The Beatles’ Million Sellers
The tenth Fab Four EP release is called The Beatles’ Million Sellers. Like the nine others before it, this one also has four songs. In those days, a single would have an A-side with one song and the same for the flip side. However, an EP would typically have two songs on each side. Hence extended play, or EP.
Out of the previous nine Beatles EPs, only The Beatles’ Hits from 1963 had a compilation of the band’s singles. Therefore, we have another mini “greatest hits” record.
The original title for this EP was going to be “Beatles’ Golden Discs,” and you see that on the records. But they changed the planned 1964 name in time for this release, and that name is on the sleeve.
The EP has four tracks that each sold a million copies, so it does what it says on the tin! We name the tracks further down, but first, we have the finer details.
In Detail
- Released: December 6, 1965
- Recorded: July 1, 1963 – October 18, 1964
- Studio: EMI, London and Pathé Marconi, Paris
- Format: 7-inch vinyl EP (45 RPM) (Mono only)
- Genre: Merseybeat, rock, pop, rhythm and blues
- Length: 9:17
- Label: Parlophone (GEP 8946)
- Producer: George Martin
Performers
- John Lennon: vocal, also the rhythm guitar
- Paul McCartney: vocal, also the bass guitar
- George Harrison: harmony vocal, also lead guitar
- Ringo Starr: drums
The Beatles’ Million Sellers: The Songs
- A1: She Loves You
- A2: I Want to Hold Your Hand
- B1: Can’t Buy Me Love
- B2: I Feel Fine
Of course, the song “Can’t Buy Me Love” appeared on the 1964 album “A Hard Day’s Night.”
But the other three were never on a Fab Four album. Since space on a 7-inch record is at a premium, the other million-seller, A Hard Day’s Night, was not on the disc.
The single “She Loves You” sold almost two million copies, while the others sold over the million mark. So, would this EP sell like hot cakes, as each single did?
Another fact is that, up to 2007, the total sales of all the tracks on this EP were 27 million. Of course, this includes all formats like this EP, albums, CDs, etc.
The Beatles’ Million Sellers EP: Chart Success
With the release date of the EP being December 6, 1965, it was clear that they targeted the Christmas period. However, we were going to have a feast of Beatles songs, for sure, at that time. That is because the Fab Four released another two records just three days earlier.
Those records were a double A-side single, “We Can Work It Out“/”Day Tripper,” and the album, Rubber Soul! Ironically, after two weeks, the single release sold over a million copies!
Yes, indeed, Christmas 1965 was going to be a Fab Four feast festival!
The Beatles’ Million Sellers EP would spend four weeks at number one, but it had to wait until early 1966 to achieve that. It reached the top of the charts for two weeks in both February and March.
