"A Record That Was Almost Too Hot to Handle."
In June 1966, Capitol Records released the album Yesterday And Today in the United States and Canada. The compilation included tracks from Help!, Rubber Soul, singles, and recordings later appearing on Revolver.
Track Listing
Side One
- Drive My Car
- I'm Only Sleeping
- Nowhere Man
- Doctor Robert
- Yesterday
- Act Naturally
Total running time: 14:48
Side Two
- And Your Bird Can Sing
- If I Needed Someone
- We Can Work It Out
- What Goes On
- Day Tripper
Total running time: 12:02
Context
Capitol Records routinely reconfigured British Beatles albums for the American market. This album included three songs from the upcoming Revolver: "I'm Only Sleeping", "Doctor Robert", and "And Your Bird Can Sing".
Cover Controversy
The original cover featured a photograph by Robert Whitaker showing the band members in butcher smocks with raw meat and dismembered baby dolls. The Beatles described it as a comment on war or a protest against Capitol's alteration of their albums.
Retailers refused to stock the record. Capitol recalled approximately 750,000 covers and replaced them with a conventional photograph.
The recall cost the company about US$250,000.
Commercial Performance
The album reached No. 1 on the Billboard chart and remained for five weeks. It was certified platinum and later double-platinum by the RIAA.
Legacy
Original "butcher cover" editions are sought by collectors, with sealed copies selling for high prices. The album illustrates the differences between British and American record industry practices during that era.