In April 1961, the Marvelettes (then known as "The Marvels") arranged an audition for Berry Gordy's Tamla label. Marvels member Georgia Dobbins needed an original song for their audition, and got a blues song from her friend William Garrett, which she then reworked for the group. Dobbins left the group after the audition and was replaced, Gordy renamed the group and hired "Brianbert"—Brian Holland and Robert Bateman's songwriting partnership—to rework the song yet again. Freddie Gorman, another songwriting partner of Holland (before Holland became part of the Holland–Dozier–Holland team) was also involved in the final reworking.
The Marvelettes recording features lead singer Gladys Horton hoping that the postman has brought her a letter from her boyfriend, who is away at war. Accompaniment is provided by the Funk Brothers, including Marvin Gaye on drums. The Marvelettes' version later appeared in a bar fight scene in the film Mean Streets (1973), directed by Martin Scorsese.
Songwriting credits for "Please Mr. Postman" seem to have changed over the years. The original Tamla 45 single for the Marvelettes' version credits "Dobbins/Garett/Brianbert" as the songwriters, and credits "Brianbert" as producer. The original With the Beatles album cover credited it to just Brian Holland. The 1976 Beatles discography book All Together Now credits it to Holland, Bateman, and Berry Gordy. The 1992 Motown boxed set Hitsville USA: The Motown Singles Collection credits Dobbins, Garrett, Holland, Bateman, and Gorman as the composers. The Songwriters Hall of Fame credits "Please Mr. Postman" to just Holland, Bateman, and Gorman. EMI Music Publishing, the current music publisher of the song, list all five writers in their catalog.
Personnel
Gladys Horton – Lead and background vocals
Wanda Young – Background vocals
Georgeanna Tillman – Background vocals
Wyanetta ("Juanita") Cowart – Background vocals
Katherine Anderson – Background vocals
The Funk Brothers – Instrumentation (including)
Marvin Gaye – Drums
Benny Benjamin – Drums
James Jamerson – Bass
Richard "Popcorn" Wylie – Piano
Eddie "Bongo" Brown – Percussion
Chart performance
Chart (1961) Peak
position
U.S. Billboard Hot 100 1
U.S. Billboard R&B Singles 1
Please Mr. Postman
The Marvelettes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Wait Mister Postman
(Please Mister Postman, look and see) Oh yeah
(Is there a letter in your bag for me) Please, Please Mister Postman
(Why's it been a very long time) Oh yeah
(Since I heard from this boyfriend of mine)
From my boyfriend so far away
Please Mister Postman, look and see
Is there a letter, a letter for me
I've been standin' here waitin' Mister Postman
So patiently, for just a card, or just a letter
Sayin' he's returnin' home to me
Please Mister Postman (Mister Postman, look and see) Oh yeah
(Is there a letter in your bag for me?) Please Please Mister Postman
(Why's it been a very long time) Oh yeah
(Since I heard from this boyfriend of mine)
So many days you passed me by
You saw the tears standin' in my eye
You wouldn't stop to make me feel better
By leavin' me a card or a letter
Please Mister Postman look and see (Postman postman)
Is there a letter oh yeah in your bag for me? (Postman postman)
You know its been so long (Postman postman)
Yes since I heard from this boyfriend of mine (Postman postman)
You better wait a minute, wait a minute
Oh you better wait a minute
Please please Mister Postman (Wait a minute Mister Postman)
Please check and see just one more time for me
You better wait, wait a minute
Wait a minute, wait a minute, wait a minute
Please Mister Postman
Deliver de letter the sooner de better
Wait a minute, wait a minute
Wait a minute, please Mister Postman
Wait a minute, wait a minute oh oh
The Marvelettes' song "Please Mr. Postman" is a plea from a girl eagerly waiting for a letter from her long-distance boyfriend. The song takes the form of a conversation between a young woman and her local postman. The girl implores the postman to look in his bag and see if there is a letter for her. She pleads with him to offer any clues about why it has been so long since she heard from her boyfriend. The girl stands waiting patiently, hoping for any news about her loved one.
The lyrics convey the desperation of someone in love who has been left hanging for a long time. The girl laments her situation and fears the worst. She is lonely for her boyfriend, and without any communication from him, she is left to speculate about what might have happened. She concludes with a final plea, urging the postman to deliver a letter from her lover as soon as possible.
"Please Mr. Postman" was an instant hit when released in 1961. The song was co-written by Motown founder Berry Gordy and became the Marvelettes' first number-one pop hit single. The iconic single was later covered by several other artists, including the Beatles, who also released their version as a single. Interestingly, the song was not originally intended for the Marvelettes; Gordy intended it to be sung by the Marvelettes' labelmates, the Supremes. However, when the Supremes were not available, the Marvelettes were given the song instead.
Line by Line Meaning
(Wait) Oh yes, wait a minute Mister Postman (Wait)
Please hold on, Mr. Postman, don't leave yet
Wait Mister Postman
Please wait, Mr. Postman
(Please Mister Postman, look and see) Oh yeah
Would you kindly check if there's a letter in your bag?
(Is there a letter in your bag for me) Please, Please Mister Postman
I'm anxiously waiting for a letter from my distant boyfriend
(Why's it been a very long time) Oh yeah
It's been quite a while since I last received a message from him
(Since I heard from this boyfriend of mine)
It's been too long since he's contacted me
There must be some word today
I have a strong feeling that there's a letter for me today
From my boyfriend so far away
From my distant boyfriend, who is currently away
Please Mister Postman, look and see
Kindly check if there's a letter for me
Is there a letter, a letter for me
Has my boyfriend sent me a letter?
I've been standin' here waitin' Mister Postman
I've been patiently waiting for the postman to arrive
So patiently, for just a card, or just a letter
I've been waiting eagerly for any type of correspondence from my boyfriend
Sayin' he's returnin' home to me
Assuring me that he'll be coming back soon
So many days you passed me by
The postman passed by very often these past few days
You saw the tears standin' in my eye
I was visibly upset and crying
You wouldn't stop to make me feel better
The postman didn't stop to comfort me
By leavin' me a card or a letter
By simply leaving me a card or letter in the mailbox
Please Mister Postman look and see (Postman postman)
Please check again if there's a letter for me
Is there a letter oh yeah in your bag for me? (Postman postman)
Has my boyfriend finally sent me a letter?
You know its been so long (Postman postman)
It's been far too long since I've had any news from him
(You better wait a minute, wait a minute)
Please hold on for a moment
Oh you better wait a minute
Please wait a little longer
Please please Mister Postman (Wait a minute Mister Postman)
Please, Mr. Postman, wait for me
Please check and see just one more time for me
Please check one more time if there's a letter for me
You better wait, wait a minute
Please wait just a little bit longer
Deliver de letter the sooner de better
Please deliver the letter as soon as possible
Wait a minute, wait a minute
Just a moment, please
Please Mister Postman
Please, Mr. Postman
Wait a minute, wait a minute oh oh
Just another moment, please
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Brian Holland, Freddie Gorman, Georgia Dobbins, Robert Bateman, William Garrett
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@harrypalmer3481
Everything about this song, the production, recording & performance is sublime. The vocals are astounding. Lightening caught in a bottle.
@trainsacomin2088
Whoa, yeah. ...
@darcydiamond8645
Whoa, hell, yeah! Sublime.
@robertflegal1735
I am 71 years old. Their performance was amazing. This is one of my favorite songs that I actually remember!!!
@marysalvi242
@robertflegal1735 Hi, I'm 75yrs old and remember singing back then - and at the age of 34 I was so blessed to be in a Cabaret show in Boston MA, "Dancin" In The St" for 2, yup two years of a show that all the songs were Motown songs and this song was, in the first part. Man, what a wonderful gig. Take care
@bishan2281
yeh...this is a gem indeed....
@christianebonnaves5783
I am73 years ago
@Error.1982
Simply splendid, such a unique song and the talent they have is excellent
@johngiovine8792
Music rarely gets any better than this!
@terrasiho5606
So right and just look at the crap the make today.