Written by:Â Arthur Alexander
Recorded:Â 11 February 1963
Producer:Â George Martin
Engineer:Â Norman Smith
Released: 22 March 1963 (UK), 10 January 1964 (US)
Available on:
Please Please Me
On Air – Live At The BBC Volume 2
Personnel
John Lennon: vocals, acoustic rhythm guitar
Paul McCartney: backing vocals, bass
George Harrison: backing vocals, lead guitar
Ringo Starr: drums
About The Song
“Anna (Go to Him)” is a song written and originally recorded by Arthur Alexander. His version was released as a single by Dot Records on September 17, 1962. The Beatles recorded a cover version of the song for their debut album, Please Please Me, which was released on March 22, 1963.
The Beatles’ version of the song is a faithful rendering of the original, but it features a more energetic and upbeat tempo. George Harrison’s distinctive guitar riff is one of the highlights of the recording, and John Lennon’s vocals are full of passion and emotion.
The song’s lyrics tell the story of a man who has to let go of the woman he loves because she is in love with someone else. He tells her to go to the man she loves, even though it breaks his heart. The song is a bittersweet ode to unrequited love, and it is one of the most moving songs on the Please Please Me album.
The Beatles’ version of “Anna (Go to Him)” was a hit in the United Kingdom, reaching number twenty-two on the charts. It was also a popular song in the United States, where it reached number seventy-five on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
The song has been covered by many artists over the years, including The Rolling Stones, The Beach Boys, and Tom Petty. It remains one of the most beloved songs in the Beatles’ catalog.