Throwback Thursday: The Marvelettes – “Please Mr. Postman”
In August of 1961, the Marvelettes released their debut single, “Please Mr. Postman.” The group had auditioned for Motown Records (then called Tamla) with this song just four months prior — the original lead singer of the group, Georgia Dobbins, got the song from a friend and reworked it for the audition. Dobbins ended up leaving the group after the audition, and in the months between the audition and the single release, she was replaced and the song was reworked yet again by songwriters Brian Holland and Robert Bateman — together known as “Brianbert.”
“Please Mr. Postman” peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and holds the distinction of being the very first Motown song to achieve that feat. The song has been covered numerous times in the almost six decades since its release and was also a No. 1 hit for the Carpenters in 1975.
PS: The Supremes, who had a rivalry with the Marvelettes, are in the audience during this performance, and the shady cameraman keeps pans to each Supreme’s face.
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