Album: (Not Released on LP)
Written by McCartney and Lennon (and considered one of their
most collaborative efforts), “From Me to You” was released as a single in 1963
and became the first number one hit on some of the British charts (second on
others). But it was not an immediate hit
in the U.S. In fact, it took Del Shannon’s cover version a year later to put
the song in the American pop charts (making it the first song written by Lennon
and McCartney to enter the U.S. charts). It was one of the last Beatles tunes
attributed to McCartney-Lennon (before taking on the Lennon-McCartney label for
good).
Inspired by some of the letters featured in New Musical Express, Paul and John began
writing “From Me to You” during a ride to Shrewsbury for a show. Performer
Kenny Lynch, who was on the same coach, apparently considered himself something
of a songwriter and tried to “help” the two before exasperatedly proclaiming
the song “bloody rubbish” by “idiots” who “don’t know music from their
backsides.”
But Paul has said that it was a “pivotal” song for the
group, marking innovation in their song structure and chord use. And the
opening “da da da da da dum dum da,” which was suggested by George Martin (and
the band at first thought unusual), proved successful, indicating to the group Martin’s
musical savvy—and perhaps cementing their trust in him.
McCartney has pointed
out that this tune—like many of their early numbers—uses “I” or “me” or “you”
as a way of connecting directly to the listener. But although this particular
song uses first person pronouns, it has no lead singer.
Paul claims he first realized the impact the Beatles had
on the musical world when he heard a milkman whistling "From Me to You."
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