# What's the weakest Beatles album? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 23, 2018, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-weakest-beatles-album/818455 "2018-07-23T17:56:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2018, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-weakest-beatles-album/818455/21 "2018-07-24T18:35:49Z")
> [@Jasmine](#): > > [\*\*You forgot One \*\*](https://images.bonanzastatic.com/afu/images/0d9c/73b1/b003_4479049614/il_fullxfull.440670301_3aoz.jpg) > > You forgot to list this album. I only thought of it because it is part of my daddy’s complete collection that my brother cherishes to this day. I always thought it pretty gross: the cover, not the music. LOL That’s an American release and supposedly the butcher image was because Capitol records would ‘butcher’ the UK releases. They UK releases were mainly 14 songs and didn’t usually have songs that were singles or released on EP. The American versions were 11 or 12 songs. Perhaps I’ll start an American releases thread after this one has run the course. ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2018, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-weakest-beatles-album/818455/22 "2018-07-24T18:41:26Z")
> [@blondebear](#): > > Well, at any rate, it probably qualifies as the most _expensive_ album. Why? We charged more for the album over here than in England? ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2018, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-weakest-beatles-album/818455/23 "2018-07-24T19:19:39Z")
> [@dalej42](#): > > That’s an American release and supposedly the butcher image was because Capitol records would ‘butcher’ the UK releases. > **[Antiques Roadshow | PBS](https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/roadshow/)** > > Part adventure, part history lesson, part treasure hunt: ANTIQUES ROADSHOW travels the country in search of America’s hidden treasures. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2018, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-weakest-beatles-album/818455/24 "2018-07-24T19:55:24Z")
> [@Jasmine](#): > > Why? We charged more for the album over here than in England? A sealed copy sold for $125,000 in 2016. ---
**Author:** ![Mclovin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8c91f0/32.png) [@Mclovin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mclovin)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2018, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-weakest-beatles-album/818455/25 "2018-07-24T20:09:00Z")
Choosing the weakest Beatles record is indeed picking out the diamond with the least shine. Yellow Submarine was originally planned as an EP and somehow (I’m no Beatles expert) was turned into a full length with only one side a Beatles album and the other George Martin instrumentals. It’s gonna be the easy winner here. I chose “For Sale”. It had a comparatively creative infertility to it that found them at a plateau. Then all hell breaks loose with Help onward. ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2018, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-weakest-beatles-album/818455/26 "2018-07-24T21:16:21Z")
As others have noted, _Yellow Submarine_ isn’t really an album. It’s more helpful to think of the Beatles as engaging in “recording projects.” Each produced several singles, and an album (sometimes with a significantly different US version, or – as with _Beatles for Sale_ – songs scattered among several US albums). Each album in this poll corresponds to a project, except _Yellow Submarine_. (Probably best to call the Let It Be one _Get Back_). So, I chose the least developed (and worst) of the projects, _Magical Mystery Tour_ – although, as others have noted, even this contains some fine creative work. _… For Sale_ would be second-worst for me (though the full project of the time includes some goodies, like Eight Days a Week and I Feel Fine). I’m surprised there are several votes for _With…_ – depending on my mood, that’s sometimes one of my favorite three Beatles albums! (I just ignore the covers). ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2018, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-weakest-beatles-album/818455/27 "2018-07-24T21:26:25Z")
ETA: _Let It Be (Get Back)_ would be my vote for third-worst (again, ignoring _Yellow Submarine_, though sometimes I _love_ it. ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2018, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-weakest-beatles-album/818455/28 "2018-07-24T21:30:57Z")
> [@Kamino\_Neko](#): > > … With the Beatles (where, IMO, aside from It Won’t Be Long and All My Loving, all the best ones are covers). IMO, “Not a Second Time” is pretty great, and “All I’ve Got to Do” and (less so) “Don’t Bother Me” are worthwhile songs, too. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2018, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-weakest-beatles-album/818455/29 "2018-07-24T23:07:19Z")
> [@JKellyMap](#): > > As others have noted, _Yellow Submarine_ isn’t really an album. It’s more helpful to think of the Beatles as engaging in “recording projects.” Each produced several singles, and an album (sometimes with a significantly different US version, or – as with _Beatles for Sale_ – songs scattered among several US albums). Each album in this poll corresponds to a project, except _Yellow Submarine_. (Probably best to call the Let It Be one _Get Back_). > > So, I chose the least developed (and worst) of the projects, _Magical Mystery Tour_ – although, as others have noted, even this contains some fine creative work. > > _… For Sale_ would be second-worst for me (though the full project of the time includes some goodies, like Eight Days a Week and I Feel Fine). I’m surprised there are several votes for _With…_ – depending on my mood, that’s sometimes one of my favorite three Beatles albums! (I just ignore the covers). I Feel Fine was released as a single in the UK and isn’t on Beatles For Sale. ---
**Author:** ![Biffster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biffster/32/339_2.png) [@Biffster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffster)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2018, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-weakest-beatles-album/818455/30 "2018-07-24T23:09:12Z")
> [@dalej42](#): > > I Feel Fine was released as a single in the UK and isn’t on Beatles For Sale. I believe it was the B-side of Day Tripper. What a combo! ---
**Author:** ![Biffster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biffster/32/339_2.png) [@Biffster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffster)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2018, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-weakest-beatles-album/818455/31 "2018-07-24T23:38:46Z")
> [@Biffster](#): > > I believe it was the B-side of Day Tripper. What a combo! Oops! My bad. I Feel Fine was the A-side, She’s a Woman was the B-side. Still a killer combo though. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2018, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-weakest-beatles-album/818455/32 "2018-07-25T00:08:43Z")
I accidentally voted for Magical Mystery Tour but I meant to choose Yellow Submarine — even though Hey Bulldog is my favorite Beatles song. ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2018, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-weakest-beatles-album/818455/33 "2018-07-25T01:00:10Z")
> [@dalej42](#): > > I Feel Fine was released as a single in the UK and isn’t on Beatles For Sale. But it _was_ part of the Beatles for Sale “recording project.” YMMV, but I find this a convenient way to conceive of the Beatles musical history. “Rain” was recorded along with the Revolver tracks; Strawberry Fields Forever and Penny Lane initiated the Sgt. Pepper sessions; etc. I realize this isn’t how this particular poll was set up. ---
**Author:** ![Cugel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cugel/32/1199_2.png) [@Cugel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cugel)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2018, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-weakest-beatles-album/818455/34 "2018-07-25T03:11:26Z")
I bought a box set when doing the Beatles phase, I don’t think I ever bothered taking any of the first four albums out the sleeve. ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2018, 11:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-weakest-beatles-album/818455/35 "2018-07-25T11:33:46Z")
> [@Cugel](#): > > I bought a box set when doing the Beatles phase, I don’t think I ever bothered taking any of the first four albums out the sleeve. You’re in for a treat! _A Hard Day’s Night_ (UK version) is just one awesome song after another. I envy how you’ll get to enjoy some of these songs as fresh and new as if it were 1964. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2018, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-weakest-beatles-album/818455/36 "2018-07-25T14:45:39Z")
A little off-topic, but probably of interest to thread participants…I just saw a thread in another forum about an annual [Beatles Marathon](http://pencilstorm.com/blog/2014/12/31/the-beatles-marathon-is-columbus-greatest-cultural-event-by-james-baumann) where all 215 songs from the core albums are played in chronological order. It sounds like a lot of fun. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2018, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-weakest-beatles-album/818455/37 "2018-07-25T17:29:41Z")
> [@JKellyMap](#): > > You’re in for a treat! _A Hard Day’s Night_ (UK version) is just one awesome song after another. Absolutely. That one’s always somewhere in my Top 3 Beatles album (usually along with Revolver and Rubber Soul.) It may very well be because that’s the first Beatles album I really heard as an _album_, but, even today, knowing all their albums, gotta be one of the best. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2018, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-weakest-beatles-album/818455/38 "2018-07-25T18:51:08Z")
> [@blondebear](#): > > A little off-topic, but probably of interest to thread participants…I just saw a thread in another forum about an annual [Beatles Marathon](http://pencilstorm.com/blog/2014/12/31/the-beatles-marathon-is-columbus-greatest-cultural-event-by-james-baumann) where all 215 songs from the core albums are played in chronological order. It sounds like a lot of fun. I used to the love listening to The Beatles a to z on rock radio stations when I was growing up, especially for someone like me who had a mishmash of albums of American releases, UK releases, and the compilations that were churned out in the 1970s. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2018, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-weakest-beatles-album/818455/39 "2018-07-25T19:40:03Z")
Here’s a youtube playlist of some of the performances from last year: [Sgt. Peppercorn’s Marathon 2017](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrqEXSWRqp_cr_kpdKaJmrD39x0ao70KO) They toss in some solo material as well. The whole thing takes over 12 hours, probably too long to take in from beginning to end unless you’re really hard core. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2018, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-weakest-beatles-album/818455/40 "2018-07-25T20:41:21Z")
> [@blondebear](#): > > Well, at any rate, it probably qualifies as the most _expensive_ album. Back in the 70s, my friend and I were going through his collection of albums that he was getting back to after his return to civilian life. When he came to “Y&T”, he mentioned having heard that some copies had the bowdlerized cover art pasted atop the “gross” one, and started carefully peeling off the “safe” one. Sure enough, the abbatoir cover was there. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-weakest-beatles-album/818455.md?page=1)