Beatles - "Hey Jude"/"Revolution" - U.S. Apple 45 w/"No-Hole" Apple Sleeve

$

277

The Beatles

“Hey Jude”

“Revolution”

U.S. Apple 45 with “No-Hole” Apple Sleeve

Apple 2276 - 1968

"Hey Jude" began its life as "Hey Jules," a song Paul wrote to comfort John's son, Julian, during his parents' divorce. "Hey Jude," backed with “Revolution,” was released on August 26, 1968, as the first single on the Beatles' label, Apple Records. More than seven minutes in length, "Hey Jude" was, at the time, the longest single ever to top the British charts. It also spent nine weeks as Number One in the U.S.— the longest run at the top of the American charts for a Beatles single, and broke the record for longest stay at Number One, until the record was beaten by "You Light Up My Life." The single has sold approximately eight million copies and is frequently included on professional lists of the All-Time Best Songs.

Upon the release of the "Hey Jude" single, Time contrasted it with its B-Side, "Revolution." Time wrote, "The other side of the new disk urges activism of a different sort" as Paul "liltingly exhorts a friend to overcome his fears and commit himself in love." Music analyst Alan Pollack praised "Hey Jude," saying, "it's such a good illustration of two compositional lessons—how to fill a large canvas with simple means, and how to use diverse elements such as harmony, bassline, and orchestration to articulate form and contrast." Pollack described the song's long coda and fadeout as "an astonishingly transcendental effect," while Ritchie Unterberger observed, "What could have very easily been boring is instead hypnotic". John Lennon said "Hey Jude" was "one of his [Paul's] masterpieces."

"Hey Jude" was nominated for Grammy Awards in 1969 in the Record of the Year, Song of the Year and Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal categories, but failed to win any of them. It did win the 1968 Ivor Novello Award for "A-Side With the Highest Sales". In the 1968 NME Readers' Poll, "Hey Jude" was named the best single of the year. In 2001, "Hey Jude" was inducted into the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences Grammy Hall of Fame. In 2004, it was ranked Number Eight on Rolling Stone's list of "The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time". In 2010, Rolling Stone ranked it Number Seven on The Beatles' 100 Greatest Songs. It came in third on Channel 4's list of 100 Greatest Singles. The Amusement & Music Operators Association ranked "Hey Jude" the 11th-best jukebox single of all time.

John wrote “Revolution”. The Beatles released two distinct arrangements of the song in 1968: a hard rock version as the B-Side of the "Hey Jude" single, and a slower version titled "Revolution 1" on the eponymous album The Beatles (commonly called the "White Album"). Although "Revolution" was released first, it was recorded several weeks after "Revolution 1" as a re-make specifically designed to be released as a single. A third connected piece written by John is the experimental "Revolution 9", which evolved from an unused portion of "Revolution 1", and also appears on the White Album.

John wanted "Revolution 1" to be the next Beatles single, but Paul was reluctant to invite controversy, and argued, along with George, that the track was too slow for a single. John persisted, and rehearsals for a faster and louder re-make began on July 9, 1968; recording started the following day.

"Revolution" reached Number 12 in the U.S. and Number One in New Zealand. The "Hey Jude"/"Revolution" single was listed as a Double-Sided Number One in Australia.

This auction is for the U.S. Apple 45 “Hey Jude” backed with “Revolution”. The Record, with the title and “The Beatles” is in bold print, and the Capitol logo on the B-Side, is in Very Good condition, with clean, unblemished labels, and very lightly scratched vinyl. I am including a “The Beatles on Apple” sleeve, which is in Very Good condition, but shows some wear.  Now for the interesting part: According to Jeff Levy, author of the Apple-Log, “the first copies of the "Hey Jude" single were issued with "The Beatles on Apple" sleeves that had no "hole" in the center. Apple employees report, though, that these were very rare "error" sleeves that were mistakenly printed. Plain "Apple" sleeves with no hole also exist.”  I don’t know the truth about these sleeves, whether they were intentionally issued or were an error, but a “No-Hole” “Apple” sleeve is part of this auction. The sleeve has the circular “PRINTED IN U.S.A.” in the bottom right corner on the back side. The “No-Hole” sleeve is in Mint condition.

If you have questions, please ask before bidding – I always answer.

The Fine Print: Payment is required within 3 days. Returns are accepted within 7 days, provided the item is not as described, and I am notified first. I reserve the right to cancel the auction at any time. Shipping is by Media Mail within the U.S. International bidders: Please contact me for shipping information before bidding.

I have many Beatles group and solo items including LP's, 45's, CD's, promo's, books and memorabilia. Please call Ron at (619) 328-2891 if you have questions about this or any other Beatles item.