From 1963 to 1969 the Beatles issued limited edition Christmas fan-club singles on 7 inch flexi-discs. All very relaxed and off the cuff, it’s interesting to note how the cover art changed, along with the music, as the sixties rolled along.
Download: The Beatles :: Christmas Singles Club, 1963-1969 (zipped folder 59 KB)
1) The Beatles Christmas Record – Issued December 6, 1963
Description: Christmas greetings, a rendition of “Good King Wenceslas” and the chorus from “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” (Marks). Recorded October 17, 1963.
2) Another Beatles Christmas Record – Issued December 18, 1964
Description: Includes “Jingle Bells,” individual greetings and the ending jingle “Can You Wash Your Father’s Shirts?” Recorded: October 26, 1964.
3) The Beatles Third Christmas Record – Issued December 17, 1965
Description: Includes “Yesterday,” “Happy Christmas to Ya List’nas,” “Auld Land Syne,” the Four Top’s “It’s the Same Old Song” and “Christmas Comes But Once a Year.” Recorded November 8, 1965.
4) The Beatles Fourth Christmas Record Pantomime: Everywhere It’s Christmas – Issued December 16, 1966
Description: “Everywhere It’s Christmas,” “Orowanya,” “Please Don’t Bring Your Banjo Back” and “Podgy the Bear and Jasper Visit Felpin Mansions.” Recorded: November 25, 1966.
5) Christmas Time Is Here Again! – Issued December 15, 1967
Description: Includes “Christmas Time is Here Again,” “Plenty of Jam Jars” (performed by fictional band the “Revellers”), and John’s poem “When Christmas Time is Over.” Recorded: November 28, 1967.
6) The Beatles 1968 Christmas Record – Issued December 20, 1968
Description: Includes “Happy Christmas, Happy New Year,” John’s poem “Jock & Yono” and “Once Upon a Pool Table.” Tiny Tim appears on “Nowhere Man.” Recorded in November, 1968.
7) The Beatles Seventh Christmas Record – Issued December 19, 1969
Description: John and Yoko in their home, Ringo plugs his movie “The Magic Christian” and Paul sings “This is to Wish You a Merry, Merry Christmas.” Recorded autumn 1969.
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a great xmas gift! thank you.
Always wanted these. Thanks!
Yes, thanks a lot. I’m amazed that I never heard of these back in those days; I just came across them (on YouTube) about two weeks ago. Actually, it was while I was looking for more info following your ‘Winged Beatle’ post, so thanks for that as well. (That I had heard about, of course; we spent many pleasant hours discussing the late Paul in the late ’60s.)
Uhhhhhh…AWESOME! Thanks J!
A classic post. Thank you. Does any current music group do Christmas recordings like these to their fan base?
You…rule…the…school. Thanks!
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First heard these on a vinyl compilation (bootleg, I’m sure) back in ’77 in Colorado Springs (thanks Mark Harrington, wherever you are) and am geeked to hear them again 34 years later…
Aquarium Drunkard… love the site! Was searching for images of Beatle Fan Club releases and ended up here. I love the goofiness in the boys. I’m going to have to add these to my Christmas music rotation for next year. Linked to this page in my blog, was writing about music fan clubs as I found an old Steve Miller Band fan club order form in my vinyl copy of “Book OF Dreams”. Keep up the great work. Love the mixes!