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.

 

Record #0813: Four By the Beatles (EP) – THE BEATLES

A1 “Roll Over Beethoven”, A2 “All My Loving”, B1 “This Boy”, B2 “Please, Mr. Postman”

Capitol EAP 1-2121 (original, Los Angeles pressing) USA, 11. May 1964
Words & Music by: A1 – Chuck Berry; A2 – John Lennon, Paul McCartney; B1 - Paul McCartney, John Lennon; B2 – Brian Holland
Musicians: John Lennon (rhythm guitar; backing vocals on A2; double-tracked lead vocals and acoustic guitar on B1; double-tracked lead vocals on B2), Paul McCartney (bass; double-tracked lead vocals and harmony vocals on A2; harmony vocals on B1; backing vocals on B2), George Harrison (lead guitar; double-tracked lead vocals on A1; backing vocals on A2 & B2; harmony vocals on B1), Ringo Starr (drums)
Recording sessions: Produced by George Martin at EMI Studios, Abbey Road, London, UK; A1, A2 & B2 – 30. July 1963; B1 – 17. October 1963
Highest chart positions:  US #92

Two originals, one rock’n’roll standard and one Motown classic; that’s the base for this release.

This was the first of two Beatles Eps released by Capitol. Canadian Capitol Records also released the same EP, but it was a commercial failure there as the fans already had the songs on singles.

In my opinion, the B-side has much better songs on this record. 

List price:  VG+ is $50 and NM $100. Picture sleeve VG+ $150, NM $300.