UK Release date : Friday, November 24, 1967
By The Beatles • 7" Single • Part of the collection “The Beatles • Singles”
Last updated on August 18, 2024
Previous single Oct 20, 1967 • "Catcall" by The Chris Barber Band released in the UK
Article Nov 23, 1967 • "Hello, Goodbye" is broadcast on Top Of The Pops
Session Nov 24, 1967 • First recording session for "Grapefruit"
Single Nov 24, 1967 • "Hello, Goodbye / I Am The Walrus (UK version)" by The Beatles released in the UK
Interview Nov 25, 1967 • The Beatles interview for New Musical Express (NME)
Article Nov 26, 1967 • “Hello, Goodbye” is broadcast on The Ed Sullivan Show
Next single Nov 27, 1967 • "Hello, Goodbye / I Am The Walrus (US version)" by The Beatles released in the US
This album was recorded during the following studio sessions:
3:27 • Studio version • A • Mono
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 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 02, 1967 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Three, Abbey Road
4:33 • Studio version • A • Mono
Paul McCartney : Bass, Tambourine Ringo Starr : Drums John Lennon : Electric piano, Mellotron, Vocals George Harrison : Lead guitar George Martin : Conductor, Producer Geoff Emerick : Recording engineer Jack Rothstein : Violin Ken Scott : Recording engineer Sidney Sax : Violin Peggie Allen : Backing vocals Wendy Horan : Backing vocals Pat Whitmore : Backing vocals Jill Utting : Backing vocals June Day : Backing vocals Sylvia King : Backing vocals Irene King : Backing vocals G Mallen : Backing vocals Fred Lucas : Backing vocals Mike Redway : Backing vocals John O'Neill : Backing vocals F Dachtler : Backing vocals Allan Grant : Backing vocals D Griffiths : Backing vocals J Smith : Backing vocals J Fraser : Backing vocals Ralph Elman : Violin Andrew McGee : Violin Jack Greene : Violin Louis Stevens : Violin John Jezzard : Violin Jack Richards : Violin Lionel Ross : Cello Eldon Fox : Cello Bram Martin : Cello Terry Weil : Cello Gordon Lewin : Clarinet Neill Sanders : Horn Tony Tunstall : Horn Morris Miller : Horn Ray Thomas : Backing vocals (?) Mike Pinder : Backing vocals (?) The Mike Sammes Singers : Backing vocals
Session Recording: Sep 05, 1967 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio One, Abbey Road
Session Overdubs: Sep 06, 1967 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
Session Orchestra overdubs: Sep 27, 1967 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio One and Two, Abbey Road
Session Mixing: Sep 28-29, 1967 • Studio EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road
From Wikipedia:
“Hello, Goodbye” was selected as the Beatles’ single for the 1967 Christmas season, their first release since Epstein’s death. Lennon pushed for his composition “I Am the Walrus” to be the A-side instead, but then ceded to McCartney and Martin’s insistence that “Hello, Goodbye” was the more commercial of the two tracks. Lennon remained dismissive of the song; he later said: “‘Hello, Goodbye’ beat out ‘I Am the Walrus’ … Can you believe that? I began to submerge.” Everett writes that, had “I Am the Walrus” been the A-side, “[it] would probably have encouraged Lennon to lead the Beatles to new heights”, whereas the decision to choose “Hello, Goodbye” was “one more nail in the Beatles coffin”.
In Britain, Parlophone issued “Hello, Goodbye” backed by “I Am the Walrus” on 24 November 1967, with the catalogue number R 5655. Within a day of its release, the record had sold over 300,000 copies there. It went on to top the national chart compiled by Record Retailer (later the UK Singles Chart) for seven weeks, through to 23 January 1968, giving the Beatles their longest run at number 1 on that chart since “She Loves You” in 1963. In the process, the song became the group’s fourth Christmas number 1 single in five years. For three weeks from 27 December 1967, the band held the top two positions in the UK, with the Magical Mystery Tour soundtrack EP trailing “Hello, Goodbye”.
The single was released on 27 November in the United States, as Capitol 2056, and in the issue dated 30 December replaced the Monkees’ “Daydream Believer” at number one on Billboard’s Hot 100, where it remained for three weeks, becoming the band’s fifteenth American chart-topper. The single was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America on 15 December 1967. It was later listed by Billboard magazine as the band’s seventh biggest US chart hit. The single was successful in many other countries, topping charts in Australia, Canada, West Germany, Holland and Norway. It also peaked at number 2 in Ireland, Austria, Belgium and Switzerland.
“Hello, Goodbye” was included on the American Magical Mystery Tour album, which Capitol Records compiled by adding five non-album singles tracks from 1967 to the six songs issued in most other countries on the double EP. In the Magical Mystery Tour film, which aired on British television on 26 December 1967, the song’s coda plays over the end credits. “Hello, Goodbye” subsequently appeared on Beatles compilation albums such as 1967–1970 and 1. As part of EMI’s policy of celebrating the 20th anniversary of each Beatles single, “Hello, Goodbye” was reissued in the UK in November 1987 and peaked at number 63 on the UK Singles Chart. “Hello, Goodbye” was released in America as “Hello Goodbye” on both the single and the parent LP.
BEATLES – NEW SINGLE ‘Hello, Goodbye’
A NEW Beatles single titled “Hello, Goodbye” will be released on November 24. The A-side was specially written by Lennon and McCartney as their next single and the B-side is “I Am The Walrus,” from their Magical Mystery Tour TV film.
Paul takes lead vocal on “Hello, Goodbye” and John on “I Am The Walrus,” though George and Ringo are both heavily featured on both tracks.
The group only finished work on the single last weekend. Both are Lennon and McCartney compositions.
The Beatles are to make a film clip of “Hello, Goodbye” to be seen on TV programmes to coincide with the release.
The Beatles are still at work on the final editing and recording for the Magical Mystery Tour which is expected to be seen on British TV at Christmas.
From Melody Maker – November 11, 1967
NEW BEATLES TITLES…
NEW Beatles’ single will be released on November 24th. Paul takes lead on the “A” side “Hello, Goodbye” — a number which John and Paul wrote specifically for single release and not for “The Magical Mystery Tour”. However, the flipside “I Am The Walrus”, on which John takes the lead, will be prominently featured in the show when it is screened in December. The single was completed last weekend at EMI studios.
From Record Mirror – November 11, 1967
EXCLUSIVE! BEATLES SINGLE TITLES
“Hello, Goodbye” and “I Am The Walrus” – these are the titles of the new Beatles single out on Friday, November 24, their follow-up to the world-wide smash, “All You Need Is Love”.
“Hello, Goodbye” was specially written by John and Paul as the topside of the new release and only completed last weekend. Paul is lead singer, but the backing also features the voices of Paul, John George.
Flip comes from their TV spectacular, “Magical Mystery Tour,” John is lead singer here, but again the voices of John, Paul and George are heard in the backing.
This song – one of five plus an instrumental in “Magical Mystery Tour” – is one of the big production numbers in the film and is heard during a sequence shot at West Malling, near Maidstone, Kent.
The recording was completed some weeks ago, but – according to Beatles spokesman Tony Barrow – “the boys wanted to write a completely new song to be the topside of the new single release, so they came up with ‘Hello, Goodbye’.”
Beatles are filming a TV clip of “Hello, Goodbye” for insertion in various TV programmes. None had been fixed at presstime.
Final sequences for the “Magical Mystery Tour” TV spectacular were shot at Ringo’s home at Weybridge, Surrey, last Friday.
December will see the release of the other songs from “Magical Mystery Tour,” but no further details were available at presstime.
New Year priorities for the Beatles are a new LP and their third film, following “A Hard Days’s Night” and “Help!” And the next film may well be an all-Beatles production. Added Tony Barrow: “Though ‘Magical Mystery Tour’ is a TV film, this is the first time they have produced, scripted, cast and starred in a film. This may well prove to be a prototype of their next film assignment.”
The animated cartoon film, “Yellow Submarine,” which features 12 songs by the Beatles – including four new ones – should be ready for release in March or April.
From Disc And Music Echo – November 11, 1967
Beatles new disc surprise, TV promotion; pop-art cartoon movie nears completion
A NEW Beatles single has been scheduled for release later this month — and the group will be seen promoting it on television. A special release of the soundtrack titles from the “Magical Mystery Tour” spectacular is planned for December. More details of the Beatles’ animated cartoon film “Yellow Submarine” have been revealed. The group is planning to record another novelty disc for exclusive distribution to its Fan Club members this Christmas.
Top side of the new Parlophone single is “Hello, Goodbye” with Paul as lead vocalist, supported by John and George. The number was specially recorded last weekend for singles release and is not taken from “Magical Mystery Tour.” The coupling “I Am The Walrus” — featuring John, vocally backed by Paul and George — does come from the TV show. Both tracks are Lennon-McCartney compositions. The disc is issued on November 24.
A further six titles from the soundtrack of the “Tour” spectacular will be released in December. A spokesman for the Beatles explained: “There is too much for an EP, and not enough for an LP. This means the material will probably be put out as a special presentation package.”
The Beatles will film a TV promotional clip on “Hello, Goodbye” for slotting into television programmes throughout the world. It is likely to be screened first in BBC-1’s “Top Of The Pops.” The clip is being made by Subafilms, the company formed by the late Brian Epstein. The group did not undertake any TV promotion on its last single “All You Need Is Love” apart from its initial performance in the “Our World” hook-up. Concentrated work on the TV show has so far prevented the Beatles from recording its annual Fan Club disc, but it intends to devote a session specifically to this disc within the next fortnight. As in previous years the record will be sent free to all members of the Club.
The Beatles’ recording manager George Martin has been named as musical director for the “Yellow Submarine” cartoon based on the group. The film, produced by King Features and Subafilms, is said to incorporate the most advanced techniques in animation ever used. The drawings, influenced by pop and psychedelic art, are styled to set off the “mod world of the Beatles.” The picture is a musical comedy about a Chase and a rescue, written by Al Brodax, Jack Mendelsohn and Erich Segal. In addition to the title number, which inspired the whole project, the cartoon features three new Lennon-McCartney numbers — the remaining eight songs are taken from the “Sgt. Pepper” LP. The Beatles have now completed recording the soundtrack for the film, which will be released by United Artists in March or April.
From New Musical Express – November 11, 1967
SIMPLE BEATLES SENSATIONAL!
“Hello, Goodbye”/”I Am The Walrus” (Parlophone).
UNBELIEVABLE how the Beatles always succeed in creating a minor sensation out of something incredibly simple! And this new one is as simple in construction as All You Need Is Love ” — with a repetitive lyric repeated over and over by Paul, while John and George chip in with vivid tonal harmonies.
It’s set to an urgent strumming beat, accentuated by maraccas, clanking piano, occasional twangs and some solid Ringo drumming. After a false ending, it launches into a lengthy fade-out with a Polynesian flavour and the boys chanting “Aloha “!
Supremely commercial, and the complete answer to those who feel the Beatles are going too way out.
FLIP : John growls the nonsense (and sometimes suggestive) lyric, backed by a more complex scoring incorporating violins and cellos. Comes from “Magical Mystery Tour.” You need to hear it a few times before you can absorb it.
From New Musical Express – November 18, 1967
NEW BEATLES SINGLE * STILL THE BEATLES OLD SOUL AND FEELING
A GREY Monday morning, EMI House. Looking out at the square through the window. Here goes and on goes “Hello, Goodbye” by the Beatles. So what’s it going to be? Another hit?
Well, of course. “You say goodbye, I say hello; you say stop and I say go,” sings Paul through a straight heavy thumping beat and the echoing voices of George and John backing him up. Superficially it’s a very “ordinary” Beatles record without cascading sitars, and the involved, weaving hallucinogenic sounds that we’ve grown to love so much.
However, all the Beatles soul and feeling is shining through and with the strong repetitive lyric punctuated occasionally by a searing guitar note or a chugging piano riff, you’ve got a nice, ‘singalong’ new Beatles single, which eventually fades and ska-beat’s back into a stronger, louder, and generally more positive ending.
The flip, “I Am A Walrus”, features John “I am the egg man” Lennon waiting in an English country garden for the sun. The song comes from the Magical Mystery Tour film and the scene is set with whining, sad blue strings giving John a soft coasting background.
Again not such a complex sound as a lot of previous Beatles stuff but it builds nicely to a chattering spinning cacophony and electricity and hissing gongs behind a barely audible “conversation.”
It’s gentle Beatles this time with their new Christmas number one, keeping the realms of pop with the boundaries of insanity, being as withy and as subtle as ever. No doubt the more times you hear “Hello, Goodbye” and “I Am The Walrus” the more the subtleties come to light.
From Melody Maker – November 18, 1967
THE BEATLES
Hello, Goodbye; I Am The Walrus (Parlophone R 5655). First impressions – typical McCartney vocals, on this deliberately repetitive medium pace item. It sounds like a send-up, the lyrics (what are there) mean nothing but the insidious compelling brainstorming will take this to number one. Flip is far better, from “Magical Mystery Tour”. John takes lead on the fantastic wailing production – interesting acidy sounds throughout and catchy strange lyrics — a very long side with the usual Beatles psychological tricks being played throughout. Safe as milk. TOP FIFTY TIP
From Record Mirror – November 25, 1967
BEATLES SAY HELLO – Single tops 300,000
THE Beatles say hello again — and it will soon be goodbye to number one for Long John Baldry. Re-stating their claim as the leaders of world pop, the Beatles’ new single “Hello, Goodbye” skyrocketed to number three from nowhere this week. The record had advance orders of more than 250,000 and by Saturday evening — the day after release orders and sales topped 300,000.
A film clip of the group performing “Hello, Goodbye” was dropped from Top of the Pops last week because some parts of it contravened the BBC’s agreement on miming with the Musicians’ Union.
Commented Nems press officer Tony Barrow: “It was a surprise to the Beatles that it was dropped because they had made themselves available to the BBC a couple of days earlier for extra filming to replace the bits of the clip which contravened the miming regulations. But executives at the BBC ruled that it could not be shown.”
A BBC spokesman said they had no plans to show it on this week’s or any other week’s edition of the show.
Barrow also confirmed that one of the Beatles’ companies was negotiating to open a New York discotheque club. The suggested name was Sergeant Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club, but this was “feasible but undecided.” There were no plans for a similar club in Britain.
Ringo Starr flies to Rome within the next few days to film his cameo role as the Mexican gardener in the film Candy.
From Melody Maker – December 2, 1967
Hello! who’s at No. 1? AND BROTHER MIKE SAYS THANK YOU VERY MUCH!
It’s McCartney-time in the Top Twenty this week. Up to number one goes Beatle Paul, with “Hello, Goodbye”, while in at 17 shoots brother Mike with the Scaffold’s “Thank U Very Much”. Mike, who changed his name from McCartney to McGear at the start of Beatlemania, because he didn’t want to cash in on his brother’s name, has been a member of the three-man Liverpool humour group The Scaffold since 1963. This is their fourth single, but their first hit.
Said Mike today at his father’s Cheshire home: “I wrote the song 18 months ago for the Edinburgh Festival, but we didn’t record it until last summer. It’s really more of a ‘popular’ record than a ‘pop’ record. I’d like it to go higher, but if it stays where it is, I shall be very happy.”
Said Paul from the next bedroom: “It’s great news for both of us. I’m changing my name to Paul McGear so that I’ll get confused with my famous brother Mike.”
Meanwhile total world sales of “Hello, Goodbye” are well over the million mark. There’s some confusion over the Beatles’ new EP package from their Magical Mystery Tour, television film, which so far doesn’t appear anywhere in the Top Thirty. “When the record was released last Friday advance orders were over 250,000,” said a spokesman for Nems today, “which normally would put the record somewhere in the Top Ten. I can only imagine that dealers don’t know how to classify it, and have not been including it on their returns.”
The full Top Ten according to the New Musical Express is (last week’s positions in brackets): 1 (3), Hello, Goodbye : The Beatles; 2 (1), Let The Heartaches Begin : Long John Baldry; 3 (2), Everybody Knows : The Dave Clark Five; 4 (8), Something’s Gotten Hold Of My Heart: Gene Pitney; 5 (6), If the Whole World Stopped Loving: Vai Doonican; 6 (11), All My Love: Cliff Richard; 7 (14), World: Bee Gees; 8 (10), Careless Hands: Des O’Connor; 8 (12), Im Coming Home: Tom Jones; 10 (7), The Last Waltz: Engelbert Humperdinck.
From Evening Standard – December 4, 1967
Double Release!
The Beatles are never afraid to do something different and timing of their two new releases are most unusual as they came out one week after the other. Their new single “Hello, Goodbye” and “I Am The Walrus” was released on November 24, and the “Magical Mystery Tour” package E.P. inserted inside the specially drawn cartoon book cover at the unusually low price of 19/6 on December 1.
From The Beatles Monthly Book, December 1967
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