About The Song
“Please Mr. Postman” is a song co-written by Georgia Dobbins, William Garrett, Freddie Gorman, Brian Holland, and Robert Bateman. It marks the debut single for the Marvelettes on the Tamla (Motown) label, recognized as Motown’s first track to reach the number-one spot on the Billboard Hot 100 pop singles chart. This achievement occurred in late 1961, and the single also claimed the top position on the R&B chart.
In early 1975, The Carpenters’ cover of “Please Mr. Postman” once again secured the number-one position on the Billboard Hot 100, bringing the song back to the pinnacle of success. Notably, the Beatles covered the song in 1963, adding to its legacy with a rendition by the British rock group.
In 2017, the song “Feel It Still” by Portugal. The Man drew inspiration from “Please Mr. Postman,” with Brian Holland receiving a credit for his contribution to the original composition. The enduring appeal of “Please Mr. Postman” is evident in its multiple covers and its lasting influence on later musical creations.
In April 1961, the Marvelettes, originally known as the Marvels, organized an audition for Berry Gordy’s Tamla label. Georgia Dobbins, the Marvels’ initial lead singer, found herself in need of an original song for their audition. She received a blues song from her friend William Garrett, which she then adapted for the group. After the audition, Dobbins left the group and was subsequently replaced.
Berry Gordy, in charge of the Tamla label, decided to rename the group and enlisted the songwriting partnership of “Brianbert” – Brian Holland and Robert Bateman – to further refine the song. Freddie Gorman, a Detroit postman and a previous songwriting collaborator with Holland (before Holland joined the Holland–Dozier–Holland team), also played a role in the final reworking of the song.
The attribution of songwriting credits for “Please Mr. Postman” has been inconsistent. Journalist Ben Fong-Torres attributes the song to Holland, Bateman, Gorman, Dobbins, and Garrett. The original Tamla 45 single for the Marvelettes’ rendition credits “Dobbins/Garett/Brianbert” as the songwriters and designates “Brianbert” as the producer. However, the original With the Beatles album cover credits only Brian Holland, while the 1987 CD release credits it to “Dobbin-Garrett-Garman-Brianbert.” In contrast, the 1976 Beatles discography book All Together Now attributes the songwriting 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 attributes “Please Mr. Postman” to Holland, Bateman, and Gorman, while EMI Music Publishing, the current music publisher, lists all five writers in their catalog.
Musically, the song is played in 4/4 time and follows the common I–vi–IV–V chord progression. The melody is hexatonic, deliberately avoiding “blue” notes.
The Marvelettes’ recording, produced by “Brianbert” (Holland and Bateman), features lead singer Gladys Horton expressing hope that the postman has delivered a letter from her boyfriend. The rhythm section consists of piano, electric bass, and drums. Marvin Gaye, who faced a commercial setback with the failure of his 1961 debut album, played the drums on “Please Mr. Postman” during his stint as a studio musician in the same year. Gaye’s drumming style includes a busy backbeat with snare hits on the two and four beats and ride cymbal taps each half beat. He uses fills for smooth transitions between song sections. The bass alternates between root and fifth chords, while the electric rhythm guitar is subtly present in the mix. Handclaps are notably prominent. Musicologist Walter Everett suggests that the appearance of reverb on the lead vocal at 2:10 may result from a vocal overdub being “punched into a mismatched circuit.”
Video
Lyrics
(Wait) Oh yes, wait a minute, Mr. Postman
(Wait) Wai-hey-hey-hey-it, Mr. Postman(Please, Mr. Postman, look and see) Whoa yeah
(Is there a letter in your bag for me?) Please, please, Mr. Po-oh-ostman
(‘Cause it’s been a mighty long time) Whoa yeah
(Since I heard from this boyfriend of mine)There must be some word today
From my boyfriend so far away
Please, Mr. Postman, look and see
Is there a letter, a letter for me?
I’ve been standin’ here waitin’, Mr. Postman
So so patiently
For just a card or just a letter
Sayin’ he’s returnin’ home to mePlease, Mr. Postman
(Please, Mr. Postman, look and see) Whoa yeah
(Is there a letter in your bag for me?) Please, please, Mr. Po-oh-oh-ostman
(‘Cause it’s been a mighty long time) Whoa yeah
(Since I heard from this boyfriend of mine)So many days, you’ve 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 letterPlease, Mr. Postman, look and see
Is there a letter, oh yeah, in your bag for me?
You know it’s been so long
Yeah, since I heard from this boyfriend of mineYou better wait a minute, wait a minute
(Wait a minute, Mr. Postman)
Whoa, you better wait a minute
Please, please, Mr. Postman (Wait a minute, Mr. Postman)
Please check and see
Just one more time for meYou gotta wait a minute (wait), wait a minute (Wait a minute, Mr. Postman)
Oh you better wait a minute, wait a minute
Please, Mr. Po-ostman (Wait a minute, Mr. Postman)
Don’t pass me by, you see the tears in my eyesYou better wait (Wait)
Wait a minute (Wait a minute, Mr. Postman)
Wait a minute, wait a minute, wait a minute
(Wait, wait a minute, Mr. Postman)
Please Mr. Postman