Release date:
Nov 13, 2000

Related sessions

This album has been recorded during the following studio sessions















"Help!" Session #1

Feb 15, 1965


"Help!" Session #7

Feb 23, 1965


"Help!" Session #11

Apr 13, 1965


"Help!" Session #12

Apr 18, 1965


"Help!" Session #15

Jun 14, 1965


"Help!" Session #18

Jun 18, 1965




























Recording "Hey Jude"

Jul 31, 1968


Recording "Hey Jude"

Aug 01, 1968







Mixing "Get Back"

Apr 07, 1969




Recording "Something"

May 02, 1969


Recording "Something"

May 05, 1969












Mixing "Penny Lane"

Sep 30, 1971

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Track list

Disc 1


1.

Love Me Do

Written by Lennon - McCartney

2:23 • Studio versionB2000 • Mono • 2000 remaster

Paul McCartney :
Bass, Vocals
Ringo Starr :
Tambourine
John Lennon :
Acoustic rhythm guitar, Harmonica, Vocals
George Harrison :
Acoustic rhythm guitar
George Martin :
Producer
Norman Smith :
Recording engineer
Andy White :
Drums
Ron Richards :
Producer
Peter Mew :
Remastering

Session Recording:
Sep 11, 1962
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

Session Mixing:
Sep 11, 1962
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road


2.

From Me to You

Written by Lennon - McCartney

1:58 • Studio versionA2000 • Mono • 2000 remaster

Paul McCartney :
Bass guitar, Vocals
Ringo Starr :
Drums
John Lennon :
Harmonica, Rhythm guitar, Vocals
George Harrison :
Harmony vocals, Lead guitar
George Martin :
Producer
Norman Smith :
Recording engineer
Peter Mew :
Remastering

Session Recording:
Mar 05, 1963
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

Session Mixing:
Mar 14, 1963
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road


3.

She Loves You

Written by Lennon - McCartney

2:22 • Studio versionA2000 • Mono • 2000 remaster

Paul McCartney :
Bass, Vocals
Ringo Starr :
Drums
John Lennon :
Rhythm guitar, Vocals
George Harrison :
Lead guitar, Vocals
George Martin :
Producer
Norman Smith :
Recording engineer
Peter Mew :
Remastering

Session Recording:
Jul 01, 1963
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

Session Mixing:
Jul 04, 1963
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road


4.

I Want to Hold Your Hand

Written by Lennon - McCartney

2:27 • Studio versionD2000 • Stereo • 2000 remaster

Paul McCartney :
Bass guitar, Handclaps, Vocals
Ringo Starr :
Drums, Handclaps
John Lennon :
Handclaps, Rhythm guitar, Vocals
George Harrison :
Handclaps, Lead guitar
George Martin :
Producer
Norman Smith :
Recording engineer
Peter Mew :
Remastering

Session Recording:
Oct 17, 1963
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

Session Mixing:
Nov 07, 1966
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road


5.

Can't Buy Me Love

Written by Lennon - McCartney

2:11 • Studio versionB2000 • Stereo • 2000 remaster

Paul McCartney :
Bass, Vocals
Ringo Starr :
Drums
John Lennon :
Acoustic rhythm guitar
George Harrison :
Lead guitar, Rhythm guitar
George Martin :
Producer
Geoff Emerick :
Second engineer
Norman Smith :
Hi-hat, Recording engineer
Peter Mew :
Remastering

Session Recording:
Jan 29, 1964
Studio :
EMI Pathé Marconi Studios, Boulogne-sur-Seine, France

Session Mixing:
Jun 22, 1964
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio One, Abbey Road


6.

A Hard Day's Night

Written by Lennon - McCartney

2:33 • Studio versionC2000 • Stereo • 2000 remaster

Paul McCartney :
Bass, Vocals
Ringo Starr :
Bongos, Drums
John Lennon :
Electric and acoustic rhythm guitars, Vocals
George Harrison :
Lead guitar
George Martin :
Piano, Producer
Norman Smith :
Recording engineer
Peter Mew :
Remastering

Session Recording:
Apr 16, 1964
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

Session Mixing:
Jun 22, 1964
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio One, Abbey Road


7.

I Feel Fine

Written by Lennon - McCartney

2:20 • Studio versionC2000 • Stereo • 2000 remaster

Paul McCartney :
Bass, Vocals
Ringo Starr :
Drums
John Lennon :
Guitar, Vocals
George Harrison :
Guitar, Vocals
George Martin :
Producer
Norman Smith :
Recording engineer
Peter Mew :
Remastering

Session Recording:
Oct 18, 1964
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

Session Mixing:
Nov 04, 1964
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road


8.

Eight Days a Week

Written by Lennon - McCartney

2:44 • Studio versionB2000 • Stereo • 2000 remaster

Paul McCartney :
Bass, Handclaps, Harmony vocals
Ringo Starr :
Drums, Handclaps
John Lennon :
Acoustic rhythm guitar, Handclaps, Lead vocals
George Harrison :
Handclaps, Lead guitar
George Martin :
Producer
Norman Smith :
Recording engineer
Peter Mew :
Remastering

Session Recording:
Oct 06, 1964
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

Session Mixing:
Oct 27, 1964
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road


9.

Ticket to Ride

Written by Lennon - McCartney

3:10 • Studio versionB2000 • Stereo • 2000 remaster

Paul McCartney :
Bass, Harmony vocals, Lead guitar
Ringo Starr :
Drums, Handclaps, Tambourine
John Lennon :
Double-tracked lead vocals, Rhythm guitar
George Harrison :
Rhythm guitar
George Martin :
Producer
Norman Smith :
Recording engineer
Peter Mew :
Remastering

Session Recording:
Feb 15, 1965
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

Session Mixing:
Feb 23, 1965
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road


10.

Help!

Written by Lennon - McCartney

2:39 • Studio versionB2000 • Stereo • 2000 remaster

Paul McCartney :
Backing vocals, Bass
Ringo Starr :
Drums, Tambourine
John Lennon :
Rhythm guitar, Vocals
George Harrison :
Backing vocals, Lead guitar
George Martin :
Producer
Norman Smith :
Recording engineer
Peter Mew :
Remastering

Session Recording:
Apr 13, 1965
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

Session Recording:
Apr 18, 1965
Studio :
EMI Studios, Room 65, Abbey Road

Session Mixing:
Jun 18, 1965
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road


11.

Yesterday

Written by Lennon - McCartney

2:06 • Studio versionB2000 • Stereo • 2000 remaster

Paul McCartney :
Guitar, Vocals
George Martin :
Producer
Norman Smith :
Recording engineer
Tony Gilbert :
Violin
Sidney Sax :
Violin
Kenneth Essex :
Viola
Francesc Gabarró Solé :
Cello
Peter Mew :
Remastering

Session Recording:
Jun 14, 1965
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

Session Mixing:
Jun 18, 1965
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road


12.

Day Tripper

Written by Lennon - McCartney

2:49 • Studio versionC2000 • Stereo • 2000 remaster

Paul McCartney :
Bass, Vocals
Ringo Starr :
Drums, Tambourine
John Lennon :
Lead guitar, Rhythm guitar, Vocals
George Harrison :
Lead guitar, Vocals
George Martin :
Producer
Norman Smith :
Recording engineer
Peter Mew :
Remastering

Session Recording:
Oct 16, 1965
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

Session Mixing:
Nov 10, 1966
Studio :
EMI Studios, Room 65, Abbey Road


13.

We Can Work It Out

Written by Lennon - McCartney

2:11 • Studio versionC2000 • Stereo • 2000 remaster

Paul McCartney :
Bass, Vocals
Ringo Starr :
Drums
John Lennon :
Acoustic rhythm guitar, Harmonium, Vocals
George Harrison :
Tambourine
George Martin :
Producer
Norman Smith :
Recording engineer
Peter Mew :
Remastering

Session Recording:
Oct 20, 1965
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

Session Mixing:
Oct 28, 1965
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

Session Mixing:
Nov 10, 1965
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road


14.

Paperback Writer

Written by Lennon - McCartney

2:15 • Studio versionB2000 • Stereo • 2000 remaster

Paul McCartney :
Backing vocals, Bass, Electric guitar, Lead vocals
Ringo Starr :
Drums
John Lennon :
Backing vocals, Tambourine
George Harrison :
Backing vocals, Electric guitar
George Martin :
Producer
Geoff Emerick :
Recording engineer
Peter Mew :
Remastering

Session Recording:
Apr 13, 1966
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Three, Abbey Road

Session Overdubs:
Apr 14, 1966
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Three, Abbey Road

Session Mixing:
Oct 31, 1966
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio One, Abbey Road


15.

Yellow Submarine

Written by Lennon - McCartney

2:40 • Studio versionB2000 • Stereo • 2000 remaster

Paul McCartney :
Backing vocals, Bass
Ringo Starr :
Drums, Vocals
John Lennon :
Acoustic guitar, Backing vocals
George Harrison :
Backing vocals, Tambourine
George Martin :
Backing vocals, Producer
Geoff Emerick :
Backing vocals, Recording engineer, Tape loop (marching band)
Mal Evans :
Backing vocals, Bass drum
Neil Aspinall :
Backing vocals
Pattie Boyd / Harrison :
Backing vocals, Laughter
Brian Jones :
Backing vocals, Ocarina, Sound effects (clinking glasses)
Marianne Faithfull :
Backing vocals
Alf Bicknell :
Backing vocals, Sound effects (rattling chains)
Peter Mew :
Remastering
Unknown musician(s) :
Brass band
John Skinner :
Sound effects (chains in bathtub)
Terry Condon :
Sound effects (chains in bathtub)

Session Recording:
May 26, 1966
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Three, Abbey Road

Session Overdubs:
Jun 01, 1966
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

Session Mixing:
Jun 22, 1966
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Three, Abbey Road


16.

Eleanor Rigby

Written by Lennon - McCartney

2:02 • Studio versionB2000 • Stereo • 2000 remaster

Paul McCartney :
Vocals
John Lennon :
Harmony vocals
George Harrison :
Harmony vocals
George Martin :
Producer
Geoff Emerick :
Recording engineer
Tony Gilbert :
Violin
Sidney Sax :
Violin
John Sharpe :
Violin
Jürgen Hess :
Violin
Stephen Shingles :
Viola
John Underwood :
Viola
Derek Simpson :
Cello
Norman Jones :
Cello
Peter Mew :
Remastering

Session Recording:
Apr 28, 1966
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

Session Overdubs:
Apr 29, 1966
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Three, Abbey Road

Session Overdubs:
Jun 06, 1966
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Three, Abbey Road

Session Mixing:
Jun 22, 1966
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Three, Abbey Road


17.

Penny Lane

Written by Lennon - McCartney

3:00 • Studio versionC2000 • Stereo • 2000 remaster

Paul McCartney :
Bass, Handclaps, Harmonium, Pianos, Vocals
Ringo Starr :
Drums, Tambourine, Tubular bells
John Lennon :
Backing vocals, Congas, Guitar, Handclaps, Piano
George Harrison :
Backing vocals, Electric guitar, Handclaps
George Martin :
Producer
Geoff Emerick :
Recording engineer
David Mason :
Piccolo trumpet
Ray Swinfield :
Flute
P Goody :
Flute
Manny Winters :
Flute
Dennis Walton :
Flute
Leon Calvert :
Trumpet
Freddy Clayton :
Trumpet
Bert Courtley :
Trumpets
Duncan Campbell :
Trumpets
Dick Morgan :
Cor anglais, Oboes
Mike Winfield :
Cor anglais, Oboes
Frank Clarke :
Double bass
Peter Mew :
Remastering
Unknown musician(s) :
Flugelhorn, Two piccolos

Session Recording:
Dec 29, 1966
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

Session Overdubs:
Dec 30, 1966 and Jan 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 12, 17, 1967
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

Session Mixing:
Sep 30, 1971
Studio :
AIR Studios, London, UK


18.

All You Need Is Love

Written by Lennon - McCartney

4:02 • Studio versionB2000 • Mono • 2000 remaster

Paul McCartney :
Backing vocals, Bass, Double bass
Ringo Starr :
Drums
John Lennon :
Banjo, Harpsichord, Vocals
George Harrison :
Backing vocals, Guitar, Violin
George Martin :
Piano, Producer
Geoff Emerick :
Recording engineer
Eric Clapton :
Backing vocals, Handclaps
Mike McCartney / McGear :
Backing vocals, Handclaps
Mal Evans :
Backing vocals, Handclaps
Sidney Sax :
Violin
Pattie Boyd / Harrison :
Backing vocals, Handclaps
Marianne Faithfull :
Backing vocals, Handclaps
David Mason :
Trumpet
Lionel Ross :
Cello
Eddie Kramer :
Recording engineer
Mick Jagger :
Backing vocals, Handclaps
Patrick Halling :
Violin
Eric Bowie :
Violin
John Ronayne :
Violin
Jack Holmes :
Cello
Rex Morris :
Tenor saxophone
Don Honeywill :
Tenor saxophone
Stanley Woods :
Trumpet
Evan Watkins :
Trombone
Harry Spain :
Trombone
Jack Emblow :
Accordion
Keith Richards :
Backing vocals, Handclaps
Jane Asher :
Backing vocals, Handclaps
Keith Moon :
Backing vocals, Handclaps
Hunter Davies :
Backing vocals, Handclaps
Gary Leeds :
Backing vocals, Handclaps
Mike Vickers :
Conductor
Peter Mew :
Remastering
Rose Nash :
Backing vocals, Handclaps

Session Recording:
Jun 14, 1967
Studio :
Olympic Sound Studios, London

Session Overdubs:
Jun 19, 23, 24, 1967
Studio :
EMI Studios, Abbey Road

Session Overdubs:
Jun 25, 1967
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio One, Abbey Road

Session Mixing:
Oct 29, 1968
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Three, Abbey Road


19.

Hello Goodbye

Written by Lennon - McCartney

3:27 • Studio versionB2000 • Stereo • 2000 remaster

Paul McCartney :
Backing vocals, Bass, Lead vocals, Piano
Ringo Starr :
Congas, Drums
John Lennon :
Backing vocals, Lead guitar, Organ
George Harrison :
Backing vocals, Lead guitar, Tambourine
George Martin :
Producer
Geoff Emerick :
Recording engineer
Ken Scott :
Recording engineer
Kenneth Essex :
Viola
Leo Birnbaum :
Viola
Peter Mew :
Remastering
Unknown musician(s) :
Bongos, Maracas

Session Recording:
Oct 02, 1967
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

Session Overdubs:
Oct 19, 1967
Studio :
EMI Studios, Abbey Road

Session Overdubs:
Oct 20 & 25 & Nov 2, 1967
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Three, Abbey Road

Session Mixing:
Nov 06, 1967
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Three, Abbey Road


20.

Lady Madonna

Written by Lennon - McCartney

2:19 • Studio versionB2000 • Stereo • 2000 remaster

Paul McCartney :
Bass, Handclaps, Piano, Vocals
Ringo Starr :
Drums, Handclaps
John Lennon :
Backing vocals, Handclaps, Lead guitar
George Harrison :
Backing vocals, Handclaps, Lead guitar
George Martin :
Producer
Geoff Emerick :
Recording engineer
Ken Scott :
Recording engineer
Bill Povey :
Tenor saxophone
Harry Klein :
Baritone saxophone
Ronnie Scott :
Tenor saxophone
Bill Jackman :
Baritone saxophone
Peter Mew :
Remastering

Session Recording:
Feb 03, 1968
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Three, Abbey Road

Session Overdubs:
Feb 06, 1968
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio One, Abbey Road

Session Mixing:
Dec 02, 1969
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road


21.

Hey Jude

Written by Lennon - McCartney

7:12 • Studio versionB2000 • Stereo • 2000 remaster

Paul McCartney :
Bass, Piano, Vocals
Ringo Starr :
Backing vocals, Drums, Tambourine
John Lennon :
Acoustic guitar, Backing vocals
George Harrison :
Backing vocals, Electric guitar
George Martin :
Producer
Ken Scott :
Recording engineer
Barry Sheffield :
Recording engineer
Bill Jackman :
Flute
Peter Mew :
Remastering
Unknown musician(s) :
Bassoon, Contrabass clarinet, Contrabassoon, Four trombones, Four trumpets, One flute, One percussionist, Ten violins, Three violas, Two cellos, Two clarinets, Two double basses, Two french horns
Bobby Kok :
Cello

Session Recording & overdubs:
Jul 31, 1968
Studio :
Trident Studios, London, UK

Session Overdubs:
Aug 01, 1968
Studio :
Trident Studios, London, UK

Session Mixing:
Dec 05, 1969
Studio :
EMI Studios, Room 4, Abbey Road


22.

Get Back

Written by Lennon - McCartney

3:14 • Studio versionA2000 • Stereo • 2000 remaster

Paul McCartney :
Bass, Lead vocal
Ringo Starr :
Drums
John Lennon :
Backing vocal, Lead guitar
George Harrison :
Rhythm guitar
George Martin :
Producer
Glyn Johns :
Engineer
Billy Preston :
Electric piano
Jerry Boys :
Second engineer
Peter Mew :
Remastering

Session Recording:
January 27, 1969
Studio :
Apple Studios, 3 Savile Row, London

Session Recording:
January 28, 1969
Studio :
Apple Studios, 3 Savile Row, London

Session Mixing:
April 7, 1969
Studio :
Olympic Sound Studios, London


23.

The Ballad of John and Yoko

Written by Lennon - McCartney

3:01 • Studio versionA2000 • Stereo • 2000 remaster

Paul McCartney :
Bass, Drums, Harmony vocals, Maracas, Piano
John Lennon :
Acoustic guitar, Guitar-thumps percussion, Lead guitar, Vocals
George Martin :
Producer
Geoff Emerick :
Recording engineer
Peter Mew :
Remastering

Session Recording & overdubs:
Apr 14, 1969
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Three, Abbey Road

Session Mixing:
Apr 14, 1969
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Three, Abbey Road


24.

Something

Written by George Harrison

3:02 • Studio versionA2000 • Stereo • 2000 remaster

Paul McCartney :
Backing vocals, Bass
Ringo Starr :
Drums
John Lennon :
Piano
George Harrison :
Lead guitar, Rhythm guitar, Vocals
George Martin :
Producer, String arrangement
Geoff Emerick :
Recording engineer
Phil McDonald :
Recording engineer
Chris Thomas :
Producer
Jeff Jarratt :
Recording engineer
Glyn Johns :
Recording engineer
Billy Preston :
Hammond organ
Peter Mew :
Remastering
Unknown musician(s) :
Four cellos, Four violas, One double-bass, Twelve violins

Session Recording:
May 02, 1969
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Three, Abbey Road

Session Overdubs:
May 05, 1969
Studio :
Olympic Sound Studios, London

Session Overdubs:
11,16 Jul, 15 Aug 1969
Studio :
EMI Studios, Abbey Road

Session Mixing:
Aug 19, 1969
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road


25.

Come Together

Written by Lennon - McCartney

4:20 • Studio versionA2000 • Stereo • 2000 remaster

Paul McCartney :
Bass, Electric piano, Harmony vocals
Ringo Starr :
Drums, Maracas
John Lennon :
Handclaps, Harmony vocals, Rhythm guitar, Tambourine, Vocals
George Harrison :
Lead guitar, Rhythm guitar
George Martin :
Producer
Geoff Emerick :
Recording engineer
Phil McDonald :
Recording engineer
Peter Mew :
Remastering

Session Recording:
Jul 21, 1969
Studio :
EMI Studios, Abbey Road

Session Overdubs:
22, 23, 25, 29, 30 Jul 1969
Studio :
EMI Studios, Abbey Road

Session Mixing:
Aug 07, 1969
Studio :
EMI Studios, Abbey Road


26.

Let It Be

Written by Lennon - McCartney

3:52 • Studio versionA2000 • Stereo • 2000 remaster

Paul McCartney :
Backing vocals, Bass guitar, Maracas, Piano, Vocals
Linda McCartney :
Backing vocals
Ringo Starr :
Drums
John Lennon :
Backing vocals
George Harrison :
Backing vocals, Lead guitar
George Martin :
Producer
Phil McDonald :
Recording engineer
Chris Thomas :
Producer
Jeff Jarratt :
Recording engineer
Glyn Johns :
Recording engineer
Billy Preston :
Electric piano, Organ
Peter Mew :
Remastering

Session Recording:
Jan 31, 1969
Studio :
Apple Studios, 3 Savile Row, London

Session Overdubs:
Apr 30, 1969
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Three, Abbey Road

Session Mixing:
Jan 04, 1970
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road


27.

The Long and Winding Road

Written by Lennon - McCartney

3:38 • Studio versionA2000 • Stereo • 2000 remaster

Paul McCartney :
Piano, Vocals
Ringo Starr :
Drums
John Lennon :
Bass
George Harrison :
Guitar
George Martin :
Producer
Richard Hewson :
Orchestra arrangement
Phil Spector :
Producer
Peter Bown :
Recording engineer
Glyn Johns :
Recording engineer
Peter Mew :
Remastering
Unknown musician(s) :
Eighteen violins, Four cellos, Four violas, Fourteen vocalists, Harp, Three trombones, Three trumpets

Session Recording:
Jan 26, 1969
Studio :
Apple Studios, 3 Savile Row, London

Session Orchestra overdubs:
Apr 01, 1970
Studio :
EMI Studios, Studio One, Abbey Road

Session Mixing:
Apr 02, 1970
Studio :
EMI Studios, Room 4, Abbey Road

About

When we released The Beatles’ 1 album I was going through it to check the sound quality and so on, and these were all Number 1s so I knew they were songs that had worked for whatever reason. I’d be listening and thinking… Wow. It’s really good, the way we started there and then we went there and then we’ve gone back to the theme at the beginning. A little kid could listen to these songs and like them. It’s the same with the standards. We didn’t know why we liked them at the time, but now I know: it’s the structure. There’s always something clever about them.

Paul McCartney – Interview with MOJO, March 2012

From Wikipedia:

1 is a compilation album by the English rock band the Beatles, originally released on 13 November 2000. The album features virtually every number-one single the band achieved in the United Kingdom and United States from 1962 to 1970. Issued on the 30th anniversary of the band’s break-up, it was their first compilation available on only one CD. 1 was a commercial success and topped charts worldwide. It has sold over 31 million copies.

In addition, 1 is the fourth best-selling album in the US since Nielsen SoundScan began tracking US album sales in January 1991 and the best-selling album of the 2000s decade in the US, as well as the best-selling album of the decade worldwide. 1 was remastered and reissued in September 2011, and was remixed and reissued again in several different deluxe editions in November 2015, the most comprehensive of which is a three-disc set entitled 1+, which includes video discs of the band’s promotional films.

As of June 2015, 1 was the sixth best-selling album of the 21st century in the UK, having sold over 3.1 million copies.

Background

1 was compiled by producer George Martin and former band members Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr. The album contains the 27 Beatles songs that went to number one in the United Kingdom on the Record Retailer Top 50 chart or in the United States on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Despite Harrison’s “For You Blue” charting at number 1 on Billboard, along with the A-side “The Long and Winding Road“, Capitol Records treated “For You Blue” as strictly a B-side and did not promote it as an A-side. “Day Tripper” was included on 1 since it charted at number 1 in the UK as a double A-side with “We Can Work It Out“, while in the US, only “We Can Work It Out” was number 1. Two singles written by John Lennon and released in both the UK and US were omitted as they did not top either the Record Retailer chart or the Billboard Hot 100: “Please Please Me” and “Strawberry Fields Forever“. The former was the Beatles’ first UK number one single in all British charts except Record Retailer, reaching the top spot in the music magazines New Musical Express, Melody Maker and Disc. “Strawberry Fields Forever” was part of a double A-side single with “Penny Lane“, which reached the top spot in Melody Maker and peaked at number 2 in the other UK charts, behind Engelbert Humperdinck’s “Release Me”.

The album is a combination of both the US and UK versions of the 1982 compilation 20 Greatest Hits, with the addition of “Something” (which was left off 20 Greatest Hits because of time constraints).[citation needed] On 1, “Hey Jude” was included in its original full-length version (slightly over seven minutes), whereas the American version of 20 Greatest Hits contained a shortened version.

Remastering

Before 1, all 27 songs were mainly available on two remastered CD releases: firstly on the respective Beatles studio albums released in 1987 (as well as Past Masters, Volume One and Past Masters, Volume Two, released in 1988). The second remastering was made available on the CD versions for 1962–1966 and 1967–1970, released in 1993.

The songs on 1 were remastered specifically for the release in 2000. According to the liner notes of the album, the original analogue masters were “digitally remastered at 24 bits resolution, processed using Sonic Solutions NoNoise technology and mastered to 16-bit using Prism SNS Noise Shaping”. The remastering was overseen by Peter Mew of Abbey Road Studios and took place there. In 2011, 1 was remastered and reissued on CD. In 2015 it was remastered again and remixed by Giles Martin; when Martin began to assist with fixing up the audio tracks for the 1+ video clips, he realised that his goal of making them “more immersive” should also apply to 1. For the remixing project, Martin commented: “The remasters went back to these final mix tapes and remastered them. They cleaned them up and then they EQ-ed them and released them. What we’re doing is remixing. We’re going not to the final mix, we’re creating our own mixes.” About his remixing approach, Martin said: “My approach was to be respectful of everything, I had sessions and sessions where I flipped between previously remastered stereos, the mono remasters, and the remixes we’ve done. I flip between everything and make sure I prefer what we’ve done.”

Package

The package of 1 was intended to be simplistic and ambitious at the same time. Its cover was designed by Rick Ward, and consists of a pop art-style yellow number one on a red background. The emphasis on the 1 digit was used on many of the compilations of number-one hits by different artists that followed this album; for example, ELV1S by Elvis Presley and Number Ones by the Bee Gees. The album’s back cover features the famous photos of the Beatles taken by Richard Avedon and copyrighted on 17 August 1967. The design exclusively uses variations of the Helvetica typeface.

1 was released worldwide in CD and cassette. The vinyl format was released only in the United Kingdom. The CD includes a 32-page booklet with a coloured page with international picture covers (a total of 163 covers are displayed on the whole booklet) and details (recording date, location, release date, chart stats) for each of the singles. It also includes on its first two pages a collage with 27 1s in different colours (all of them following the same art as the cover) with the sentence “27 No. 1 singles = 1” (which was used as a catch phrase for the promo ads for the album), and a foreword by George Martin.

The LP and cassette keep the main art of the CD version, but in a different form. The double vinyl record version was not released in the US, but the imported British edition was available. The vinyl version features a large full-colour fold-out poster showing 126 picture sleeves (37 fewer than on the CD), and reproductions of the four Richard Avedon photos. The Avedon portraits also appear on the inside of the gate-fold cover. The records have custom labels featuring the same graphics as the front cover and are packaged in custom inner sleeves. The deluxe packaging of the vinyl album, with its four portraits and poster, is reminiscent to that of their titular 1968 album. The cassette included a 20-page insert, including the collage, the George Martin commentary and paged Avedon’s portraits on its inlay and the whole description for the tracks as a total of 36 covers on its inlay reverse.

Release variations

2000 CD. Apple 7243 5 29970 2 2 (Released in UK only)
2000 CD. Apple 7243 5 29325 2 8 (Worldwide release)
2011 CD. (Remastered). Apple 50999 083070 2 6
2015 CD. (Remixed). Apple 06025 475678 1 9 (as 1+ with two DVD or Blu-ray discs)

1+

On 6 November 2015, Apple Records released a deluxe version of the original album, titled 1+. Most of the tracks on 1 have been remixed from the original multi-track masters by Giles Martin, except the first three tracks, which are the original mono mixes. In addition to the new mixes, there are surround sound 5.1 mixes presented as Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio in the Blu-ray version and Dolby Digital and DTS in the DVD version.

1+ also includes 50 promotional films/performances, plus commentary and introductions from Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr. All the videos have been digitally restored and enhanced. They are available on DVD and Blu-ray.

Variations of 1/1+ include standard CD, CD/DVD, CD/Blu-ray, CD/2DVD, CD/2Blu-ray. The double-disc video editions also feature a 124-page hard-bound book with illustrations. The DVD/Blu-ray video editions are also available as a stand-alone package.

Reception

1 received universal acclaim. Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic gave the album five stars out of five. He stated that there is “no question that this is all great music”, although to him “there’s really no reason for anyone who owns all the records to get this too”.

Legacy

1 went on to inspire the release of a wave of compilation albums, in particular three other “number ones” albums: Elvis Presley’s ELV1S (2002), Michael Jackson’s Number Ones (2003) and the Bee Gees’ Number Ones (2004). Other compilations inspired by 1 issued included Nirvana’s Nirvana (2002), the Rolling Stones’ Forty Licks (2002), Pink Floyd’s Echoes: The Best of Pink Floyd (2001), The Who’s The Ultimate Collection (2002) and Dean Martin’s Dino: The Essential Dean Martin (2004).

Sales and chart performance

The reception of 1 surpassed all critical and commercial expectations.[citation needed] It reached number 1 in over 35 countries, achieving the record for the album debuting at the top of the most national charts ever.[citation needed] It became the highest-selling of 2000 and, some time later, of the entire decade.[citation needed] This achievement made the Beatles the first and only artist to have the best-selling albums of two different decades: they also released the best-selling album of the 1960s, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.[citation needed] No tracks from Sgt. Pepper appear on this album. With this album, the Beatles also achieved having an album hit the number 1 position in the US in four non-consecutive decades (1960s, 1970s, 1990s and 2000s).

In the United Kingdom, 1 became the Beatles’ 15th number 1 album with sales of 319,126 copies (achieving record sales for only one week in 2000). On 18 December 2000, Ananova.com reported that the album has “become 2000’s biggest-selling album—in only five weeks.” 1 was the first album to stay at the top spot for nine weeks in almost ten years (the last being the Eurythmics’s Greatest Hits), the best-selling album of 2000, and the fourth best-selling album of the 2000s so far in the UK. In its eleventh week, 1 sold a total of two million copies in the UK. It spent a total of 46 weeks inside the Top 75. In July 2013 it was certified 10× platinum by the BPI, for over 3 million copies sold in the UK. It is the 21st best-selling album in the UK, according to an assessment by the Official Charts Company and the British Phonographic Industry that counted album sales in the UK from 28 July 1956 to the present day, and the second best-selling Beatles album in that country (only beaten by Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, which is the UK’s third best-selling album). As of July 2016, the album has sold over 3,230,000 copies in the UK.

In the United States, the response was similar. 1 debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 during the week of 2 December 2000 with sales totaling over 595,500 copies.
In its second week, sales increased to 662,000 but it was knocked off the top spot by Backstreet Boys’ Black & Blue which sold 1.59 million units, therefore, 1 fell off to number two on its week on chart. The following week it stayed at number two selling 607,000 units, by doing so, the album became the sixth to debut at the top of the Billboard 200 and post a SoundScan increase in its second week and the first to do so after opening with a sum of more than half a million copies. During the week of 23 December 2000, its fourth week on chart, 1 moved 671,000 copies and returned to the top of the Billboard 200. The next week, on 30 December 2000 it stayed at the top of the chart selling 823,500 copies. On 10 February 2001, after being the number one album for eight non-consecutive weeks, 1 fell off to number four on the Billboard 200 with 173,500 units sold, a 19.5% dip in sales, by the time this happened the album had sold almost six millions units. The album spent a total of eight weeks at number 1 and sold 1,258,667 copies during the week before Christmas of 2000. With this number, the Beatles achieved a new record: it was the seventh highest one-week sales in Soundscan history, the highest for an album not in its first week of sales, and the highest for an album comprising previously released music. The album spent 309 weeks inside the Billboard 200 and was the sixth best-selling album in the United States in 2000 with 5,100,000 copies sold according to Nielsen SoundScan. On 30 August 2011 the band announced through their Facebook account that the album was available to pre-order from iTunes and that it was digitally remastered. On 24 September 2011, after the album made its digital debut in the iTunes Store it re-entered on the Billboard 200 at number four selling 60,000 units, it also topped the iTunes album charts in the US, Canada, Japan, the Netherlands, Mexico, Switzerland, Spain, New Zealand and Greece according to a Capitol/EMI press release. Its digital launch on the iTunes Store was accompanied with a price of $9.99 and a Twitter camping with the hashtag #MyBeatles1 asking their fans: What is your favorite “1” track? Resulting in many celebrities and stars posting their favorites, too. In 2015, after it was remastered again and remixed by Giles Martin, 1 re-entered on the Billboard 200 at number six selling 40,000 units. It was certified eleven times platinum by the RIAA on 8 March 2010 denoting shipments of eleven million units, and 1 is included on the list of the Top 100 Albums by the Recording Industry Association of America. The album is the best-selling album of the 21st century in the US and the fourth best-selling album in the Soundscan era (1991–present). As of October 2019, the album has had sold 13 million copies in the US. In the US, the album secured the Beatles a fourth decade in which they placed an album at number 1 on the Billboard chart.

In Canada, 1 debuted at number 1 on the Canadian Albums Chart, selling 54,668 copies in its first week. The album was certified Diamond (1,000,000 units) by the CRIA in February 2001, just four months after its release. As of 2009, 1 has sold 1,103,000 units in Canada, making it the fifth best-selling album ever in Canada of the Nielsen SoundScan era.

In Germany, 1 debuted at number 1 and managed to stay there nine non-consecutive weeks. Though this, it stayed only seventeen weeks in the top ten of the German Albums Chart, but fifty weeks in the total chart. By selling 1,650,000 copies and reaching 11× Gold, it’s the third best-selling album of the decade 2000–2009 and the best-selling non-German language album.

In 2009, Apple Corps, the Beatles’ company, stated that worldwide sales of 1 had exceeded 31 million copies. Worldwide in 2000 the album sold 13.8 million copies, with 2 million or more copies sold during 2 consecutive weeks, and was the fourth best-selling album behind Eminem’s The Marshall Mathers LP, Britney Spears’ Oops!… I Did It Again, and Santana’s Supernatural. […]

Last updated on August 20, 2023

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