The compilation and its predecessor were both originally conceived in early 1966, when EMI Australia requested stereo tapes from their UK branch for tracks not already in the Australian vaults. This meant the album contains the original 1965 stereo mixes of "Day Tripper" and "We Can Work It Out" rather than the new stereo mixes created for the late-1966 compilation album A Collection of Beatles Oldies.[2]
The compilation was the only album release worldwide of the original stereo mix of "She's a Woman" until The Beatles Box in 1980 and the Past Masters collection in 1988.[2]
Release, sales and deletion
The album was pressed and distributed through Australia by EMI Australia and through Southeast Asia (Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong) by EMI (SEA).[3] By mid-1973, both volumes of the compilation had sold over 100,000 in Australia.[2]
In 1973, both volumes of the album were repackaged as a double album by EMI Australia to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Beatles first single in Australia. The release was titled The Beatles Australian 10th Anniversary 1963-1973 Souvenir Presentation - The Beatles' Greatest Hits Volumes 1 and 2.[4] Eight different Australian radio stations promoted the album by featuring their logo on eight different stickers. This edition of the albums was only available for a few months before it was quietly deleted.[4]
Both volumes stayed in print in Australia until EMI Australia ceased vinyl production in 1991.[2] The album was released on cassette but never released a compact disc.
Original 1965 stereo mix. This was exclusive to this album until 1980. Altered stereo version released in 1965 on Beatles '65 with added reverb. Available currently on the Past Masters compilation.
Original 1965 stereo mix. Also available on the original vinyl release of Yesterday and Today and the original U.S. vinyl release of 1962–1966. Can be found on Yesterday and Today US LPs CD.
