US Release date : Aug 24, 1964
Matchbox / Slow Down
By The Beatles • 7" Single
Last updated on May 1, 2026
US Release date : Aug 24, 1964
By The Beatles • 7" Single
Last updated on May 1, 2026
Previous single Jul 17, 1964 • "From A Window" by Billy J. Kramer with The Dakotas released in the UK
Concert Aug 23, 1964 • USA • Los Angeles
Article Aug 24, 1964 • The Beatles have a day off in Bel Air, Los Angeles
Single Aug 24, 1964 • "Matchbox / Slow Down" by The Beatles released in the US
Concert Aug 26, 1964 • USA • Denver
Concert Aug 27, 1964 • USA • Cincinnati
Next single Sep 11, 1964 • "I Don't Want To See You Again / I Would Buy" by Peter and Gordon released in the UK
Matchbox and Slow Down were released as a double A-side single in the United States by Capitol Records on August 24, 1964, catalogued as Capitol 5255. Both songs had been recorded during the sessions for the Long Tall Sally EP and featured as B-sides and bonus tracks on various releases. ‘Matchbox’, a Carl Perkins song sung by Ringo Starr, reached number 17 on the Billboard Hot 100. ‘Slow Down’, a Larry Williams number sung by John Lennon, peaked at number 25. The single was issued to maintain American chart presence during The Beatles’ North American summer tour.
The Beatles were in the middle of their first full North American tour when the single was released, performing stadium and arena shows across the United States and Canada throughout August and September 1964. The tour had opened at the Cow Palace in San Francisco on August 19 and would conclude at the Paramount Theatre in New York City on September 20.
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