(Saturday, February 1, 1964) — “Please Please Me” by the English rock band The Beatles debuted at #68 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, the group’s third appearance on the chart following “I Want To Hold Your Hand” and “She Loves You.”

It was the title track of their first studio LP, released in the UK, which was recorded to capitalise on the success of the single.

It is a John Lennon composition (credited to Lennon–McCartney), although its ultimate form was significantly influenced by producer George Martin.

The single was released in the UK on Jan. 11, 1963, and reached No. 1 on the New Musical Express and Melody Maker charts. However, it only reached No. 2 on the Record Retailer chart, which subsequently evolved into the UK Singles Chart.

The single, as initially released with “Ask Me Why” on the B-side, failed to make much impact in the U.S. in February 1963, but when re-released there on Jan. 3, 1964, (this time with “From Me to You” on the B-side), it would reach No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Rolling Stone ranked the song at No. 184 on its list of the “500 Greatest Songs of All Time,” placing it 15th among Beatles songs on that list.