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Anthology 2

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This article is about the Beatles album. For the John Farnham album, see Anthology 2: Classic Hits 1967–1985 (Recorded Live).
Anthology 2
Compilation album by
the Beatles
Released18 March 1996 (1996-03-18)
Recorded16 February 1965 – 30 April 1969; c. 1980 & February 1995
GenreRock, pop[1]
Length127:54
LabelApple (CDP 7243 8 34448 2), Capitol
ProducerGeorge Martin, Jeff Lynne, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Ringo Starr ("Real Love")
The Beatles chronology
Anthology 1
(1995) 		Anthology 2
(1996) 		Anthology 3
(1996)
Singles from Anthology 2
  1. "Real Love"
    Released: 4 March 1996

Anthology 2 is a compilation album by the Beatles, released on 18 March 1996 by Apple Records as part of The Beatles Anthology series. It features rarities, outtakes and live performances from the 1965 sessions for Help! until the sessions immediately prior to their trip to India in February 1968. It is the second in a trilogy of albums with Anthology 1 and Anthology 3, all of which tie in with the televised special The Beatles Anthology. The opening track is "Real Love", the second of the two recordings that reunited the Beatles for the first time since the band's break-up. Like its predecessor, the album topped the Billboard 200 album chart and has been certified 4× Platinum by the RIAA.

The Anthology albums were remastered and made available digitally on the iTunes Store on 14 June 2011, individually and as part of the Anthology Box Set.

Content

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"Real Love", as with "Free as a Bird", is based on a demo made by John Lennon and given to Paul McCartney by Lennon's widow, Yoko Ono. The three surviving Beatles (McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr) added guitars, bass, drums, percussion and backing vocals, but unlike with the previous song, did not re-work the lyrics or music. "Real Love" remained solely credited to Lennon, becoming the only Beatles song to have Lennon by himself in the writing credit.

Disc one contains three unreleased compositions, one being an instrumental entitled "12-Bar Original", recorded for Rubber Soul but subsequently unused. Two other songs recorded for Help!, "If You've Got Trouble" and "That Means a Lot", were abandoned and never returned to again by the band. The former was originally slated to be the usual vocal spot for Ringo Starr on Help!, and the latter was eventually given to singer P.J. Proby. The version of "Everybody's Trying to Be My Baby" from the group's famed August 1965 show at Shea Stadium but left out of the documentary about the show appears for the first time.

"I'm Down" was originally listed as Track 7 (in its correct place chronologically) but was shifted out of sequence to Track 3 at the last minute, at Paul McCartney's request. The album had already gone to press and McCartney reportedly paid the re-printing costs himself.

Disc two contains work-in-progress versions of tracks from Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band and Magical Mystery Tour. The take of "Strawberry Fields Forever" that made up the first minute of the released record appears in its entirety on track three. Also included are three songs that were started during this period – "Only a Northern Song", "You Know My Name (Look Up the Number)" and "Across the Universe" – but would not see release until years later, in 1969 and 1970.

McCartney had hoped to include "Carnival of Light", an unreleased experimental piece that the Beatles recorded during the sessions for Sgt. Pepper in 1967; however, the idea was vetoed by Harrison, Starr and Ono on the grounds that the track was never intended for a Beatles release.[2] Among the songs that were in the running for inclusion on the compilation but ultimately passed over were the following: the 1965 Shea Stadium performance of "She's a Woman"; a live version of "Nowhere Man", recorded in Tokyo in 1966; "Paperback Writer", featuring only vocals; and out-takes of "Think for Yourself" and "Love You To".[3]

Reception

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Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[4]
Robert Christgau(dud)[5]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music[6]
Entertainment WeeklyB[7]
Guitarist[8]
MusicHound3/5[9]
NME10/10[10]
Q[11]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide[12]
Vox10/10[13]
Wall of Sound92/100[14]

Like its predecessor, Anthology 2 sold well. In the United States, it debuted at number one, selling 442,000 copies its first week. The next week, it fell to number two, selling 201,000 copies, being replaced by Alanis Morissette's Jagged Little Pill. The album spent two more weeks on the top 10, at number four then number eight, remaining on the Billboard 200 for 22 consecutive weeks and then re-entering the charts twice, marking a number 96 reach during the Christmas season of 1996. In all, the album spent 37 weeks on the charts (eight more than Anthology 1) and sold 1,707,000 copies. In the United Kingdom, the success was similar. The first Anthology album had debuted at number two when it was released in November 1995, but its successor reached number one, where it remained for one week. The album spent a total of 13 weeks on the UK Albums Chart.

Reviewing the compilation in March 1996, Billboard's reviewer described it as a "precious window into the most lucrative creative collaboration in the history of popular music".[15]

Release history

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Country Date Label Format Catalogue
United Kingdom 1996-03-18 Apple, EMI Triple vinyl LP PCSP728 / 72438 34448 1 6
Double CD CDPCSP728 / 7243 8 34448 2 3
Cassette TCPCSP728
United States 1996-03-19 Apple, Capitol, EMI Triple vinyl LP CDP 7243 8 34448 1 6
Double CD CDP 7243 8 34448 2 3

Track listing

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CD release

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All tracks in stereo, except where noted.

All tracks are written by Lennon–McCartney, except where noted

Disc one
No.TitleWriter(s)Recording date and locationLength
1."Real Love"John Lennonc. July 1980 in The Dakota, New York City, New York US; February 1995 in Hogg Hill Mill, Icklesham, UK[citation needed]3:54
2."Yes It Is" (Takes 2 & 14) 16 February 1965 in EMI Studios, London, UK1:50
3."I'm Down" (Take 1) 14 June 1965 in EMI Studios2:53
4."You've Got to Hide Your Love Away" (Takes 1, 2 & 5; mono) 18 February 1965 in EMI Studios2:45
5."If You've Got Trouble" 18 February 1965 in EMI Studios2:48
6."That Means A Lot" (Take 1) 20 February 1965 in EMI Studios2:27
7."Yesterday" (Take 1) 14 June 1965 in EMI Studios2:34
8."It's Only Love" (Takes 3 & 2; mono) 15 June 1965 in EMI Studios1:59
9."I Feel Fine" (live on Blackpool Night Out; mono) 1 August 1965 in ABC Theatre, Blackpool, UK2:16
10."Ticket to Ride" (live on Blackpool Night Out; mono) 1 August 1965 in ABC Theatre2:45
11."Yesterday" (live on Blackpool Night Out; mono) 1 August 1965 in ABC Theatre2:43
12."Help!" (live on Blackpool Night Out; mono) 1 August 1965 in ABC Theatre2:55
13."Everybody's Trying to Be My Baby" (live at Shea Stadium; mono)Carl Perkins15 August 1965 in Shea Stadium, New York City2:45
14."Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)" (Take 1) 12 October 1965 in EMI Studios1:59
15."I'm Looking Through You" (Take 1) 24 October 1965 in EMI Studios2:54
16."12-Bar Original" (Take 2 edited)Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Richard Starkey4 November 1965 in EMI Studios2:55
17."Tomorrow Never Knows" ("Mark 1" / Take 1) 6 April 1966 in EMI Studios3:14
18."Got to Get You into My Life" (Take 5; mono) 7 April 1966 in EMI Studios2:54
19."And Your Bird Can Sing" (Take 2) 20 April 1966 in EMI Studios2:13
20."Taxman" (Take 11)Harrison21 April 1966 in EMI Studios2:32
21."Eleanor Rigby (strings only)" (Take 14) 28 April 1966 in EMI Studios2:06
22."I'm Only Sleeping (rehearsal)" (mono) 29 April 1966 in EMI Studios0:41
23."I'm Only Sleeping (Take 1)" (mono) 29 April 1966 in EMI Studios2:59
24."Rock and Roll Music" (live in Tokyo; mono)Chuck Berry30 June 1966 in Nippon Budokan Hall, Tokyo, Japan1:39
25."She's a Woman" (live in Tokyo; mono) 30 June 1966 in Nippon Budokan Hall2:55
Total length:63:35
Disc two
No.TitleWriter(s)Recording date and locationLength
1."Strawberry Fields Forever (demo sequence)" (mono) 24 November 1966 in Kenwood, Weybridge, UK1:42
2."Strawberry Fields Forever" (Take 1) 24 November 1966 in EMI Studios2:35
3."Strawberry Fields Forever" (Take 7 and edit and piece; mono) 29 November & 9 December 1966 in EMI Studios4:14
4."Penny Lane" (remix) 29 December 1966 – 17 January 1967 in EMI Studios3:13
5."A Day in the Life" (Takes 1, 2, 6 & orchestra) 19–20 January & 10 February 1967 in EMI Studios5:05
6."Good Morning Good Morning" (Take 8) 8 & 16 February 1967 in EMI Studios2:40
7."Only a Northern Song" (Takes 3 & 12)Harrison13–14 February & 20 April 1967 in EMI Studios2:44
8."Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite! (Takes 1 and 2)" 17 February 1967 in EMI Studios1:05
9."Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite! (Take 7)" 17 & 20 February 1967 in EMI Studios2:34
10."Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" (Takes 6, 7 & 8) 1–2 March 1967 in EMI Studios3:06
11."Within You Without You (instrumental)"Harrison15 March – 3 April 1967 in EMI Studios5:27
12."Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (Reprise)" (Take 5; mono) 1 April 1967 in EMI Studios1:27
13."You Know My Name (Look Up the Number)" (extended stereo remix) 17 May & 7–8 June 1967; 30 April 1969 in EMI Studios5:43
14."I Am the Walrus" (Take 16) 5 September 1967 in EMI Studios4:02
15."The Fool on the Hill (demo)" (mono) 6 September 1967 in EMI Studios2:48
16."Your Mother Should Know" (Take 27) 16 September 1967 in EMI Studios3:02
17."The Fool on the Hill (Take 4)" 25 September 1967 in EMI Studios3:45
18."Hello, Goodbye" (Take 16) 2 & 19 October 1967 in EMI Studios3:18
19."Lady Madonna" (Takes 3 & 4) 3 & 6 February 1968 in EMI Studios2:22
20."Across the Universe" (Take 2) 4 February 1968 in EMI Studios3:29
Total length:64:21

Vinyl release

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Cassette release

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Charts

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Certifications and sales

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Certifications and sales for Anthology 2
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Argentina (CAPIF)[41] Gold 30,000^
Australia (ARIA)[42] Gold 35,000^
Belgium (BEA)[43] Gold 25,000*
Canada (Music Canada)[44] 4× Platinum 400,000^
France (SNEP)[45] Gold 100,000*
Japan (RIAJ)[47] Platinum 266,000[46]
United Kingdom (BPI)[48] Platinum 300,000^
United States (RIAA)[49] 4× Platinum 2,000,000^

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Personnel

[edit]
The Beatles
  • John Lennon – vocals, rhythm guitar, piano on "Real Love", organ on "I'm Down", lead guitar on "I Feel Fine" and "12-Bar Original", electric piano on "I am the Walrus", sound effects
  • Paul McCartney – vocals, bass guitar, piano, Mellotron, lead guitar on "Taxman", acoustic guitar on "Yesterday"; double bass, harpsichord on "Real Love",[50] harmonium on "Real Love" and "Your Mother Should Know", Lowrey organ on "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds", recorder on "The Fool on the Hill"
  • George Harrison – lead guitar, tambura, swarmandal, sitar, slide guitar on "Real Love",[51] organ on "Only a Northern Song", vibraphone on "You Know My Name (Look Up the Number), vocals on "Everybody's Trying To Be My Baby", "Taxman", and "Only a Northern Song"
  • Ringo Starr – drums, bongos on "You Know My Name (Look Up the Number)", vocals on "If You've Got Trouble"
Additional musicians (where credited)
  • George Martin – string, brass, and orchestral arrangements, harmonium on "12-Bar Original", organ on "Got to Get You into My Life" and "Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite"
  • Mal Evans – alarm clock and counting on "A Day in the Life"
  • Brian Jones – alto saxophone on "You Know My Name (Look Up the Number)"

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ "The Beatles – Biography – IMDb". AllMusic. Retrieved 22 September 2018.
  2. ^ Badman, Keith (2001). The Beatles Diary Volume 2: After the Break-Up 1970–2001. London: Omnibus Press. p. 554. ISBN 978-0-7119-8307-6.
  3. ^ Badman 2001, p. 542.
  4. ^ Unterberger, Richie. "Review: Anthology 2 - The Beatles". Macrovision Corporation. Retrieved 12 August 2009.
  5. ^ Christgau, Robert. "Review: Anthology 2 (Capitol/Apple, 1995)". Retrieved 12 August 2009.
  6. ^ Larkin, Colin (2007). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music (4th ed.). Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0195313734.
  7. ^ Browne, David (22 March 1996). "Review: Anthology 2 (1996)". Time Inc. Archived from the original on 27 April 2009. Retrieved 12 August 2009.
  8. ^ Hudson, Jeffrey (June 1996). "Review: The Beatles, Anthology 2 (Parlophone CDPCSP 728)". Guitarist. Music Maker Publications: 157.
  9. ^ Graff, Gary; Durchholz, Daniel, eds. (1999). MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide (2nd ed.). Farmington Hills, MI: Visible Ink Press. p. 88. ISBN 1-57859-061-2.
  10. ^ "The Beatles – Anthology 2 CD Album" > "Product Reviews". CD Universe/Muze. Archived from the original on 20 July 2011. Retrieved 7 June 2016.
  11. ^ Cavanagh, David (March 1996). "The Beatles: Anthology 2". Q: 111.
  12. ^ "The Beatles: Album Guide". rollingstone.com. Archived from the original on 20 September 2011. Retrieved 7 June 2016.
  13. ^ Sutherland, Steve (April 1996). "Fab for it!". Vox. No. 66. p. 78.
  14. ^ Schwager, Jeff. "Wall of Sound Review: The Beatles Anthology 2". Wall of Sound. Archived from the original on 5 April 2001. Retrieved 7 June 2016.
  15. ^ Verna, Paul, ed. (23 March 1996). "Reviews & Previews: Albums". Billboard. p. 75. Retrieved 15 December 2017.
  16. ^ "Australiancharts.com – The Beatles – Anthology 2". Hung Medien. Retrieved 29 March 2021.
  17. ^ "Austriancharts.at – The Beatles – Anthology 2" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved 29 March 2021.
  18. ^ "Ultratop.be – The Beatles – Anthology 2" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 29 March 2021.
  19. ^ "Ultratop.be – The Beatles – Anthology 2" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved 29 March 2021.
  20. ^ "Top Albums/CDs – Volume 63, No. 8" (PHP). RPM. 8 April 1996. Retrieved 28 December 2013.
  21. ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – The Beatles – Anthology 2" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 29 March 2021.
  22. ^ a b "Year End Sales Chart" (PDF). Music & Media. 21 December 1996. p. 12. Retrieved 31 May 2022 – via World Radio History.
  23. ^ "The Beatles: Anthology 2" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved 29 March 2021.
  24. ^ "Lescharts.com – The Beatles – Anthology 2". Hung Medien. Retrieved 29 March 2021.
  25. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – The Beatles – Anthology 2" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 29 March 2021.
  26. ^ "History" (in Italian). FIMI. Retrieved 31 May 2022. Set "Ricerca per" on "Titolo", then search "Anthology 2" and click "Classifiche".
  27. ^ "ザ・ビートルズ・アンソロジー2／ザ・ビートルズ-リリース-ORICON STYLE-ミュージック" [Highest position and charting weeks of Anthology 2 by The Beatles]. oricon.co.jp (in Japanese). Oricon Style. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
  28. ^ "Charts.nz – The Beatles – Anthology 2". Hung Medien. Retrieved 29 March 2021.
  29. ^ "Norwegiancharts.com – The Beatles – Anthology 2". Hung Medien. Retrieved 29 March 2021.
  30. ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 29 March 2021.
  31. ^ "Swedishcharts.com – The Beatles – Anthology 2". Hung Medien. Retrieved 29 March 2021.
  32. ^ "Swisscharts.com – The Beatles – Anthology 2". Hung Medien. Retrieved 29 March 2021.
  33. ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 29 March 2021.
  34. ^ "The Beatles Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 29 March 2021.
  35. ^ "The ARIA Australian Top 100 Albums 1996". ARIA. Retrieved 31 May 2022.
  36. ^ "RPM Year End Top 100 Albums". RPM. 16 December 1996. Retrieved 18 December 2013.
  37. ^ "Jaaroverzichten – Album 1996". dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved 29 March 2021.
  38. ^ "1995年 アルバム年間TOP100" [Oricon Year-end Albums Chart of 1995] (in Japanese). Retrieved 1 January 2014.
  39. ^ "End of Year Album Chart Top 100 – 1996". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 29 March 2021.
  40. ^ "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 1996". Billboard. Retrieved 29 March 2021.
  41. ^ "Discos de Oro y Platino" (in Spanish). Cámara Argentina de Productores de Fonogramas y Videogramas. Archived from the original on 8 November 2011. Retrieved 30 January 2021.
  42. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 1996 Albums" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 21 July 2021.
  43. ^ "Ultratop − Goud en Platina – albums 1996". Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved 4 February 2019.
  44. ^ "Canadian album certifications – The Beatles – Anthology 2". Music Canada. Retrieved 15 September 2013.
  45. ^ "French album certifications – The Beatles – Anthology 2" (in French). InfoDisc. Select THE BEATLES and click OK. 
  46. ^ Oricon Album Chart Book: Complete Edition 1970–2005. Roppongi, Tokyo: Oricon Entertainment. 2006. ISBN 4-87131-077-9.
  47. ^ "Japanese album certifications – ザ・ビートルズ – アンドロジー2" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved 21 July 2022. Select 1996年3月 on the drop-down menu
  48. ^ "British album certifications – The Beatles – Anthology 2". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 15 September 2013.
  49. ^ "American album certifications – Beatles, The – Anthology 2". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 15 September 2013.
  50. ^ Everett, Walter (1999). The Beatles as Musicians: Revolver through the Anthology. New York, NY: Oxford University Press. p. 290. ISBN 0-19-512941-5.
  51. ^ Everett, Walter (1999). The Beatles as Musicians: Revolver through the Anthology. New York, NY: Oxford University Press. p. 290. ISBN 0-19-512941-5.
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