Classic Pop Icons

The Marvelettes’ debut single “Please Mr. Postman” is Song of the Week on Classic Pop Icons.

“Please Mr. Postman” was released in August 1961 on single, backed with “So Long Baby,” and was also the title track of the group’s debut album released three months later.

The group that would become the Marvelettes was founded in 1960 by five schoolgirls who performed together in their choir at Inkster High School in Inkster, Michigan. Inspired by groups such as the Shirelles and the Chantels, the girls called themselves the Marvels and entered a school talent contest. The performance impressed a teacher who recommended that they audition for Berry Gordy Jr whose Tamla/Motown organisation was already making an impact with songs such as “Shop Around” by the Miracles.

With a strong first audition behind them, the girls prepared an original song for a second audition. Georgia Dobbins re-worked a blues song by her friend William Garrett and the result was “Please Mr. Postman”. In a 2011 interview with the Wall Street Times, Katherine Anderson of the Marvelettes remembered presenting the song to the producers:

“When Georgia brought the song to us, we learned the words that she and Garrett had written. But once we were back at Motown to audition the song, the producers and musicians there started to fool around with it. They increased the tempo, added a new beat and made it more up to date. Everyone wanted to add their mark to the song. We were just teens and too young to know that someone could take a song and add words. Someone at Motown added the line, “Deliver the letter, the sooner the better.”

Gordy was impressed with the group and signed them, changing their name to the Marvelettes. Unfortunately for Georgia Dobbins, her role in the group would end there as family illness meant that she was needed at home.

“Please Mr Postman” became the label’s most successful song to date, as noted by Marvelettes lead singer, Gladys Horton, in a 1992 interview with PCRL radio’s Bill Randle:

“The song ‘Please Mr. Postman’ was the exact song that Berry Gordy needed to open the door wide. He was already established…things were going for him, but the song that he needed, where he never had to look back again, was ‘Please Mr Postman’.

“The postman is a universal figure. It’s something everyone all over the world can relate to – the postman and getting a letter. And then we had a cute little song to go with it, so it was the song that broke the doors wide open for the company; that really gave them the leeway to do more and more for other artists.”

The Marvelettes never repeated the chart-topping success of “Please Mr. Postman” but did manage an additional 22 pop hits over the next 11 years, including “Playboy,” “Beechwood 4-5789,” “Too Many Fish in the Sea” and “Don’t Mess With Bill”.

“Please, Mr. Postman” was added to the Grammy Hall of Fame Collection in December 2010. The collection honours “recordings of lasting qualitative or historical significance that are at least 25 years old.”

“Please Mr. Postman” – The Marvelettes

Authorship

There is some confusion over who should receive songwriting credits for “Please Mr. Postman.” The original single credited Georgia Dobbins, William Garrett, Brian Holland and Robert Bateman. Freddie Gorman also later received credit.

Katherine Anderson’s description of how the song was worked on in the studio (see above) does suggest that the producers earned the credits. However, in the 1992 PCRL radio interview, Gladys Horton was adamant that, although Holland and Batemen had helped with the arrangement, only Dobbins and Garrett should be listed as songwriters. Gorman’s contribution was non-existent according to Horton.

Recording date/location

“Please Mr. Postman” was recorded in April, 1961 at Hitsville U.S.A. (Studio A), Detroit, Michigan.

Musicians

The Marvelettes were:

• Gladys Horton – Lead and background vocals
• Wanda Young – Background vocals
• Georgeanna Tillman – Background vocals
• Wyanetta (“Juanita”) Cowart – Background vocals
• Katherine Anderson – Background vocals.

L-R – Juanita Cowart, Georgeanna Tillman, Gladys Horton, Wanda Young and Kat Anderson

The Marvelettes were backed by Motown’s Funk Brothers house band, which included:

• Richard “Popcorn” Wylie – Piano
• James Jamerson – Bass
• Benny Benjamin – Drums
• Eddie “Bongo” Brown – Percussion.

Future Motown superstar Marvin Gaye also played drums on the song.

Chart performance

“Please Mr. Postman” reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 on December 11, 1961. The song has the distinction of being the first Motown song to top the Hot 100. It also reached number one on the Billboard R&B chart.

Notable other versions

“Please Mr. Postman” – The Beatles

The Beatles’ cover is probably as well known as the original, if not more so. The band featured the song in their live act and then recorded it for their 1963 album “With the Beatles,” which also included the Motown covers “You’ve Really Got a Hold On Me” and “Money (That’s What I Want)”.

John Lennon takes the lead on “Please Mr. Postman,” with a strong double-tracked vocal, and Paul and George do a good job aping the Marvelettes backing vocal parts.

“Please Mr. Postman” – The Carpenters

The Carpenters had a big hit with their cover of “Please Mr. Postman” in 1975, matching the number one success of the original. With its middle-of-the-road production, this version lacks the energy of the original or the Beatles’ cover. It’s all very pleasant, but Karen Carpenter’s talent was better revealed by other material.

The song also appeared on the group’s 1975 album “Horizon”.

The Marvelettes’ “Please Mr. Postman” is available on a number of compilations, including “The Marvelettes – Definitive Collection”.

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