u/Lefty_Guitarist

Let's say Alan Livingston either had the same musical tastes as Dave Dexter or simply respected his employee's decision to refuse The Beatles. What happens next?

My best guess is that they would give Swan a second chance with I Want To Hold Your Hand, although it's possible they'd go to United Artists since they just signed a 3 film contract with them and UA was a bigger label.

Considering Capitol had no involvement in getting the group on The Ed Sullivan Show, as well as the song gaining traction in spite of Capitol initially issuing cease and desist letters to radio stations playing the song, i'm convinced Swan (or UA) would've had a #1 with I Want To Hold Your Hand, Swan (or UA) would've released a modified version of With The Beatles, and Vee Jay would've rush released Introducing...The Beatles.

Considering how Dave Dexter refused many beat groups even after The Beatles broke big in the US, i don't think he would try to pursue the group and even if he did, there's no guarantee Brian would agree.

Any thoughts?

During The Beatles' penultimate interview on 9 September 1969, John suggested that future releases have 4 songs each from John, Paul, and George and up to 2 Ringo songs.

While many have speculated what their later work would've looked like using this formula, I haven't heard anyone ask "What if they did this from the start?"

For this fan album, I used a combination of songwriting credits and lead vocal credits to create a 4/4/4/2 With The Beatles.

The first 4 songs are left as is but after that, I replaced Little Child with Matchbox, since both songs are short rock and roll numbers and Little Child was intended for Ringo, so why not replace it with a Ringo song.

After Till There Was You, Please Mister Postman is replaced with Devil In Her Heart, since both songs are girl group covers.

Then, I resequenced side B based on the US albums, with I'll Be On My Way filling in for both Thank You Girl and Devil In Her Heart, and ending with Everybody's Trying To Be My Baby.

Side A:

It Won't Be Long (Lennon)

All I've Got To Do (Lennon)

All My Loving (McCartney)

Don't Bother Me (Harrison)

Matchbox (Starr)

Till There Was You (McCartney)

Devil In Her Heart (Harrison)

Side B:

Roll Over Beethoven (Harrison)

I'll Be On My Way (McCartney)

Money (That's What I Want) (Lennon)

Hold Me Tight (McCartney)

I Wanna Be Your Man (Starr)

Not A Second Time (Lennon)

Everybody's Trying To Be My Baby (Harrison)

What if Capitol refused to release I Want To Hold Your Hand?