u/Anxious-Raspberry-54

In 1968,  The Beatles released the White Album — 30 songs spread across two LPs. But even that wasn’t the full story.

At the same time, John, Paul, George, and Ringo were writing and demoing even more material that would later appear on their solo albums. Songs like “Gimme Some Truth,” “Junk,” “Another Day,” “Art Of Dying,” and “It Don’t Come Easy” were already taking shape during this incredibly creative period.

This fan album imagines a second Beatles release from 1968 built entirely from those songs. No actual Beatles recordings are included — only solo-era songs that existed in some form during the White Album sessions and surrounding months.

What if 1968 gave us one more Beatles album?

Here is the tracklist:

1. Gimme Some Truth
2. Another Day
3. Sour Milk Sea
4. Look At Me
5. Every Night
6. Art Of Dying
7. Oh Yoko!
8. Junk
9. I’d Have You Anytime
10. It Don’t Come Easy
11. The Back Seat Of My Car
12. See Yourself
13. Teddy Boy
14. Oh My Love

Here’s a link to Episode 43 of Groovin’ Up Slowly:

https://youtu.be/o3iGIfu7gxQ?si=Nbc7cUY1OT7dAKe1

Here’s a link to this album on Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7wUVkZIYwpxhAkKm0eGQXG?si=5a8f0cbd4a7e4282

Here’s a link to this album on Apple Music:

https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/beatles-see-yourself-an-alternate-1968-beatles-album/pl.u-GgA5Y65cxogE6jX

Here’s a link to the YouTube playlist for this album:

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLB5dkZQ7h7GiFZGfE6q76t9XhLJFrMWuM&si=8wWi7XrN9tZiFPm6

Here’s a link to the Substack essay for a bit of a deeper dive into this album…

https://groovinupslowly.substack.com/p/the-white-album-had-30-songs-the

In 1968,  The Beatles released the White Album — 30 songs spread across two LPs. But even that wasn’t the full story.

At the same time, John, Paul, George, and Ringo were writing and demoing even more material that would later appear on their solo albums. Songs like “Gimme Some Truth,” “Junk,” “Another Day,” “Art Of Dying,” and “It Don’t Come Easy” were already taking shape during this incredibly creative period.

This fan album imagines a second Beatles release from 1968 built entirely from those songs. No actual Beatles recordings are included — only solo-era songs that existed in some form during the White Album sessions and surrounding months.

What if 1968 gave us one more Beatles album?

Here is the tracklist:

1. Gimme Some Truth
2. Another Day
3. Sour Milk Sea
4. Look At Me
5. Every Night
6. Art Of Dying
7. Oh Yoko!
8. Junk
9. I’d Have You Anytime
10. It Don’t Come Easy
11. The Back Seat Of My Car
12. See Yourself
13. Teddy Boy
14. Oh My Love

Here’s a link to Episode 43 of Groovin’ Up Slowly:

https://youtu.be/o3iGIfu7gxQ?si=Nbc7cUY1OT7dAKe1

Here’s a link to this album on Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7wUVkZIYwpxhAkKm0eGQXG?si=5a8f0cbd4a7e4282

Here’s a link to this album on Apple Music:

https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/beatles-see-yourself-an-alternate-1968-beatles-album/pl.u-GgA5Y65cxogE6jX

Here’s a link to the YouTube playlist for this album:

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLB5dkZQ7h7GiFZGfE6q76t9XhLJFrMWuM&si=8wWi7XrN9tZiFPm6

Here’s a link to the Substack essay for a bit of a deeper dive into this album…

https://groovinupslowly.substack.com/p/the-white-album-had-30-songs-the

This is the second album of an eight-album series. Each album will focus on one Beatle during a specific time period.

TopMajor recently did a series of Beatles “solo” albums that was just great. I did one about a year ago. Similar idea…The Beatles begin solo careers at a much earlier time.

I have gone over my old series and made changes. TopMajor has graciously offered his help with artwork to give my series a bold, exciting look. I can’t thank him enough for that.

Here is a fictional backstory for this series...

(There is no A Hard Day’s Night film in this alternate timeline.)

On January 29, 1964, The Beatles showed up to record their third album, tentatively titled A Hard Day’s Night. To the surprise of producer George Martin, 23-year-old John Lennon and 21-year-old Paul McCartney showed up with 13 brand new original songs. Their goal? An album of all original songs.

When George Martin informed the suits at EMI of the material for the next Beatles album, the suits refused to go along with the idea. They would not release an album of all original songs written by 2 boys barely out of their teens. They told The Beatles that they had to record at least five covers of American R&B hits on their new album, as they had done on previous albums.

Seeing no other way to resolve this situation and in order to get their own music released, Lennon discussed the idea of leaving the group. The other Beatles were heartbroken.

A final meeting with EMI did not go well. One exec told Brian Epstein, “They’re a pop group. Plenty of them around.”

Soon after, the Beatles broke up, and they began pursuing solo careers.

The Beatles remained good friends. They performed on each other’s albums occasionally but never reconvened as a performing group again, except for a one-off performance in 1967.

Day Tripper - A John 1965 Solo Album

1. Any Time At All

2. No Reply

3. Norwegian Wood (George on sitar)

4. Day Tripper

5. Girl

6. You Can’t Do That

7. The Word (John/Paul co-write, Paul on bass and vocal)

8. Every Little Thing (Paul on bass and vocal, songwriter)

9. I Call Your Name

10. In My Life

11. Yes It Is (Paul on bass and vocal)

12. I Feel Fine (Ringo on drums)

13. I’ll Be Back

14. You’ve Got To Hide Your Love Away

Day Tripper - A John 1965 “Solo” Album (Spotify Link)

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2nrQCIyMvOnAX3paRk5gt0?si=118a79a8d04240a2)

Day Tripper - A John 1965 “Solo” Album (Apple Music Link)

https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/beatles-day-tripper-a-1965-john-solo-album/pl.u-gxblgEDuxb1Rmkz?ls)

Other albums in this series…

From A Window - A Paul 1965 “Solo” Album

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/42ottRbl5ljhn2SF9uQIDP?si=wCd-aZSYSmy3320E1g4nAw&pi=Vx-XlAUgSDiAA)

From A Window - A Paul 1965 “Solo” Album (Apple Music Link)

https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/beatles-from-a-window-a-1965-paul-solo-album/pl.u-kv9l2M5C4Jm3PNK?ls)

Please check out my YouTube channel for Beatles fan albums, Groovin’ Up Slowly!! Over 40 episodes now!!

https://www.youtube.com/@GroovinUpSlowlyMusic

This is the first album of an eight-album series. Each album will focus on one Beatle during a specific time period.

TopMajor recently did a series of Beatles “solo” albums that was just great. I did one about a year ago. Similar idea…The Beatles begin solo careers at a much earlier time.

I have gone over my old series and made changes. TopMajor has graciously offered his help with artwork to give my series a bold, exciting look. I can’t thank him enough for that.

Here is a fictional backstory for this series...

(There is no A Hard Day’s Night film in this alternate timeline.)

On January 29, 1964, The Beatles showed up to record their third album, tentatively titled A Hard Day’s Night. To the surprise of producer George Martin, 23-year-old John Lennon and 21-year-old Paul McCartney showed up with 13 brand new original songs. Their goal? An album of all original songs.

When George Martin informed the suits at EMI of the material for the next Beatles album, the suits refused to go along with the idea. They would not release an album of all original songs written by 2 boys barely out of their teens. They told The Beatles that they had to record at least five covers of American R&B hits on their new album, as they had done on previous albums.

Seeing no other way to resolve this situation and in order to get their own music released, Lennon discussed the idea of leaving the group. The other Beatles were heartbroken.

A final meeting with EMI did not go well. One exec told Brian Epstein, “They’re a pop group. Plenty of them around.”

Soon after, the Beatles broke up, and they began pursuing solo careers.

The Beatles remained good friends. They performed on each other’s albums occasionally but never reconvened as a performing group again, except for a one-off performance in 1967.

From A Window - A Paul 1965 “Solo” Album

1. I’m Down (Ringo on drums)

2. Things We Said Today

3. And I Love Her (George on acoustic guitar)

4. From A Window (Apple Jam Version)

5. Another Girl

6. I’ve Just Seen A Face

7. Drive My Car (George on lead guitar)

8. The Night Before

9. We Can Work It Out (co-written by John, who also contributes vocals)

10. What You’re Doing

11. She’s A Woman (Ringo on drums)

12. Baby’s In Black (John/Paul co-write and vocal duet)

13. I’m Looking Through You

14. Can’t Buy Me Love

From A Window - A Paul 1965 “Solo” Album (Spotify Link)

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/42ottRbl5ljhn2SF9uQIDP?si=wCd-aZSYSmy3320E1g4nAw&pi=Vx-XlAUgSDiAA

From A Window - A Paul 1965 “Solo” Album (Apple Music Link)

https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/beatles-from-a-window-a-1965-paul-solo-album/pl.u-kv9l2M5C4Jm3PNK?ls)

Please check out my YouTube channel for Beatles fan albums, Groovin’ Up Slowly!! Over 40 episodes now!!

https://www.youtube.com/@GroovinUpSlowlyMusic

The Beatles recorded over 200 songs in 8 years.

They recorded 33 songs in 1964.

Artists spend their entire careers in pursuit of 8 or 10 songs that would be remembered for 50 years later.

The Beatles did that every few months.

In 1964 alone, The Beatles released two full albums, a non-album single, a four-song EP, starred in a feature film, and somehow survived the screaming chaos of Beatlemania while touring constantly.

Insane!

I tried to take this incredibly busy year and boil it down to one 14-track album. Things We Said Today isn’t meant to be a “greatest hits” collection. It’s designed to feel like a single unified Beatles LP from an alternate universe.

Here is the tracklist:

1. I Feel Fine
2. Can’t Buy Me Love
3. You Can’t Do That
4. She’s A Woman
5. Things We Said Today
6. When I Get Home
7. I’m Happy Just To Dance With You
8. No Reply
9. I’m A Loser
10. I’ll Be Back
11. Leave My Kitten Alone
12. Honey Don’t
13. Crying, Waiting, Hoping
14. What You’re Doing

Here’s a link to Episode 43 of Groovin’ Up Slowly:

https://youtu.be/18OYNbFI69o?si=sN-ljMEnEQ64IPx3

Here’s a link to this album on Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7m0PgVQrjgAfLsOIpZnOYL?si=9ac4f675bbd5405c

Here’s a link to this album on Apple Music:

https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/beatles-things-we-said-today-a-1964-beatles-fan-album/pl.u-8aAVV76cmvAexD1

Here’s a link to the YouTube playlist for this album:

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLB5dkZQ7h7GjlswaejpAoZgk8w4rswLri&si=LSee29pn0lIjhTOl

Here’s a link to the Substack essay for a bit of a deeper dive into this album…

https://groovinupslowly.substack.com/p/things-we-said-today

Amazing artwork by TopMajor!!

The Beatles recorded over 200 songs in 8 years.

They recorded 33 songs in 1964.

Artists spend their entire careers in pursuit of 8 or 10 songs that would be remembered for 50 years later.

The Beatles did that every few months.

In 1964 alone, The Beatles released two full albums, a non-album single, a four-song EP, starred in a feature film, and somehow survived the screaming chaos of Beatlemania while touring constantly.

Insane!

I tried to take this incredibly busy year and boil it down to one 14-track album. Things We Said Today isn’t meant to be a “greatest hits” collection. It’s designed to feel like a single unified Beatles LP from an alternate universe.

Here is the tracklist:

1. I Feel Fine
2. Can’t Buy Me Love
3. You Can’t Do That
4. She’s A Woman
5. Things We Said Today
6. When I Get Home
7. I’m Happy Just To Dance With You
8. No Reply
9. I’m A Loser
10. I’ll Be Back
11. Leave My Kitten Alone
12. Honey Don’t
13. Crying, Waiting, Hoping
14. What You’re Doing

Here’s a link to Episode 43 of Groovin’ Up Slowly:

https://youtu.be/18OYNbFI69o?si=sN-ljMEnEQ64IPx3

Here’s a link to this album on Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7m0PgVQrjgAfLsOIpZnOYL?si=9ac4f675bbd5405c

Here’s a link to this album on Apple Music:

https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/beatles-things-we-said-today-a-1964-beatles-fan-album/pl.u-8aAVV76cmvAexD1

Here’s a link to the YouTube playlist for this album:

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLB5dkZQ7h7GjlswaejpAoZgk8w4rswLri&si=LSee29pn0lIjhTOl

Here’s a link to the Substack essay for a bit of a deeper dive into this album…

https://groovinupslowly.substack.com/p/things-we-said-today

The Beatles recorded over 200 songs in 8 years.

They recorded 33 songs in 1964.

Artists spend their entire careers in pursuit of 8 or 10 songs that would be remembered for 50 years later.

The Beatles did that every few months.

In 1964 alone, The Beatles released two full albums, a non-album single, a four-song EP, starred in a feature film, and somehow survived the screaming chaos of Beatlemania while touring constantly.

Insane!

I tried to take this incredibly busy year and boil it down to one 14-track album. Things We Said Today isn’t meant to be a “greatest hits” collection. It’s designed to feel like a single unified Beatles LP from an alternate universe.

Here is the tracklist:

1. I Feel Fine
2. Can’t Buy Me Love
3. You Can’t Do That
4. She’s A Woman
5. Things We Said Today
6. When I Get Home
7. I’m Happy Just To Dance With You
8. No Reply
9. I’m A Loser
10. I’ll Be Back
11. Leave My Kitten Alone
12. Honey Don’t
13. Crying, Waiting, Hoping
14. What You’re Doing

Here’s a link to Episode 43 of Groovin’ Up Slowly:

https://youtu.be/18OYNbFI69o?si=sN-ljMEnEQ64IPx3

Here’s a link to this album on Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7m0PgVQrjgAfLsOIpZnOYL?si=9ac4f675bbd5405c

Here’s a link to this album on Apple Music:

https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/beatles-things-we-said-today-a-1964-beatles-fan-album/pl.u-8aAVV76cmvAexD1

Here’s a link to the YouTube playlist for this album:

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLB5dkZQ7h7GjlswaejpAoZgk8w4rswLri&si=LSee29pn0lIjhTOl

Here’s a link to the Substack essay for a bit of a deeper dive into this album…

https://groovinupslowly.substack.com/p/things-we-said-today

Here’s a link to my Beatles fan album subreddit:

https://www.reddit.com/r/beatlesfanalbums/

The 1976 Rock And Roll Compilation album is an interesting mess of great Beatles at their rocking best. Originals and covers.

I thought I’d put together a Volume 2. I added a twist…no covers. Don’t get me wrong. I love their covers. It was just a little challenge to limit choices a bit.

It’s a double album. 28 tracks. It leans toward ‘66 - ‘69. Six of the songs are ‘64 - ‘65.

Many, many thanks to TopMajor for helping me out with really great artwork.

Beatles - Rock And Roll Music (Volume 2)

1. Sgt. Pepper

2. Ticket To Ride

3. Glass Onion

4. And Your Bird Can Sing

5. Good Morning Good Morning (Take 8)

6. It Won’t Be Long

7. The Word

8. Come Together

9. She’s A Woman

10. I’ve Got A Feeling

11. Doctor Robert

12. Everybody’s Got Something To Hide…

13. Paperback Writer

14. I Want You (She’s So Heavy)

15. Think For Yourself

16. Happiness Is A Warm Gun

17. Hold Me Tight

18. Baby You’re A Rich Man

19. Oh Darling!

20. Wait

21. Octopus Garden

22. Yer Blues (Dirty Mac Version)

23. One After 909 (2021)

24. Getting Better

25. Magical Mystery Tour

26. Rain

27. While My Guitar Gently Weeps

28. The End

Spotify Link:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3U4vp5zUxHlQDsdBKgSwM9?si=v-gmviSnSrG5h45pU\_GXog&pi=cMzzsNm5RL2ud

Apple Music Link:

https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/beatles-rock-and-roll-music-volume-2/pl.u-NpXmWjGCL4qxRkd?ls

Please check out my YouTube channel Groovin’ Up Slowly.

https://www.youtube.com/@GroovinUpSlowlyMusic

Please check out my Substack for deeper dives on the Groovin’ Up Slowly episodes…the latest addition to the Beatles fan album universe!

https://open.substack.com/pub/groovinupslowly?utm\_source=share&utm\_medium=android&r=r80jg

(A book???)

I have always been fascinated by the 1969 time period for The Beatles. There were The Get Back/Let It Be sessions. There were run-throughs and eventually recording of Abbey Road. 

And…there were a lot of other songs hanging around. 

The Beatles officially recorded 31 songs that year…but there were many songs on the back burner waiting to come to fruition. They had to wait for the first Beatle solo albums.

I thought…what if some of those early solo tracks ended up on their final album…in place of Let It Be…an “alternate” Let It Be?

So…I made a fan album combining 7 Let It Be tracks with 7 songs that were “around” in that 1969 time frame to create a fun, alternate version of Let It Be

Here is the tracklist for this album:

1. Gimme Some Truth
2. Get Back
3. Let It Down (ATMP Session Outtake)
4. Dig A Pony
5. All Things Must Pass (Demo)
6. I’ve Got A Feeling
7. Oh Woman Oh Why
8. Come And Get It
9. Isn’t It A Pity (ATMP Session Outtake)
10. Don’t Let Me Down (Naked)
11. It Don’t Come Easy
12. One After 909
13. Jealous Guy
14. Let It Be (Naked)

Here’s a link to Episode 42 of Groovin’ Up Slowly:

https://youtu.be/CdbFZZ_LCMU?si=l-qbk-MCtjn8tWi6

Here’s a link to this album on Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/751qAE5bSYYCr8NWpcx9bo?si=b0c10b99cba942a9

Here’s a link to this album on Apple Music:

https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/beatles-gimme-some-truth-an-alternate-beatles-final-album/pl.u-gxblgJRTxb1Rmkz

Here’s a link to the YouTube playlist for this album:

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLB5dkZQ7h7GiOaVB6cGYyh5SOuaGaofqf&si=lc2EcMWOQTqdIOyh

Here’s a link to the Substack essay for a bit of a deeper dive into this album…

https://groovinupslowly.substack.com/p/the-beatles-final-album-might-have

I have always been fascinated by the 1969 time period for The Beatles. There were The Get Back/Let It Be sessions. There were run-throughs and eventually recording of Abbey Road. 

And…there were a lot of other songs hanging around. 

The Beatles officially recorded 31 songs that year…but there were many songs on the back burner waiting to come to fruition. They had to wait for the first Beatle solo albums.

I thought…what if some of those early solo tracks ended up on their final album…in place of Let It Be…an “alternate” Let It Be?

So…I made a fan album combining 7 Let It Be tracks with 7 songs that were “around” in that 1969 time frame to create a fun, alternate version of Let It Be

Here is the tracklist for this album:

1. Gimme Some Truth
2. Get Back
3. Let It Down (ATMP Session Outtake)
4. Dig A Pony
5. All Things Must Pass (Demo)
6. I’ve Got A Feeling
7. Oh Woman Oh Why
8. Come And Get It
9. Isn’t It A Pity (ATMP Session Outtake)
10. Don’t Let Me Down (Naked)
11. It Don’t Come Easy
12. One After 909
13. Jealous Guy
14. Let It Be (Naked)

Here’s a link to Episode 42 of Groovin’ Up Slowly:

https://youtu.be/CdbFZZ_LCMU?si=l-qbk-MCtjn8tWi6

Here’s a link to this album on Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/751qAE5bSYYCr8NWpcx9bo?si=b0c10b99cba942a9

Here’s a link to this album on Apple Music:

https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/beatles-gimme-some-truth-an-alternate-beatles-final-album/pl.u-gxblgJRTxb1Rmkz

Here’s a link to the YouTube playlist for this album:

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLB5dkZQ7h7GiOaVB6cGYyh5SOuaGaofqf&si=lc2EcMWOQTqdIOyh

Here’s a link to the Substack essay for a bit of a deeper dive into this album…

https://groovinupslowly.substack.com/p/the-beatles-final-album-might-have

I have always been fascinated by the 1969 time period for The Beatles. There were The Get Back/Let It Be sessions. There were run-throughs and eventually recording of Abbey Road. 

And…there were a lot of other songs hanging around. 

The Beatles officially recorded 31 songs that year…but there were many songs on the back burner waiting to come to fruition. They had to wait for the first Beatle solo albums.

I thought…what if some of those early solo tracks ended up on their final album…in place of Let It Be…an “alternate” Let It Be?

So…I made a fan album combining 7 Let It Be tracks with 7 songs that were “around” in that 1969 time frame to create a fun, alternate version of Let It Be

Here is the tracklist for this album:

1. Gimme Some Truth
2. Get Back
3. Let It Down (ATMP Session Outtake)
4. Dig A Pony
5. All Things Must Pass (Demo)
6. I’ve Got A Feeling
7. Oh Woman Oh Why
8. Come And Get It
9. Isn’t It A Pity (ATMP Session Outtake)
10. Don’t Let Me Down (Naked)
11. It Don’t Come Easy
12. One After 909
13. Jealous Guy
14. Let It Be (Naked)

Here’s a link to Episode 42 of Groovin’ Up Slowly:

https://youtu.be/CdbFZZ_LCMU?si=l-qbk-MCtjn8tWi6

Here’s a link to this album on Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/751qAE5bSYYCr8NWpcx9bo?si=b0c10b99cba942a9

Here’s a link to this album on Apple Music:

https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/beatles-gimme-some-truth-an-alternate-beatles-final-album/pl.u-gxblgJRTxb1Rmkz

Here’s a link to the YouTube playlist for this album:

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLB5dkZQ7h7GiOaVB6cGYyh5SOuaGaofqf&si=lc2EcMWOQTqdIOyh

This is a quick repost from a year ago. Snaknpak posted a 1969 Cavern setlist - a great post. That reminded me of a post I made about an August 1963 Cavern setlist. It's a fun listen. Hope you like it…

*I love that grainy photo!*

The Cavern Club...summer of 1963. The Beatles performed live just months before they exploded. This playlist contains songs that were regularly played at The Cavern, from a list provided by Bob Wooler. the emcee at The Cavern. I extended their usual 30 minute set to about 45 minutes. I used BBC and Anthology tracks.

1. Some Other Guy

2. Memphis, Tennessee

3. Kansas City/Hey, Hey, Hey, Hey

4. Slow Down

5. You Really Got A Hold On Me

6. Roll Over Beethoven

7. Thank You Girl

8. Like Dreamers Do

9. Three Cool Cats

10. Ain’t She Sweet

11. I’ll Get You

12. The Sheik Of Araby

13. Boys

14. One After 909

15. Honey Don’t (BBC Version)

16. I Saw Her Standing There

17. Crying, Waiting, Hoping

18. Lend Me Your Comb

19. Long Tall Sally

Spotify Link

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4vzlXFjhgp1aRYMPmZIkox?si=dt38HmT3QValI4YHeIK\_MQ

We’ve all done it…created our own versions of Beatles albums. My first ones were on cassette tapes. Yes…I am that old.

To create our personal Beatles albums, we switch out album tracks for non-album singles, B-sides, and EP songs. Sometimes, we may substitute alternate takes of songs for the originals. Maybe we move an album track or two to another album.

I am not saying alternate albums are “better” or improve upon the original releases. That’s not really the point. The original albums are great as they are. This is just a different way of listening to them.

This is especially true with The Beatles because not all of their best songs ended up on albums. In 1964, they were also putting out non-album singles, B-sides, and EP tracks that were just as strong as anything on the LPs. And now, with the Anthology releases, we even have access to outtakes like Leave My Kitten Alone, which easily could have made an album.

A song like Leave My Kitten Alone is a big reason why this whole idea works for me. It wasn’t released at the time, but it could have been. I think John’s vocal is one of his best from this period—raw, loud, and closer to their live sound than anything they had recorded up until that time. I imagine myself at The Cavern Club in the summer of 1963, right before the madness hit and hearing John belt out this 12-bar blues shouter.

So this isn’t a “better” 1964 Beatles album. It’s just a different one. A reimagining of what that year could have looked like.

The key ground rule I used for these albums was 14 tracks. The Beatles’ UK albums traditionally had 14 tracks, so I stuck with that. I had to make real choices. That’s where it gets challenging, but also where it gets fun.

The whole process also gives me a new appreciation for some of the overlooked tracks. I love the big hits, but a lot of the time, the real magic is in the deeper cuts. When you place those songs in a different context, they can stand out in a whole new way.

Here is the tracklist for this album:

1. I Feel Fine
2. No Reply
3. Tell Me Why
4. I’m A Loser
5. I Call Your Name
6. Baby’s In Black
7. I’ll Follow The Sun
8. I Don’t Want To Spoil The Party
9. She’s A Woman
10. Every Little Thing
11. Honey Don’t
12. Everybody’s Trying To Be My Baby
13. Leave My Kitten Alone
14. What You’re Doing

Here’s a link to Episode 40 of Groovin’ Up Slowly:

https://youtu.be/nHHyMe2HWAE?si=dgum8A_A4ExfP8Wk

Here’s a link to this album on Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6xZs7Ie7huFlYAj16XEixn?si=4c030c0214a54984

Here’s a link to this album on Apple Music:

https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/beatles-my-beatles-for-sale/pl.u-oZylM7YTqG2yYd7

Here’s a link to the YouTube playlist for this album:

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLB5dkZQ7h7GjrWaOFMtnBTCXMLmJgXJf6&si=N2quvPkm5kWmJFOu

Here’s a link to the Substack essay for a bit of a deeper dive into this album…

https://groovinupslowly.substack.com/p/the-beatles-1964-another-version

We’ve all done it…created our own versions of Beatles albums. My first ones were on cassette tapes. Yes…I am that old.

To create our personal Beatles albums, we switch out album tracks for non-album singles, B-sides, and EP songs. Sometimes, we may substitute alternate takes of songs for the originals. Maybe we move an album track or two to another album.

I am not saying alternate albums are “better” or improve upon the original releases. That’s not really the point. The original albums are great as they are. This is just a different way of listening to them.

This is especially true with The Beatles because not all of their best songs ended up on albums. In 1964, they were also putting out non-album singles, B-sides, and EP tracks that were just as strong as anything on the LPs. And now, with the Anthology releases, we even have access to outtakes like Leave My Kitten Alone, which easily could have made an album.

A song like Leave My Kitten Alone is a big reason why this whole idea works for me. It wasn’t released at the time, but it could have been. I think John’s vocal is one of his best from this period—raw, loud, and closer to their live sound than anything they had recorded up until that time. I imagine myself at The Cavern Club in the summer of 1963, right before the madness hit and hearing John belt out this 12-bar blues shouter.

So this isn’t a “better” 1964 Beatles album. It’s just a different one. A reimagining of what that year could have looked like.

The key ground rule I used for these albums was 14 tracks. The Beatles’ UK albums traditionally had 14 tracks, so I stuck with that. I had to make real choices. That’s where it gets challenging, but also where it gets fun.

The whole process also gives me a new appreciation for some of the overlooked tracks. I love the big hits, but a lot of the time, the real magic is in the deeper cuts. When you place those songs in a different context, they can stand out in a whole new way.

Here is the tracklist for this album:

1. I Feel Fine
2. No Reply
3. Tell Me Why
4. I’m A Loser
5. I Call Your Name
6. Baby’s In Black
7. I’ll Follow The Sun
8. I Don’t Want To Spoil The Party
9. She’s A Woman
10. Every Little Thing
11. Honey Don’t
12. Everybody’s Trying To Be My Baby
13. Leave My Kitten Alone
14. What You’re Doing

Here’s a link to Episode 40 of Groovin’ Up Slowly:

https://youtu.be/nHHyMe2HWAE?si=dgum8A_A4ExfP8Wk

Here’s a link to this album on Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6xZs7Ie7huFlYAj16XEixn?si=4c030c0214a54984

Here’s a link to this album on Apple Music:

https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/beatles-my-beatles-for-sale/pl.u-oZylM7YTqG2yYd7

Here’s a link to the YouTube playlist for this album:

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLB5dkZQ7h7GjrWaOFMtnBTCXMLmJgXJf6&si=N2quvPkm5kWmJFOu

Here’s a link to the Substack essay for a bit of a deeper dive into this album…

https://groovinupslowly.substack.com/p/the-beatles-1964-another-version