RUBBER SOUL - The Album That CHANGED The BEATLES

In this video, we take a close look at this incredible album - the U.K. AND U.S. versions. As well as it's production, we analyze and rank the sound quality of all the mono vinyl pressings and reveal which one I think sounds the best.
0:00 - Opening & titles
1:03 - Writing & recording the album
2:20 - Running order
2:52 - Lennon discovers the U.S. 'Help!' album
3:23 - The Capitol Memos
7:09 - Dexter makes a Folk album
8:45 - Comparing the U.K: & U.S. covers
9:34 - Sound quality comparisons
10:29 - The 'Loud Cut'
11:30 - Sub-masters & recuts
12:02 - The Dansette problem
13:08 - Hazel Yarwood & her '-5' cut
14:41 - Audio analysis of 6 mono pressings
19:21 - Rankings
20:17 - Conclusions
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[@TestMeatDollSteak]

_In My Life_ is one of the greatest songs written and recorded by anyone in the last century, as far as I’m concerned. Just a flawless, classic pop masterpiece.

[@josephnobile7451]

Ur so rite I sang it on big stage it was ok but I do it better on my own practicing it's their 2nd or3rd best song,it's that or Something thats2and3best take ur picks

[@jtaylor0727]

This video is extremely entertaining.... i have listened over the year several times... thank you!!!!

[@timmy707707]

👍

[@eduardocervantesaca]

I agree. it is that good

[@crungefactory]

@@josephnobile7451 read a book. Learn to write. Get a job. You'll be alright.

[@onderov]

Well, Brian Wilson has been contradicting himself on this topic. He claimed he heard the US version but he also claimed he heard the UK version, specifically refering to Nowhere Man as one of the best songs on the album. Apparently, he was given an advanced copy of the UK Rubber Soul by Derek Taylor. But he likely got the US version as well. Hopefully, we'll get the final word from Mark Lewisohn in the volume 2 biography.

[@lundsweden]

I just have to say, Brian probably is not on his own with faulty memories. As the saying goes, if you can remember the 60s you were'nt really there!

[@andreaschlapek780]

Man, I can't wait for Mark Lewisohn to release Vol. 2. I'm in the middle in Vol. 1. Love it!

[@MoneyCrespin]

He was taking a lot of LSD at the time though.

[@retrogameruk]

Dexter writing 'Because EMI persists in the 14-track package' makes him sound like a school master scolding a child.

[@chrismcgovern1647]

Nevertheless, they persisted

[@nubworthycigars6682]

It’s really fascinating to see the practical reasoning behind these decisions. Until the Beatles (and their contemporaries) turned the album into something mainstream and profitable at scale it was impractical for Capitol, or anyone to change how a format had been released in a country or region. I’d always assumed it was just smug marketing dude “knew better” but there were practical hurdles to overcome. It took the tectonic shift that was The Beatles to make it possible to make the LP what it became (at least did us here in the States).

[@SarahRWilson]

Damned nitpick bean counters!

[@Onio_]

Rubber Soul just isn't Rubber Soul without Nowhere Man. I can't listen to the US version due to its track listing, I'm too used to the UK version to accept anything different. The UK Rubber Soul is a masterpiece.

[@TigerRogers0660]

I bought the Aussie version - same as UK version. I just can't listen to any of the US albums (pre 1967).

[@Onio_]

@@TigerRogers0660 You're right, the Australian is the same as the UK despite the very dark cover image. As an Australian I grew up with the UK track listing and I agree with you, the capitol albums are horrendous.

[@ronaldolaquidara64]

@@TigerRogers0660 wow never knew the U.S And U.k. weren't the same songs on them that's mad ridiculous 🙄..

[@guruuDev]

I grew up with the NA version -- so for me it's the other way around -- and Nowhere Man belongs on Yesterday and Today (which also provided an LP home for singles like Day Tripper etc. The NA album starts with "I've just seen a Face" which is the banner song that sets the acoustic/folk/mod tone of the whole album.

[@Onio_]

@@guruuDev I respect your opinion, but I classify Yesterday and Today as a compilation album, as it was purely a cash grab solely for Capitol. For me, I've Just Seen a Face fits perfectly on Help as well as It's Only Love. I failed to mention in my original post that I believe If I Needed Someone was also irreplaceable on the album. The only decision I'm ok with is the exclusion of What Goes On. Drive My Car/Norwegian Wood is my favourite opening sequence on any Beatles album, I find I've Just Seen a Face to be far too "samey" being placed next to Norwegian Wood. My biggest issue is the exclusion of Nowhere Man though, there is no better song to follow You Won't See Me, as The Beatles intended. Objectively the US version is decent, but compared to the UK version the track listing is not dynamic and the exclusion of Nowhere Man is inexcusable. Anyway, that is essentially my case for why I prefer the UK Rubber Soul, but it's completely fine that you prefer the US version. It's still The Beatles after all and it doesn't matter how you enjoy them. I may be biased though as the UK Rubber Soul is my favourite Beatles album.

[@moople72]

He does a stellar job. Apple/Universal should give him permission to use audio clips.

[@lanceash]

Agreed. The fake Beatles-ish sounding music in the background is just irritating.

[@anfrankogezamartincic1161]

I love all THE BEATLES albums, but RUBBER SOUL is their first masterpiece. And it gets better after that. I personally love REVOLVER the best.

[@agamino2185]

Volume 1 and volume 2!

[@billbailey7193]

I love Magical Mystery Tour, I’d say it had Seven genius standards on it. Most of them Paul’s or mostly his with John’s input and then John’s Strawberry Fields Forever. It’s an astonishing work. A singer could’ve had a life long career on the strength of just one of those songs. And yet the Beatles albums were packed with them, album after album.

[@randywhite3947]

A hard days night is their first masterpiece

[@onewhoknox42]

I love revolver! My favourite song is got to get you into my life

[@BaconTomatoCheese]

Rubber soul and Revolver … Has always been (since I was a kid!), and always will be, my favorite Beatles albums!

[@Ettoredipugnar]

April 8 good Friday , 1966 13 years old. I bought it at a local record shop , capital version , took it home and was stunned at the difference in their sound , the quality of the recording . The guitar’s the voices the Sitar, fuzz bass .I listened to it all weekend I’m 71 now I still have that Lp , and I listen to it.

[@fbastarra]

I’m 59 and for years only heard the U.S. version since my dad bought it when I was 4-5. This is the album where I met the Beatles, in those days you placed the stylus in track #1 and let it run all the way, turned the LP and do it again. It always felt like a journey of harmonics, acoustic guitars, lovely melodies and richness. Later I learned that Nowhere Man and Drive my Car were in the original album and somehow in my mind it didn’t fit in the perfect playlist I’ve been used to hear for so many years. This is the only CD I purchased in the U.S. version just because of that. I understand people saying they can’t imagine it without the original songs, I guess we all got emotionally attached to what we heard in those years. Great video, saludos desde Mexico!

[@mmp64]

Me too.

[@georgeemil3618]

I agree. When I had learned that Rubber Soul was a concept album, the song line up of the US version made sense. I guess Drive My Car also made sense as an opening track but I can't imagine Nowhere Man fitting in anywhere.

[@BrendanBrown1]

I'm 21 and got into the Beatles about 5 years ago, and thank God that the UK version is much more widely disseminated now across all platforms because it does feel more complete to me having nowhere man and starting with that riff on drive my car. I'd imagine you probably don't even care that you prefer the US version cause it's what you grew up with, and that's okay! However, I still feel the concensus of the Beatles community would prefer the UK release.

[@fbastarra]

@@BrendanBrown1 I’m just very happy to hear that you got into The Beatles at such young age, with all the actual “pop” done with synth-tone machines, reggeaton rhythms and absolutely no soul nor message in lyrics, kids just don’t pay attention to what it’s perceived as prehistoric music. Glad you like the UK version, I was shocked when I found the original RS record had Nowhere Man, a big favorite of mine.

[@philip6502]

Emotionally attached...well said. That's why the younger ones like so much current music, as it is their soundtrack, which for the majority of us well-aged folks, current music doesn't touch most of us. At least, not me. PS...Still have all my Beatles LPs, and I remember buying Rubber Soul for four dollars!

[@richrogers5864]

I was listening once to my (mono?) UK LP copy of Rubber Soul and was amazed to clearly hear a cough in an instrumental part of Norwegian Wood! Had to replay it of course, but yes it's definitely there!

[@arrangrant6037]

Rubber Soul & Revolver have always been my favourite Beatles albums. I remember seeing an interview with George Harrison in which he said he regarded Rubber Soul and Revolver as parts 1 & 2 of the same album

[@TheJayson8899]

Which is ridiculous to me. Sorry George, but they're wildly different. Rubber Soul has none of the psychedelia featured so prominently on Revolver. Rubber Soul only hints at baroque on In My Life, whereas Revolver is full of it. Rubber Soul is much more folky whereas Revolver is more psychedelic pop and rock. Even production wise they're different. Revolver is a colder, metallic sounding album. Rubber Soul is generally warm but with those signature bright guitars. Rubber Soul had clever production work, but Revolver takes it to the next level and features tons of interesting techniques. I can't even imagine a song like Eleanor Rigby, Tomorrow Never Knows, I'm Only Sleeping or Love You To on Rubber Soul, and songs like She Said She Said and Taxman are rockier than anything on Rubber Soul. Got to Get You Into My Life is also something that wouldn't be found on Rubber Soul, what with its brass arrangement and motown influence. Rubber Soul has a greater emphasis on harmonies. The mixes are very different too. Vocals are hard panned on every song of Rubber Soul. That's only true for some of Revolver. I could go on really. It's hard to argue that they weren't very different. I think Revolver and Pepper's are more similar than Rubber Soul and Revolver are. Also Help! and Rubber Soul.

[@socialmeaslesinpartnership1252]

@@TheJayson8899 All of which is spot on. Harrison took drugs (you know?) and maybe at times couldn't be bothered to talk about "The Beatles".

[@timwestcott361]

As a rusted-on Beatles fan from day dot, I was underwhelmed by Beatles For Sale and Help ( but still loved their singles ) and had fallen for The Who and other harder rocking sounds. Therefore I didn't rush out to get Rubber Soul but got an EP ( more affordable for a 13 yo ) featuring Nowhere Man. But the track that jumped out was Drive My Car and it became THE party track. The fact that it did not appear on the US album is basically artistic vandalism imo. The UK ( and Australian ) side one selection is perfect, as it is the way the artists intended and the first 4 tracks got me intrigued and back on the Beatles train. So I did rush out and get Revolver - and music changed forever for me. When I play that album I can still recall my initial reactions to listening first time. And then Hendrix turns up ..

[@OutOnTheTiles]

A masterpiece followed by a masterpiece followed by a masterpiece followed by a masterpiece followed by another masterpiece.

[@melchiando]

Yea, and within what , 4 years time. Insane

[@ProfessorKenneth]

The Beatles are the greatest band in the bloody world.👍🏻🇬🇧

[@lesterpaul9657]

Sorry they never released a masterpiece. Every song sung by Ringo spoiled an album. And how could they forget to put Strawberry Fields and Penny Lane on the Sgt Pepper album? Another missed chance to create a masterpiece.

[@MrStonedkeef]

Without 'nowhere man' the US release is incomplete. I would put that track as the apex of the Beatles typical style in writing and sonic sound. It's surreal.

[@JonahNelson7]

Absolutely. I would have dropped Run for Your Life or The Word before Nowhere Man

[@mooghead]

Tastes are strange aren't they? I have never liked Nowhere Man, I always skip it.

[@JonahNelson7]

@@mooghead I used to like it but I liked it even more after I learned John wrote the song about himself. The added meaning makes it all quite a bit better

[@VoiceofFox]

+1 for Nowhere Man. Top 5 Beatles song for me yet I have friends that think it average. The melody, harmonies, bassline & lyrics all make something special to me. Always loved the song's sequence in the Yellow Submarine film too.

[@MrStonedkeef]

Sheer brilliance. He wrote that song when he was going through a creative block. No idea for a song so he took that thought and wrote that tune.If that's not genius I struggle to think what is.

[@mcarp555]

Nothing here which will improve Dexter's standing with Beatles fans anywhere. I know hindsight is 20/20, but the sheer impudence of the man is astonishing. It's no wonder EMI had such difficulty getting Capitol to even issue Beatles product in the beginning.

[@billythedog-309]

Constable: So, here is my latest work - the Haywain. Dexter: l like it, but let's shrink it, take out the river and the mill and replace them with the horse l cut out of Flatford mill. There! Much improved.

[@billythedog-309]

@@cuda426hemi l like your reasoning that arguments against Dexter are based on ignorance and then go on to prove it by showing that the same finite material was so cut up by him that he was able to release more albums and singles than in Britain. Unfortunately, it's harder to be impressed by your boast that you became a fan of the Beatles over a year after myself and millions of other people that heard them in Britain.

[@mcarp555]

@@cuda426hemi You are correct about _Dizzy Miss Lizzy_ being released in the US first, but not _Slow Down_ & _Matchbox_ - those were available on a UK EP _before_ they were released in the US (June 19, 1964 for the EP _Long Tall Sally_ vs. July 20, 1964 for _Something New_ ). They were certainly not recorded as 'filler' tracks for the US market. The only reason there were 'more' LPs is because Capitol would hive off album tracks. You also don't mention it took them over _two years_ to get the majority of the _Please Please Me_ UK album tracks released (as _The Early Beatles_ ). Plus Dave's penchant to smother mixes with reverb only shows his "I know better" attitude. Surely the artist and producer know better than some guy six thousand miles away? And should I mention _The Beatles' Story_ and the soundtrack songs in _Help!_ (that made fans pay full price for literally half an album?). One last thing - I suppose you're unaware that there is a mono white album with different mixes of several tracks? You're entitled to your opinion, but you certainly seem to be in the minority.

[@billythedog-309]

@@cuda426hemi Highlighted reply cuda426hemi 46 minutes ago 'Did they get the filler songs like Slow Down, Dizzy MIss Lizzy in the same YEAR U.S. kids did?' - Er, yes and as you say, they were filler songs and below the standard of most Beatle covers. Now, why don't you tell me about more important songs like Drive my car and Nowhere Man? What l can't understand is your defence of a series of albums that ripped off U.S. customers, even if in your pompous and inflated opinion the sound was better.

[@mcarp555]

@@cuda426hemi _"well it helped the Beatles and covered up all the mistakes you could hear on the UK mixes"_ That's just nonsense. You sound like a guy I used to know that swore up and down that cassettes were the superior medium. I get that you like the way Dave meddled with the sound; but it's literally artistic vandalism. Luckily he wasn't able to "improve" _Pepper_ or _Abbey Road_ . And you're also wrong about the white album. On _most_ tracks (but certainly not all), mono mixes would be done once all the tracks were recorded. The majority of the stereo mixes were done in October after all the songs had been recorded. Plus the mono version of the LP was cut a few days before the stereo one. Which, like _Pepper_ is why there is variation between the mono and stereo mixes for different tracks.

[@c.f.mixolydian8926]

I had no idea Brian Wilson was referring to the US version of Rubber Soul when talking about how influential it was! Very interesting! Learning more with this channel than I ever imagined. Thank you so much for all of your effort!

[@Parlogram]

Thanks for watching!

[@MrTCHOSS]

@Cris Zapot UK version is far better IMO --- Starts out with Baby You Can Drive My Car isn't even un the US version which is criminal

[@MrTCHOSS]

@Cris Zapot Yep and then that iconic Ringo drum roll into the verse. Such a spectacular start to an album. I like 'I've just seen a face", but its too folksy to start an album. And I don't get this idea that the US album is better because it flows better? meaning, more similar sounding genre of songs? That's silly to me, since part of what makes the Beatles so special is that they would cover such a wide range of genres all in the same album.

[@stephendavis5530]

Yes, but it's only two tracks. I believe the UK version is superior.

[@clarkquismundo789]

The UK version of their albums are the officially recognized Beatles Canon. With the exception of The Red ALBUM, The Blue Album and one more Capitol Records release which I cannot recall.

[@lynnarthur1411]

I was a Motown girl until Rubber Soul was released. I had a low opinion of the Beatles as a band who couldn’t produce real music. But “Norwegian Wood”would change my perception. My respect for, and love for their music became a lifetime passion.

[@casperguylkn]

My baby boomer Dad says just about the same thing. Rubber Soul coming out when he was 19 in college changed his opinion about the Beatles.

[@lynnarthur1411]

@@casperguylkn 😉

[@SPINNINGMYWHEELS777]

I would rather listen to Motown any day.

[@lynnarthur1411]

@@SPINNINGMYWHEELS777 My passion for R&B, soul, funk, and jazz didn’t change. But after hearing “Rubber Soul” (followed by “Revolver” “Sgt Peppers” and so on) I knew that the Beatles were a serious influence on the evolution of rock music. The Beatles chose the title “Rubber Soul” to acknowledge their lack of originality or “soul” that was evident in the modern Afro-American music they loved 😉

[@obbor4]

@@SPINNINGMYWHEELS777 So you're just here trolling then, huh?

[@kevindeibert3369]

Rubber Soul is my favorite Beatles album! Always has, always will. Both U.S. and U.K versions are great!

[@VictorySpeedway]

This is The Beatles' second greatest album, after Sgt. Peppers. (In my opinion) This is fascinating! I had no idea about any of this (different pressings, etc.)! Thanks for a peek into the mechanics of record production!

[@Parlogram]

Thanks for watching, Pete.

[@chriscampanozzi6516]

Rubber Soul, gorgeous. Simply fantastic.

[@alfching2499]

Let’s hope Giles Martin leaves this alone.Avoid anything he’s tampered with.

[@sejrec56]

I’ve also read in ALL YOU NEED IS EARS that G Martin used to have Beatles tune down maybe half a step and then he’d record them, but when making final mixes he’d bring back up to A440, so it would be a little tighter, quicker, more exciting. So I made a DAT recording off the Mobile Fidelity masters and recorded at half tone down and all of a sudden the instruments and amps sound real. I’m a musician so I know when an amp recorded sounds like an amplifier.the tone of their voices and accoustics all ring very Uniquely. Imo

[@cbrmax4192]

Nowhere Man and If I needed Someone are acrually among my favourites, anybody else loves those tracks so much?? 👉👉

[@6teezkid]

The cover is what made me buy it more quickly than usual (kids had to scrounge for money back then). I just knew I'd love it. I definitely wasn't prepared for what I heard. I was only 10 years old, and there was no such thing as information widely available (outside of critics...whom I didn't know about at that age) about an album until it was released. It was so different than the Beatles' normal sound. I just loved Norwegian Wood immediately. I played that one over and over. "The Word" 's drum beat really hooked me. Very quickly, I LOVED every track!

[@fostermcmurchy6525]

Wow that’s sweet, where are you from? Am a big fan of him

[@fiddleandfart]

"Norwegian Wood" - and "Girl" were standouts for me on "Rubber Soul" - both very Lennon, and with that wonderful Lennon voice. I remember finding that opening line of "Girl:" "Is there anybody going to listen to my story..?" very moving - almost to tears. It remains superb!

[@BFVK]

Finaly somebody consider The Word as his fav track ! It's rare, this song is so underrated.

[@davidreckamp8161]

Yes, it is a great song that is often overlooked. However, the stereo mix on the U.S. version might be the worst mix George Martin ever made. Fortunately for the the rest of the world, Martin did another, much better mix before the record was released. I assume Martin sent the better mix for U.S. inclusion, but of course Capitol, in their finite wisdom, probably disregarded the improved mix, and stayed with the dud that we grew up with.

[@TheJayson8899]

It and Drive My Car are the grooviest, funkiest songs the band ever did. Absolutely infectious.

[@petehatzakos]

Seeing the "inner workings" of Capital, reading those memos was like wow! Cool photo of John looking at the "award". How do you get your hands on these things? Amazing! I'm such a fan and seeing these details is such an eye opener. Makes you think Capital's minds exploded when the White Album came out.

[@jameskimble6133]

Too much “Cept for me and my monkey !” “I’m Back In The USSR” Is Helter Skelter on there ?

[@queenhenryviii]

The 2014 Mono box set included a really great book that was less about The Beatles themselves and more about inner workings of their labels, Parlophone (UK) and Capital (USA). Copies of internal memos were some of the cool extras included, like a fancy scrap book. It’s a really awesome Beatles book.

[@BaconTomatoCheese]

Yeah, that completely white cover? If I may paraphrase a quote from Nigel of spinal tap, “there’s none more white”…

[@michaelpowderly5514]

Rubber Soul and Revolver.... best albums The Beatles ever produced!!

[@phillipbroughton3086]

This album was the start of the Beatles’ peak in creativity through to Revolver and Sgt Pepper. A few tracks on this album could have been chart topping singles, such was their output in giving value for money. The first things I noticed about the cover was that it was the first album without the name of the group on the front cover and that John is the only one looking into the camera lense

[@DouglasMoreland-qd5cz]

Rubber soul is more Lennon..revolver more McCartney but both cannot be topped by anyone..it isn’t possible

[@scottburton9701]

"Rubber Soul" was a gamechanger-Every song was a winner.

[@senseichess8688]

Amen

[@greenaum]

Nah, a few songs were good. A couple were awful and make me cringe to hear. It certainly marked a big change in their music, but Revolver is where that really came to fruition, properly successful musically.

[@lesterpaul9657]

You can' t seriously claim that What goes on or Run for your life are winners. Day tripper has to be on this album instead.

[@josephnobile7451]

Yup every song was all that n a bag chips

[@LaskyLabs]

Didn't just change The Beatles. It changed The Beach Boys too!

[@FormulaProg]

Pet Sounds is overrated though.

[@LaskyLabs]

@@FormulaProg I like Sunflower more personally. But I still think it's a great album, and gaining the appreciation for how it was made is important when judging it.

[@FormulaProg]

@@LaskyLabs it is great I have a mono copy of it. Pet Sounds, that is.

[@LaskyLabs]

@@FormulaProg yeah, I was gonna say "Sunflower had mono copies but those were just stereo fold downs." I don't think pet sounds is overrated, maybe a little, but not by an incredible amount.

[@FormulaProg]

@@LaskyLabs in my opinion though looking at other important albums from the same era I would say Revolver, Piper at the gates of dawn, the doors, blonde on blonde, aftermath (stones) are all better albums.

[@Y-two-K]

The older I get, the more I appreciate Rubber Soul. Even though it's not my very favorite Beatles album, I think this album is their pop masterpiece.

[@lukeiovenitti4124]

Another difference between UK and US stereo is that that US stereo uses an earlier mix of The Word which retains John’s double tracked vocals during the verse. It’s a cool listen. As always, excellent analysis and wonderful in depth info, this was the first time I’d seen that photo of John staring at the cover or the internal Capitol memos. I hope this is all leading to a Yesterday and Today video!

[@Parlogram]

It's on my list, Luke

[@Noycey64]

I love that US stereo version of The Word, it blew my mind when I first heard it about a decade ago. Living in Australia I grew up with the UK album versions.

[@GrantTarredus]

I don’t know when I last heard or read such detailed analysis of anything. Your work on this astounds me, as does the sheer number of things I learned in 22 minutes because of such clear presentation. Half an hour ago I was unaware of you; now I’m eagerly subscribing and happily supporting with sincere thanks.

[@Parlogram]

Thank you, Stuart. Welcome aboard!

[@GrantTarredus]

@@Parlogram Would you happen to know the details of the mishap that led to “Fatty” Arbuckle’s photo being misidentified as Oliver Hardy’s on the Sgt. Pepper’s cover? As a keen Laurel & Hardy lover and a Beatles fanatic this has always vexed me. It’s wonderful that we have Stan Laurel given such a place of honor, and Roscoe Arbuckle was a great talent whose presence on the jacket I don’t at all begrudge. But where Stan is, Ollie should be. Thanks!

[@lawsaudiovault1942]

I love your channel I find it extremely educational, well presented and professional. A credit to the catalogues you present. May I also add that at times I am tired, I also find them very soothing to fall asleep to to (I do not mean boring!) If I do fall asleep I always go back and watch them the next day. Thanks so much for these

[@Parlogram]

Thank you very much!

[@mattkilleen7174]

I grew up with the U.S. albums. It may seem strange that Nowhere Man and If I Needed Someone aren't there, but for me, it was hard in '87 when the CDs came out) to imagine them not being on Yesterday and Today. I'm now used to the UK track listing and all is right with the world.

[@pardyhardly]

Yes. I had to adapt to " Day Tripper" not coming on after " What Goes On".

[@jacquelineganske7809]

I was 10 years old when I first listened to my older sisters album. I fell in love with it kind of mystified by the beautiful music. For a while I took it with me everywhere there might’ve been a record player. It’s still one of my favourite albums. ❤️

[@Parlogram]

Wonderful!

[@HARDROCKreverie]

These videos you do are simply amazing. It's SO great to get all of this information that I don't feel we would otherwise be getting. THANK YOU.

[@Parlogram]

Glad you like them!

[@fretboardmaster70]

You are indeed the Man. I cannot begin convey how much I enjoy your posts and how informative and entertaining your Videos are. Fortunately I have been able to put the year of issue to my old Beatles LPS and can now easily detect pressings, thanks to your videos.

[@Parlogram]

Thanks, Chris. Glad to have been of help.

[@brettb4904]

When I decided to see if the Beatles were "all that" (a process that took me about 10 years to complete) sometime around 1990 (unaware of how much of their music I had already heard not knowing it was them) Rubber Soul was one of the first albums (on casette) I bought of theirs. I'm looking through you was a favorite from that album and I always wondered what the hell happened to the intro. The cut it, I thought. That's not how it started on my album which I no longer had, could show to anyone or listen to. I even went so far, once, to cutting clipping and pasting together an intro from the new abbreviated version to restore it to the one I had. (That wayt also made sense because it was 1 chord played, pause, 1, 2 chords played, pause. 1,2,3 chords played then begins) And that so called false start is always how I played it on guitar. It's good to finally know I wasn't crazy and there are versions out there that begin the way I remember it. The way, in my book, it should be.

[@jonathanyork8977]

Fascinating video as always. I've never heard the US version, so the false start is interesting. I must hear it!

[@sugarjoe50]

Jonathon: It was available for many years on the stereo version, should be easy for you to find. Cassette copies too.

[@edryba4867]

Happy Anniversary on this one! I just happened to run across this video on the first Anniversary of its completion (Saturday, 27 August, 2022), so I watched it again. And as is the case with ALL of your Beatles videos, this one was GREAT! I enjoyed every second of it.

[@niallcalhoun2061]

Absolutely LOVE all your amazing videos! Thank you so much!

[@Parlogram]

Glad you like them, Niall.

[@markboyd9275]

I think I read that there are 2 slightly different US mixes as well. Either the East Or West pressings have a touch more reverb added. I think I grew up with that version because I remember thinking the EMI version sounded “too dry”, back when the CDs were finally issued in the ‘80s. I’m a fan of the Capitol tracking order I grew up with, but was obsessive enough to “create” the British version on cassette from various American releases.😀

[@Parlogram]

You're right Mark, there is a stereo variant with extra reverb.

[@frankperricone2065]

⁰0

[@pheresy1367]

I remember getting a hold of Rubber Soul in the 80s, because I adored it when it first came out in the 60s. I somehow always found the UK version and felt cheated and gaslit because I knew those odd songs were never on it, and was missing the other songs that went perfectly with their sound at that time. When I finally found out that UK Rubber Soul was DIFFERENT, I was vindicated. I was in 5th grade when it came out and played the grooves off of it, and so did my older siblings. It really was the album that made me fall in love with them all over again.

[@SolarasNaracott]

I'd love for you to do this for all of their albums. You do a great job at this!

[@johnp5333]

Very informative video Andrew. Will definitely pick up a US copy at some point.

[@Parlogram]

Thanks John. I recommend you do.

[@amb2745]

When Capitol Records created the box set of "The Capitol Albums Vol. 2" in 2006, some of the Rubber Soul CD's in the box sets had the false start of I'm Looking Through You in both mono and stereo formats. This was created by Capitol not using the proper mixes from the mono and stereo tapes. Once they figured this out, later box sets would have the corrected mixes of Rubber Soul. I have the mono and stereo Rubber Soul with the false starts on both formats. At one time, there was a press release from Capitol offering people who had the incorrect mix of Rubber Soul to send in their incorrect mixes in exchange for the corrected mixes. I never sent mine back.

[@bobcash4617]

Capitol mistakenly used the mono fold down of the stereo version instead of the dedicated mono mix. I sent mine back.

[@darrylmoore127]

I never returned mine either

[@darrylmoore127]

I.have the False start on both

[@jackielangley5154]

@@bobcash4617 I did too.

[@2Writers4]

I’ve disliked the Help Cover for 56 years. I’m glad to hear it’s not just me. I’ve learned to love the album, but when it came out my first response was “Wait. What?” The Beatles evolution wasn’t always historic in real time for me. Which is why I’ve found so many layers of appreciation over the years. When Rubber Soul came out I was very relieved to find they hadn’t sold out. Which of course they never had, even with Help.

[@silversurfer493]

From an artistic point of view, i believe that the cover of "Help" was a step back. Still a good album ...

[@bluehole6019]

How come the cover of Help made it seem like they sold out?

[@craigfazekas3923]

"You Won't See Me" makes me cry- every time !!.... 🚬😎

[@OlavARod]

Never thought I’d learn this much from a video on rubber soul! Wonderful! Thank you so much! :D Keep up the amazing work! :)

[@Parlogram]

Glad you liked it, Olav. Stay tuned!

[@OlavARod]

@@Parlogram I sure will!!

[@jaustill237]

Because I was a 90s teen, the album I grew up on was the CD English version. And still, I hold the two albums equally and change up which one I listen to based on whim of the day.

[@peterx1957]

Hi Andrew, a bit of trivia. The loud cut of the mono "Rubber Soul" can also be found on the original Australian pressing. Those tapes were sent to EMI Australia before the UK loud cut was withdrawn in England so it continued to be issued here until all the monos were deleted in 1969. Interesting video as usual. Cheers. 😊👍

[@Parlogram]

Thanks for the info, Peter.

[@hearingthings1200]

Also the first Dutch... I have it through this as well...

[@reviloremeor]

Hi Andrew, although I am from Germany, for a longer time period since 1978, I only owned a US copy of "RUBBER SOUL" in my record collection which I bought back in New York at "TOWER RECORDS", while visiting my aunt from New Jersey. Because of this, from the age of only 11 years, I was used to listen to the US version from Capitol Records and even today, I like the "kind of folky" style selection of the song line up more than the german, european or U.K, selection. Dispite now having the original U.K. and german editions as well, I grew up more with the US edition, although I like both versions of the LP anyway, being one of my most favourite Beatles albums of all times.

[@SoLaRe60]

Das es so etwas gibt--einen deutschen, der sich fuer englische Popmusik interessiert. Kaum zu glauben.

[@dannysvinylrainbow4852]

Everything in this episode is why I love your channel. Superb!

[@Parlogram]

Wow, thanks!

[@sharonelliott2366]

Still my favorite Beatles album.

[@glennspringthorpe6227]

The first version of Rubber Soul I heard was the one my mum bought for my 13th birthday in 1981. A 'New Improved Full Dimensional Stereo' version with purple label on Capitol & I'm English, from Nottingham. To this day I prefer the US version of this album, although I do love 'If I needed someone'. I can do without 'Drive my car' & 'Nowhere man' for the sheer fluidity of the way this Capitol album sounds. X

[@Musicradio77Network]

I believe that this album was a reprint from 1981 with the purple Capitol label where it was revived since the 1950’s. There were a handful of reprints of “Rubber Soul” including the one with a lime green Capitol label with a “Bullseye” logo, and then the orange label with the cropped “Capitol” wording on the bottom, and the Apple logo in which Apple acquired the original Beatles recordings up to 1967. As for the “New Improved Full Dimensional Stereo” on the top. Capitol started in 1958 as “Capitol Stereo: The Full Spectrum of Sound”, and then renamed as “Capitol Full Dimensional Stereo” a few months later where it was named after the name “Full Dimensional Sound” which was first used on their classical albums for Capitol in the early 1950’s. Capitol started redesigned the label with a black label with a rainbow border on top and the Capitol logo was on the left side with “Long Playing - High Fidelity”, a year later, it was changed with the thorns replaces the wording and by the early 1960’s, the Capitol logo was moved to the top where it remained until 1969. Prior to that, it was on a purple, gray and turquoise labels where the Capitol logo was shown before 1958 where it can be found on Nat King Cole, Dean Martin, and Frank Sinatra albums.

[@groverbaker6404]

Another great job!! Love this channel!! Thanks Andrew

[@Parlogram]

Thanks Grover. Glad you enjoy it!

[@AlexVermouth82]

BRAVO Andrew!!!, another excellent research and review, both versions are my favorites!!!

[@Parlogram]

Thank you kindly, Alex!

[@christy7698]

"Rubber Soul" contains their best harmonies, EVER!

[@MSMediaRotterdam]

The most interesting part, overall, is that record companies in those days seemed to be very dedicated regarding the quality of their product and connection to their local markets. Just because of that quite some different versions of albums appeared through the years which makes collecting them an interesting hobby indeed. I don't think they expected that in the sixties :o)

[@errorsofmodernism9715]

Very good info and presentation, thank you for not waving your hands maniacally like many reviewers do in the U.S.

[@johncarsell1205]

Lots of great information there Andrew. Keep 'em coming!

[@Parlogram]

Thanks John, will do!

[@billleary5779]

Terrific video Andrew! I really enjoyed this look at Rubber Soul. I actually just listened to a mono US pressing the other day. The US version is the first one that I became familiar with but as I first heard it in 1984, I really only lived with it for a couple of years before Capital released the UK versions on cassette and vinyl in July 1987. After that I quickly adjusted to the UK Rubber Soul. I agree that I’ve Just Seen. A Face and It’s Only Love are good tracks but they don’t compare to Nowhere Man and If I needed Somebody. Nowhere Man alone makes me pick the UK over the US version although I do think the US is a great listen and one of the better decisions by Capitol along the Second Album and Magical Mystery Tour. Thanks for sharing!

[@Parlogram]

Thanks again for watching, Bill.

[@moondogaudiojones1146]

I’ve said it before...but the US version just felt better...using tracks from Help! we didn’t know about til the British version appeared in the States, but the UK version sounded great. It truly was nuts that Capitol left it to an “adult” who thought he knew what kids should/would like! Preposterous!

[@doodledangernoodle2517]

You should really make a large coffee table book of all the rereleases of Beatles albums from the US, UK, and everywhere else in the world. That would be so damn cool.

[@this_is_angel74]

Good one! I grew up on the Beatles thru my Dad. Saw the Beatlemania production when I was almost 6. The US pressings is what we all grew up on. It wasn’t until the Complete Beatles doc that I realized the UK albums were the artists intended releases. On the other hand, the US Rubber Soul is a better sequenced affair. The opening of I’ve Just Seen A Face is part of my DNA. Sonically, it’s very full although a little too much low end. Currently listening to my copy from 1971 on the Apple label. Pressed in Jacksonville

[@Ross1966]

The US Capitol version of Rubber Soul has always been my favorite Beatles album.

[@LLYMYNT]

I like both versions for different reasons. I grew up listening to the US version of Rubber Soul when I was 5.

[@gerrycoogan6544]

Andrew, this is one of your finest pieces of research. It's a tremendously informative and insightful post.

[@Parlogram]

Wow, thank you, Gerry!

[@AlejandroGomez-yx1sg]

Hello Andrew. Wonderful video, as usual. I really enjoyed it and learned many things about this album. Greetings.

[@Parlogram]

Glad you enjoyed it, Alejandro.

[@jackfitzpatrick8173]

Rubber Soul and Revolver...their best works,by far!

[@lucasdiego5028]

The UK verson is my favorite, however the USA is very good version too.

[@jackiepuppet9289]

You’re videos are always so informative, thank you! I’m very happy with the 2014 but that -5 is interesting. Maybe I’ll hunt it down one day!

[@takubo]

Rubber Soul is among my 3 favorite Beatles records, alongside Sgt. Pepper, and Abbey Road

[@MplsTodd]

While I agree that Nowhere Man & If I Needed Someone fit in perfectly to Rubber Soul, I’ve always preferred the US album side openers to the UK version. While I like ‘Drive My Car’, ‘I’ve Just Seen A Face’ is a great opener and really previews the feel of this album. Even though Lennon disliked it, I’ve always like ‘It’s Only Love’-Great guitars. What Goes On would fit better on Help IMO.

[@beatlemaniacwaltdisneyfan4753]

Ignore "dizzy miss lizzy" the UK album "help" *actually* changed the Beatles: yesterday you've got to hide your love away it's only love i've just seen a face etc the U.S. albums "rubber soul and yesterday & today" are stealing credit

[@JimDeferio]

My favorite Beatles album has always been the American Rubber Soul. In regards to "folk music", ask ten people to define it and you'll get ten different answers. If what is on Rubber Soul is considered "folk", then the Beatles were doing "folk" for years before December 1965.

[@Nooz2u]

I think it would be more accurate to say 'the acoustic album', since the beginning two tracks pretty well defined the 'mood' of the entire album, especially with 'Girl' as the opening track for side two, similar to the Led Zeppelin III LP, which was vastly more different than their second one. With exclusion of the mainly electric tunes, 'Drive My Car' and 'Nowhere Man', the album has more of that concept feeling, and is not 'jarring', as one commenter said. The UK version is all over the place songwise, and doesn't elicit any type of conceptual listening. I also have fond memories of the 'Yesterday...And Today' LP, which I believe stands pretty much on its own.

[@JimDeferio]

@@Nooz2u I am glad that Capitol put out the more folkish Rubber Soul rather than the UK Rubber Soul. Capitol knew way more about the huge American market than EMI did. I also like Yesterday...and Today" and I like the fact that Capitol rounded up singles like "Day Tripper", "Yesterday", and "We Can Work It Out" because sales of albums were beginning to grow greatly and many stopped purchasing singles. Too bad that many who only purchased albums didn't get to hear "I'm Down" and several other songs on vinyl until 1972 .

[@essexboy5520]

Brilliant Andrew...we need a book on this stuff. Rubber Soul, cool music and cool haircuts.

[@tonyfox7510]

Andrew may I applaud you for the interesting and educational presentation in today's video. I highly enjoyed it and am always enthusiastic for future offerings from you. 👏👍

[@Parlogram]

Thanks so much, Tony.

[@lundsweden]

Rubber Soul really was the Beatles coming of age. I like the 65-67 material the best, before it became a bit too psychadelic for my taste. But they had some gems later on to IMO.

[@ge-8135]

When I was a lad I considered everything up to RSoul Beatles and anything after did but exist. Their last two albums are shite for sure.

[@lucalone]

"if rubber soul is the marijuana album, revolver is the acid album" - John Lennon. by the way: both are their best studio albums. period.

[@themangoman9315]

True I would also say that magical mystery tour could be called the acid album

[@saint6563]

A favorite vid among many favorite vids by you; congrats!

[@Parlogram]

Wow, thanks!

[@acemacgruber6593]

Awesome review. Great work.

[@Parlogram]

Thanks for watching, Ace.

[@vicbertfartingclack4559]

Not a fan of Mr Dave Dexter, JUNIOR. Those memos do reveal a arrogance I always suspected he had. But I do respect his song running order on the US version of RB. I’ll give him that. Also some of the US mixes he oversaw. A broken clock is correct twice a day.

[@fostermcmurchy6525]

Hey how are you doing?

[@greenaum]

"Get rid of Drive My Car! It's just too catchy!" "OK, and there's this song where John threatens to break a woman's legs and fucking kill her if he sees her with another man..." "Oh, keep that! It's the heart of the album! In fact put it on twice!"

[@markputnam4491]

I love all the information you shared, you certainly understand a lot and it comes through as you've explained it so well. Cheers!

[@Parlogram]

Cheers, Mark!

[@robinmiller7958]

Thanks for posting!

[@TheJayson8899]

The US Rubber Soul flows better, but the English has much better songs -- and more of them.

[@thomervin7450]

I'd rather have better flow versus more songs. It's not like the songs can't be heard on another album.

[@TheJayson8899]

@@thomervin7450 Fair enough. For me, the songs are indispensable and work much better within this album as they sound stylistically similar rather than being shoved among songs from other eras. It's also short enough as it is, so making it even shorter isn't preferable. But I understand where you're coming from.

[@thelunarlaugh2415]

It'd be great to have an in-depth video on the first run of Canadian Rubber Soul CDs that accidentally used the original stereo mixes in place of the 80s remixes. Too much misinformation out there and your channel does a great job of researching getting the facts right.

[@Parlogram]

Great suggestion!

[@robertfontaine356]

You make some excellent points. It is something often forgotten when discussing 1960`s mixes i.e. the vast majority of music fans were listening on plastic record players with 3 Watt amplifiers and tin speakers. As Pete Townshend once said: "We made the records to sound good on 3 in. car speakers...tinny." A significant component of the Beatles everlasting popularity is that George Martin made the records to sound as good as he could make them, and the man had golden ears, thank God.

[@48musicfan]

Thank you, Andrew! I really enjoyed your analysis of this wonderful album ( UK and US). I also believe the brown album title on the Capitol version works better with the front cover photo.

[@DiRtYLaWs2007]

Ray Manzarek of The Doors said something very similar about this album. He’d dismissed The Beatles as a teeny bopper group for teenage girls. One night whilst under the influence of psychedelics he was shown the cover of the album and as he stared into the eyes of The Beatles he felt he could tell that by this point, they all too had experimented with LSD. They were no longer boys, they were now men.

[@Nina5144]

Whoop de doo

[@joeblevins1061]

1:34 "Although 'What Goes On' ranks today as one of fans' least favorite tracks..." This caught me off-guard. I've been a fan for decades and have read plenty of books and articles about the band, and I don't think I've ever heard a negative thing said about this track until now. Are you sure this isn't just *you*? In that case you could've said the song "ranks today as one of MY least favorite tracks." I don't see what there would be to get upset about. It's a quick, catchy, upbeat song with a memorable chorus. It certainly doesn't overstay its welcome or anything. What's to dislike?

[@TheJayson8899]

Many people don't like country or Ringo singing. It sticks out amongst sonically and musically innovative pop rock and balladry. I like the song too, but it's certainly my least favourite on the album.

[@aureliande2659]

Ian MacDonald calls it a filler (with George 'trotting out his Chat Atkins clichés') and I remember other authors putting it down. I agree with you, however, and like it a lot. I like the major/minor shifts and remember how fascinated I was by the seemingly independent bass line, sparse guitar work, and pounding backbeat all contributing like jigsaw pieces to an upbeat number that you instantly want to sing along with (and practise harmony!).

[@EdKazO-Vision]

Count me in as a huge fan of that track!

[@rolandbogush2594]

Fascinating review, thank you. I’m certainly with you on preferring the mono version. There’s an interesting story about Norwegian Wood and the Dylan song ‘4th Time Around’ which appears on the Blonde on Blonde album, which came out between Rubber Soul and Revolver. During production of BoB, Dylan was challenged that ‘4th Time Around’ sounded somewhat like Norwegian Wood (both having 3/4 time signatures amongst other similarities), and Dylan responded that ‘Actually Norwegian Wood sounds a lot like 4th Time Around’, as he claimed to have played his song for Lennon before the latter wrote Norwegian Wood. The last lines of ‘4th Time Around’ are ‘And I, I never took much, I never asked for your crutch, Now don't ask for mine’ - said in Dylanology circles to be a warning from Dylan to Lennon not to emulate the style of Dylan’s lyrics. The truth is unlikely ever to be clarified.

[@danielcerda1907]

So interesting, thank you for this; cheers from Monterrey Mexico!

[@georgeprice4212]

George Harrison himself said he favored the Capitol version, as it was more folk rock.....

[@scruffyapples]

I don’t think that’s true. What’s your source?

[@georgeprice4212]

@@scruffyapples Harrison interviews over the years that ask about the subject.

[@stingfan16ify]

I feel that the line-up and order of songs in the Capitol pressing is one of the best in album history! Far better than the U K. version. For me, this album more than any other, was responsible for the creation of the album as an art form and what it would eventually evolve to become. No fillers, and quality throughout. It really was the first of its kind, and one of the best EVER!!! (And George's personal favorite as well!!!)

[@jrgboy]

As long as you realise that the Capitol version has nothing to do with The Beatles or George Martin..

[@rimasjb]

I agree. Arrogant or no, Dexter got it right. Drive My Car, Nowhere Man, and I I Needed Someone are good tracks but I've Just Seen a Face and It's Only Love work much better. Martin & Co chose their tracks in production line mode -- this is the latest you've got that aren't singles, so here they go onto an album. What Dexter did was enhance what was unique about Rubber Soul by getting out of that mindset. The oddity of the US releases has been explained by this video: UK did 7 tracks a side, US accountants would only allow 6 or else they'd have to pay a penny more on the dollar or whatever. It resulted in a distorted picture of their output, but it did, on this occasion produce a happy outcome. I actually like the idea of the US Rubber Soul and the US Yesterday and Today being packaged together as a "plugged" vs "unplugged" album. I'd add Rain and Paperback Writer to the latter and lose What Goes On. Hell, nothing stopping me from doing that anyway.

[@jrgboy]

George M & the Beatles never had any songs in reserve so so they recorded & released the UK albums as & when, what with touring 8 months a year & having to produce 3 singles & 2 albums a year EMI never did them any favours they had to book studio time well in advance like everyone else & hope all went well.i

[@williamcassidy7618]

The track listing on the Capitol pressing is awful.

[@defrigge]

@@rimasjb The only thing Dexter had to offer was arragont musical cluelessness and lowest American pop culture taste. Drive My Car and Nowhere Man are both ten times better songs than I've just seen a face and Only Love. And to see third class American Kitsch taste take over through a man, who basically doesn't understand pop and rock music, and to see him wreck havoc on a timeless great British album, is nothing but a hilarious disgrace. Dexter should have managed dumb American elevator music, conflake commercials and the most boring of folk music at best, from my view as musician and listener. He never was and never will be a producer worth publishing Beatles music at all!

[@Mr22thou]

Excellent video. I was set straight on a number of facts. Thanks.

[@offtherealm5438]

I have fond memories of the US version...I just wish "If I Needed Someone" was included. That song would have blown my mind when I was first discovering The Beatles....it was years later that I heard it. "It's Only Love" .....I agree, an amazing Lennon vocal performance.

[@anthonydworak8127]

The professional songwriters and studio session musicians located by George Martin for this classic album were truly second-to-none. World class.

[@TheJayson8899]

...The Beatles?

[@charliestoops8815]

There are no session musicians on Rubber Soul, besides the Beatles the only other instrumentalists are Martin himself (harmonium or piano on certain tracks) and Mal Evans (organ on one track)

[@TheHollowBodiesBand]

Drive My Car and Nowhere Man are a fundamental part of Rubber Soul. The Capitol album is a lunacy.

[@MrTCHOSS]

Couldn't have said it better. It's like removing Tom Brady from the Patriots and saying "they are still the same team basically"

[@piscesman54]

Absolutely agree. American businessmen doing what they do best. Fuck it up for money's sake.

[@tomdegan6924]

Even I learned something here. Excellent presentation!

[@Parlogram]

Glad you enjoyed it, Tom!

[@jamesmurray7381]

Great video as always. I’ve the -1 and -4 as well as the Capitol versions. I prefer the -4. It’s my favourite Beatles album just now anyway. So it was good to get comparisons for different pressings And I hope you do more of these types of videos. Cheers.