Beatles for Sale

Beatles For Sale, released in December 1964, is the band’s fourth British studio album. The title is one of Ringo’s lines, bemoaning all the demands and pressures now being made upon the group following Beatlemania. The four all felt the same way – that they were just goods, getting shipped around the world and offered for sale. Because it was such a rush job, they were unable to put together enough original compositions together in time to fill the album; they managed only eight, then threw in six written by other people to complete the track list. So in one sense, they were going backwards rather than forwards, as the last album, A Hard Day’s Night, had been all theirs.

Nevertheless, the album, particularly the Lennon-penned tracks (1-3, 12) signal a turning point in the band’s evolution from conventionally packaged boy-girl love diddies to more reflective, personal and literary themes. Paul’s “I’ll Follow the Sun” and “Every Little Thing” are also representative of a more personal offering. “I’ll Follow The Sun”, in particular, is characterized by McCartney’s typical upbeat, positive but also perhaps selfish outlook that often contrasts with John’s tendency, in such a situation, of casting himself as the victim.

“Eight Days a Week” and “Rock and Roll Music” bring the band’s Rock ‘n Roll roots back into focus with catchy hooks and steady rhythms.