Songs > Yellow Submarine

Yellow Submarine

(Lennon/McCartney)

Song background
Despite rumors that the song was about drugs (specifically, yellow pills or 'downers') "Yellow Submarine" was an enormously successful children's song written in bed by Paul as a simple singalong. The song was the basis for the wildly popular 1969 animated film of the same name.

Recording dates ...

Release dates

• August 5, 1966 (UK) (Yellow Submarine/Eleanor Rigby single)
• August 5, 1966 (UK) (on Revolver)
• August 8, 1966 (US) (Yellow Submarine/Eleanor Rigby single)
• August 8, 1966 (US) (on Revolver)
• January 13, 1969 (US) (on Yellow Submarine)
• January 17, 1969 (UK) (on Yellow Submarine)
• April 2, 1973 (US) (on 1962-66)
• April 19, 1973 (UK) (on 1962-66)
• March 22, 1982 (US) (on Reel Music)
• March 29, 1982 (UK) (on Reel Music)
• September 17, 1999 (UK & US) (on Yellow Submarine Songtrack)
• November 14, 2000 (UK & US) (on Beatles 1)

Recording notes ...

Chart performance

• #1, August 8 - September 14, 1966 (4 weeks), Record Retailer (UK)

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