The Beatles have definitely set their share of records over the decades. One record might be for the number of typos on their albums and singles.
This started early on. On their very first single, “Love Me Do,” the songwriter credits misspelled McCartney as “McArtney.” More recently, they misspelled “REVOLVER” as “REVOLER” on some versions of the new reissue of that classic album. Some errors are relatively common, amazingly, and don’t necessarily fetch a whole lot of dough on the collector’s market. Others, however, can net a lot of cash. If you have any Beatles vinyl in your collection, take a look at the mistakes below and see if you’re in possession of one of these gems. You might have a Beatles album mistake that could net you a bit of cash! An extremely rare copy of the aforementioned “Love Me Do” single with the misspelled “McArtney” sold in 2017 for almost $15,000!
Most of the pieces shown below are taken from the collection of Beatles enthusiast Charlie Leonard. Some are from the collection of Beasley Media’s own Andre Gardner. Finding weird little glitches like these are one of the things that makes record collecting so much fun. And hey, it’s a reminder that everyone makes mistakes!
Below are some more examples of omissions and errors on Beatles records. It’s just a partial list. There are many more out there. Check your collection – you may have one of these hiding amidst your vinyl or CDs!
1. 'Revolver' Title Misspelling
Andre Gardner
The Beatles released an expanded version of Revolver in October of 2022. Some copies of the Target-exclusive vinyl LP bundle got the name of the album wrong on the spine of the outer box. It’s “Revolver,” not “Revoler.”
2. Please Please Me U.S. 45 Error
From the Charlie Leonard collection. Used with permission
The promo and first U.S. pressings of the “Please Please Me” single on Vee Jay Records listed the band as “The Beattles.” If you can find a copy, it usually sells in the $2000-$6000 range, depending on condition.
3. 'Capitol Albums Volume 2' Box Set First CD Pressing
Andre Gardner Collection
Astute fans were shocked when they put on the mono mixes of Rubber Soul and Help! from The Capitol Albums Volume 2 box set and realized that they weren’t the right mixes at all; they were the stereo mixes “folded down” into mono. Andre Gardner says, “I happened to be the first person to notice this major faux pas and immediately contacted the record company. They reissued the set with the correct mixes.”
4. 'White Album: "Bungalow Bill" and "Ob-La-Di Ob-La-Da" Typos
Charlie Leonard Collection (used with permission)
You can tell if you have a U.S. first pressing of The Beatles’ ‘White Album’ by all the mistakes! For instance, they got one song title wrong. The song is called “The Continuing Story Of Bungalow Bill,” but they have it listed as just “Bungalow Bill.” Also missing are the hyphens in “Ob-La-Di Ob-La-Da.” You can pick up a fairly beaten up copy of this for under $50, but a nice copy with the inserts will run you higher.
5. "Yesterday" Runtime Error On '20 Greatest Hits' LP
Charlie Leonard Collection. Used with permission.
They were only a minute off on the run time of “Yesterday!” Someone got to typing too fast and, there you go, instant collectible. The song is just over two minutes, but they have it listed as 1:04. This was from the long out-of-print Beatles compilation album 20 Greatest Hits that was released in the U.S. in time for the 1982 Christmas season. The vinyl can be found for a very reasonable price in the $25-$35 range.
6. "Rocky Raccoon" Misspelling On 'The White Album'
Charlie Leonard Collection. Used with permission
Another error on the first U.S. pressings of ‘The White Album’ is a “c” missing in “Rocky Raccoon.” Notice also there is no question mark after “Why Don’t We Do It In the Road?” either. Other mistakes on some first pressings of the ‘White Album’ include the titles “Revolution No. 1” rather than “Revolution 1,” and “Revolution No. 9” in place of “Revolution 9.”
7. "Tell Me Why" Misprint on the 'A Hard Day's Night' soundtrack album
Charlie Leonard Collection. Used with permission.
This one’s great because it appeared for years on several different pressing runs of the movie’s soundtrack album, released on United Artists Records. “Tell Me Why” is called “Tell Me Who” on some pressings! And that’s not all…
8. "I'll Cry Instead" Misprint on the 'A Hard Day's Night' soundtrack album
(Charlie Leonard Collection. Used with permission.)
On some pressings of that same album, where the “Tell Me Why” is correct, “I’ll Cry Instead” is shortened to “I Cry Instead.” Mint copies of this could cost you just over $100. Some hardcore collectors feel the need to own every one of these pressing variations!
9. Incorrect Liner Notes on 'Beatles Rarities'
Charlie Leonard Collection (used with permission)
It’s Ringo Starr yelling out “I’ve got blisters on my fingers!” at the end of “Helter Skelter,” but, on certain pressings of the 1980 compilation The Beatles Rarities, the liner notes on the back cite John. Later pressings omit John’s name but still don’t credit Ringo! This is another Beatles compilation that has yet to see a CD release, and either vinyl version goes for $35 to around $50.
10. "Uncle Albert" Typo On Apple 45 Label
Charlie Leonard Collection (used with permission)
This is a solo release, not a Beatles record. But hey, who’s this producer named “Pual” McCartney? This one is found on the hit single’s b-side “Too Many People” on some pressings of Paul’s solo single from 1971. Interesting that the b-side doesn’t have the sliced Apple label, which could be another mistake.
11. Typo on back cover of 'The Beatles Live At The BBC CD
Charlie Leonard Collection (used with permission)
Take a look at disc 2, track 17 of the back cover of this CD copy of The Beatles Live At The BBC. It’s supposed to be called “So How Come (Nobody Loves Me).” Not “Top So How Come (Nobody Loves Me).” Where the “Top” at the beginning of the title comes from is anyone’s guess!
