The Ballad Of John And Yoko / Old Brown Shoe (UK - 1989)

Track list

Side 1

1. The Ballad Of John And Yoko

   Written by Lennon - McCartney

   3:01 • Studio version • A • Stereo

   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

   SessionRecording & overdubs : Apr 14, 1969 • Studio : EMI Studios, Studio Three, Abbey Road

   SessionMixing : Apr 14, 1969 • Studio : EMI Studios, Studio Three, Abbey Road

Side 2

1. Old Brown Shoe

   Written by George Harrison

   3:18 • Studio version • A • Stereo

   Paul McCartney : Backing vocals, Bass, Drums (?), Piano (?) Ringo Starr : Drums (?) John Lennon : Backing vocals, Piano (?) George Harrison : Guitars, Lead vocal, Organ George Martin : Producer Chris Thomas : Producer Jeff Jarratt : Recording engineer

   SessionRecording & Overdubs : Apr 16, 1969 • Studio : EMI Studios, Studio Three, Abbey Road

   SessionOverdubs & Mixing : Apr 18, 1969 • Studio : EMI Studios, 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:

• Love Me Do / P.S. I Love You (Parlophone – October 4, 1982)
• Please Please Me / Ask Me Why (Parlophone – January 10, 1983)
• From Me to You / Thank You Girl (Parlophone – April 11, 1983)
• She Loves You / I’ll Get You (Parlophone – August 22, 1983)
• I Want to Hold Your Hand / This Boy (Parlophone – November 28, 1983)
• Can’t Buy Me Love / You Can’t Do That (Parlophone – March 19, 1984)
• A Hard Day’s Night / Things We Said Today (Parlophone – July 9, 1984)
• I Feel Fine / She’s a Woman (Parlophone – November 26, 1984)
• Ticket to Ride / Yes It Is (Parlophone – April 9, 1985)
• Help! / I’m Down (Parlophone – July 23, 1985)
• We Can Work It Out / Day Tripper (Parlophone – December 2, 1985)
• Paperback Writer / Rain (Parlophone – June 9, 1986)
• Yellow Submarine / Eleanor Rigby (Parlophone – August 5, 1986)
• Strawberry Fields Forever / Penny Lane (Parlophone – February 16, 1987)
• All You Need Is Love / Baby You’re a Rich Man (Parlophone – July 6, 1987)
• Hello, Goodbye / I Am the Walrus (Parlophone – November 23, 1987)
• Lady Madonna / The Inner Light (Parlophone – March 14, 1988)
• Hey Jude / Revolution (Apple – August 30, 1988)
• Get Back / Don’t Let Me Down (Apple – April 10, 1989)
• The Ballad of John and Yoko / Old Brown Shoe (Apple – May 30, 1989)
• Something / Come Together (Apple – October 30, 1989)
• Let It Be / You Know My Name (Look Up the Number) (Apple – March 3, 1990)

Going further

Solid State: The Story of "Abbey Road" and the End of the Beatles

Acclaimed Beatles historian Kenneth Womack offers the most definitive account yet of the writing, recording, mixing, and reception of Abbey Road. In February 1969, the Beatles began working on what became their final album together. Abbey Road introduced a number of new techniques and technologies to the Beatles' sound, and included "Come Together," "Something," and "Here Comes the Sun," which all emerged as classics.

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