Ask Me Why

Some of it is put as a question, and the lyric touches the motifs of love and communication, which the Beatles used more in 1968 than in any other year. The writing draws on R&B, and worth a footnote, the line "I'm always thinking of you" turns up in one other Beatles song, 'You Really Got a Hold on Me'.

'Ask Me Why' is a merseybeat and R&B song with Motown influences underneath (modeled on Smokey Robinson & the Miracles), in E major at roughly 108 BPM. No Beatles song before it reaches for aug, and it has no chorus. A curiosity, the chords run A → B7 → E → B7 → E, the same move 'Hey Jude' makes as B♭ → C7 → F → C7 → F7.

The track came out of EMI Studio 2, remade in six takes after a June attempt with Pete Best was deemed unsuitable. The Gibson J-160E was Lennon's rhythm guitar, which they used more in 1964 than in any other year. This one came out of a two-song day, the 3rd and 4th of their career.

The words and the music are both Lennon's. It was played the way the band normally lined up, with Lennon on rhythm guitar, McCartney on bass, Harrison on lead guitar and Starr on drums, 1963 being the year it turns up most.

This song was issued as the B-side of 'Please Please Me' in the UK and US. Not separately charted. America got it twelve months later, on Introducing The Beatles, put out by Vee-Jay. This track was the 1st of 32 released in 1963, and the 3rd they ever made.