The Beatles

1962–1966 (also known as “The Red Album“) is a 2 record set compilation of songs by the English rock band The Beatles, spanning the years indicated in the title.

Released with its counterpart 1967–1970 (“The Blue Album”) in 1973, it reached number 3 in the United Kingdom and number 1 in the United States Cashbox albums chart. However, in the US, the official chart was administered by Billboard, where 1962–1966 peaked at number 3, while 1967–1970 reached the top spot. This album was re-released in September 1993 on compact disc, charting at number 3 in the UK.

The album was compiled by Beatles manager Allen Klein. Even though the group had had success with cover versions of songs, most notably with “Twist and Shout”, which made number 2 on the Billboard charts, only songs composed by the Beatles themselves were included. Along with its 1967–1970 counterpart, it compiles every single A-side released by the band in the UK.

As with 1967–1970, this compilation was produced by Apple/EMI at least partially in response to a bootleg collection titled Alpha Omega, which had been sold on television the previous year. Print advertising for the two records made a point of declaring them “the only authorized collection of the Beatles.

Disc 1

Side 1

1. “Love Me Do”  – 2:23
2. “Please Please Me”  – 2:03
3. “From Me to You”  – 1:57
4. “She Loves You”  – 2:22
5. “I Want to Hold Your Hand”  – 2:26
6. “All My Loving”  – 2:08
7. “Can’t Buy Me Love”  – 2:13

Side 2

8. “A Hard Day’s Night”  – 2:34
9. “And I Love Her”  – 2:31
10. “Eight Days a Week”  – 2:45
11. “I Feel Fine”  – 2:19
12. “Ticket to Ride”  – 3:10
13. “Yesterday”  – 2:05

Disc 2

Side 1

1. “Help!”  – 2:19
2. “You’ve Got to Hide Your Love Away”  – 2:11
3. “We Can Work It Out”  – 2:16
4. “Day Tripper”  – 2:49
5. “Drive My Car”  – 2:27
6. “Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)”  – 2:05

Side 2

7. “Nowhere Man”  – 2:44
8. “Michelle”  – 2:42
9. “In My Life”  – 2:27
10. “Girl”  – 2:31
11. “Paperback Writer”  – 2:31
12. “Eleanor Rigby”  – 2:08
13. “Yellow Submarine”  – 2:37

Don’t forget to pick up your copy of the Blue Album.