Monday 20 July 1964 | Capitol Records, USA
On 20 July 1964, Capitol Records took the unusual step of releasing two Beatles singles simultaneously in the United States — a move calculated to capitalise on the public's insatiable appetite for Beatles products. Both singles were also released on the same day as the US album Something New.
And I Love Her (Capitol 5235)
| Catalogue number | Capitol 5235 |
| A-side | And I Love Her |
| B-side | If I Fell |
| Billboard chart peak | No. 12 |
| Previous release | Both songs on United Artists A Hard Day's Night soundtrack LP (26 June 1964) |
Both And I Love Her and its B-side If I Fell had already appeared on the United Artists soundtrack LP of A Hard Day's Night, released in America the previous month on 26 June 1964. The single reached number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100.
I'll Cry Instead (Capitol 5234)
| Catalogue number | Capitol 5234 |
| A-side | I'll Cry Instead |
| B-side | I'm Happy Just To Dance With You |
| US single running time | 2'09" |
| UK album running time | 1'49" |
I'll Cry Instead was written for the film A Hard Day's Night but was left out by director Richard Lester. The US single version was slightly longer than the UK album version, running 2'09" rather than 1'49". The extra 20 seconds were the result of the first verse being repeated prior to the second middle eight. This same longer version also appeared on the mono pressing of the US album Something New, released the same day.
Context: Two Singles on One Day
The simultaneous release of two singles was a deliberate commercial strategy by Capitol. By the summer of 1964, The Beatles were the biggest act in the world, and demand for new product was effectively limitless. Releasing two singles on the same day — alongside a new album — maximised chart presence and retail impact. It was also a reflection of the unusual structure of the US Beatles catalogue, in which Capitol routinely reconfigured UK releases to generate additional product for the American market.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Beatles singles were released in the US on 20 July 1964?
Capitol Records released two Beatles singles simultaneously on 20 July 1964: And I Love Her / If I Fell (Capitol 5235) and I'll Cry Instead / I'm Happy Just To Dance With You (Capitol 5234).
How high did And I Love Her reach in the US charts?
And I Love Her reached number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Why is the US single version of I'll Cry Instead longer than the UK version?
The US single version of I'll Cry Instead runs 2'09" compared to 1'49" on the UK album A Hard Day's Night. The difference is caused by the repetition of the first verse prior to the second middle eight. This longer version also appears on the mono pressing of the US album Something New.
Why was I'll Cry Instead not in the A Hard Day's Night film?
I'll Cry Instead was written for the film A Hard Day's Night but was left out by director Richard Lester. Despite this, it was included on the UK soundtrack album and released as a US single.
Why did Capitol release two Beatles singles on the same day?
Capitol released two singles simultaneously on 20 July 1964 to capitalise on the enormous demand for Beatles product in the US market. It was part of a broader strategy of maximising chart presence and retail impact through frequent and multiple releases.
→ US album release: Something New – 20 July 1964
→ 20 July in Beatles History
→ July in Beatles History
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→ George Harrison: Beatles History, Solo Career, Songs & Legacy
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