Beatlantis: 04} A Hard Day's Nigh

 A Hard Day's Nigh (September, 1964, Timaeus)

< file under Beatles In Atlantis >

~ an approximation of this album, using latest remasters, can be heard here on Apple Music ~

Owing to another circumstance of Atlantean protectionism, the frequency of foreign film releases was limited in the undersea nation. The studio with rights to The Beatles' impending big screen debut faced an eager viewing public and the possibility of seeing the film's release date pushed back a year. (In fact, it was only held back from summer to fall.)

Acknowledging this potential delay, and wanting to assure the fanbase that the movie would make it into Atlantis theaters, the distributor started promoting the upcoming feature with the slight wordplay "A Hard Day's Nigh." By the time the movie arrived in front of audiences and the associated LP was ready to ship, the public had grown so used to the promotional phrase that our friend Tivowr Dorna felt it best to title the album to match. Not that he had much choice — the very same film distributor had the rights to release the movie's instrumental score, and released that score, just like the film, under the title A Hard Day's Night, leaving Dorna obliged to issue the actual Beatles album under a different name. He cheekily used the local film company's well-worn slogan to great advantage, playing on the familiarity they'd built through their promo campaign.

That's about all he changed compared to the UK release, other than his now standard practice of selecting less common mixes, and it's the most noticeable change beyond the color scheme of the cover. He recognized this as the band's first masterpiece, the first (and only) album comprised solely of Lennon/McCartney originals (emphasis on Lennon), so he set upon releasing it effectively unadulterated to the Atlantean public. His faith that even the so-called serious music press of Atlantis would have to take notice of such a strong selection of songs was rewarded. Critical praise previously unheard of for a pop combo was heaped upon this long player, particularly directed at the songwriting duo.

It wasn't just critics who were captivated; like the accompanying film, the disc was an enormous popular hit as well. The Beatles were bigger than ever down at the depths of the sea. The album stayed on the charts well into the spring and the film drew theater crowds through the winter holidays. For Atlanteans, watching The Beatles on the big screen was the closest they'd yet gotten — and, it turned out, would ever get — to seeing the band live and in person. 

Dorna rightfully anticipated this release would scale new heights

Side one

1.     A Hard Day's Night °

2.     I Should Have Known Better ‡

3.     If I Fell †

4.     I'm Happy Just to Dance with You †

5.     And I Love Her [mono] ^

6.     Tell Me Why †

7.     Can't Buy Me Love ‡

Side two

1.     Any Time at All [mono] π

2.     I'll Cry Instead [mono] †

3.     Things We Said Today †

4.     When I Get Home [mono] π

5.     You Can't Do That [mono] ∞

6.     I'll Be Back [mono] ª

All tracks stereo except as noted. 

° 1+ {2015}

‡ A Hard Day's Night {The U.S. Albums box set; 2014} or A Hard Day's Night {The Beatles (The Original Studio Recordings) stereo box set; 2009}

† Something New {The Capitol Albums, Volume 1; 2006}

^ A Hard Day's Night {The U.S. Albums box set; 2014}

π Something New {The U.S. Albums box set; 2014}

∞ The Beatles' Second Album {The U.S. Albums box set; 2014}

ª Beatles '65 {The U.S. Albums box set; 2014}

next: 05} Beatles lx IV $ale (1964)

previous: 03} The Beatles' Third Album (1964)