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.
Also on this day...
- 2023: Paul McCartney live: Arena MRV, Belo Horizonte
- 2018: Paul McCartney live: Tauron Arena, Kraków
- 2009: Paul McCartney live: O2 World, Berlin
- 1993: Paul McCartney live: Estádio do Pacaembu, São Paulo
- 1991: George Harrison live: Osaka-jō Hall, Osaka
- 1989: Paul McCartney live: Rosemont Horizon, Rosemont
- 1979: Wings live: Lewisham Odeon, London
- 1973: US album release: Band On The Run by Paul McCartney and Wings
- 1969: George Harrison live: Town Hall, Birmingham with Delaney & Bonnie
- 1969: Television: 24 Hours: The World Of John And Yoko – day two
- 1965: The Beatles’ final UK tour begins in Glasgow
- 1965: UK album release: Rubber Soul
- 1963: The Beatles live: Guildhall, Portsmouth
- 1962: Television: Discs A Gogo
- 1961: The Beatles live: Casbah Coffee Club, Liverpool
- 1938: Julia Stanley marries Alfred Lennon
Want more? Visit the Beatles history section.
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.