The following 22 compact discs were issued as a singles series, replicating the original 1960s British 45 rpm releases, by Capitol Records starting in 1988. The CDs originally sold for $3.99 to $5.49 each and were issued in a 3" x 12" title/photo long box. Sales were slow as CD singles did not quite capture the market record companies had hoped for. Within a couple years after release most copies were pretty much sold out, and today are somewhat hard to find. The rarest of the 22 releases is Strawberry Fields Forever / Penny Lane, which in sealed condition sells for nearly $100.00 (see detailed story and photo at the end of the chart). The other 21 titles usually sell for $8-12.00 each (with box), and $14-20.00 each sealed. All songs were issued in mono, except those noted with an *.
| |||
| Catalog Number | Track 1 | Track 2 | Release Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| C3-44280-2 | From Me To You | Thank You Girl | 11-30-88 |
| C3-44278-2 | Love Me Do | P.S. I Love You | 11-30-88 |
| C3-44279-2 | Please Please Me | Ask Me Why | 11-30-88 |
| C3-44281-2 | She Loves You | I'll Get You | 11-30-88 |
| C3-44305-2 | Can't Buy Me Love | You Can't Do That | 02-08-89 |
| C3-44304-2 | I Want To Hold Your Hand | This Boy | 02-08-89 |
| C3-44308-2 | Help! | I'm Down | 05-10-89 |
| C3-44321-2 | I Feel Fine | She's A Woman | 05-10-89 |
| C3-44316-2 | All You Need Is Love | Baby You're A Rich Man | 07-26-89 |
| C3-44313-2 | The Ballad of John and Yoko | Old Brown Shoe | 07-26-89 |
| C3-44306-2 | A Hard Day's Night | Things We Said Today | 07-26-89 |
| C3-44307-2 | Ticket To Ride | Yes It Is | 08-01-89 |
| C3-44320-2 | Get Back | Don't Let Me Down | 08-16-89 |
| C3-44317-2 | Hello Goodbye | I Am the Walrus | 08-16-89 |
| C3-44319-2 | Hey Jude | Revolution | 08-16-89 |
| C3-44318-2 | Lady Madonna | The Inner Light | 08-30-89 |
| C3-44315-2 | Let It Be* | You Know My Name (Look Up the Number) | 08-30-89 |
| C3-44310-2 | Paperback Writer | Rain | 08-30-89 |
| C3-44314-2 | Something* | Come Together* | 09-13-89 |
| C3-44312-2 | Strawberry Fields Forever | Penny Lane | 09-13-89 |
| C3-44309-2 | We Can Work It Out | Day Tripper | 09-13-89 |
| C3-44311-2 | Yellow Submarine | Eleanor Rigby | 09-13-89 |
The rarest Beatles 3" CD | 
The reason the scarce Penny Lane CD3 was so shortlived was due to the planned
correction on the title print. The British version of the single
had the A-side as Strawberry Fields, which was sent over to the U.S. as the
A-side as well. In fact, early promo copies of the single were issued with a
small flyer heavily touting Strawberry Fields. The only mention of the then
B-side was the last line of the paragraph. The single flipped
in the U.S. with Penny Lane becoming the smash hit and SF almost ingored in
comparison on top 40 radio. Obviously, America was not quite ready for this
radical change in musical style and still wanted the pop tune from their favorite
band.
In regards to the CD, while the British catalog of singles was used to design and compile the set, The Strawberry Fields CD wasn't quite what we were used to for that title. Many viewed the CD as totally incorrect for our market and shortly after its initial release, the CD was halted and slated to have the artwork corrected to reflect Penny Lane as the A-side. Before this could take place, it was decided that the entire catalog of 3" Beatles CDs would be scrapped due to lack of sales and interest in the format. Thus, the rarity and "standout" value of the Strawberry Fields CD3. Interesting to note that the slated change didn't affect at all the cassette single which also featured SF as the A-side and was released around the same time. |
