Timeline Albums, EPs & singles Songs Films Concerts Sessions People Interviews Articles

Release year : 1987

Strawberry Fields Forever / Penny Lane (UK - 1987)

By The Beatles7" Single • Part of the collection “The Beatles • Singles • 20th Anniversary singles

Last updated on June 22, 2025

Track list

Hide track details

Side 1

  1. Strawberry Fields Forever

    Written by Lennon - McCartney

    4:07 • Studio versionA • Mono

    Paul McCartney : Bass, Bongos, Electric guitar, Mellotron, Timpani Ringo Starr : Drums, Percussion John Lennon : Acoustic guitar, Bongos, Mellotron, Piano, Vocals George Harrison : Electric guitar, Maracas, Svarmandal, Timpani George Martin : Producer Geoff Emerick : Recording engineer Mal Evans : Tambourine Derek Simpson : Cello Norman Jones : Cello Neil Aspinall : Guiro Terry Doran : Maracas Tony Fisher : Trumpet Greg Bowen : Trumpet Derek Watkins : Trumpet Stanley Roderick : Trumpet Joy Hall : Cello

    SessionRecording Take 7 : Nov 29, 1966Studio : EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

    SessionRecording Take 26 : Dec 08, 1966Studio : EMI Studios, Abbey Road

    SessionOverdubs : Dec 09, 15 and 21, 1966Studio : EMI Studios, Abbey Road

    SessionMixing : Dec 22, 1966Studio : EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

Side 2

  1. Penny Lane

    Written by Lennon - McCartney

    3:00 • Studio versionB • Mono

    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 Unknown : Flugelhorn, Two piccolos

    SessionRecording : Dec 29, 1966Studio : EMI Studios, Studio Two, Abbey Road

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

    SessionMixing : Jan 25, 1967Studio : EMI Studios, Studio One, Abbey Road


In 1982, to mark the 20th anniversary of the release of “Love Me Do” — The Beatles’ first UK single — EMI reissued the track in a special picture sleeve. A picture disc version was also released.

This reissue marked the beginning of an eight-year campaign: on the 20th anniversary of each of The Beatles’ official UK singles, EMI released a corresponding commemorative edition. Each reissue came in a new picture sleeve and was made available both as a standard black vinyl single and as a picture disc.

For collectors, completing the full set of 22 singles required patience — it wasn’t until 1990 that the final release appeared. Below is the full release schedule for the series:

Paul McCartney writing

Talk more talk, chat more chat

Notice any inaccuracies on this page? Have additional insights or ideas for new content? Or just want to share your thoughts? We value your feedback! Please use the form below to get in touch with us.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

2025 • Please note this site is strictly non-commercial. All pictures, videos & quoted texts remain the property of the respective copyright owner, and no implication of ownership by us is intended or should be inferred. Any copyright owner who wants something removed should contact us and we will do so immediately. Alternatively, we would be delighted to provide credits.