When they recorded Please Please Me, George Martin said “Boys, you’ve just got your first No. 1 record”. For that reason alone, it should have been on The Beatles 1. Unforgivable missing that one out.

I'm a Red and Blue man myself. The flow of those records are my childhood. Worth it for the James Bond style intro to Help!

Quick note: "Please Please Me" and "Strawberry Fields Forever" are on the 1+ Deluxe Blu-ray from 2015, which is really more worth your time than the 2000 release by this point, for 24/96 Stereo and Surround mixes and tonne of remastered videos.

1 of course is a great introduction for a person to the Beatles, but the red and blue are the essential albums, mainly the blue.

1962-1966 & 1967-1970 will always be the ultimate greatest hits package, it was my introduction to the Beatles when I was 4

I still think the Red and Blue albums, along with The Rolling Stones' "Hot Rocks 1964-1971", are the gold standard(s) for rock music compilations. As for "1", I remember listening to it on Christmas morning, 2000. I'm sure that CD was among the most common of Christmas gifts that year.

honestly the blue album has so much content on it to a point where it’s the ultimate beatles compilation

The big thing that 1 had in its favour among the public at large was the fact that it was a single CD - simple and inexpensive - and let’s face it, that would have been the format most people bought it on back in 2000. The average casual fan isn’t going to care that Strawberry Fields isn’t on there. Plus, including SFF and Please Please Me would have pushed the running time beyond the capacities of a CD, which I can only assume played a big part in their omission too.

It's interesting to me how children, even now, really like the early Beatles tunes. I would play my kids the early stuff and they would sing and dance about. Now grandchildren do the same. Good video by the way. Always enjoy your stuff.

"Please Please Me" was no. 1 in every music mag at the time bar Record Retailer. The BBC did an average over all available charts for Pick Of The Pops and PPM was of course no.1 in that. But what's not well known is that Record Retailer ALSO had PPM at no. 1 in terms of returns. Like all charts, RR didn't add up the sales, but added up the positions of each record in each store, and put the lowest total on top (e.g. if a song was the best-seller in all 30 sample stores, it had 30 points; if no. 2 in all, then 60 points; if it was top or second in every store, it would have a total between 30 and 60). RR took a very small sample of around 30, whereas NME and Melody Maker took 200+, and had a lot of ties. And for one week (23 Feb) it had PPM tied with Frank Ifield. For some inane reason RR broke its tie in favour of Ifield - it's not clear why - and the Book of Hit Singles retcon wrongly has PPM at no. 2. The NME was honest when it came to ties; RR had to have some sort of tie break because, with so few sample stores, it had loads of tie breaks (at no. 1 alone, around five or six per year, even some three way ties). Likewise Penny Lane/Strawberry Fields Forever topped the Melody Maker chart, albeit every other one had Englebert Humperdink on top, and old Bert was probably correct - not least he would have been selling bucketloads via Woolworths and WH Smiths, which did not send returns to any chart at the time. And Melody Maker uniquely put the Magical Mystery Tour at no. 1 for a week, possibly confusing returns with Hello Goodbye.

What is needed is a compilation of all the tracks available on The Beatles EPs.

This was the Beatles album my parents had when I was a kid. As casual fans who wanted a Beatles CD but didn’t want to collect all the individual albums, who felt fine with just the most recognisable songs, they were definitely 1’s target audience. Sure it might have its problems, but as a 6-year old sitting in the back of my dad’s car on long car journeys, I was too young to know of any missing songs or sound issues - to my ears back then it did the job wonderfully, and was a great introduction to the band. I did later borrow the Red & Blue albums from the library and rip them onto my iTunes, and 1 became rather redundant after that, so it’s not an album I’ve returned to, but I still have a little nostalgia over the track order.

I was eight when 1 came out. I was already in the middle of a big Beatles binge, so I was really excited when I saw the TV ads. I do remember I loved to look at the picture sleeves from around the world in the booklet (albeit a CD-sized booklet). Interestingly, my first big exposure to the Beatles came a few years earlier on my mom's cassette copy of 1962-1966, which had been your own introduction decades earlier. Because of this, I was also disappointed that Please, Please Me was omitted.

I always felt that '1' was the replacement for 20 Greatest Hits

You forgot “Hey Jude”, it was the first Beatles “Greatest Hits” compilation album in the US in 1970 which was after their breakup. It has 10 songs that were previous singles at the time.

The red and blue albums are and always will be the kings of Beatles compilations

"1" was my first real exposure to the Beatles outside of buying the songtrack and DVD of Yellow Submarine on their release date in 1999. All of my Beatles compilations come from my father, Anthology, Red&Blue and 1.

Wow, I wasn't expecting this video to cover the 20 Greatest Hits. I received that cassette for Christmas when I was 6 years old, and it changed my life. I will never forget the exhileration of experiencing that cassette through my headphones on Christmas morning from "She Loves You" to "The Long and Winding Road." It's very interesting to learn more about it.

In the early eighties I spent a lot of my pocket money on records. I bought the Australian version of the greatest hits album in 1983 for $10.99. It was called "The Number Ones" and it came with a three track EP. Before that I had bought an album called the "Essential Beatles", a 1972 greatest hits album only released in Australia and New Zealand. I think it cost me $8.99. Even though the sound quality wasn't great, these albums were a great way to listen to my favourite tracks on a school boy budget.

I turned 12 in 1982, and that's when I became an avid Beatles fan. I decided to buy all their albums (this was a few years before CDs) on vinyl. When I was done buying all 18 United States albums, I realized there were two songs that slipped through the cracks. And it annoyed me no end! In 1963, Vee Jay Records released the very first American Beatles LP Introducing...The Beatles. It was basically the Please Please Me album retitled. It didn't do anything when it was released in July of 1963. Then Capitol released Meet the Beatles! in 1964, and Introducing The Beatles shot up the charts. Capitol took over the rights to the album in 1965, and released it as The Early Beatles, with Vee Jay going out of business, and Introducing The Beatles going out of print. The songs Misery and There's a Place were both left off off The Early Beatles. So, as a Beatle fan in 1982, I was ANNOYED there those two songs were no where to be found on ANY American Beatles album! They didn't even put them on the 1978 Rarities compilation! In December of 1983, my friend told me he was visiting London with his family over Christmas. I asked for a favor. He brought back with him the UK Please Please Me album! I finally had EVERY officially released Beatles track! Whew. Those two songs remained unavailable in America until the release of Please Please Me on CD in 1987. ****EDIT***** And sitting here, I just remembered a third song I couldn't get in America in 1982. From Me to You wasn't on any American Beatles album at all. At some point, I was able to get my hands on the original Vee Jay single backed with Thank You Girl. That one remained unavailable in America until it was released on Past Masters Volume 1 in 1987.

The Yellow Submarine soundtrack released in 1999 has the best remastered versions of many of their hits.

Part of the old plant is going to become a cinema called “The Gramophone”.’

Both red and blue albums are the way to go, beautiful compilations with all the songs we need...i think "1" works better in CD+2BluRay form.

Interesting video as always! I have a very nicely packaged version called '1+' consisting of 2 Blu Ray discs and a CD which contains all songs on the vinyl album, plus a number of others including Please Please Me, Strawberry Fields, Twist and Shout, Free as A Bird and Real Love. The set is in the form of a book, contains an 'appreciation' essay by Mark Ellen and printed notes and supporting photos for each song. Some video material is also included on the Blu Rays - a very nicely presented set - sounds great too.

Andrew, I just have to say that I absolutely love your videos on all the Beatles music. The amount of research and knowledge involved is superb. I've been a huge Beatle fan since I was about 3 or 4 years old (despite being born 5 years after they split up) and I, like you, had the blue album as my first LP. Having grown up to be a musician, I've immersed myself in so many aspects of Beatle music but I still end up learning something from your videos. Thank for your excellent endeavours and keep up the fantastic work you do. Steve

I think Red/Blue and 1 are all equally important compilations, and all made sense for the time period they were released in. Red and Blue have a perfect track list and both helped the next generation that came after the Beatles get into them. After all, despite standardization, both albums remain in print to this day. _1_ made sense in the context of 2000. This was the era of tapes and CD’s, and it made sense to have a compilation that covered the highest charting songs and could fit on a single CD.

Another excellent video! The Mono Masters album is my favourite 'compilation' as such, because it includes all of the singles that weren't already on their original studio albums. As much as I cherish my collection of original singles, it's much easier to put Mono Masters on, and not have to keep getting up to change record every two minutes! As for the best 'Greatest Hits' though, the one record you'd recommend to a friend new to The Beatles, well, it would have to be either the Red or Blue album, I'd say!

These two albums got me into the Beatles when I was 13 back in 2018

i come from a slightly later time, so i mostly collect Beatles merchandise through CD, that made the Giles Martin Sgt. Peppers album my first Beatles album altogether. my first compilation album was, like yours, The Blue Album on CD.

The history of the "Live! at the Star-Club in Hamburg Germany 1962" is really interesting one. You should cover it :)

This video was certainly a greatest hit for me! These videos are always so well put together, love this channel.

I had been introduced to the Boys by my Mum, who quick-trolleyed the recent single waiting at the till of the local supermarket. Among my favourites were "Eight Days A Week", "No Reply" and "Yes It Is". She stopped that after "All You Need Is Love", but had also made a clever contribution to my musical education with "Revolver". Gamechangers, each one of them. In 1973 a tsunami of hitherto unheard songs came my way on schoolclass-class organized parties and I finally got hold of the Red and the Blue Album while in Amsterdam in 1974. That was the foundation for me never to be outclassed by any other compilation.

Very interesting. Thank you very much Andrew! Red and Blue for sure. Dont forget the video on Japanese Pressings! ;)

here is something you all might find interesting The Essential Beatles is a greatest hits compilation album by The Beatles which was exclusive to Australia and New Zealand on the Apple Records label. All of the songs featured on the album (with the exception of "With a Little Help from My Friends") reached the top 3 in the Australian charts as singles and EP tracks.[2] Most of the songs on the album are presented in true stereo, while "Love Me Do", "P.S. I Love You" and "Baby You're A Rich Man" are in "fake stereo". Two notable mastering glitches appear on the album: "Penny Lane" running slow with a noticeable "warble" and "Long Tall Sally" on this album, has the stereo channels reversed. The album was reissued twice in the 1980s. The first time as part of the Superstars of the '70s box set, released by the Australian branch of World Record Club in August 1980. The second being in December 1982, where it was paired with the Barry Miles book The Beatles In Their Own Words in a box set titled: The Beatles Sight & Sound. The album was issued on cassette in 1972, but has never seen a compact disc release (as was the case with non-canon Beatles albums at the time). It remained in print until 1991, when all the Australian Beatles vinyl was deleted from EMI Music Australia catalogue and replaced with imported vinyl from the UK

The 1982 compilation and “The Compleat Beatles” VHS were my gateway to the band, although my mum was a fan from 1962 and we had the records in the house. We had the 20 greatest hits on cassette and I adopted it, then made mixtapes from some of the 60s vinyl. The Compleat Beatles is still really good I think, albeit short.

Great wrap off all the compilation albums. Always enjoy these reviews..

Excellent as always Andrew, thanks!!!

Thanks for posting that. Really enjoyed it.

The Red and Blue. I always wanted them as a kid but too expensive. When 20 Greatest Hits came out I think it was less than £5 in Boots and this was their first ever post career single lp greatest hits. A big record in my life. The memory of hearing some of these for the first time ever on Christmas morning will stay with me forever. Still have it and still sounds good considering there's ten tracks on each side!

In 2000 when my friends were listening to the pop acts such as Brittany Spears and The Backstreet boys, I was listening to The Beatles. #1 was the first CD I ever bought. I was 11. I have since purchased the 2015 LP copy. It sounds fantastic. If you were to play #1 for a Beatles fan in the 1960s, it would blow their mind.

Very informative! Thank you, Andrew.

How am I only just discovering this channel?! Phenomenally well-produced. Hats off to all involved.

I’ve always been partial to Past Masters Vol. 2. It was my first Beatles CD I purchased after I discovered their music in the ‘90’s. I listened to that, and my parents cassette copies of the Blue Album and Abby Road over and over and over. A lot of the same songs on those, but they are what solidified me as a Beatles fan. I still get warm fuzzies whenever I play Past Masters 2 with that opening of Day Tripper.

I was born in 91 and honestly the commercials for this album played on tv quite often in the states. It’s the small segments in the commercials that were like my first experience for the band. Very strange but it works lol

The amount of research you put in these videos is mind blowing. Excellent content and great fun to watch as always!

As always, fantastic info on this time period. Thanks Andrew

Always so well executed and informative, thanks once again 🙂 The 2015 Giles Martin mix was the first vinyl album I bought, from the HMV in Chester on the 27th of December 2016.

I love these videos, so informative 👌

Excellent film, well researched, interesting and informative.

I love this compilation!

Thanks! Just brilliant !!

For me, 1 was the catalyst album that got me into the Beatles. My step-father got it for Christmas 2009 and after we all listened to it during a family fun night, he let me save the album on my iPod so I could listen to it more myself. For me it was the right start to set me down the trail of my own Beatlemania, because it was a small playlist of greatest hits. And I'm kind of glad I got into the Beatles when I did too. Just after the 2009 remasters released, I researched them finding mostly their albums in the British releases, which are in my opinion, as they were intended by the artists themselves. I used to think aside from those, the movies, and numerous documentaries, that's all that there were. But after finding this channel and watching so many of these videos, it really is fascinating to see how many different versions among EMI and Capitol compilations there are, not to mention the numerous mixes. It really shows that there's much more to look into with The Beatles.

Thank you for your brilliant work.

Bravo! Great docu details and research!

As always, very informative video.

I remember when 1 came out . I thought it had the worst cover I’ve ever seen. It’s awful. I also thought they were pandering to the most casual of Beatles fans .The number one hits don’t begin to scratch the surface of the Beatles genius. Many of their best songs were not released as singles. If I were to suggest a compilation album to new or potential Beatles fans I would suggest the red and blue albums

My favorites have always been the Red and Blue albums ... They are a great listen ....

1 was the very first Beatles album I have listened to back when it was new and I was little. I still have the CD I listened on that time. Great memories of listening to The Beatles songs on car trips

Thank you for the video it was a fantastic watch.

100% correct about the G.Martin bass heavy mixes!

Thanks Andrew, great vídeo as usual. Red and blue for personal reasons Will always be My favourite compilation.

fantastic video again

Was not expecting a video on a newer release! I think out of all the compilation albums out there my favorite is either down to the anthology series, past masters, or, hate on me all you want, reel music. But out of those 3 the anthology series has gotta be my favorite since they cover a decent spread of The Beatles' career. The packaging especially on the vinyl releases is another thing that wins me over. I was wondering too if that whole project could be covered by you in a future video?

I'd like to see a compilation of all UK A & B sides with original mono mixes (essential) including singles that were on LPs like PPM and HDN etc...a bit like Past Masters I suppose but filling in all the gaps! Think I'll be waiting a while...time to make a playlist! Great video and info as always 👍

great video as always

For the perfect introduction to The Beatles, simply buy all of their albums immediately.

Great stuff Andrew. The one over your right shoulder was my introduction to the Beatles all those years ago. I purposely did not buy the Beatles 1 out of protest. No strawberry fields, no please please me and was yesterday a single? I'm sure John would of put that track selection straight in the bin!

Another great video Andrew. Made me realise I now need to get myself a copy of 1 on LP!

Wonderful video 😊

Oh man, that brings memories! That compilation is the first album I ever received as a gift - my mum gave it to me on a CD sometime around 2001-2002. I loved it! If it had been an LP, it would have been worn flat by now from the amount of playing it got. Andrew, would you consider making a video about the 2006 "Love" album? I recently discovered it and quite like it. I'd love to hear your take on it.

Hello Parlogram, I used to work for a distribution company called Entertainment UK Ltd who’s headquarters were situated at Blyth Road and well remember the EMI pressing plant, I became aware of EMI in Hayes back in 1974, when on the car radio rang out See Emily Play by Pink Floyd, to cut to the chase I have been an avid Beatles admirer as well as Pink Floyd who both recorded at Abbey Road’s studios side by side in 1967, my time at EUK gave me a great insight into the record industry from the distribution angle as well of course being able to take advantage of staff reductions of CD’s in the on-site shop, unfortunately during the financial crisis of 2008, EUK was swept away like other companies, but I remain steadfast in my music appreciation, I’m especially looking forward to the imminent streaming of the Get Back 3 part documentary of the Beatles Let It Be recording sessions, keep up the good work. 👍

Great video again! There’s also the Love Songs compilation and the Hey Jude LP as well. Strangely, the 1999 Yellow Submarine Songbook is surprisingly good. We’ll have to see what the new Red and Blue compilations bring...maybe Twist and Shout will make the list!

I like your work, good luck with the channel👍

Awesome! thank you!

Very cool show. I watched several of your videos and enjoyed all of them. I will continue to hunt down your videos to learn a lot of cool info I did not know before. I was 13 in 1973 when the Red and Blue came out and those albums changed my life. Up to then I only had an 8 track of Hey Jude and only heard the majority of Beatles songs at random on the radio. Since getting the 1973 albums on 8 track and then later on vinyl I have been a Beatles nut. Keep these great videos coming.

Love songs (1977) is one of the greatest beatles compilations out there no questions asked also "1" is a compilation of all their songs that reached #1 in UK/USA

great video about my favourite album it's still my nos 1..

“1” was my first Beatles album, my dad bought it for me back november 2020 in CD.

Super cool video! I bought an import copy of "Beatles 1" and the CD when they were first released. Suffice to say, the LP was pressed by EMI. I didn't know that it was their last pressings.

I agree that Please Please me and Strawberry fields forever should have been on this album. Has bothered me for 20 years.

In my opinion the red and blue 1985 German DMM LP pressings sound the best. Including the white album DMM pressing as well. I got those as my first Beatle compilations with paper route money back I earned in ‘85! Glad you have this channel here. It’s very informative for the newer fans who might waste their money on reissues that are inferior to others. Thanks Parlogram

Ahhh...so now if you bought your first Beatles at age 10 and it was the Red & Blue Lp’s... well let’s just say I’m a tad (!) older than thee! I collected everything....good bad or indifferent 😜...loved them all...Love Songs (US & Uk) was always a stretch for me but has since become faves. Your stories on EMI brought a tear to my eye. Great job overall, tackling the “hits” issue! Being 69 yrs old I’m not as finicky anymore. I still love the music no matter how it’s compiled. I look forward to these shows and you never fail to surprise me with great anecdotes! Keep up the great work. It’s a blast!

Despite what's missing out, it's still my favourite compilation, as it is the very first album I bought. Well, not with my own money... My grandma's money as Xmas gift. I had it on repeat for a long time! I remember being frustrated when I realised the vinyl version had this awsome poster, while the CD version, only had this tiny booklet hahaha

Great video. Wish you would do a video on the differences between the mono and stereo mixes. Thanks for many good videos.

The Red and Blue records are the greatest hits packages

This sure was a fascinating video . Well done you and thank you for the video . Take care cheers !!!!!

I bought A Collection of Beatles Oldies brand new in HMV Oxford Circus, around the summer of 89. A Fame cassette that was very keenly priced. It was my first Beatles album and it blew me away (though I didn't like Bad Boy, very much out of place on the album). So if it was phased out in the early 80s they still had plenty of new old stock. Then I bought Rock and Roll Volume 2, another banger (though again I wasn't keen on the cover versions). On my pocket money these budget albums were a Godsend and their existence was fully justified.

*Absolutely gorgeous video man, well done ! And what's more : I've had exactly the same personal encounter with the Beatles musically speaking : through the Blue Album and then the Red Album a few weeks later just like you, in exactly the same year 1977, but only : in July for the Blue one and a few months later for the Red one !... And I was 6 years old ! We're almost like twins man ! You're my cosmic brother for God sakes !... Anyway, for your next summer holiday or something, be aware you've got a friend for life in South of France, Avignon in Provence to be more exact!... Avignon which of course Paul and Linda in the early Wings days were raving about, and Provence which David Gilmour and Roger Waters and Eric Clapton and Elton John and Keith Richards and Mick Jagger have loooooooooved for years and have been owning houses in for years too !... Anyway cheers mate, and keep up the good work !*

Superb as usual Andrew loving all your video's and some great new info here.. Would love to here your thoughts on the Beatles Picture discs released throughout the years, although any topic will be great, thanks again for sharing :) all the best Brian...

I had the Beatles 1967-1970.... album in Grade School in the 1970s....I recently bought a new copy on vinyl....it was a fantastic album....it sounds far better than the original!!!....it is cool to have it in my hands again 45 years later!!!...The Beatles are still the Greatest!!!!

Hi.i have your new ! Channel I like this song I will put this in my library so Keep the songs coming your new no.1 fan

Another smashing video Andrew! Does that Saturday Superstore episode where they show the proposed 82 Greatest Hits still exist? Ever since I saw this video I've been desperately trying to find it to see that cover!

There's almost no need for me to comment on this as I completely agree about the exclusion of 'Please Please Me' and 'Strawberry Fields Forever' from 1. There wasn't really an 'official' chart in the 1960s, whatever Record Retailer/Music Week might want us to believe (the BBC, I think, used an average from the various charts to create their chart). Anyway, 'Please Please Me' was an indisputable No. 1, at least until the Guinness Book of British Hit Singles appeared - and I think I'm right in saying that 'Strawberry Fields' made No. 1 in one of the music papers (but only one, making it somewhat disputable). For me, the Red and Blue albums remain the closest there is to a definitive hits collection - and they were also the first Beatles albums I owned, acquiring them in mid and late 1980 respectively (I only had a couple of singles previously). Of course, 'greatest' hits don't all have to be No. 1s - anything that made the Top 10 would be a greater hit than something that didn't, so maybe it's about time 'Free as a Bird' and 'Real Love' were properly acknowledged on a standard hits comp (I say 'standard' as I know they get a look in on the 1 Blu-ray).

Great video Andrew! It’s interesting to see how the Beatles have been anthologized over the years and even more fascinating to see how many have not been as successful as anticipated. The red and blue albums remain the gold standard for me as they were my introduction in 1981. I own several copies of these and they never cease to amaze me. The 20 Greatest Hits compilation was a nice idea but not a very good sounding record. I owned both the cassette and vinyl of that and the cassette was the one to have as it had better sound quality (in my opinion) and the complete version of Hey Jude as opposed to the truncated version on the LP. I remember hearing about the news of the 1 compilation and thinking who will want this? The answer was simple…everybody!! Thanks for sharing!

I always thought that Love Me Do only got to Number 14 anyway. I mean, unless they included the 82 re release. I'd love for you to do an episode or two on bootlegs as well, especially the Forthlin Road tapes, as well as the different versions of the Star Club and Decca recordings. These videos are the highlight of my weekend!

Made me play the 2015 version of "1" on vinyl just now. Pretty clean sound. Heavy discs. Can't be too tough on the older recordings. Also have the blue and red vinyl pressings of the red and blue hits albums, with the white vinyl of the White Album. Maybe the best band for collecting. Thanks for your excellent vids.

Really interesting. The 'Red' and 'Blue' were my introduction (even though I was born way back in the 60s!)

i am a 70 year old white guy in america....i grew up with the beatles....i have always loved them....the 1 album is such a treasure....if i am in a down mood it lifts me up....if i am in an up mood it takes me higher....from 1962 to 1982 some really cosmic occurences happened that probably never be replicated.....the beatles started it....1 exemplifies such

Amazing! Nice coat!

An interesting & fascinating Video. Ive got the original 2000 version of 1 on CD & the 2015 1+ 2 DVD & CD set and they're different sounding in places. My main reason for buying 1+ was the 5.1 surround mixes by Giles & Sam (Jeff Lynne is also mentioned which i think may be for free as a bird and real love). They're wonderful and subtly done, rather than OTT, which i suspect is due to many of the original tracks (up to 1968's white album) only having being recorded on 4 track or even 2 track.