Aside from the new technology used on this recording, another first was that all of the music was original. All of the songs were written by Lennon and McCartney, one of the only albums without a Harrison song and the only album without a song with Ringo singing lead. The album was released in July of 1964 as the soundtrack to the movie. In the US the album was released a month early with a different track listing. A Hard Day’s Night is also significant as it shows the Beatles developing their talents, especially Lennon and McCartney’s song writing talents. The songs still stick to the standard rock and roll format with perhaps the greatest rock and roll song ever recorded, the title song, A Hard Day’s Night.
In 1987 the album was released on CD in mono as well as a new US release copying the original UK version rather than the earlier US version. The 2009 Stereo version is the first time the stereo mix has appeared on CD.
I’ll cry Instead – Tie. Actually the stereo may be slight bit better than the mono, but the mono version here is so crisp and clean that I can hear the dept that is missing in some of the other mono songs on this album.
Things We Said Today – Stereo edges out the mono just a bit. The harmonies are just a bit better on the stereo version. There is so much more you can do with beautiful harmonies in a stereo mix so it almost like the mono had no chance even though it is a great mix.
When I Get Home – Mono edges out the stereo here. I find the lead vocal a bit better on the mono.
You Can’t Do That – Stereo. This one was an easy choice. Clearly they did a lot of work on the stereo, perhaps experimenting with what sounds better out of which channel. The result is great depth and wonderful sound.
I’ll Be Back – Stereo again. It seems to me that they made this stereo mix at the same time as You Can’t Do That. These are the best two stereo mixes on the album.
Here are the two versions of You Can’t Do That. You choose!
Enjoy!
Mono
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBYWryLP_QQ]
Stereo
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TIDN8yd6O6k]
Movie Version!
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k20imqxPFig]