DUKE

22nd November 1963

With the Beatles

The Beatles

With the Beatles

With the Beatles came out in 1963, just months after their debut Please Please Me, and it’s where you can really hear the band hitting their stride. At this point, Beatlemania was just beginning to take off, and the album captures a group that’s tight, playful, and full of energy while still showing a willingness to experiment with different sounds and styles.

The sound is classic early Beatles – jangly guitars, tight harmonies, and a rhythm section that keeps everything bouncing along. There’s a mix of rock, pop, and a bit of R&B influence, all filtered through the band’s unmistakable charm. The album feels fun and immediate, with a youthful excitement that makes it easy to get swept up in. It’s punchy, melodic, and has that infectious sense of joy that defined their early career.

Tracks like “All My Loving” and “It Won’t Be Long” showcase their knack for irresistible hooks, while covers like “Please Mister Postman” highlight their ability to make songs their own with personality and flair. Even the lesser-known tracks have this tight, confident feel that keeps the momentum going from start to finish.

What makes With the Beatles still worth revisiting today is how fresh and lively it sounds, even six decades on. It’s upbeat, cleverly crafted, and full of energy that never feels forced. It’s one of those albums that reminds you why the Beatles became such a phenomenon – fun, inventive, and endlessly listenable.

Side 1

  • It won't be long
  • All I've got to do
  • All my loving
  • Don't bother me
  • Little child
  • Til there was you
  • Please Mr. Postman

Side 2

  • Roll over Beethoven
  • Hold me tight
  • You really got a hold on me
  • I wanna be your man
  • Devil in her heart
  • Not a second time
  • Money (that's what I want)

AOTY Scores

010087Critic Score
0200154Combined
010067User Score