Beatles’ Blue Album (1967–1970): Introduction

The Beatles’ Blue Album (67–70) is a sister of the Red Album (62–66). Indeed, both of these albums are greatest-hits compilations that compliment each other well. While the Red Album (62–66) concentrates on the early Beatlemania stuff up to “Revolver,” this Blue Album (67–70) has the rest of the best of The Beatles right up to their disbandment**.

Obviously, to have the “Best of The Beatles,” two double albums were necessary. However, both the Red Album and the Blue Album may only have come about because of an unofficial bootleg in 1972 with the name Alpha Omega. Of course, in response to that, Apple/EMI released these wonderful albums, stating that they are “the only authorized collection of The Beatles.”

**In 2023, they released revamped versions of both the Red and Blue albums. So, now, these albums contain Beatles songs up to 2023. Not only that, but they added additional songs!

In Detail

• Release Date: 19th April, 1973 (UK), 2nd April, 1973 (US) (2023 version: November 10, 2023)
• Recorded: November 28, 1966–April 1, 1970 (except for the new song Now And Then; see info page for those dates)
• Genre: Rock, psychedelic
• Album Duration: 99:40 (original release) (134 minutes, 2023 release)
• Record Label: Apple
• Studio: EMI, Olympic, Apple and Trident Studios, London
• Producer: George Martin (Most)**
• Compiler: Allen Klein (original release)

** Phil Spector was the producer of the “Let It Be” album, so he gets credit for “Across the Universe” and “The Long and Winding Road.” However, Paul McCartney and George Martin did not give permission for Spector to produce anything!

Blue Album (1967–1970): The LP Records

The following track listings apply to the LP versions. The CD versions are below.

Disc One

*** In the UK, “Magical Mystery Tour” had 6 tracks on two EP’s, of course. However, elsewhere, this was a full-length album containing these songs. But, in 1976, there was an official full-length LP release in the UK of this album. Indeed, it became the worldwide standard in 1987 after The Beatles back catalogue went to CD format.

Disc Two

CD Versions

1993 CD

The 1993 CD version is a 2-CD set, with identical running order as above.

The Beatles’ Compositions

Of course, just like its sister, the Red Album (62–66), Allen Klein, who managed The Beatles from 1969, compiled these songs. Also, just like its sister, this Blue Album (67–70) includes Lennon-McCartney compositions. However, this album includes Ringo Starr’s and George Harrison’s compositions too.

Most are from The Beatles’ albums, of course. However, there are 12 non-album tracks on this Blue Album (67–70). But, of those non-album tracks, 4 did become part of the “Magical Mystery Tour.” That album has since become standard after its official release in the UK in 1976.

Blue Album: The Cover

This Blue Album (67–70) cover shows The Beatles looking down from the stairwell at EMI House in Manchester Square, London, which was the label’s headquarters, of course. In fact, this pose was to recreate the original image we see on the Please Please Me LP. Obviously, their image changed over time from the Beatlemania look to hairy rockers.

This image was originally for the “Get Back” album, which didn’t come to fruition, of course. That project later became the “Let It Be” album with Phil Spector as the producer (without Paul McCartney or George Martin’s knowledge).

The image on the front of this Blue Album (67–70) is also the same as that on the back of the Red Album (62–66). Likewise, the back image of the Blue Album is the same as that on the front of the Red Album.

Moreover, inside both the Red and Blue albums is a picture of The Beatles and their fans from “Mad Day Out” in London on July 28, 1968. Tom Wilkes was also the designer of both album covers.

Blue Album: Release And Chart Success

These compilation albums came out on April 2, 1973, and were a welcome release since the disbandment of the Fab Four in 1970. Of course, by 1973, the charts were seeing another revolution, with another wave of teenagers enjoying a wide variety of new sounds. Be that as it may, both the Red and Blue albums went straight into the charts.

Indeed, this Blue Album (67–70) reached number two in the UK charts, which was one place higher than its sister, the Red Album (62–66). However, it did get to number one in America.

They released a new version of this album in 2023, which includes many remixed versions and an additional 9 tracks. All the songs contained in the various releases are listed above.

Take A Listen

So, take a listen to the album and leave us your thoughts below.