Beatles For Sale (Remastered)

Following the entirely self-composed ‘A Hard Day’s Night’, The Beatles’ fourth album sounds like a record with a dual personality. The group’s assimilation throughout 1964 of current musical and lyrical ideas is apparent in the new songs. However, a selection of cover versions reveals a warm acknowledgement of their musical roots. As always, The Beatles were looking ahead, but they had not forgotten their first love: rock ’n’ roll.

‘Beatles For Sale’ was made during seven sessions that were squeezed into an unremitting schedule during August, September and October. With scarcely a moment to spare, it was hardly surprising that this album reverted to the 1963 formula of combining eight originals with six covers. The first side opened with three melodically strong, if rather melancholy, Lennon/McCartney songs. “No Reply” sets the tone with its musical tension between the despondent verses and a confident middle eight. During their first trip to New York in February 1964, The Beatles were introduced to Bob Dylan. His influence percolated through ‘Beatles For Sale’, particularly in the sound and words of “I’m A Loser.” Although, for now, the subject matter of their new songs did not stray from conventional variations on matters of the heart, “Baby’s In Black” did suggest something unusually ominous.

In the U.K., none of the album’s tracks came out as a single. ”I Feel Fine”/”She’s A Woman” had been released a week earlier and sold a million within twelve days. In the USA, there was no album called ‘Beatles For Sale’. Instead, eight of its tracks were included on ‘Beatles ’65’ …but not ”Eight Days A Week”. That song was first made available in America on a single, which reached number one in March 1965. Completing ‘Beatles For Sale’ involved a race against the clock to hit an immovable deadline. Consequently, they quickly recorded some old stage favourites learnt from discs by four of their heroes from the 1950s: ”Rock And Roll Music” by Chuck Berry, ”Honey Don’t” and ”Everybody’s Trying To Be My Baby” by Carl Perkins, ”Words Of Love” by Buddy Holly and ”Kansas City/‘Hey-Hey-Hey-Hey!” by Little Richard. Under enormous pressure, they made it. ‘Beatles For Sale’ was released on 4 December 1964 - just in time for Christmas. — Kevin Howlett