The Beatles Rubber Soul
LP, 1965, Mono

MONO

Release dates 3rd December 1965
Matrix No.
Mono : XEX 579-4 XEX 580-4

The standard yellow block writing Parlophone label.
The "All rights of the manufacturer" message around the edge of the label now starts with "The Gramophone Co. Ltd."
The label DOES have "Sold in the U.K..." statement.
Matrix number now changed on the Mono version.

Mono/Stereo Differences
"What Goes On" The mono version is missing some of the lead guitar at the end, just before the final chord. The full lead guitar part is heard on the stereo version.

Released Versions
Very First pressings (1965) - Mono version
Visibly same as "Second" pressing below, but very first issue had a slightly different studio mix.
It can be recognised by the matrix numbers ending with "-1", This is generally referred to as the "Loud" cut.
This was a mix that was discontinued after a very brief pressing run, when it was realised it was tonally unbalanced.
It lacks body, has a muddled bass, with vocals stretched thin making it sound aggresive and edgy (hence, "loud").
But this pressing is not really louder, and remember, it was withdrawn for a reason ... it is one you can do without.

Attempts at correcting first pressings (1965) - Mono version
Once again, visibly it is the same as "Second" pressing below.
When the bad mono issue was realised above, the mix was corrected and the stampers were changed to have a matrix ending in "-4".
Incredibly, during this change over, there were some that had the dodgy mix on side 1 and on other presses the dodgy mix on side 2 !.
So you will find some with XEX 579-1 coupled with XEX 580-4
and you will find others as XEX 579-4 coupled with XEX 580-1
Again, as stated above, these are not better versions to have. They are not common, but they aren't the intended final product. Indeed, the general public in those days never noticed.



Seite 1>/b>
Drive My Car (Lennon-McCartney) Recorded 13th October 1965 in 4 takes
Final mix - take 4.
Norwegian Wood (Lennon-McCartney) Recorded 12th October 1965 - 1 take
Remake recorded 21st October 1965 in 3 takes (Takes 2-4)
Each take was different and complete (and should be sought out !!)
Final mix - take 4.
You Won't See Me (Lennon-McCartney) Recorded 11th November 1965 in 2 takes
Final mix - take 2.
Nowhere Man (Lennon-McCartney) Recorded 21st October 1965 in 2 takes
Remake recorded 22nd October 1965 in 3 takes (take 3-5)
Final mix - take 4.
Think For Yourself (Harrison) Recorded 8th November 1965 in just 1 take
Final mix - take 1.
The Word (Lennon-McCartney) Recorded 10th November 1965 in 3 takes
Final mix - take 3
Michelle (Lennon-McCartney) Recorded 3rd November 1965 in 2 takes
Final mix - take 2.
Side 2
What Goes On (Lennon-McCartney-Starkey) Recorded 4th November 1965 in 1 take
Final mix - take 1
Girl (Lennon-McCartney) Recorded 11th November 1965 in 2 takes
Final mix - take 2.
I'm Looking Through You (Lennon-McCartney) Recorded 24th October 1965 - 1 take
Re-make recorded 6th November 1965 in 2 takes (Takes 2-3)
Re-remake recorded 10th November 1965 - 1 take (Take 4)
Overdubs added 11th November 1965 onto take 4.
Final mix - take 4.
In My Life (Lennon-McCartney) Recorded 18th October 1965 in 3 takes
Recorded overdubs on 22nd October 1965 onto take 3
Final mix - take 3
Wait (Lennon-McCartney) Recorded 17th June 1965 (during the "Help" sessions !)
in 4 takes then discarded for inclusion
Overdubs made 11th November 1965 five months later, when one
more track was required to fill this album !
Final mix - take 4
If I Needed Someone (Harrison) Recorded 16th October 1965 - 1 take (Backing track
only)
Further recording 18th October 1965, overdub of vocal onto take 1
Final mix - take 1
Run For Your Life (Lennon-McCartney) Recorded 12th October 1965 in 5 takes
Final mix - take 5.