Formal Structure in Beatles Songs, Part 1: Please Please Me

My posting from 12/1 on "Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite" piqued my interest a little bit in regards to the part where I wrote, "Structurally speaking, 'Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite' is unusual in that it has no chorus. This is strange because it is often the chorus that is the most catchy and easily recognizable part of a song". That got me wondering what other Beatles songs lack a chorus. So this posting will be the first in a series analyzing the formal structure of Beatles songs. Before digging too deeply into this idea, however, I first need to define a few terms. (How can I know if a song has a chorus or not if I'm not even sure what a chorus is?) So here are my definitions of the following structural terms in rough order of frequency of use in Beatles music:

Verse - the main part or "body" of the song. The energy of verses tends to be low, and the music is almost always repeated, but the lyrics usually change with each subsequent verse.

Middle 8 - a section (almost always) in the middle of a song, and typically (but not always) 8 measures in duration. The primary structural function of the middle 8 is to contrast with the verses.

Chorus - the catchy and high energy part of the song that features both the same music and lyrics on each iteration. As the name implies, this section usually features a thicker texture than in any other section. (Often several singers are heard on the chorus, whereas other sections tend to feature a single lead vocalist.)

Refrain - when used (and not all songs do), it is found at the end of the verse. Due to its location, it could well be interpreted as part of the verse (depending on the level of structural analysis). Consequently, I will often use the single label “verse + refrain” rather than separating them into two independent sections. Where the verses use different lyrics set to the same music in each iteration, the refrain always uses the same (or at least very similar) lyrics set to the same music.

Introduction - the beginning of a song, as distinct from other structural sections (although it is often but not always based on one of those other sections)

Coda - The ending of a song, as distinct from other structural sections (although it is often but not always based on one of those other sections)

Break/Solo - an instrumental section (a "break" for the singer), usually in the middle of a song (and sometimes reprised in the coda)

Transition - reserved for passages that segue from one section to another that do not fit better into another category

Tag - a brief but distinctive melodic snippet that appears periodically throughout the song. Often also called a riff, or a motive.

Also, these diagrams will illustrate two levels of analysis (macro and micro), because within each macro section there is often a phrase pattern that is just as structured on a smaller scale as the whole song itself if on a larger scale. This micro structure analysis will use Walter Everett’s “SRDC” form, as described in The Beatles as Musicians.
          Statement: an expository phrase.
          Restatement: a repetition of S
          Departure: a contrast with S
          Conclusion: a closing gesture, often based on S



FORMAL STRUCTURE OF SONGS ON PLEASE PLEASE ME

[6] "I Saw Her Standing There": AABA with solo and partial reprise
          Introduction 0:00-0:07 based on verse (4 m)

          (A) Verse 1 0:07-0:32
                    statement (8 m)
                    departure (4 m)
                    conclusion (4 m)

           (A) Verse 2 0:32-0:56

           (B) Middle 8 0:56-1:10
                    statement (2 m)
                    restatement (2 m)
                    restatement (2 m)
                    departure (4 m)

           (A) Verse 3 1:10-1:35

           (C) Solo (ind.) 1:35-1:59

           (B) Middle 8 1:59-2:14

           (A) Verse 4 2:14-2:37

           Coda (verse)     2:37-2:51
                    conclusion (4 m)
                    conclusion (4 m)


[8] "Misery": AABA with partial reprise                                        
          Introduction 0:00-0:10 based on verse (4 m)

          (A) Verse 1 0:10-0:25
                    statement (2 m)
                    restatement (2 m)
                    departure (2 m)
                    conclusion (2 m)

          (A) Verse 2 0:25-0:39

          (B) Middle 8 0:39-0:53
                    statement (4 m)
                    restatement (2 m)
                    departure (2 m)

          (A) Verse 3 0:53-1:08

          (B) Middle 8 1:08-1:22

          (A) Verse 4 1:22-1:37

          Coda 1:37-1:45 based on verse (6 m)
                    conclusion (2 m)
                    conclusion (2 m)
                    conclusion (2 m)


[9b] "Anna (Go To Him)": AABA with partial reprise         
          Introduction 0:00-0:09 based on verse (4 m)

          (A) Verse 1 0:09-0:37
                    introduction (2 m)
                    statement (2 m)
                   restatement (2 m)
                    departure (2 m)
                    conclusion (4 m)

          (A’) Verse 2 0:37-0:57
                    introduction (2 m)
                    statement (2 m)
                    restatement (2 m)
                    departure (2 m)
                    conclusion (2 m)

          (B) Middle 8 0:57-1:31
                    statement (8 m)
                    retransition (8 m)

           (A) Verse 3 1:31-1:49

          (B) Middle 8 1:49-2:24

          (A) Verse 4 2:24-2:53
                    introduction (2 m)
                    statement (2 m)
                    restatement (2 m)
                    departure (2 m)
                    conclusion (8 m)


[9d] "Chains": AABA with partial reprise
          Introduction 0:00-0:07 based on verse (4 m)

           (A) Verse 1              0:07-0:29 12 bar blues

           (A) Verse 2              0:29-0:51

           (B) Middle 8           0:51-1:06
                    statement (4 m)
                    partial restatement (2 m)
                    retransition (2 m)
          
           (A) Verse 3         1:06-1:28

           (B) Middle 8            1:28-1:43

           (A) Verse 4          1:43-2:06

           Coda (verse)    2:06-2:23


[9c] "Boys": Simple Verse-Chorus
          Introduction    0:00-0:07 based on verse (4 m)

           Verse 1 + Refrain 0:07-0:27 12 bar blues

          Verse 2 + Refrain        0:27-0:47

           Chorus         0:47-1:06 12 bar blues

           Solo           1:06-1:27 12 bar blues

           Verse 3 + Refrain 1:27-1:47

           Chorus         1:47-2:08

           Chorus 2:08-2:23


[4] "Ask Me Why": AABA with full reprise                                
          Intro (verse, 2 m)   0:00-0:03
          
          (A) Verse A1             0:03-0:26
                    statement (4 m)
                    restatement (4 m)
                    inconclusive departure (5 m)

          (A) Verse A2        0:26-0:50
                    statement (4 m)
                    restatement (4 m)
                    conclusive departure (4 m)

          (B) Middle 8      0:50-1:04
                    statement (4 m)
                    conclusive restatement (4 m)

          (A’) Verse B1          1:04-1:15
                    conclusive statement (6 m)

          (A) Verse A3       1:15-1:38
                    statement (4 m)
                    restatement (4 m)
                    inconclusive departure (5 m)

          (A’) Verse B2           1:38-1:49

          (B) Middle 8         1:49-2:03

          (A’) Verse B3   2:03-2:24
                    conclusive statement (5 m)
                    inconclusive S fragment (2 m)
                    conclusive S fragment (2 m)


[3] "Please Please Me": AABA                    
          Introduction 0:00-0:07 based on verse (4 m)
                    tag (2 m)
                    tag (2 m)

          (A) Verse 1 + Refrain   0:07-0:35
                    statement (4 m)
                    restatement (4 m)
                    departure (4 m)
                    conclusion (4 m)

           (A) Verse 2 + Refrain        0:35-1:02

           (B) Middle 8          1:02-1:19
                    statement (4 m)
                    restatement (4 m)
                    tag (2 m)

          (A) Verse 3 + Refrain 1:19-1:50
                    statement (4 m)
                    restatement (4 m)
                    departure (4 m)
                    conclusion (2 m)
                    conclusion + tag (2 m)
                    conclusion + tag (2 m)
                    Coda (independent) 1:50-1:57


[1] "Love Me Do": AABA with partial reprise                             
          Introduction    0:00-0:13 based on refrain (8 m)

          (A) Verse + Refrain     0:13-0:34
                    statement (2 m)
                    restatement (2 m)
                    restatement (2 m)
                    departure (3 m)
                    conclusion (4 m)

          (A) Verse + Refrain     0:34-0:55

          (B) Middle 8              0:55-1:09
                    statement (4 m)
                    conclusive restatement (4 m)

          (A) Verse + Refrain     1:09-1:30

          (B) Solo (middle 8)    1:30-1:49
                    statement (4 m)
                    conclusive restatement (4 m)
                    extension (4 m)

          (A) Verse + Refrain    1:49-2:19
                    statement (2 m)
                    restatement (2 m)
                    restatement (2 m)
                    departure (3 m)
                    conclusion (9 m)


[2] "P. S. I Love You": AABA with partial reprise and an extra B at the start           
          (B) Middle 8   0:00-0:14
                    statement (2 m)
                    restatement (2 m)
                    restatement (2 m)
                    conclusion (2 m)

          (A) Verse 1 + Refrain (10 m) 0:14-0:32

          (A) Verse 2 + Refrain 0:32-0:50

          (B) Middle 8                 0:50-1:04

          (A) Verse 3 + Refrain 1:04-1:22

          (B) Middle 8                 1:22-1:37

          (A) Verse 4 + Refrain (14 m) 1:37-2:01


[9e] "Baby It's You": Simple Verse                            
          Introduction 0:00-0:13 based on refrain (6 m)

           (A) Verse 1 + Refrain 0:13-0:58
                    statement (4 m)
                    restatement (4 m)
                    departure (9 m)
                    conclusion (4 m)

           (A) Verse 2 + Refrain 0:58-1:43

           (A) Solo/Verse 3 + Refrain 1:43-2:35

NOTE: The statement and restatement phrases of Verse 3 are the solo, while the departure and conclusion of Verse 3 are sung.


[7] "Do You Want To Know A Secret": AABA   
          Introduction   0:00-0:14 musically independent (5? m)
          
          (A) Verse 1                  0:14-0:41
                    statement (2 m)
                    restatement (2 m)
                    departure (2 m)
                    restatement (2 m)
                    restatement (2 m)
                    inconclusive conclusion (4 m)

          (A) Verse 2 0:41-1:08
          
          (B) Middle 8            1:08-1:20
                    statement (2 m)
                    restatement (2 m)
                    transition (2 m)
                    
          (A) Verse 3     1:20-1:55


[6b] "A Taste Of Honey": ABAB
          Introduction    0:00-0:15 based on refrain (8 m)

          (A) Verse 1 + Refrain 0:15-0:43
                    statement (4 m)
                    restatement (4 m)
                    conclusion (4 m)
                    extension (4 m)

          (B) Middle 8    0:43-1:03
                    statement (2 m)
                    restatement (2 m)
                    conclusion (2 m)
                    extension (4 m)

          (A) Verse 2 + Refrain 1:03-1:32

          (B) Middle 8        1:32-2:00
                    statement (2 m)
                    restatement (2 m)
                    conclusion (4 m)
                    extension (4 m)


[5] "There's A Place": AABA                    
          Introduction 0:00-0:06 based on verse (4 m)

          (A) Verse 1 + Refrain 0:06-0:31
                    introduction (1 m)
                    statement A (2 m)
                    restatement A (2 m)
                    restatement A (2 m)
                    departure (2 m)
                    statement B (2 m)
                    restatement B (2 m)
                    inconclusive departure (2 m)

          (A’) Verse 2 (no Refrain)     0:31-0:54
                    introduction (1 m)
                    statement (2 m)
                    restatement (2 m)
                    restatement (2 m)
                    departure (2 m)
                    transition (4 m)

          (B) Middle 8    0:54-1:09
                    statement (4 m)
                    restatement (5 m)

          (A) Verse 3 + Refrain 1:09-1:35
          
          Coda (verse) 1:35-1:48 based on verse (7 m)


[9f] “Twist And Shout": Simple Verse                       
          Introduction   0:00-0:08 based on same chords found throughout (4 m)

          (A) Verse 1   0:08-0:38
                    statement (8 m)
                    restatement (8 m)

          (A) Verse 2   0:38-1:09
          
          (A’) Break           1:09-1:36
                    guitar solo (8 m)
                    retransition (6 m)

          (A’’) Verse 3    1:36-2:32
                    statement (8 m)
                    restatement (8 m)
                    extension (6 m)
                    retransition (4 m)
                    conclusion (2 m)