Record #0820: Ticket To Ride / Yes It Is – THE BEATLES

Capitol 5407 (original) USA, 19. April 1965
Words & Music by:  Side A – John Lennon, Paul McCartney; Side B - John Lennon, Paul McCartney
Musicians: John Lennon (double-tracked lead vocal, rhythm guitar on side A, ), Paul McCartney (harmony vocal, bass; lead guitar on side A), George Harrison (12-string lead guitar & rhythm guitar on side A; harmony vocals and lead guitar on side B), Ringo Starr (drums, tambourine & handclaps on side A; drums and tambourine on side B)
Recording sessions: Produced by George Martin at EMI Studios, Abbey Road, London, UK; Side A – on 15. February 1965; Side B - on 16. February 1965
Highest chart positions: Side A – US #1, Canada #1, Australia #1, New Zealand #1, UK #1, Ireland #1, Netherlands #1, Germany #2, Norway #1, Sweden #1, Finland #3; Side B – US #46

Although both tracks are generally regarded as Lennon compositions, McCartney also contributed to each.

“Ticket To Ride” was featured in the movie “Help!”.

The Carpenters covered “Ticket To Ride” on their first single in 1969 (A&M 1142). It charted in Adult Contemporary in both the USA (#19) and Canada (#24) and in US Billboard Hot 100 (#54).

The harmonies in “Yes It Is” are absolutely fantastic!

The single peaked at number 3 in Finland in May 1965. There were two local artists, Katri Helena (“Minne tuuli kuljettaa”) and Kari Kuuva (”Pikku Nina”) ahead of it.

I don’t seem to have the record itself. I must add it to my “wanted list”.

List price: Original release (orange & yellow swirl, no “subsidiary of…” text) VG+ is $15, NM $30; picture sleeves VG+ $50, NM $100.

 

Record #0819: From Me To You / Thank You Girl – THE BEATLES

Parlophone R 5015 (reissue) UK, 6. December 1982
Words & Music by:  Side A – Paul McCartney, John Lennon; Side B - Paul McCartney, John Lennon
Musicians: John Lennon (vocals, rhythm guitar, harmonica), Paul McCartney (vocals, bass), George Harrison (lead guitar), Ringo Starr (drums)
Recording sessions: Produced by George Martin at EMI Studios, Abbey Road, London, UK; Side A – on 5. March 1963; Side B - on 5. & 13. March 1963
Highest chart positions: (the reissue didn’t chart) Side A – US #41, Canada #6, Australia #9, New Zealand #1, UK #1, Ireland #1, Norway #9, Sweden #5; Side B – US #35

Producer George Martin and Brian Epstein originally wanted the Beatles to release “How Do You Do It?”, a Mitch Murray song (that had already been rejected by Adam Faith and Brian Poole). They wanted it on the two preceding singles, too. However, “From Me To You” was ultimately chosen here instead.

Gerry and the Pacemakers released “How Do You Do It?” on 1. March 1963. Martin produced it and Epstein managed them, too, so they both got what they wanted- and it was a UK #1 hit.  I have posted that record here.

The Beatles’ version of “How Do You Do It?” wasn’t released until “Anthology 1” in 1995.

This was issued for the 20^th anniversary of the original UK release.

List price: Not in Goldmine catalogue; 16 EUR on 45cat.com and about 15–20 EUR on eBay.

 

Record #0818: Love Me Do / P.S. I Love You – THE BEATLES

Capitol B-5189 (reissue) USA, 19. November 1982
Words & Music by:  Side A - John Lennon, Paul McCartney; Side B - John Lennon, Paul McCartney
 Musicians: John Lennon (vocals, harmonica, rhythm guitar on side B), Paul McCartney (vocals and bass), George Harrison (lead guitar, vocals on side B), Ringo Starr (tambourine on side A, maracas on side B), Andy White (drums)
Recording sessions: Produced by George Martin at EMI Studios, Abbey Road, London, UK, 4. & 11. September 1962
Highest chart positions: (reissue charts 1982) Side A – US (no), UK #4, Ireland #4, Netherlands #32; Side B – didn’t chart

I have an earlier post of the original US release here. In that post I included a version of “Love Me Do”, where Ringo played the drums. I think he did well. Here’s a “Live at the BBC” recording of “P.S. I Love You” – he does well here, too. I think Martin was a bit hasty to initially reject Ringo.

This was issued for the 20^th anniversary of the original UK release.

List price:  Very Good+ is $2,50, Near Mint is $5; picture sleeves VG+ $2,50, Near Mint is $5.