The Beatles' first single, Love Me Do, was released on October 5th 1962, exactly fifty years ago today. When the single was originally released in the United Kingdom, it peaked at number seventeen; in 1982 it was re-issued and reached number four. In the United States the single was a number one hit in 1964.
You can watch a subtitled version of 'Love Me Do' (and many other songs) at MusicEnglish.
GRAMMAR
The actual phrase 'love me do' has an unusual structure. The more standard way of using 'do' for emphasis would be 'Do love me'. In poetic or literary English the 'do' can follow the main verb, but is usually separated by a comma: "Tell me, do!". Here 'do' is really an imperative, hence the exclamation mark. So perhaps The Beatles should have called the song 'Love Me, Do!'
COMMENT
Those were the days (as Mary Hopkin, produced by Paul McCartney, once sang). As someone who grew up with The Beatles' music, and remains a fan, this anniversary makes me feel quite nostalgic. The first record I ever bought was The Beatles double LP (aka The White Album) way back in 1968. I still have the original vinyl record (as well as the remastered 2009 CD version, of course). It's amazing to think that their whole recording career spanned just 8 years—some groups take that long between releases these days!
ALSO SEE
• World celebrates birth of the Beatles 50 years after release of Love Me Do (The Guardian)
• Love Me Do: the Beatles' first hit is 50 (The Guardian)
• Beatles 50 years on: How Love Me Do inspired a generation - video (BBC News)
• Beatles Anniversary: How much for Love Me Do? (Telegraph TV)
