Beatles for Sale

Beatles for Sale is the fourth studio album by English rock band The Beatles, released on 4 December 1964 by Parlophone. It marked a departure from the ebullient tone that had characterised the band's previous work, partly due to their exhaustion after a series of tours that had established them as a worldwide phenomenon. Musically, it introduced darker moods and more introspective lyrics, with John Lennon adopting an autobiographical perspective on songs such as "I'm a Loser" and "No Reply". It also reflected the twin influences of country music and Bob Dylan, who the Beatles met in New York in August 1964.

The Beatles recorded Beatles for Sale at EMI Studios in London in between their touring and radio engagements. Partly as a result of their hectic schedule, only eight tracks are original compositions, with cover songs being used to complete the album; the sessions also produced the non-album single "I Feel Fine", backed by "She's a Woman". Eight of the album's fourteen tracks appeared on Capitol Records' concurrent release Beatles '65, which was issued in North America only.

In the United Kingdom, Beatles for Sale held the top spot for 11 of the 46 weeks it spent within the top 20. It was not released in the United States until 1987, when the Beatles' catalogue was standardised for release on CD. Beatles for Sale was later certified gold by the British Phonographic Industry for shipments of over 100,000 copies and platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America for shipments of over 1 million copies.

Tracks
All songs written by Lennon/McCartney, except where noted otherwise.

Credits

 * John Lennon:lead, harmony and backing vocals, rhythm guitar (1964 Rickenbacker 325), acoustic guitar (1964 Gibson J-160E), lead guitar (1964 Rickenbacker 325/12) on "Every Little Thing", harmonica, tambourine, piano, and handclaps
 * Paul McCartney: lead, harmony and backing vocals, bass guitar (1963 Hofner 500/1), Hammond organ, and handclaps
 * George Harrison: lead, harmony and backing vocals, lead guitar (1963 Gretsch 6122 Country Gentleman), (1963 Gretsch 6119 Tennessean), (1963 Rickenbacker 360/12), acoustic guitar (1962 Gibson J-160E), African drum and handclaps
 * Ringo Starr: lead vocals on "Honey Don't", drums, and various percussion instruments (tambourine, Timpani,Bongos,Cowbell and Packing Case)
 * George Martin: Piano, Production and Photography.
 * Robert Freeman: Photography
 * Derek Taylor: Liner Notes

Instruments

 * Grestch Tennessean
 * Grestch Country Gentleman
 * Rickenbacker 360/12
 * Rickenbacker 325
 * Hofner 500/1
 * Gibson J-160E

Beatles for Sale