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List Price: $15.98 | | Label: Capitol
Salesrank: 215673
Released: December 5, 1995 |
| Our Price: $24.77 |
| Used Price: $42.26 |
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| Media: Vinyl |
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A Hard Day's Night Track Listing:
1. Hard Day's Night [Vocal Version]
2. Tell Me Why [Vocal Version]
3. I'll Cry Instead [Vocal Version]
4. I Should Have Known Better [Instrumental]
5. I'm Happy Just to Dance With You [Vocal Version]
6. And I Love Her [Instrumental]
7. I Should Have Known Better [Vocal Version]
8. If I Fell [Vocal Version]
9. And I Love Her [Vocal Version]
10. This Boy [Instrumental]
11. Can't Buy Me Love [Vocal Version]
12. Hard Day's Night [Instrumental]
Editorial Review:
A Hard Day's Night was the first Beatles album of all-original material, and the first to feature George Harrison playing his Rickenbacker electric 12-string guitar (on the opening chord of "A Hard Day's Night," for instance). The distinctive sound of the 12-string inspired countless guitarists including Roger McGuinn and David Crosby of the Byrds. The film from which these songs hail remains a classic combination of happy 1960s naivete and nascent hipster wit. Many of the most important rock bands to emerge in the latter half of the '60s came into being because of A Hard Day's Night's irresistible vibrancy. The tunes flow like the finest red wine, as the title track leads to the glorious harmonica of "I Should Have Known Better" and the powerfully poignant "If I Fell." EMI. 2005.
Description of A Hard Day's Night:
Strummmmm! That dramatic guitar chord that kicks of A Hard Day's Night (album, song, movie) still jumps right out at you, slaps you in the face, and jump-starts your heart. And you know what? Both the music and the film are still as crisp and lively as they were in 1964. Of course, only the first seven songs are actually in the movie (and they are the strongest of the bunch, from the rousing rock & roll of the title track and the hit single "Can't Buy Me Love," to the beautiful ballads "If I Fell" and "And I Love Her"). But nobody's going to complain about having songs like "I'll Cry Instead" and "Things We Said Today" in the second half of the record; they sure don't feel like leftovers. Yet another high-point for John, Paul, George, and Ringo--four fab fellows who hit the highest heights imaginable. --Jim Emerson
A Hard Day's Night Reviews:
The peak of the Beatles' early albums 
2009-11-28 - 'A Hard Day's Night' is the best of the Fab Four's first five albums. It captures the band at a crucial point in their early career; they've been around long enough to perfect their songwriting skills, but not long enough to have become tired and jaded by Beatlemania. As such, this album retains the carefree enthusiasm of 'Please Please Me' and 'With The Beatles', but displays a level of sophistication characteristic of 'Beatles For Sale' and 'Help!'. At this stage, their experimentation is modest, as they incorporate piano, 12 string guitar, and different percussion instruments such as claves.
The album is often noted for being the most buoyant and upbeat Beatles album, but I've never thought that was true. While the two massive hits in the title track and 'Can't Buy Me Love', plus a couple of other songs like 'I'm Happy Just To Dance With You' fit that bill, the rest of the album is more diverse. The McCartney compositions 'And I Love Her' and 'Things We Said Today' are great early examples of his ability to write wistful ballads, 'I'll Cry Instead' incorporates country influences, while the harmoica tinged 'I Should Have Known Better' hides its downbeat mood with a singalong chorus.
The most significant songs from a musical development point of view are the final two. 'You Can't Do That' is the first clear example of John Lennon's confessional style; he uses macho misogynism to disguise deep insecuity, fearing that others will laugh at him if they see his girl misbehaving. And the closer 'I'll Be Back' is a reflective minor key ballad that clearly looks forward to the Dylan-influenced 'Beatles For Sale' album.
In many ways, 'A Hard Day's Night' is first Beatles album I'd recommend new fans listen to. Its perfect pop hooks shows why The Beatles were the most popular band of their time, and its musical ambition shows why they would become the most respected. A truly great album.
The sound of history
2009-11-21 - It's still like yesterday to me; The Ed Sullivan Show, the news stories, the histerial and the fun of something so exciting. The music of that time was the earmark of a sociological era the likes of which have never been seen before or since.
That's why the remastering of the historic music is so important. I was so pleased to hear these recordings presented in a crisp, clean and vivid format. The importance of preserving these recordings cannot be understated. This is history. The Beatles represent the most profound influence on the culture of the second half of the 20th century.
The songs bring back the fun, happiness and innocence of the time and cannot help but bring a smile to your face. I have purchased most of these remastered issues and have yet to be disappointed. Percussion is crisper, guitar solos are bolder and the whole presentation is just more life-like.
If you were a child of the sixties, these are required listening. Take a time trip back to those times when the release of a new Beatle album was worthy of the 6 o'clock news and portable radios ruled.
Excellent album now in stereo.
2009-10-24 - This album features songs from their first motion picture. It's also the first to utilize four-track technology and the first in which every song was credited to Lennon-McCartney (John writing 10 of the tracks, Paul with 3). The hits off this album are "Can't Buy Me Love", the title track and the single "And I Love Her" released in the US. Of all the tracks, only "I Should Have Known Better" appears in stereo for the first time.
The Fab Four were still fundamentally a rock group at this point showing traces of their roots.`This is arguably their third best album of the Beatlemania era only behind "Rubber Soul" and "Revolver". A truly essential album.
Classic
2009-10-18 - What can ya say, so much better than the first digital release. Sonically, very crisp and clean, a great job by EMI.
The peak of Beatlemania and a recorded masterpiece!!!
2009-10-17 - If ever there was a person to earn the title of "5th Beatle"....it would surely have been George Martin and Brian Epstein....and NOT New York radio DJ, Murray the K.
Martins invaluable knowledge of musical theory and arrangement, as well as his vast overall familiarity with each of the instruments and vocalizing; plus his willingness to bet on a longshot and take risks.
It was Brian Epsteins original interest in the band that convinced them to change their appeance/image and got them in the doors at Parlophone in the first place.
When you listen back to 1962 to the Decca Tapes, the Tony Sheridan recordings and the Star Club in Hamburg,Germany.....It doesn't take a genius to figure out that NOBODY transcends from being a barely competent musician to the Beatle level in only 14 or 15 months. Also keep in mind that short of Paul McCartney, no one in the band had any formal musical training.
I believe this is where George Martin and Brian Epstein come into the picture....Their guidance and vision took a group of 4 very ambitious young men who were extremely talented; yet raw and and transformed them into the biggest band of the century. In very short order, they became better than any of their peers. The bands appearance took on a new look....as well as their sound..
In the studio....Martin undoubtedly helped them to polish their vocal and musical skills...showing them the tips and secrets only the pros were familiar with. It was Martin who helped them accelerate their prowess of the piano and organ...as well as giving them tips on how to accentuate their playing style on guitar, bass and drums..This is the job of a good producer....to get the most out of the performer and to capture it all on tape.
So.....If there ever was ANYBODY who deserved to be referred to as a "5th Beatle"....It would have to be George Martin and Brian Epstein. These 2 men were every much a Beatle as the 4 who you saw on all the records and cd's.
When I think back to all the hoopla that was associated with Beatlemania....I am really convinced that it wasn't all hype at all....These guys (with the help of Brian and George) really deserved all that attention and they truly were a phenomenon and destined to be the BAND OF THE CENTURY.
If you doubt me....just listen to the music.
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I consider A Hard Days Night to be the pinnacle of The Beatles recorded success...every song a literal masterpiece...The stereo mix is true and not that hokey "left-music, right-vocals" B.S. that basically ruined the listenability of PLEASE PLEASE ME, WITH THE BEATLES and RUBBER SOUL.
One suggestion....when you listen to the CD...program your tracks to play YOU CANT DO THAT to follow CANT BUY ME LOVE (as it was the 8th song written and recorded for the movie). DVD owners will note that recent versions of the movie now have them performing YOU CANT DO THAT live in front of the studio audience..along with the other 7 songs.
My biggest criticism of the whole catalogue....They should have included BOTH stereo and mono versions of each album (as they did with the Capitol album box sets)....
