Record #0816: All My Loving / I Saw Her Standing There – THE BEATLES

Parlophone 45-DPY-659 (original) Finland, 1964 (probably in March, when entered the Finnish charts)
Words & Music by:  Side A – John Lennon, Paul McCartney; Side B - John Lennon, Paul McCartney
Musicians: John Lennon (backing vocals, rhythm guitar, handclaps on side B), Paul McCartney (double-tracked lead vocals on side A, lead vocals on side B, bass, handclaps on side B), George Harrison (lead guitar, rhythm guitar on side A, handclaps on side B), Ringo Starr (drums, handclaps on side B)
Recording sessions: Produced by George Martin at EMI Studios, Abbey Road, London, UK; Side A – 30.July 1963; Side B - 11. February 1963
Highest chart positions:  Side A - Finland #1, US #45, Canada #1, Australia #1, New Zealand #6, Germany #32, Netherlands #2, Denmark #3, Sweden #1, Norway #1; Side B – US #14, Canada #1, Australia #1, New Zealand #1, Denmark #1, Sweden #14

It’s a little surprising that “All My Loving” was never released as a single in the UK nor in the States. Fair quantities of the Canadian release were exported to the States enabling it to get #45 there.

The Finnish release topped the monthly charts in Finland in April, May and June 1964 and it was still #2 in July, #3 in August and #5 in September (when the chart was topped by “A Hard Day’s Night”).

The picture has both first pressing and a later one. The 1^st ones misspelled Lennon as “Lennen” on both sides.

List price:  Not in my US price catalog. These have been sold mostly for 20-45 EUR in eBay, but one fist pressing was sold for 98 EUR in 2022. This is listed for 28 euros in 45cat.com.

 

Record #0815: Paperback Writer / Rain – THE BEATLES

Parlophone 45-DPY-699 (original) Finland, 30. or 31. May 1966 (entered Finnish charts in May))
Words & Music by:  Side A – John Lennon, Paul McCartney; Side B - John Lennon, Paul McCartney
Musicians: John Lennon (backing vocals and tambourine on side A; lead vocals and guitar on side B), Paul McCartney (lead vocals, lead guitar (riff) and bass on side A; backing vocals, bass & guitar on side B), George Harrison (backing vocals, lead guitar (fills) and rhythm guitar on side A; backing vocals on side B), Ringo Starr (drums, tambourine on side B )
Recording sessions: Produced by George Martin at EMI Studios, Abbey Road, London, UK; Side A - on 13. & 14. April 1966; Side B – 14. & 16. April 1966
Highest chart positions:  Side A – Finland #4, US #1, Canada #1, UK #1, Ireland #1, Australia #1, New Zealand #1, Germany #1, Netherlands #1, Norway #1, Denmark #15, Sweden #1; Side B – US #23, Belgium #12, New Zealand #31

McCartney got the inspiration for “Paperback Writer” after reading a Daily Mail article about an aspiring author. Lennon recalled in the 70’s that he helped with some of the lyrics, but otherwise it was Paul’s song.

Lennon once claimed that “Rain” was written by him alone. McCartney has said that he penned 30% of it. It does sound more like a Lennon’s song.
Petula Clark covered “Rain” in 1966 and released it on her album “I Couldn’t Live Without Your Love” (UK albums # 11, US albums #43).

This is one of my favourites by the Fab Four. Ringo’s drumming is spot on (especially on the flipside).

List price:  Not in my US price catalog. These have been sold for 20-40 EUR in eBay.

 

Record #0814: She Loves You / I’ll Get You – THE BEATLES

Swan S-4152 (re-release) USA, 25. January 1964
Words & Music by:  Side A – John Lennon, Paul McCartney; Side B - John Lennon, Paul McCartney
Musicians: John Lennon (vocals, rhythm guitar, harmonica on side B), Paul McCartney (vocals, bass, handclaps on side B), George Harrison (lead guitar, vocals, handclaps on side B), Ringo Starr (drums, handclaps on side B)
Recording sessions: Produced by George Martin at EMI Studios, Abbey Road, London, UK on 1. July 1963
Highest chart positions:  Side A – US #1, Canada #1, UK #1, Ireland #2, Australia #3, New Zealand #1, Germany #7, Norway #1, Denmark #1, Sweden #1, Finland #1; Side B – (none)

This was the Beatles’ breakthrough single, topping many charts worldwide.

In Europe this was released already in 1963 (UK 23. August). The first US release was on 16. September 1963. It was released by Swan Records, and the catalogue number was same as here. It sold only about 1000 copies.

When the Beatlemania started, the demand for this (and other Beatles records) was so high that these had to be pressed in multiple locations, hence there are many label variants. This one was pressed at RCA Custom in Rockaway, NJ.

John and Paul wrote “She Loves You” in the Turk’s Hotel in Newcastle on 26. June 1963. They wrote “I’ll Get You” at John’s aunt Mimi’s house in Liverpool.

List price:  VG+ is $15, NM $30. Many variants exist. The one without text “Don’t drop out” is VG+ $25, NM $50. White labels w/ blue print are rare. Picture sleeves VG+ $60, NM $120.