Anthology 1 (1995)

Buy Anthology 1 on CD, or on Vinyl

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Listen to Anthology 1 as part of the Anthology Box Set on Apple Music

The first volume of the most eagerly anticipated career retrospective in recording history, the Beatles Anthology 1 is packed with incredible rarities, outtakes, and different versions. Features songs recorded live on tour as well as demos recorded before they were even called Beatles. Also includes Free As A Bird – the first “new” Beatles song since 1970.

Track list

Disc 1

1. Free As A Bird
   A demo recorded at home by John in 1977, “Free As A Bird” was given to Paul by Yoko Ono for the remaining Beatles to finish, both lyricly and musicly. Pretending that John had given them the unfinished tape and gone on vacation, the demo was cleaned up and finished by Paul, George, and Ringo. Produced by Jeff Lynne.
2. John Lennon Monologue
   John Lennon interview with Rolling Stone’s Jann Wenner, 1970
3. That’ll Be The Day
   The first ever recording by the Quarry Men, with John, Paul, George, John Lowe on piano, and Colin Hanton on drums. Recorded in 1958 by Liverpool entrepeneur Percy Phillips.
4. In Spite Of All The Danger
   The B-side of the “That’ll Be The Day” ‘single’ (see above).
5. Paul McCartney Monologue
   Paul talking with Mark Lewisohn in 1994 about the band’s early recording days.
6. Hallelujah, I Love Her So
   Recorded in Paul’s home in 1960, this Ray Charles cover features Stuart Sutcliff on bass.
7. You’ll Be Mine
   A Lennon/McCartney original, featuring outrageous vocals by Paul and a clever spoken-word middle by John. Recorded c. 1960 at Paul’s home.
8. Cayenne
   An instrumental written by Paul and recorded in his home c. 1960.
9. Paul McCartney Monologue
   A 1962 interview with Paul discussing the sessions with Tony Sheridan.
10. My Bonnie
    Recorded with Tony Sheridan in 1961 and issued as a single credited to ‘Tony Sheridan & The Beat Brothers’ – the single which brought them to the attention of Brian Epstein.
11. Ain’t She Sweet
    Recorded during the Tony Sheridan sessions but without Sheridan, in 1961.
12. Cry For A Shadow
    An instrumental written by Harrison/Lennon. Recorded during the 1961 Tony Sheridan sessions, but without Sheridan.
13. John Lennon Monologue
    1971 interview with John discussing the band’s relationship with Brian Epstein.
14. Brian Epstein Monologue
    An extract from the audio version of Brian Epstein’s autobiography “A Cellar Full Of Noise”.
15. Searchin’
    Taken from the infamous 1962 audition with Decca Records. Captured live in mono.
16. Three Cool Cats
    Another track from the Decca audition, Live in mono.
17. The Sheik Of Araby
    A third track from the Decca audition tape, live in mono.
18. Like Dreamers Do
    A Lennon/McCartney original taken from the Decca audition tape, 1962, recorded live in mono.
19. Hello Little Girl
    The final track presented from the Decca audition tape, recorded live in mono. One of the over 100 songs claimed to have been written by Lennon/McCartney before “being noticed”.
20. Brian Epstein Monologue
    Another excerpt from Epstein’s autobiogrpahy “A Cellar Full Of Noise”
21. Besame Mucho
    Recorded in 1962 during the audition with George Martin’s Parlophone Records.
22. Love Me Do
    Another track taken from the Parlophone audition, with an audibly nervous Paul on vocals.
23. How Do You Do It?
    Recorded as a potential first single for Parlophone in 1962, but never issued.
24. Please Please Me
    Taken from the third session with Parlophone for use as a single, recorded in 1962 with drummer Andy White.
25. One After 909 (False Starts)
    Takes 3 and 4 recorded in March, 1963, showcasing the pressures of being on the road.
26. One After 909
    Edit mix of takes 3 and 4, in complete form.
27. Lend Me Your Comb
    Recorded for the BBC for the fifth edition of “Pop Go The Beatles” in July, 1963. Previously unreleased.
28. I’ll Get You
    Recorded October 13, 1963 for the British variety show “Val Parnell’s Sunday Night At The London Palladium”.
29. John Lennon Monologue
    John Lennon interview with Rolling Stone’s Jann Wenner, 1970.
30. I Saw Her Standing There
    The first of five songs taken from the group’s first visit to Sweden, recorded live in October, 1963.
31. From Me To You
    Another track recorded live in October, 1963, during their first visit to Sweden.
32. Money (That’s What I Want)
    A third track from their first Swedish tour.
33. You Really Got A Hold On Me
    A fourth track from their first Swedish tour.
34. Roll Over Beethoven
    A fifth track from their first Swedish tour.

Disc 2

1. She Loves You
   Taken from their first Royal Variety Show performance, where no other rock group had ever performed, with 40% of the British population tuning in. Recorded November, 1963.
2. Till There Was You
   A touch of comedy from Paul in another track from the Royal Variety Show performance.
3. Twist And Shout
   Introduced with John’s famous line, “Would the people in the cheaper seats clap your hands? And the rest of you, if you’ll just rattle your jewelry.”
4. This Boy
   Recorded December, 1963, from the British comedy series “The Morecambe And Wise Show”
5. I Want To Hold Your Hand
   Also taken from “The Morecambe And Wise Show”, December, 1963.
6. Eric Morecambe & Ernie Wise Dialogue
   A comedy skit featuring the Beatles, Morecambe, and Wise.
7. Moonlight Bay
   The Beatles performing with Morecambe and Wise.
8. Can’t Buy Me Love
   Take 2, recorded live in the studio (take 4 being the master).
9. All My Loving
   The legendary first performance on the “Ed Sullivan Show” during their incredibly successful first visit to America. Over 73 million people tuned in for the performance.
10. You Can’t Do That
    Take 6, recorded in February, 1964 (take 9 being the master).
11. And I Love Her
    Take 2 – the first complete run-through – recorded February, 1964.
12. A Hard Day’s Night
    Recorded a week after shooting for the film was completed, this is the complete take 1 (take 9 being the master).
13. I Wanna Be Your Man
    Recorded for their TV special “Around The Beatles” in April, 1964.
14. Long Tall Sally
    Another song recorded for “Around The Beatles”, April, 1964. Recorded in one take.
15. Boys
    Recorded for “Around The Beatles” but not used, issued for the first time.
16. Shout
    Another song recorded for “Around The Beatles”, April, 1964.
17. I’ll Be Back (Demo)
    Take 2, performed in 3/4 time, but breaking down as it was “too hard to sing”.
18. I’ll Be Back (Complete)
    Take 3, a dramatic change from previous takes, in that it is at a 4/4 tempo.
19. You Know What To Do
    The only recording of this George Harrison composition, a demo recorded in June, 1964.
20. No Reply (Demo)
    A demo recorded in June, 1964, with a little comic relief from Paul and John. It is unknown who is playing the drums on this version.
21. Mr. Moonlight
    Takes 1 and 4 recorded in August, 1964, during the Beatles For Sale sessions.
22. Leave My Kitten Alone
    The last of five takes recorded for Beatles For Sale but never released. Considered as a single for the ill-fated Sessions project.
23. No Reply
    Take 2, recorded September, 1964 (take 8 being the master).
24. Eight Days A Week (False Starts)
    Sequence of takes 1, 2, and 4 – all incomplete – as the band tests different approaches.
25. Eight Days A Week
    Take 5, with a vocal intro, recorded October, 1964 (take 13 being the master).
26. Kansas City/Hey Hey Hey Hey!
    Take 1 of two takes recorded for Beatles For Sale, recorded October, 1964 (take 2 being the master).

Release history

• Capitol/Apple CDP 7243 8 34445 2 6 (CD), released November 21, 1995
• Digital only, released June 14, 2011

Promo disc, front cover

Promo disc, back cover