| This was the first Beatles song to catch on in
America. In 1963, the Beatles became stars in England, but couldn't
break through in the US. They couldn't get a major label to
distribute their singles in America, so songs like "Love Me Do" and
"She Loves You" were issued on small labels and flopped, even though
they were hits in England. By February 1964, America finally took
notice of The Beatles and bought this single in droves, giving them
their first US hit. It sold better in first 10 days of release in
the US than any other British single. |
| The Beatles celebrated madly when they found
out they were #1 in America. They came to America for the first time
in February 1964, a week after this hit #1, and having the top
single gave them a huge boost. Conquering the US was, and still is,
a big deal for British bands. Many groups that are huge in the UK (Oasis,
Blur) never really catch on in America. |
| John Lennon and Paul McCartney wrote this in
Jane Asher's basement. Asher was an actress who became Paul's first
high-profile girlfriend. After appearing in several movies, TV shows
and stage productions, Asher became an authority on baking, and has
her own business selling party cakes and supplying baking and
decorating equipment. She and Paul broke up in 1968. |
| The Beatles performed this on their first 2
Ed Sullivan Show appearances, which took place Feb 9th and 16th,
1964. There was a media frenzy around The Beatles, as this was #1 on
the charts and millions of people saw them on Sullivan's show. The
Beatles were booked for the show before they had a hit in the US, so
they actually got paid less than many other guests for their
appearance. |
| Bob Dylan thought the line "I can't hide" was
"I get high," and a reference to marijuana. He was surprised to
learn they had never tried pot, and became part of Beatles lore when
he introduced them to it. |
| This was one of John Lennon's favorite Beatles
songs. |
| Two parody groups made answer songs to this in
1964: "I'll Let You Hold My Hand" by The Bootles and "Yes, You Can
Hold My Hand" by The Beatlettes. |
| This was played on a Washington, D.C. radio
station before it was released in America by a DJ who got the record
from a stewardess. It was a huge hit with his listeners. |
| The first Beatles song recorded on 4 track
equipment. Some of their first songs were in mono. |
| The Beatles also cut a German version called "Komm
Gib Mir Deine Hand." The Beatles picked up some German while playing
The Star Club in Hamburg in 1962. |
| When this hit US #1 it was the first time a
British group topped the charts in the US since 1962, when "Telstar"
by The Tornados did it. The Beatles quickly began dominating the US
charts. |
