Four By The Beatles – US EP Release, 11 May 1964
On Monday 11 May 1964, Capitol Records released Four By The Beatles in the United States — a four-track extended play (EP) issued at the absolute peak of Beatlemania in America.
The release came just months after The Beatles' landmark appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show and their first US tour, at a time when demand for any new Beatles product was insatiable. Capitol seized the opportunity with this compact but commercially savvy EP.
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Tracklisting – Four By The Beatles
The EP contained four tracks drawn from existing Capitol album releases:
- Roll Over Beethoven
- Thank You Girl
- I Saw Her Standing There
- Misery
All four tracks showcased the raw energy and vocal interplay that had made The Beatles an unstoppable commercial force on both sides of the Atlantic.
Capitol Records and the US Beatles Catalogue
Capitol Records had initially been reluctant to release Beatles material in the United States, famously passing on early singles. By 1964, following the explosion of Beatlemania, the label moved quickly to maximise its catalogue holdings.
The EP format was more common in the UK and Europe than in the US, making Four By The Beatles a relatively unusual release for the American market. It was aimed squarely at fans who wanted more Beatles music between full album releases.
The Capitol Records Tower in Los Angeles — one of the most recognisable buildings in the music industry — served as the nerve centre for The Beatles' American releases throughout the 1960s.
The Beatles in May 1964
By May 1964, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr were in the midst of filming A Hard Day's Night and preparing for a world tour. The pace of their output — recording, touring, filming and releasing new material simultaneously — was extraordinary by any standard.
The release of Four By The Beatles on 11 May 1964 is a small but telling example of how Capitol and The Beatles' management worked to keep the group's profile at maximum intensity throughout the year.
Legacy and Collectability
Original pressings of Four By The Beatles are now sought-after collector's items, particularly in near-mint condition with the original sleeve. The EP represents a snapshot of a unique moment — when The Beatles were simultaneously the biggest act in the world and still releasing music at a relentless pace.
Explore more in our May in Beatles History hub, see all events on 11 May in Beatles history, or dive deeper in our Beatles Knowledge Hub.
Location Map – Capitol Records Tower, Los Angeles
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