1975 album Horizon. It was their biggest hit ever worldwide, reaching # 1 in the US, Australia, Germany, Japan and several other countries, as well as reaching # 2 in the UK and Canada. It featured Karen Carpenter on drums and a guitar solo by Tony Peluso. (thanks, TimmT - Orange, CA)

The Beatles recorded this in 1963. Sung by John Lennon, they played it at many of their early concerts.

Send "Please Mr. Postman" Ringtone to your Cell

Comments:

'Please Mr Postman' came out on Tamla records, not Motown. There is an uncanny resemblance between the piano work and the sound of the piano in this song and 'Mash Potato Time' by Dee Dee Sharp. Just as there is a connection between the musicians who played on Tamla/Motown recordings and Jackie Wilson (Lonely Teardrops) on Brunswick records then perhaps there is also a connection between this and the Cameo recording. Georgeanna Dobbins died of sickle cell anemia in 1980. The Beatles clearly loved R & B and made Berry Gordy Jr a ton of money. I would have loved to have heard The Marveletts record "Baby Love". The production credits for 'Please Mr Postman' were attributed to Brianbert which stood for Brian Holland and Robert Bateman. To Kenneth in Cleveland: I have Dobbins,Horton,Young, Anderson and Cowart (Maiden name?)
- John , Eugene, OR

I think both versions are classics
- LaQuan , birmingham, AL

Anyone who says Beatles did it better is crazy. Beatles version is way too pop and lacks soul and fire. And those who said Beatles made it well known. It was a #1 pop & r&b song, how much bigger can you get than that? It was a mega hit when Beatles covered it.
- Jake , New haven, CT

"Please Mr. Postman" was the fourth song to hit #1 on the pop charts twice (the Marvelettes in 1961 and the Carpenters in 1975). The three previous songs to achieve this feat were "The Twist" (Chubby Checker in 1960 and 1962); "Go Away Little Girl" (Steve Lawrence--1963, and Donny Osmond--1971), and "The Locomotion" (Little Eva--1962, and Grand Funk Railroad--1974). Songs that achieved this feat after "Postman" were "You Keep Me Hanging On" (the Supremes--1966 and Kim Wilde--1987); "Lean on Me" (Bill Withers--1972, and Club Neuveau--1987); "Venus" (Shocking Blue--1970, and Bananarama--1988); "Killing Me Softly With His Song" (Roberta Flack--1973, and the Fugees--1996); and "Lady Marmalade" (Labelle--1975, and Pink, Chiristina Aguillera, Lil Kim and Monica--2001).
- John , Nashville, TN

Another early 60's black girl group hit. The Marvelettes did a fine job. But The Beatles version is much,much better. John Lennon who sings lead would've probably denied this. Since The Beatles loved this music so much. But it is true. They do this song like as though it was their very own. They rock it! Was on "With The Beatles" in the UK. And "The Beatles Second Album" in the U.S.
- wayne , Salem, VA

Love this song.Yes the original.The Marvelletes really did not go through that many personnel changes.It's just that when a member would leave they wouldn't replace her at all.But only five momen were members on their hits.Dobbins,Horton,Young,Anderson and Tillman.I firs theard it on the PBS show Zoom!
- Kenneth , Cleveland, OH

The Carpenters were big in Hong Kong back in the 70's. This song was very popular after "Yesterday Once More", and shot to #1 on the local charts. I like the guitar solo at the end and the rhythm section.
- Ivan , Dallas, TX

Agree. The Beatles version is quality.
- Paul , Redditch, England

The Beatles version is so much better, come on admit it!
- Ben , Cheverly, MD

Dee Dee Sharp's "Mashed Potato Time" used the same melody (and also shared a few lines)as "Please Mister Postman". Cameo-Parkway lyricist Kal Mann shared credit with Motown's songwriters to avoid a certain lawsuit.
- Rick , San Juan, United States

i like the version by the carpenters more than the original
- Ali , Islamabad, Pakistan

The Beatles' version rocks!
- Stefanie magura , Rock Hill, SC

I don't know about anyone else in this world, but in my opinion, the lead singer of this song sounded like she had a frog in her throat throughout the entire recording and couldn't get it out!
- Jerro , New Alexandria, PA

Also done by The Carpenters in the 70's.
- Maddie , Yakima, WA

Send "Please Mr. Postman" Ringtone to your Cell