The Beatles - Hey Jude

Hey Jude

This is another compilation album consisting some of the Beatles's non-album singles (1966-1969), plus Can't Buy Me Love & I Should Have Known Better. The last two songs are chosen in preference to The Inner Light (B-side of Lady Madonna) and Get Back (A-side of Don't Let Me Down).

The album was previously issued in the USA and was only available in UK in May 1979. Like A Collection of Beatles Oldies, this album was also not easily found in CD format with the many, better compilation albums available in the market.

With the exception of Old Brown Shoe by George Harrison, all songs in this compilation album are credited to Lennon-McCartney.

Side A

1. Can't Bue Me Love: (see A Hard Day's Night album)

2. I Should Have Known Better: (see A Hard Day's Night album)

3. Paperback Writer: (see A Collection of Beatles Oldies album)

4. Rain: This track was previously issued as the B-side to Paperback Writer single. John is the lead vocalist of the song, with backing vocals from Paul and George. Ringo doubles on drums and tambourine.

5. Lady Madonna: This is written and sung by Paul who also plays bass and a rock 'n' roll style piano. The backing vocals are from John and George. The saxophone backing are provided by 4 session musicians.

6. Revolution: The track was previously issued as the B-side to the Hey Jude single in August 1968. John sings lead solo vocal and plays the lead guitar together with George who plays a second distorted guitar. Paul is on bass, organ and piano.

Side B

1. Hey Jude: This was the A-side of the first single by the Beatles on ther own Apple label. It was one of the Beatles longest songs clocking 7:11 minutes. Paul writes and sings lead vocal on this track. He also accompanies himself on piano wth backing vocals from John and George. Ringo doubles on drums and tambourine. The ending 4-minute fade out is the longest on a Beatles' record. All four Bealtes plus a 40-piece orchestra sing and play to a one-line chorus (na..na..na..na..na..na..) in the fade-out.

2. Old Brown Shoe (Harrison): This George's song was issued as the B-side to a 1969 single, The Ballad ogf John and Yoko. It features George on lead vocals and lead guitar. John and Paul provide the backing vocal. Paul adds in the piano and Billy Preston plays the organ.

3. Don't Let Me Down: Previous issued as the B-side to the Get Back single, this blues-influenced track features John on lead vocal with harmony vocal from Paul. John plays the lead guitar instead of George who is on rhythm guitar. Billy Preston provides some solo organ passages.

4. The Ballad Of John And Yoko: This track was issued as a single in May 1969, two months after John and Yoko was married in Gibraltar. John and Paul play all instrument in this song. George and Ringo are not present. John, who plays acoustic/lead guitar, is on lead vocal and Paul provides harmony vocal. Paul is on bass, drums, piano and maraccas.

This album, together with A Collection of Beatles oldies and all the 12 studio albums, almost covers every official Beatles song. Of course, there are still some rarities albums, earlier recordings, compiltion albums from the Beatles available in the market.