The Beatles Bible

The Beatles' first feature film, 1963's A Hard Day's Night, is to be released on Blu-ray Disc in October, according to web retailer Amazon. Read more »

Recorded: 16 April 1964
Producer: George Martin
Engineer: Norman Smith

Released: 10 July 1964 (UK), 26 June 1964 (US)

George Harrison: Rickenbacker 360/12 guitar
John Lennon: Gibson J-160 6-string acoustic guitar
Paul McCartney: Hofner violin bass
Ringo Starr: snare drum, cymbal
George Martin: Steinway grand piano

The distinctive chord which opens A Hard Day's Night became one of the most iconic sounds in The Beatles' output. Instantly recognisable, it was the perfect beginning to the group's debut feature film. Read more »

Recorded: September 1962-April 1970
Released: 13 November 2000

Tracklisting:
Love Me Do
From Me To You
She Loves You
I Want To Hold Your Hand
Can't Buy Me Love
A Hard Day's Night
I Feel Fine
Eight Days A Week
Ticket To Ride
Help!
Yesterday
Day Tripper
We Can Work It Out
Paperback Writer
Yellow Submarine
Eleanor Rigby
Penny Lane
All You Need Is Love
Hello, Goodbye
Lady Madonna
Hey Jude
Get Back
The Ballad Of John And Yoko
Something
Come Together
Let It Be
The Long And Winding Road

1 collates The Beatles' number one hit singles, charting their rise from tentative R&B-influenced rockers through to era-defining songwriters, encompassing guitar pop, childhood singalongs, strings-based balladry, psychedelia, boogie woogie and much more along the way. Read more »

Written by: Lennon-McCartney
Recorded: 25 February, 22 May 1964
Producer: George Martin
Engineer: Norman Smith

Released: 20 March 1964 (UK), 16 March 1964 (US)

John Lennon: vocals, lead guitar
Paul McCartney: backing vocals, bass, cowbell
George Harrison: backing vocals, rhythm guitar
Ringo Starr: drums, conga

Available on:
A Hard Day's Night
Anthology 1

First released in the UK and US as the b-side of Can't Buy Me Love, You Can't Do That was a typically confrontational song written by John Lennon. Read more »

Written by: Lennon-McCartney
Recorded: 2 June 1964
Producer: George Martin
Engineer: Norman Smith

Released: 10 July 1964 (UK), 20 July 1964 (US)

John Lennon: lead vocals, backing vocals, rhythm guitar
Paul McCartney: backing vocals, bass
George Harrison: backing vocals, lead guitar
Ringo Starr: drums

Available on:
A Hard Day's Night

When I Get Home was written by John Lennon, and taped by The Beatles during the final recording session for the A Hard Day's Night album. Read more »

Written by: Lennon-McCartney
Recorded: 2 June 1964
Producer: George Martin
Engineer: Norman Smith

Released: 10 July 1964 (UK), 20 July 1964 (US)

Paul McCartney: vocals, bass
John Lennon: acoustic rhythm guitar, piano
George Harrison: lead guitar
Ringo Starr: drums, tambourine

Available on:
A Hard Day's Night
Live At The BBC

Along with And I Love Her and Can't Buy Me Love, Things We Said Today was one of Paul McCartney's main compositions on the A Hard Day's Night album. Read more »

Written by: Lennon-McCartney
Recorded: 27 February 1964
Producer: George Martin
Engineer: Norman Smith

Released: 10 July 1964 (UK), 26 June 1964 (US)

John Lennon: lead vocals, rhythm guitar
Paul McCartney: harmony vocals, bass
George Harrison: harmony vocals, lead guitar
Ringo Starr: drums
George Martin: piano

Available on:
A Hard Day's Night

One of the more uptempo rockers on the A Hard Day's Night album, Tell Me Why was written by John Lennon for the concert sequence in the film. Read more »

Written by: Lennon-McCartney
Recorded: 27 February 1964
Producer: George Martin
Engineer: Norman Smith

Released: 10 July 1964 (UK), 26 June 1964 (US)

John Lennon: vocals, acoustic rhythm guitar
Paul McCartney: vocals, bass
George Harrison: electric guitar
Ringo Starr: drums

Available on:
A Hard Day's Night

If I Fell was a ballad primarily written by John Lennon, which first appeared on the A Hard Day's Night film and soundtrack. Read more »

Written by: Lennon-McCartney
Recorded: 1 March 1964
Producer: George Martin
Engineer: Norman Smith

Released: 10 July 1964 (UK), 26 June 1964 (US)

George Harrison: vocals, rhythm guitar
John Lennon: backing vocals, rhythm guitar
Paul McCartney: backing vocals, bass
Ringo Starr: drums

Available on:
A Hard Day's Night

I'm Happy Just To Dance With You was written by Lennon and McCartney as George Harrison's vocal spot on the A Hard Day's Night album. Read more »

Written by: Lennon-McCartney
Recorded: 1 June 1964
Producer: George Martin
Engineer: Norman Smith

Released: 10 July 1964 (UK), 26 June 1964 (US)

John Lennon: vocals, acoustic rhythm guitar, tambourine
Paul McCartney: bass
George Harrison: lead guitar
Ringo Starr: drums

Available on:
A Hard Day's Night

Originally intended for the A Hard Day's Night soundtrack, I'll Cry Instead was replaced by Can't By Me Love at the request of director Richard Lester. It was restored for an opening collage sequence during the film's 1986 reissue. Read more »

Written by: Lennon-McCartney
Recorded: 1 June 1964
Producer: George Martin
Engineer: Norman Smith

Released: 10 July 1964 (UK), 15 December 1964 (US)

John Lennon: lead vocals, acoustic rhythm guitar
Paul McCartney: harmony vocals, bass
George Harrison: harmony vocals, lead acoustic guitar
Ringo Starr: drums

Available on:
A Hard Day's Night
Anthology 1

The final song on A Hard Day's Night, I'll Be Back was written mostly by John Lennon, and was a reworking of the chords to Del Shannon's 1961 hit Runaway. Read more »

Written by: Lennon-McCartney
Recorded: 25, 26 February 1964
Producer: George Martin
Engineer: Norman Smith

Released: 10 July 1964 (UK), 26 June 1964 (US)

John Lennon: vocals, acoustic rhythm guitar, harmonica
Paul McCartney: bass
George Harrison: lead guitar
Ringo Starr: drums

Available on:
A Hard Day's Night

Memorably performed during a train carriage scene in the A Hard Day's Night film, I Should Have Known Better was written by John Lennon, and was the second song on the soundtrack album. Read more »

Written by: Lennon-McCartney
Recorded: 29 January; 25 February 1964
Producer: George Martin
Engineer: Norman Smith

Released: 20 March 1964 (UK), 16 March 1964 (US)

Paul McCartney: vocals, bass
John Lennon: acoustic rhythm guitar
George Harrison: lead guitar, rhythm guitar
Ringo Starr: drums

Available on:
1
A Hard Day's Night
Anthology 1
Live At The BBC

Can't Buy Me Love was The Beatles' sixth British single, released with the b-side You Can't Do That. It was written while the group were in Paris for a 19-date residency at the city's Olympia Theatre. Read more »

Written by: Lennon-McCartney
Recorded: 2 June 1964
Producer: George Martin
Engineer: Norman Smith

Released: 10 July 1964 (UK), 20 July 1964 (US)

John Lennon: vocals, acoustic rhythm guitar
Paul McCartney: backing vocals, bass, piano
George Harrison: lead guitar
Ringo Starr: drums

Available on:
A Hard Day's Night

The first song on side two of A Hard Day's Night, Any Time At All was written by John Lennon and recorded during the final session for the album. Read more »

Written by: Lennon-McCartney
Recorded: 25-27 February 1964
Producer: George Martin
Engineer: Norman Smith

Released: 10 July 1964 (UK), 26 June 1964 (US)

Paul McCartney: vocals, bass
John Lennon: acoustic rhythm guitar
George Harrison: acoustic lead guitar, claves
Ringo Starr: bongos

Available on:
A Hard Day's Night
Anthology 1

Along with Things We Said Today and Can't Buy Me Love, And I Love Her was one of Paul McCartney's major contributions to the A Hard Day's Night album. Read more »

Written by: Lennon-McCartney
Recorded: 16 April 1964
Producer: George Martin
Engineer: Norman Smith

Released: 10 July 1964 (UK), 26 June 1964 (US)

John Lennon: vocals, electric and acoustic rhythm guitars
Paul McCartney: vocals, bass
George Harrison: lead guitar
Ringo Starr: drums, bongos
George Martin: piano

Available on:
A Hard Day's Night
1
Anthology 1
Live At The BBC

The clanging chord which opened the title track of The Beatles' first film, third album and seventh UK single remains one of the most iconic moments of their career. Read more »

Recorded: 1958-1994
Released: 21 November 1995

Tracklisting:
Free As A Bird
Speech: John Lennon
That'll Be The Day
In Spite Of All The Danger
Speech: Paul McCartney
Hallelujah, I Love Her So
You'll Be Mine
Cayenne
Speech: Paul
My Bonnie
Ain't She Sweet
Cry For A Shadow
Speech: John
Speech: Brian Epstein
Searchin'
Three Cool Cats
The Sheik Of Araby
Like Dreamers Do
Hello Little Girl
Speech: Brian Epstein
Besame Mucho
Love Me Do
How Do You Do It
Please Please Me
One After 909 (Sequence)
One After 909
Lend Me Your Comb
I'll Get You
Speech: John
I Saw Her Standing There
From Me To You
Money (That's What I Want)
You Really Got A Hold On Me
Roll Over Beethoven
She Loves You
Till There Was You
Twist And Shout
This Boy
I Want To Hold Your Hand
Speech: Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise
Moonlight Bay
Can't Buy Me Love
All My Loving
You Can't Do That
And I Love Her
A Hard Day's Night
I Wanna Be Your Man
Long Tall Sally
Boys
Shout
I'll Be Back (Take 2)
I'll Be Back (Take 3)
You Know What To Do
No Reply (Demo)
Mr Moonlight
Leave My Kitten Alone
No Reply
Eight Days A Week (Sequence)
Eight Days A Week (Complete)
Kansas City/Hey-Hey-Hey-Hey!

Recorded: January 1963-May 1965
Released: 30 November 1994

Tracklisting:
Beatle Greetings (Speech)
From Us To You
Riding On A Bus (Speech)
I Got A Woman
Too Much Monkey Business
Keep Your Hands Off My Baby
I'll Be On My Way
Young Blood
A Shot Of Rhythm And Blues
Sure To Fall (In Love With You)
Some Other Guy
Thank You Girl
Sha La La La La! (Speech)
Baby It's You
That's All Right (Mama)
Carol
Soldier Of Love
A Little Rhyme (Speech)
Clarabella
I'm Gonna Sit Right Down And Cry (Over You)
Crying, Waiting, Hoping
Dear Wack! (Speech)
You Really Got A Hold On Me
To Know Her Is To Love Her
A Taste Of Honey
Long Tall Sally
I Saw Her Standing There
The Honeymoon Song
Johnny B Goode
Memphis, Tennessee
Lucille
Can't Buy Me Love
From Fluff To You (Speech)
Till There Was You

Live at the BBC

The Beatles. Capitol 2001, Audio CD, $12.86

Crinsk Dee Night (Speech)
A Hard Day's Night
Have A Banana (Speech)
I Wanna Be Your Man
Just A Rumour (Speech)
Roll Over Beethoven
All My Loving
Things We Said Today
She's A Woman
Sweet Little Sixteen
1822! (Speech)
Lonesome Tears In My Eyes
Nothin' Shakin'
The Hippy Hippy Shake
Glad All Over
I Just Don't Understand
So How Come (No One Loves Me)
I Feel Fine
I'm A Loser
Everybody's Trying To Be My Baby
Rock And Roll Music
Ticket To Ride
Dizzy Miss Lizzy
Kansas City/Hey Hey Hey Hey!
Set Fire To That Lot! (Speech)
Matchbox
I Forgot To Remember To Forget
Love These Goon Shows (Speech)
I Got To Find My Baby
Ooh! My Soul
Ooh! My Arms (Speech)
Don't Ever Change
Slow Down
Honey Don't
Love Me Do

Recorded: 29 January - 2 June 1964
Producer: George Martin
Engineer: Norman Smith

Released: 10 July 1964 (UK), 26 June 1964 (US)

John Lennon: vocals, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, harmonica, tambourine
Paul McCartney: vocals, bass guitar, piano, cowbell
George Harrison: vocals, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, claves
Ringo Starr: drums, conga, bongos, tambourine
George Martin: piano

A Hard Day's Night (Remastered)

The Beatles. EMI 2009, Audio CD, $8.00

Tracklisting:
A Hard Day's Night
I Should Have Known Better
If I Fell
I'm Happy Just To Dance With You
And I Love Her
Tell Me Why
Can't Buy Me Love
Any Time At All
I'll Cry Instead
Things We Said Today
When I Get Home
You Can't Do That
I'll Be Back

Having conquered hearts in the United Kingdom throughout 1963, The Beatles set their sights on the world in 1964. They started it with concerts in London and Paris, before making history by conquering America in February, appearing on The Ed Sullivan Show before an estimated 73 million viewers.

They followed up their Stateside triumph with a world tour, numerous interviews, television appearances and new recordings, and starred in their debut feature film. And despite their whirlwind schedule of touring and studio sessions, the soundtrack to A Hard Day's Night turned out to be one of The Beatles' strongest long-players. Read more »

The second Beatles EP released this week was Extracts From The Album A Hard Day's Night. Read more »