On the same day that their sixth UK LP, Rubber Soul, was released, The Beatles issued a double a-side single, ‘We Can Work It Out’/‘Day Tripper’.
John Lennon had wanted Day Tripper to be The Beatles’ next single, but was overruled by the other band members, plus George Martin and Brian Epstein. As a compromise, the single was marketed as the first double a-side.
We Can Work It Out proved to be the more popular choice with the public, both through sales requests and radio airplay.
The Beatles’ fastest-selling single since ‘Can’t Buy Me Love’. It entered the charts on 9 December 1965, and seven days later reached number one – where it remained for five weeks. In all it spent 12 weeks on the UK singles charts.
Page last updated: 26 November 2018
I’ve always thought that John was right when he insisted on Day Tripper as the A-side, and everyone else wrong in giving primacy to We Can Work It Out. The latter was a fine song, no doubt, but Day Tripper was a smash — grabbing you from the opening riff and holding you tight throughout the song!
Yes I agree, that bass hits you from the word go!
My boyfriend played it for me and its now my ring tone. Good music never goes out of fashion and The Beatles stuff surpasses everything.