About the Song
In 1963, the Bee Gees recorded a spirited cover of the The Beatles’ hit “Please Please Me” during their early days in Australia. While the track never became a major commercial single for them, it remains a fascinating snapshot of their formative years—years before their global superstardom and signature high-falsettos.
What makes this version especially intriguing is how young Barry, Robin and Maurice Gibb approached a rock & roll anthem with earnestness rather than mimicry. They weren’t yet the polished pop-masters of the late ’60s and ’70s—they were young artists playing in harmony, learning their craft, and absorbing influences. In their take, you hear a youthful trio reaching for the energy of the Beatles’ original but also rooting it in their own vocal blend. The harmonies are tentative yet charming; the tempo brisk; the feel more live-studio than elaborate production.
For an older listener viewing the Bee Gees’ journey in full, this track offers a window into the “before” phase—a reminder that every great act begins somewhere, often with covers, experiments, and the act of imitation. And while this cover isn’t the emotional depth of their later work (“To Love Somebody,” “How Deep Is Your Love,” etc.), it’s valuable precisely because it’s youthful, raw, and sincere. You hear young voices striving toward something bigger.
In practice, this performance works best viewed as a historical piece: evidence that the Bee Gees were attentive to popular currents (like the Beatles fever) but were also shaping their own identity. For mature listeners who’ve followed their catalogue, “Please Please Me” reminds us of how far they travelled—from covers in Australia to defining voices in international pop and disco.
If you seek a deeper insight beyond the hits, this rendition is worth a listen—it’s the sound of ambition, harmony and budding artistry, captured before the spotlight fully found them.