December 1964 - UK
Charted:
#1 UK
Album Notes:
Marked the band's first major departure from primarily up-tempo, light songs.
Album Cover Notes:
Photographed in London's Hyde Park through autumn foliage. The band's serious expressions reflected the mood of the album's music.
Track List & Song Info:
Side One
1. "No Reply" (Lennon-McCartney)
McCartney sang high harmony because Lennon's voice was hurt by overuse
2. "I'm a Loser" (Lennon-McCartney)
Demonstrates the influence of Bob Dylan on the band's music
3. "Baby's in Black" (Lennon-McCartney)
Inspired by the death of original Beatle Stu Sutcliffe
4. "Rock and Roll Music" (Chuck Berry)
Chuck Berry's often covered 1957 hit single
5. "I'll Follow the Sun" (Lennon-McCartney)
Never released as a single, but a favorite of many Beatles fans
6. "Mr. Moonlight" (Roy Lee Johnson)
One of the many covers regularly performed by the band in their early years
7. "Kansas City" (Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller) / "Hey, Hey, Hey, Hey" (Richard Penniman)
Medley first performed by Richard Penniman, aka Little Richard
Side Two
1. "Eight Days a Week" (Lennon-McCartney)
Went to #1 US when released as a single in February 1965
2. "Words of Love" (Buddy Holly)
Another of the band's favorite covers from their Liverpool club days
3. "Honey Don't" (Carl Perkins)
Lead vocals by Ringo on this cover
4. "Every Little Thing" (Lennon-McCartney)
In a departure from their standard instrumentation, a timpani (kettle drum) is used on the refrains
5. "I Don't Want to Spoil the Party" (Lennon-McCartney)
Peaked at #39 in the US, later became a country hit for Roseanne Cash
6. "What You're Doing" (Lennon-McCartney)
Nearly shelved after two recording sessions, this version came on the third try
7. "Everybody's Trying To Be My Baby" (Carl Perkins)
Lead vocals by George, one of Carl Perkins' biggest fans
