Readers' Poll: The Ten Greatest Debut Albums

The Beatles were just beginning to write their own songs when they recorded Please Please Me in February of 1963. Their live show was built around covers, but they realized to take the next step they had to start writing their own material. The album kicks off with "I Saw Her Standing There" and barely lets up from there. Classics like "Twist and Shout," "Chains" and "Baby It's You" are infused with incredible joy and energy, and originals like "Do You Want to Know aq Secret," "Please Please Me" and "Love Me Do" strongly hint at the brilliance that was to come. They cut the record in just over 12 hours during the course of a single day. Few people in the room realized their work would soon change the world.