Meet The Beatles ALBUM REVIEW |

[@Rollietom890]

I agree with your assessment. Especially that "I Wanna Hold Your Hand" completely altered the direction of popular music in about 3 minutes. In December '63 I was 14, had grown up in Dallas and was still trying to comprehend how JFK could've been murdered in my hometown. My parents still insisted I be in bed by 9pm, so I would lay in the dark with my tiny transistor radio stuck to my ear, listening to the "Weird Beard" show on KLIF till midnight. One night he announced that he was going to play a song by a quartet from England that sounded like nothing anyone had ever heard before. It was, of course, the aforementioned number. I clearly remember being stunned by what I heard because it was truly an epiphany. I'm quite a bit older now but I can attest to the fact that no record has ever had a similar affect on me. And for Capitol to lead off that classic LP with it was genius. I hope you'll be kind to the next release because, even though it's chock full of covers, it sizzles with energy.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Great story about your introduction to I Want To Hold Your Hand. I wish I could have experienced them in real time.

[@commanderstraker6732]

I think “Meet The Beatles” and “The Magical Mystery Tour” albums were Capitols finest contributions to the Beatles catalogue.

[@kimclark5736]

I agree, with the addition of "The Beatles Second Album", which may have been the pinnacle of early 60s rock.

[@johnp515]

What about Japanese or Dutch compilation albums? They have about as much relevance to The Beatles themselves as any American compilation album. Any thing other than what The Beatles signed off on is what it is., compilation albums that are not part of The Beatles discography

[@chriscampanozzi6516]

Agree 100 percent.

[@kandigloss6438]

very much agreed

[@bucksdiaryfan]

I would throw the American Rubber Soul in there too... the jerk off jazz fans at Capitol accidentally made it a more cohesive "Folk Rock" statement album than the genuine album... the American version had a HUGE impact on Brian Wilson for that very reason

[@dennistognan3791]

Meet the Beatles was life changing for a nine year old.

[@joebikeguy6669]

I was a young lad when these albums came out. The Beatles ability to produce so many unique songs in the space of only two albums telegraphed their future greatness as creators. BTW, I was around when Schlitz was popular too (as well as Dobler, Piels, Utica Club, etc.)! I didn't know it was still being brewed. Interesting and fun analysis as usual Matt.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

They brought Schlitz back about 15 years ago - the original recipe before changing it in the 70s. Thanks Joe!

[@thesaexplorer]

Always a treat when you upload a new video. I enjoy your straight to the point discussion on whatever the topic/video is about. I agree that George did a great job on his guitar solo for "till there was you" both on the record and live. Keep up the great work!

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Thank you, SA - I appreciate the support!

[@bobburroughs6241]

I think 'compilation' is the key word for Meet the Beatles Matt (only 12 tracks when every Beatles UK album had 14!). Of course as an Englishman there's only one version - with the correct running order, like many a great album, a song ends and you're all set for the first notes of the next one! America scored though with the MMT album with added tracks. The British 45 rpm EP now looks measly!

[@vspenceful]

I love Don't Bother Me and Not A Second Time.This Boy!!!! This is a great record. For me the record that started the move from singles to albums was Rubber Soul. After that record almost everyone I knew started looking LPs first. However, most albums did not have as many great songs as Beatle albums.

[@jacketjim1]

Thanks for the reminder of just how great “Meet the Beatles” was (and is). It’s the one I listened to in 1964 and it set the bar really high! Very interesting analysis.

[@mozart9991]

When I 'discovered' The Beatles at 13 (must've heard them before, knew McCartney and Harrison and Starr already - 'Say Say Say', 'Pipes of Peace', 'Got My Mind Set on You', 'When We Was Fab', 'Caveman' film), my parents had Meet the Beatles and Sgt. Pepper's. I listened to them in that order and was already completely won over by Meet the Beatles. Then Sgt. Pepper's blew my mind right after. Cheers.

[@mozart9991]

And yet, With the Beatles was the last Beatles' album I bought when I started getting their music myself.

[@kelseymathias3881]

This was my first album ever. My mom bought it for me in 1964. Totally mesmerizing...album art and songs...one of my favorites was and remains George's Don't Bother Me.

[@peterjohnson1761]

Great review. Not sure if I love the American releases as much as you.. but , then , again, I wish that Penny Lane & Strawberry Fields were on Stg Pepper!

[@SurferJoe1]

"Don't Bother Me" was the track I wore out as a kid. I'll always love that one. The Beatles in a minor key- always special.

[@donkeyboy585]

I still play Don’t Bother me at the bar. Still fresh as it was then

[@kelseymathias3881]

@@SurferJoe1 Yes! 😎like If I Needed Someone....glorious happy sadness.

[@kelseymathias3881]

@@peterjohnson1761 Well since it was my first ever album and I'd never heard anything like the Beatles before in my young life, I have an attachment to this it, the songs, and even the bluish photo 😎😎😎😎 we are lucky we got born when we did!

[@terryprill2510]

Matt, you added so much wisdom in the review of the US release of MTB. Never took it into consideration that all but the one song, were written by the Beatles themselves. Nice retrospective. When I purchased the US releases on CD a few years back I fell right back into what I grew up with listening to. It's all about what your familiar with and the memories that are a part of them. Holding that first album in your hand, opening up the plastic, and inhaling the inside of the evelope.....Wow, takes me back.....

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Thanks for the comments, Terry!

[@BeatlesCineYOtrosTemas]

Here in Mexico, Mussart records decided to change the order of the opening song, instead of I want to Hold Your Hand as the opener, they decided to put I Saw Her Standing There, and that changed altogether the feeling because the first thing you hear from The Beatles was the "one, two, three, FOUR!" of Paul. When EMI Capitol Mexico started operations in 1965 and took over the Beatles records from Mussart, they didn't change that order, and second-generation fans in Mexico, like me, grow with that order of songs, and we love it!

[@popgoesthe60s52]

I did not know that, Miguel - thank you, sir!

[@charleswilmot7612]

Great video, Matt! This album has a particular fondness with me after I found it in a used record bin for two dollars. Being more used to the UK versions I was very impressed by the track listing and I agree that in many ways it is superior. Where I think the album could have been improved is switching Little Child with Money. I also think that using the original idea for the album art would have been much more striking and original. It is a good idea to consider how the Beatles could have improved their albums, it helps demystify them as artists and helps I think to have a better appreciation of their work. Looking forward to the next video!

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Hey Charles, good suggestion on Little Child. One of their weaker efforts. I appreciate your take on the demystification of our Boys... I agree it does make us love them in a more organic way instead of a worshipful way. More to come!

[@daletrue822]

Totally agree, Charles. Add Money to the second side, perhaps the opener on that side, plus begin side one with I Saw Her Standing There, and you've got a major improvement on an already great album.

[@dwodo21]

You’ve given me a new perspective on this! I’ve always considered the American release of Meet the Beatles inferior to the UK’s With the Beatles, but your take and explanation makes so much sense!

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Well, I appreciate the feedback! More to come.

[@fntb4gotten]

One of my all time favorite albums from the early Beatles. Great covers, plus…All My Loving, I want to hold your hand, It won’t be long, Don’t Bother Me, I wanna be your man. Love this sound, you saw how tight the group was.

[@vspenceful]

In the iconic picture of the Beatles getting off the plane in New York George has an album in his hand. It's Major Lance's "Monkey Time". That's a great record. Curtis Mayfield and Major Lance wrote great songs for that one.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

I never noticed that Major Lance record - thanks for that!

[@bubbaschwartz]

How can you not like this guy, wonderful review and fun to watch for any new Beatles fan or crazy fan such as myself. Keep up the great work with your videos.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

My pleasure, Bubba!

[@RobertSandgrund-w2j]

Your work is some of the truly intelligent work on The Beatles. Here's a quibble on this video: the title of their second British Album, With the Beatles, shows their cosmopolitanism, from the beginning. The album title is a nod to the French, as in 'Chez Pierre,' very loosely, 'With Pierre.' Note, McCartney first went to work on Michelle when he was in his teens, a song John referred to as 'that French thing' when encouraging his partner to complete it when they were working on Rubber Soul. The album title is, arguably, as fully thought through as anything they did.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Thank you for that, Robert. That had not occurred to me nor had I heard it. But that makes sense. Much appreciated.

[@tomandaj1]

A studio band … yes. But those first 3 albums are by-in-large live albums. Which says a whole lot more. This is them playing live in the studio and taking the best versions for release. Amazing

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Very true - almost no over dubbing, which is what live playing can do! Thanks tomandaj!

[@aureliande2659]

I have to disagree, to some extent at least. As soon as they started 4-track recording (with Money and I Want to Hold Your Hand) they started overdubbing grand style. Georges signature rising guitar notes at the end of the verse lines in IWTHYH is an overdub. There are double tracked voices even earlier (Taste of Honey). All My Loving has a Paul-Paul duet, while it's Paul and George after the solo in live versions. In addition to their live line-up they have a piano on several tracks (as early as Misery). There are harmonica overdubs as well. And do I have to mention handclaps? In my opinion, they were always interested in creating a specific SOUND and the studio increased their options for that, so they used it. For several songs (such as the aforementioned All My Loving) they then tried to find ways of reproducing the sound they had created in the studio back on stage by combining guitar parts, for instance, as in IWTHYH or, later, Help!.

[@tomandaj1]

@@aureliande2659 double check your sources. They didn’t have four track until 1965-66.

[@aureliande2659]

@@tomandaj1 Thank you, yes, I did. The one mistake I made was to single out Money as a 4-track recording. That was a lapse of memory on my part: the stereo version of Money was a combination of two 2-track recordings (that's why the mono sounds cleaner). According to our indispensable Mark Lewisohn (Recording Sessions), the Beatles first 4-track recording happened on Oct 17, 1963, and consisted of I Want to Hold Your Hand, This Boy and an abandoned attempt at You Really Got a Hold on Me. This is borne out by the stereo mixes of IWTHYH which have either a centered lead guitar or centered vocals. That wouldn't have been possible if the master tape for the mix had been twin-track.or a 2-track copy taken from a 2-track original (their usual way of including overdubs until then).

[@amandagerrish5892]

I agree, Matt, that 'Meet the Beatles' was an exception, in that it was a better collection of songs than the corresponding UK albums at that time ('Please Please Me' and 'With the Beatles'). It was also my first album ever, back in 1964 (age 11). I'd just seen the Beatles perform on the Ed Sullivan show, and I got caught up in Beatlemania, especially after seeing "A Hard Day's Night" later that year. It's hard to overstate the degree to which the Beatles exploded in the U.S. in 1964.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Many of us who didn't live through Beatlemania probably don't understand their impact. I think the 1964 releases in the U.S. certain show an unbelievable demand. Thanks Amanda!

[@70PaulK]

Very interesting. I'm from the UK, and I always preferred Please Please Me to With The Beatles- I felt their second album had too many covers, paying homage to their heroes rather than developing their own style, while their own originals felt like they were written quickly. This US version feels like a superior product, although I'm sure most British fans would struggle to agree!

[@juliatutor8099]

"With the Beatles " has the same number of covers as "Please, Please Me"......

[@70PaulK]

@@juliatutor8099 True, but by late 63 they already had 3 number 1 singles and had established themselves as writers.

[@davidreed4910]

Great review. I was brought up on the UK albums & always thought some of the mixing & matching of the songs was questionable, but what blew me away was the superior sound quality on the stereo mixes. I was used to the vocals right & instruments left mixes & virtually no bass coming through, but the US versions blow the UK versions out of the water with a far superior sound quality that has far more depth.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

I'm glad to hear you say that. The US versions just seem louder and more in your face, which I like.

[@nomehdrider]

Great job, again, Matt! I was shocked to learn, probably from you, that the U.S. albums were different than that of the U.K. releases. On a nonrelated topic, I have heard two commercials, one today, using original The Beatles recording! I remember the guys coming down hard against this with a Nike ad a few years ago. I can't imagine someone from Paul's management doesn't watch your channel so I wanted to get it out there. (edit) in 1976/77 in rural TN, singles were 0.99, I picked up Hotel California then, I think most of The Beatles albums I purchased were in the $7 range this would have been very early 70s, I couldn't afford The Beatles (while album) it was hanging in Walker's Music Center where I took guitar lessons...

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Hey James, thank you for the price report on 45s. Much appreciated!

[@Neal_Schier]

This was a most enjoyable episode Matt. Astounding how many good songs were on this album... Really good stuff and a really good job discussing the sound.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Thank you, Neal - more to come!

[@debjorgo]

Meet the Beatles was one of the few albums we had as a kid. It was great! Could have been longer but we didn't know that at the time. I like the fake stereo and the added reverb as well. The US She Loves You is still the best version you can find. The first CDs I bought were the Beatles' UK albums. The sound on the CD was so different from what I was used to. So clear and uncluttered. I didn't realize that a lot of the difference I heard was that these songs didn't have the Dexter-ization on them.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

I do prefer some of the American mixes as well - grittier and more 'rock-sounding.'

[@debjorgo]

I reread my comment. This sort of sounds like I think She Loves You is on Meet the Beatles, which I don't.

[@petehealy9819]

Fascinating and very insightful review, Matt - as always! I fondly remember being an 11yo growing up in Santa Barbara and buying "Meet The Beatles" for $2.99 at the downtown Woolworths store (now long gone!). I played that record endlessly on our Magnavox console, while lying on the floor poring over the album notes like they were a sacred text! 😅

[@popgoesthe60s52]

2.99! What a bargain. I miss those old Woolworths. It's amazing how many department stores had record departments. I miss those days.

[@joelgoldenberg1100]

Regarding stacked records, even in the 1970s, the music industry was accommodating that primitive tech with 2-LP sets that had sides 1 and 4 on one disc and sides 2 and 3 on the second disc. My father's copy of Quadrophenia by The Who was one of those.

[@BigSky1]

As was Tommy.

[@strose2002]

Another stellar video Matt! Capital got it right. I do like the front cover with no graphics. Would have been a great cover with no graphics and updated photos for Let It Be. Your knowledge and presentation are excellent. I never thought about how many originals were on the American version. I learn something on every video you do. I do love the Schlitz beet bottle too. Put down my share of those. Didn't know it was still available? Thanks for your videos Matt! Makes my day!!

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Yeah, they brought Schlitz back about 15 years ago, as a 'retro beer' I guess you could say. Thank you, St. Rose!

[@larryinc64]

I'm a younger fan who only knew the UK albums for a long time, this album does have a great selection of tracks. I think the main gripe I have with the album is the track order, but maybe that's just from me being so used to the UK albums. The 1-2-3-4 of I Saw Her Standing There not kicking off the album, and The killer 3 track opening for With The Beatles being tracks 4/5/6 just play weird to my expectations. I think Hold Your Hand would of made a great album closer, Not a Second Time is a bit of a weak ending track, even if I do really like that track.

[@gameboy_colorful7078]

I picked this one up along with the American version of help and the early Beatles hits record. Each vinyl was $5 each. People not valuing these is a real treat for collectors who like deals.

[@wink853]

My first Beatles album. I wanted to get Abbey Road but my dad said , NO, get this one….this is when they were good! Love this album to this day

[@LSU01]

Matt , excellent as usual! Meet the Beatles was my first exposure to a full album of their music and I have been hooked ever sense. The early albums had such a fresh joy to them, some songs were better than others of course but even their B sides were better and more plentiful than most groups best work!

[@danielrockmyer949]

I being American and growing up with this version called Meet The Beatles, I can say truthfully that I really love this album! Just great though short. Timeless! 🎸🎶🎵🎼💥

[@airbusfilms]

This was the album that they were listened to as a band collectively before the individuals started to become known and identified.

[@danielrockmyer949]

Charles Sepers: I read and re-read your comment. And I understand what you're expressing. I Agree!

[@jamescpotter]

As a side note, a seismic effect followed the Ed Sullivan broadcasts during February 1964. Around the country radio stations aired "Beatlemania" that were 30 minute broadcasts of Beatles tracks from either LPs or 45's. I grew up in Salt Lake City, Utah as two stations aired Beatlemania: KMUR from 7 - 7:30 pm M-F followed by a half hour broadcast on KNAK (7:30 - 8pm). A solid hour of Beatles music! If that doesn't shape and form one's childhood, nothing will. Because many of us became musicians and formed bands. And to this very day, we have devoted our lives to our craft thanks to The Beatles.

[@keriford54]

I've never listened to the Capitol version, but you going over this does come across as a killer album, having the single I want to Hold Your Hand on makes it so powerful. Might have to get a copy, as I really want to listen to it.

[@jimk2000]

I am a first generation US Beatles fan. I bought all the Beatles 45 singles hits and their albums and never thought twice about the fact that I already had their singles on 45s even though they also appeared again on the albums. That was just the way it was.

[@jammininthepast]

Thanks Matt. We ALL purchased these albums and grew up with them. I love them today.

[@spyderlogan4992]

It's shocking and amazing that you have the album of 'The Astounding 12 String Guitar of Glen Campbell' on the shelf behind you. I had this album when it was released, in 1964. And so, yes, I was 14 years old at the time. Great channel. Subscribed.

[@erniericardo8140]

Greetings Matt ✌️ I really love your series of the Beatles album reviews👍 -One thing for me that comes across upon hearing Meet The Beatles is that it has plenty of energy, its a fun, feel good album with a lot of charm. Along with Robert Freeman's iconic album cover, its a spectacular album with great songs like I Want To Hold Your Hand, All My Loving, I Saw Her Standing There, and This Boy.; I can only imagine what a feeling it must have been to be a teenager and hearing these songs for the very first time. This was the album that ignited the whole British Invasion.The impact that Meet The Beatles had on the youth around the World cannot be overstated enough!!!

[@catdeli]

Good assessment! I got Meet first, just after the Sullivan show. Then a few weeks after I got “Songs, Pictures And Stories of the Fabulous Beatles” a US mono pressing on VeeJay which as you know is Introducing repackaged. Right there we had 2 whole albums differing except for one song. A local bar here has Schlitz cans. My choice when there.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Cheers to another Schlitz fan! Those first two albums together are really earth shattering. I think people forget how many great songs are on them.

[@argusfleibeit1165]

Please realize I was 10 when all this started, and had no independent purchasing power til much later. I don't think I ever saw "Introducing The Beatles" until years later. Don't remember seeing it in stores. My first three Beatles albums were "Meet the Beatles", "The Beatles Second Album", and "A Hard Day's Night". There were a bunch of singles I never owned, until "The Early Beatles" came out maybe in 1965(?), but my friend's dad bought them and we'd listen on her little record player with a slot in the front. I always thought it was funny that "Meet The Beatles" ended with them singing "Not a second time" over and over-- when of course you were going to turn the record over and listen to the whole thing again. And also there would be LOTS more records to come after this one. "Not a second time", my Aunt Fanny.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Thanks for the comment, Argus!

[@msfl54]

Closest thing we had to a playlist was a stack of 45s, so yes a compilation album with a few new releases was golden.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

The old "analog playlist" - I like it!

[@false_binary]

As always, great review! I recently returned to vinyl and hifi as our kids are getting older and they are into it too. I see this album at nearly EVERY record store I visit when I immediately begin by searching the Beatles. While I am more of a "Blue Album" type, I grew up on my mom's 45 singles (do not shoot me I used them as frisbees too at 5-8 years old 😵) and I am going to research pressings and see what stands out. Thank you for opening yet another door for me Matt!

[@popgoesthe60s52]

My pleasure, J Cross!

[@renemies78]

I totally agree with your review. This version of the album and maybe the US version of Rubber Soul and Magical Mystery Tour are the only Capitol Records versions of the Beatles that I think they got right over the UK versions. I do prefer the UK releases for all other albums though.

[@adrianburn7178]

Thanks for that interesting review of Meet The Beatles. From an Australian perspective, we always got the UK releases, so it's interesting to get your take on this seminal US album. I agree with you that With The Beatles was a poor choice of album title for the UK release. I bet they couldn't have imagined in their wildest dreams in 1964 that nearly 60 years later people would still be reviewing and analysing their albums with such love and admiration!

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Thanks for watching and commenting, Adrian!

[@mattgould8592]

“I can’t think of a dumber name”! 😂😂 Your commentaries are gold! Always makes me go and listen to some more Beatles.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Good to hear - thanks Matt!

[@matthewstreet1961]

One of your absolute best videos ever Matt! I was a young boy in 1964 when my parents decided to buy me Meet The Beatles. They were pretty forward thinking because they were already into their 30s when they did this. The Beatles were not really their era. But there was something about this band from Liverpool that drew them in and they decided that their young son would enjoy the beat. So, they would frequently place me on my toy pinto Pony spring horse, put on Meet The Beatles, and let me bounce around and jump till my heart's content. I loved it! And to this day, I agree with you all the way, it is by far much better than With the Beatles. Capitol did a fine job with this one and it will always hold a special place in my heart. Thank you Matt for putting together such a great video. I can tell you put a lot of effort and your heart and soul into it as always. Take care my friend, Matt Street

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Hey Matt! Much thanks for the kind words. Yes, this and other U.S Capitol albums have become the whippin' boys of the Beatles album catalog. No more!

[@SanderAnderon]

my first album purchase as a kid....and your Glen Campbell 12-string cover in background, wow. My mom taught me guitar w/that album as our soundtrack. Love your channel dude.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Thank you, Randy! More to come.

[@robertfontaine356]

I love your podcasts. As a Canadian Beatles fan, I think that it should be noted that the first Beatles album released in North America is an LP called "Beatlemania: with the Beatles", released on the Capitol label only in Canada in November 1963. The tunes on that album eventually wound up on the "Early Beatles" album on American Capitol later in 64. Perhaps you would be interested in doing a program on the Canadian-only Beatles releases? They are interesting. Thanks for posting! A fan from Canada

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Yes, the Canadian releases are very unique. I may discuss those at some point. Thank you, Robert.

[@MrGman2804]

Being a Brit in the UK, born in 1963, I had no idea there was this version of 'Meet The Beatles', which was similar to 'With the Beatles'. As an anecdote, I did buy a copy of 'Let it Be' in Towers Records on 5th Ave, NY, NY in 1978, which was also pressed in NY and it is a double leaf cover, whereas the UK version is a single leaf. I have never checked to see if the tracks are the same. They seemed to be...??? Love the channel.

[@denniswood1437]

A really fun presentation! The American Capitol albums were sometimes Dave Dexterized with echo and mock duophonic stereo, but the USA versions often included more singles as Meet the Beatles included "I Want to Hold Your Hand." Certainly, Capitol surpassed the UK version with Magical Mystery Tour and some interesting differences as with the US Rubber Soul's song configuration gives it a Byrds/folk-rock feel different from its UK counterpart.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Thank you for watching, Dennis!

[@RonaldBrown59]

I agree with you, Meet the Beatles was the best of the Beatles early albums. Great selection of songs and nice cover art. I have a 1978 copy with the purple middle inner section, in very good condition. And this was fantastic video, you provided so much information about the history of the this album. I enjoyed this so I watched it twice, thanks for sharing.

[@mymikecooks9268]

I actually enjoy the American "A Hard Day's Night" & "Help" albums better because I like having the musical scores with the Beatles material - Its like a souvenir of the movie. I also think Beatles '65 was a good mix of songs too. I look forward to more of your videos on this!

[@bassball67]

Well done. In Canada we had a different version yet again. The cover, the title (Beatlemania) and the track listing.

[@stephenelliott9937]

The first time I heard I want to hold your hand it absolutely blew me away... totally different in every way than any music before it...

[@GP52408]

You make a great point about "I Saw Her Standing There." It does seem like an obvious choice for opening track!

[@davidpollard6322]

I cannot take my eyes off your beer...Schlitz....bad ass. Great review Matt. As always you provide a different cut. Love the tidbit about the cover. Should have left all the print off as the Boys wanted. Peace!

[@chrisblackfingernail]

Interesting comment you made Matt on the way we listened to our records as the sixties morphed into the seventies. The small and quite distorted portable record player was upgraded to full music centre stereo systems and even mixed stacks with very high quality turntables and amplifiers etc. and not forgetting the introduction of studio quality headphones which really took you out the distractions of the real world and gave an immersive experience. It was all so totally different to the way the previous generations listened to their music. But l think the power of the fan or listener really took hold when the home cassette player was used to reassemble album listings into a personal mix, now you could have all your favourite tracks on just one tape, or you could mix two albums into one new home made album. It was the start of the whole revolution in stripping the record executives influence away from them and even the way the bands wanted us to hear their music, which of course continues today as Spotify or Apple….

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Hey Blue. I'm all for stripping the record executives/corporations power away! Unfortunately the Spotify and Apple formats give so little to the artists, it's hardly worth it.

[@01real1]

2:19 - 2:40 - The album that you grew up with is your typical listening preference.' Sooo true! I was introduced to the Beatles by my cousin via The Blue Album, so although it is a later compilation, I just prefer it, even to Sgt. Pepper. The second one is Magical Mystery Tour LP, 'cause I bought it in my teens (with pocket money) when CDs were overshadowing the records. 'With The Beatles' also lists as one of my favourites. (I'm from the EU, so you find about the U. S albums much, much later.)

[@wyliesmith4244]

Matt, Another great review! The Brits' explanatio for keeping singles off albums was most artists did not want the buyers tobuy the same song(s) twice While I agree with the sentiment, every time vinyl is played, the friction from the neddle heats up the groove, and if you play a single four or five times, you actually degrade the vinyl as I found out in the early sixties when I trashed a couple of singles by playing them over and over. Hey, I had to hear 'I Saw Her Standing There' umpteen times to satisfy my ears. I don't know if you have run across this, but several multple disc albums in the sixties would put side 1 & 4 on disc one and sides 2 & 3 on disc 2 so you could stack them on your record changer. Confused the hell out of me as not albums were configured that way. Ah, the vagaries of vinyl. Thanks again for a totally enjoyable episode.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

I was always confused by the numbering of album sides too! Now I understand but I would hate to play my good records on those old automatic changers.

[@wyliesmith4244]

Amen! I learned that lesson pretty quickly.@@popgoesthe60s52

[@davidm7840]

Great review again, Matt. I grew up with the British versions on CD but always recognized the significance of “Meet the Beatles.” I completely agree with you that “With the Beatles” is a horrendous album title. When I first bought it as a kid I stared at the title for a long time wondering if I was missing something. As for the albums, I think Side 1 of Meet the Beatles is tremendous. But some of the covers on With the Beatles add a lot of energy. I was surprised you don’t like “Roll Over Beethoven” as it is regarded by many as an early Beatles classic cover. But I couldn’t agree more that I wish we had a proper recording of “Some Other Guy.” As always, I look forward to what comes next from you-especially as it relates to The Beatles.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Plenty more Beatles to come!

[@georgerussell9525]

I like the idea of concentrating on the originals, but I think substituting "Money" and "Please Mr. Postman" for "Little Child" and "Hold Me Tight" would have improved the album.

[@markwilliams2434]

I agree with you 100 percent about everything. Now have you noticed that the word Meet was so powerful in a album title that Barry Gordy used it in two of his albums. Meet the Supremes and Meet the Temptations . Powerful word that grabs the buyer ,Meet

[@LordStarscream-]

I myself, am fascinated by album country variations. From the altered covers to the ordering of songs, I feel they can present the album in a new and interesting light, especially if you are very familiar with one version.

[@drc1989]

This album influenced me in so many ways back in 1964. I was just a kid. I learned to love reading because I couldn't read enough about the Beatles and other music artists at the time. I also learned to save money so I could buy a Beatles album instead of candy bars and gum. I learned to sing the songs by heart and how to act cool, and I learned to draw because my friends and I would draw the guitars and Ringo's drum kit on our Pee-Chee Folders. ✌️😁❤️

[@charliewelch6859]

My Mom bought me a new record player, yes, one if those plop down kind with speakers attached to both sides. This was March 64 and the first album I bought was Meet The Beatles. Good analysis on this one but we really got shafted with Hard Day's Night and Help albums compared to the English ones.

[@Gardosunron]

Absolutely nailed it Matt. Meet the Beatles is far superior to With the Beatles which is excellent as well. This is the definition of Beatlemania. The fact is albums aren't necessarily the artistic tombs that people think they are . As Ringo said about Sgt. Pepper -"we started out with this concept of Sgt. Pepper and his band and after a while said sod it let's just do tracks."

[@BrixtonTone]

Good stuff as always Matt. Personally I'm one of those people who prefer the original versions of the Beatles albums , even though it was obviously well received really don't like how a lot of their stuff was chopped up and served to the American public. Do you have any info on how the Beatles themselves reacted to some of the American releases ?. p.s. The title "Meet the Beatles" would have been a strange album title in the UK for a band that had already had a number one album and a string of number one singles and were known and feted throughout the entire UK, "With the Beatles" made more sense

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Certainly "Meet The" wouldn't be appropriate for the UK, as everyone there had already met them. I know they tossed around the title "Magic Circle" but I'm not sure it was for this album. Thanks, Brixon!

[@morganamarvel7075]

In Canada, that album is called, "Beatlemania". In the lower left are quotes about them by notable sources. I loved reading them over & over. I liked "Devil In Her Heart", but I don't remember anymore which album I heard it on. The next album in Canada was "Twist & Shout", (the cover is of them jumping in the air) & it had alot of goody, oldies. There's a KZbin channel called "Parlogram" with a British guy explaining odds & ends about Beatles records. (He does other groups too), & he tells an interesting story about the differences between the American & Canadian acceptance & arrangement of Beatles albums in very early days. Interesting stuff about the Capitol guy in Canada compared to the one in US. It came out in Canada in 1963. My brother had it but I, at 10, thought it was spooky. So besides the obvious British productions, there's even quirky differences with the Canadian. All were harmonized, of course, by Pepper & beyond.

[@denisrodrigues1455]

I found a version of "Till There Was You" called "Till I Met You", in a single from 1950 with the composer Meredith Wilson himself and his orchestra, with Annie Wilson on vocals. I think the reason of the second british Beatles' album has the title "With The Beatles" is about the intention to show the band performing covers, in special from the american music of its time. I totally agree with you about the very welcome presence of singles' tracks on the american albuns (I have the CD versions of all Beatles' american albuns from Capitol - sadly were not released in this format the Veejay albuns), and, in my opinion, this fact brings a special quality to the american albuns. Please, if possible, my friend Matt, I think it would be wonderful watch other album reviews from The Beatles. All the best!

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Thank you, Denis. I will continue doing Beatle album reviews... I'm having fun with them!

[@patcat5481]

Great points. I like this new series. I also grew up with the US albums, and it was a big shock when I first heard the UK versions. I did not like them, but got use to them. I can now listen and enjoy either one. Some of the fake stereo does improve the way the song sounds - I Feel Fine and She's A Woman. Blessings!

[@popgoesthe60s52]

I agree with that I Feel Fine / She's a Woman - I love the duophonic versions.

[@jjquinn2004]

Growing up in the 60s, 45s were more popular than albums for a couple of reasons. First, we were listening to Top 40 radio, which were playing singles, not albums. We bought those singles then took them to parties, etc. Another reason was the price. I bought my first 45 in around 1966 or 67 but didn't buy an album til 1969. Our local record shop priced them so with Pennsylvania sales tax, they were $1.00 for a 45 and $4.00 for an LP. Four dollars was a lot of money back then for someone with a paper route!

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Hey John! Thanks for that info - much appreciated.

[@marctobolski]

I don't watch via phone or computer, just via Roku. I just wanted to drop in and tell you I appreciate the content. Keep up the great work/. Now I'm busy hitting "thumbs up" on your past videos...

[@popgoesthe60s52]

I appreciate that Marc! Thank you.

[@chuckstenberg]

About the blue tinted cover: Capitol's art department head George Osaki added the blue tint to Freeman's image to make it "pop" in comparison to the somber British cover.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

That's a good reason, I hadn't heard that. Thanks for that info!

[@chuckstenberg]

@@popgoesthe60s52 I heard it here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qZ_cloOsZ9yCY9U

[@rocktober1327]

My Mother bought this LP for me when it first came out, I'm 69 and it's still my favorite album, it is also my favorite picture of the four. I agree with you about the title, Meet the Beatles being a better title, enjoyed your video, thumbs up.

[@abbdabs67]

This album was a birthday present in 1964 i was 4 . Always a favorite im glad its on cd too

[@thanksfernuthin]

While you were talking I noticed the placement of the Beatles on the cover. Three Beatles across the top... then "the other one" below. One wonders looking back if that was conscious decision. If it was, by who. They might have taken over a hundred photos and maybe that one looked the best. You'd almost expect them to go the other way sometimes. Three below, Ringo above. A very interesting interaction between themselves, the press and the public.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

I looked for out takes from this photo session and there are very few. Originally Robert Freeman shot them all in a row, but I guess that wouldn't fit the square space so well.

[@mixville2]

Like all of us of a certain age, I never even heard the Beatles UK albums until the early 70s, when a few better record stores started carrying British import albums. Since then, I always thought of the American albums as inferior. But you're absolutely right. With that song list and order, Meet the Beatles was a knockout from start to finish. We had Introducing on VJ as well, but it never got the play MTB did. May have been the old fashioned vs very contemporary album covers as much as the songs. Great review. Thanks much!

[@airbusfilms]

Just a comment about music producing in the 60's. Berry Gordys Motown final mix was played through the speaker of a transistor radio which all teens were listening to music at the time. If the sound was good through that speaker, the mix was finalized.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Very good point! Things were so much simpler then.

[@DocDoccus]

Now I'm confused! Meet The Beatles sounds like a whole better album than Please Please Me was! I'm wondering should I start rebuying the American versions. For a long time I thought the album was called just "With". *This video has been brought to you by Schlitz Beer!*

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Cheers Doc! Good to hear from you.

[@MichaelSmith-rn1qw]

After seeing the Beatles on Ed Sullivan, I was sick at home and my mom went out to buy the "I Want to Hold Your Hand" single for me. They were out of stock, so she returned with the album instead. 😃

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Score! Nice that you got the album, Michael. What a great Mom.

[@michaelcrowley8339]

So happy to hear the US albums getting some love! I’m 21, so I primarily remember the UK albums from the CDs when I was younger. They’re alright. I still remember discovering the Capitol albums. Especially their first couple albums, Capitol really nailed them. I almost never bother with the UK albums anymore. The singles on the albums is great, too.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Hey Michael. It's good to know I have a few younger viewers! Yes, the Capitol releases do have some great value. Thanks for the comments.

[@michaelcrowley8339]

@@popgoesthe60s52 Absolutely, Matt! I watch pretty much everything you put out. Keep up the great work keeping this wonderful music alive!

[@johnvillanova9984]

The blue tint was also added to the German "With The Beatles"...I kind of prefer it over the straight black image.

[@jeanmenard3060]

Excellent analysis Matt ! Thanks for sharing that with us ! 🙂👍

[@thegman8968]

Great review Matt, but my burning question right at the moment is> "Where did you get hold of a bottle of Schlitz!!😄

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Well, I am partial to my home town brews that go back to the 1800s and you can still get Schiltz here in Milwaukee. After all Schlitz is the beer that made Milwaukee famous!

[@spockboy]

Great stuff as always. I have linked your excellent "OBVIOUS REASON PETE BEST Was FIRED by the BEATLES" video to MANY people as it is the most concise and perfect explanation of what really happened video that I have ever seen. I would love to see you do a making of Revolver or Runner Soul albums. I'm certain you would cover every detail that we Beatles fans eat up with a spoon. Keep up the good work.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Hello SpockBoy. I have started to review each Beatles album and I will eventually get to Rubber Soul and Revolver, but I am still in their early albums and I will probably do them chronologically. Thanks for the request.

[@spockboy]

@@popgoesthe60s52 Sounds great!

[@dannydavis5450]

That "Til there was you" was included on the Meet the Beatles, created a sort of connection for a few of us at my high school. The Trig teacher was one Mr. Miller, a very intelligent but fussy old man (maybe 20 years younger than I am today), who favored ties with short sleeve shirts, generous pants -- that sort of optic, if you dig. We all loved him, however, because he genuinely cared for our success. Here comes the connection: Mr Miller studied music under Meredith Wilson back in the 1940's, before World War Two derailed his career path, took him into the Army (private to a Major in three years), and somehow landed him in Chattanooga after the war. He seemed the most unmusical of men, somewhat comical, until the night of our senior dinner party, when he sat down at the piano, and absolutely floored us.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Wow, what a great connection! Thanks Danny.

[@ChromeDestiny]

I loved seeing The Beatles' version of Some Other Guy get a shoutout, I was so happy when that showed up on the first official BBC release.

[@kimclark5736]

Yes, me too! I have always wished that they had cut that one in the studio.

[@Randgalf]

The inclusion of 'I saw her standing there' was weird as it obviously was featured on both versions of the predecessor and, at least for me, it simply can't be removed from the context of being the very first song on the very first album, thus introducing the boys to the world. I would have thrown that one out together with 'Till there was you' and thrown in 'She loves you' and its B-side 'I'll get you' instead. That version of the album would have been probably as good as it could possibly have gotten at the time. Imagine the respective sides opening with 'She loves you' and 'I wanna hold your hand'. Of course, history knows no ifs but but it's always fun to speculate and I think there's a case to be made for all the Beatles albums regarding a little tweaking of the track listings. Looking forward to future videos on the subject! On the topic of album revisionism, one of the greatest what-if-albums is the Who's 'Who's for tennis' which was supposed to have been released in 1968. I'd love to see your take on that one. (Also, there was the infamous 'Lifehouse' project, but there we have crossed into the 70's so you'd have to start a second channel for that one, not that I would mind of course)

[@popgoesthe60s52]

I do plan a Who video at some point and Who's For Tennis and Lifehouse are two things I would love to cover. I have some work ahead of me!

[@lincoslam]

Thank you for not trashing the US version like so many have over the years and especially after the consolidation of the catalog in the late 80's with the introduction of the Beatles on compact disc. If I recall correctly the early US albums were deleted after the CD introductions. I was one who was happy to see the US versions finally out on CD in 2004 and 2006 in those somewhat controversial Capitol Box sets . As bad as the original mixes may have been...which no one noticed until it was mentioned, here in the US , that was the Beatles sounds we fell in love with. Of course the remaster of the entire world wide catalog in 2009 to supplant the obsolete 1987 mastering was pure bliss...but still it was nice to hear the original US versions on the Capitol box sets. Of course Capitol then remastered the US catalog in 2014 which also is a guilty pleasure. To think that there are probably 2 generations of Beatles fans who may never have heard, or even know about the early US albums is an interesting concept itself.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

It's surprising that those Capitol cd bo sets even came out! I will probably do a video on those eventually.

[@lincoslam]

@@popgoesthe60s52 Please do. An assessment of the Beatles in Mono couldn't hurt either....just a hint.

[@steveclark9211]

I enjoy your reviews of the Beatles US albums. The US albums are the ones I grew up with when I was a kid in the 1960s. Keep going with that idea and keep up the good work.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Thank you, Steve!

[@effigy80]

I own both albums, and do agree with your assessment about the track list. I enjoy listening to With the Beatles when I want to hear those cover songs. The Canadian cover of With the Beatles is even more ruined with quotes from newspaper reviews filling the black space. Thanks for revisiting these Matt.

[@dekafer123]

You are right, these videos are super fun. Do a parallel series in exactly the same way for the early Beach Boys.

[@750drums]

I think it was a good introduction to the US market, especially where "Introducing... " didn't get the same exposure. It's a good record, albeit not what the Beatles intended. I do agree with you that a few of the covers were a bit weak. on With The Beatles, which as you suggest, is a lame title:EMI could have done better As the BBC recordings show, they had better in the repertoire. As you suggest, Some Other Guy, and I think, Soldier of Love, would have been fine choices. I have to admit, frankly, even having since 1964 grown up with them, I still have no use for any of the Capitol butcher jobs. Guess I'm just a purist. It's inconceivable today that any record company would slice up records the way the US companies did to all the British Invasion groups. Always enjoy and look forward to your videos, Matt.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Thank you, David - I appreciate the comments!

[@cynthiaforsythe8989]

Well that explains the blue tint. Black and white so much better. And yes, I Saw Her Standing There is an even better lead off song than IWTHYH. These are such great reviews. Thanks, Matt!

[@4-dman464]

13:14 Love the smoking photo. Never saw that one before.

[@michaelgordon8763]

I agree with your conclusion that Meet the Beatles was an excellent album and a better collection than the British LP. Things were a bit different up in Canada where Capitol of Canada released two excellent albums "Twist and Shout" - 14 songs primarily drawn from the "Please Please Me" LP and Long Tall Salley - 12 songs a bit similar to "The Beatles Second Album" and "With the Beatles" was released as "Beatlemania with the Beatles." As a 1960's Canadian Beatles fan it was very distressing to have Capitol switch to the American compilations beginning with "Something New." The downtown Department stores did carry the British imports but they were very very expensive for me and I so wanted to have "Beatles for Sale" but had to live with listening to "Beatles 65" which only had 8 of the 14 songs from "Beatles for Sale"...finally when I got my 1st after school job I could afford the British imports which I much preferred (e.g. the British "Revolver"). They had much cleaner 'more present' mixes rather than sounding like the Beatles were performing in a tiled public bathroom a la the Dexter mixes...great video...thank you...PS I do like Devil in her Heart as it is so 'girl group' or "motowny"...cheers

[@popgoesthe60s52]

I wonder why Canada didn't continue with their own compilations. Those first three were pretty solid.

[@michaelgordon8763]

Until the spring of 1964, singles and album releases of Beatles music were decided by Paul White who was with Capitol of Canada. That changed when a Canadian Beatles single Please Mister Postman/Roll Over Beethoven released in December 1963 to promote the newly released Beatles album was being imported by record stores in the US in early 1964 and appeared on the Billboard chart, prior to its release on "The Beatles Second Album." Alan Livingstone, President of Capitol of America was very annoyed and insisted that Capitol of Canada not be releasing the same albums and singles as those released in the United States. Capitol of Canada released all the 1962 to 1963 Beatles singles in Canada. It was She Loves that got sales elevated with She Loves You topping the radio charts in many Canadian cities towards the end of 1963, in advance of the Beatles charting in the US.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

@@michaelgordon8763 Thanks for that info, Michael - much appreciated.

[@SurferJoe1]

I've thought about this one a lot, and have been on a kick revisiting my Capitol childhood memories lately. The big handicap that most of them face is that too much less struggles to be more when you pit (any!) eleven Beatles songs vs. fourteen. Those five-track side twos were often over before you got comfortable in your seat. The twelfth song here is a huge boost on an already great record, and the 1-2-3 punch of those first three flown-in tracks is dizzying, before a record that can't get any better after that does anyway. This one and American "Rubber Soul" are the two Capitol champs. But I also really love "Second Album" and "Yesterday and Today", the first two I owned at eight years old.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Agreed - those 11-track albums were over really quick!

[@almanuel6140]

what a solid album...the abilty for the beatles to churn out really good songs shines on this album...this is the first album i heard by the beatles so it'll always have a special place on my favorite albums...

[@donkeyboy585]

I got exposed to meet the Beatles around 67 via my older brother. I’d never seen With the Beatles till much later. What we got was The Beatles Second album which had a few With the Beatles covers and of course She loves You and You can’t do that. And there was a compilation called The early Beatles which pretty much had the rest of the older tunes. Then later on older guitarist me came to realize just how GOOD they were to be a 4 piece band playing stuff like Til There was You and yeah George’s solo AND his fills throughout the song which he added to even more as they did it live just cinched it for me. Cheers Matt

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Thanks for the comments, donkey!