In the four years since deluxe versions of the Beatles‘ “Revolver” were released, there hasn’t been much debate over what stood at the top of most fans’ wish lists: similar treatment given to “Rubber Soul,” the album that preceded “Revolver” in the group’s mid-1960s chronology. With just a little bit of delayed gratification, that hope is coming to fruition, as UMG and Apple Corps will be issuing remixes, expanded editions and boxed sets to commemorate the 1965 classic on Oct. 2.
Producer Giles Martin and engineer Sam Okell have again teamed up for a new set of stereo mixes of the original album tracks, plus a double-sided single of prominent non-album tracks from the same period, “Day Tripper” and “We Can Work It Out.” Many superfans will rejoice in the fact that, unlike the 2022 “Revolver” releases, “Rubber Soul” will have a Dolby Atmos remix from Martin and Okell released in physical format, although this time the Atmos version will come out as its own stand-alone release and not part of the CD boxed set.
As for outtakes from the original sessions, there are 24 of them collected in the most expansive edition being released in October: “Rubber Soul: Special Edition Super Deluxe.” That boxed set will include 68 tracks in total, whether fans pick it up in five-LP vinyl format or a four-disc CD collection.
Fans’ interest will be particularly piqued by the inclusion of a previously unheard John Lennon composition — or “song outline,” as it is referred to in the promotional materials — named “Little Girl.”
Anyone looking for a taste of what previously unreleased material is included can get some immediate gratification in that regard, as “Michelle (Take 1)” was released concurrent with the official news Wednesday morning.
Beatles fans are well aware that different versions of the albums came out in the U.S. and U.K. up through 1966’s “Revolver,” and those differences will be dutifully reflected in the new boxed set. Besides the new remixed stereo version of the British running order, the full set will also include the original U.S. Capitol version of the album, as well as the original mono mix.
An 88-page hardback book is included with both the LP and CD super deluxe editions.
For those not wanting or needing to shell out for the full boxed sets, there will be distillations available, in the form of two-LP and two-CD deluxe (as opposed to super deluxe) versions with a 16-track second disc of demos and sessions.
The Blu-Ray edition will include the new remix in hi-res 96kHz/24-bit audio as well as the new Dolby Atmos mix, plus four videos. It does not include any of the session outtakes.
Here is a full rundown and track listing for the various editions coming out in October:
Rubber Soul – Special Edition Super Deluxe (68 tracks)
5LP Box Set5LP Box Set, pressed on 180-gram vinyl, with 7” Single, 88-page hardbound book in a 12” x 12”slipcase”
4CD Box Set4CD Box Set with 88-page hardbound book in a 12” x 12” slipcase:
D2C-exclusive editions of the 5LP and 4CD Super Deluxe Box Sets, featuring an exclusive poster andset of art cards, are also available from the official Beatles Store, alongside a limited-edition Zoetropepicture disc.
2LP2LP on half-speed mastered 180-gram vinyl in a gatefold sleeve with 4-page insert abridged from theSuper Deluxe book:
2CD2CD in digisleeve and slipcase, with a 40-page booklet abridged from the Super Deluxe book:
1LP (New stereo mix) on half-speed mastered 180-gram vinyl1LP (New stereo mix) on half-speed mastered 180-gram orange colour vinyl1CD in digisleeve + 20-page booklet (New stereo mix)
1 Blu-ray discNew stereo mix in hi-res 96kHz/24-bit audio, new Dolby Atmos mix, and four videos
Side AA1. Drive My CarA2. Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)A3. You Won’t See MeA4. Nowhere ManA5. Think For YourselfA6. The WordA7. MichelleSide BB1. What Goes OnB2. GirlB3. I’m Looking Through YouB4. In My LifeB5. WaitB6. If I Needed SomeoneB7. Run For Your Life
LP2 – Sessions, Demos and The Single (Disc 1)Side AA1. Wait (Take 3 – instrumental backing track)A2. Run For Your Life (Takes 1-5 – instrumental backing track)A3. Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown) (First version –Take 1)A4. Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown) (Second version –Take 2)A5. Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown) (Third version – Take 3)A6. Drive My Car (Takes 1 and 2 – instrumental backing track)A7. Day Tripper (Songwriting work tape)Side BB1. Day Tripper (Take 1 – instrumental backing track)B2. Day Tripper (Takes 2 and 3 – instrumental backing track)B3. If I Needed Someone (Take 1 – instrumental backing track)B4. In My Life (Take 1)B5. In My Life (Extract with unused organ solo)B6. We Can Work It Out (Paul’s demo)B7. We Can Work It Out (Take 1 – instrumental backing track)
LP3 – Sessions, Demos and The Single (Disc 2)Side AA1. Nowhere Man (First version – Take 2)A2. Nowhere Man (Second version – Take 5 – instrumental backing track)A3. I’m Looking Through You (First version – Take 1)A4. I’m Looking Through You (Second version – Take 2)A5. I’m Looking Through You (Second version – Take 3)A6. Michelle (Guitar rehearsal)A7. Michelle (Take 1)Side BB1. What Goes On (Take 1 – instrumental backing track)B2. The Word (Takes 1 and 2 – instrumental backing track)B3. Girl (Take 2 – instrumental backing track)B4. Beatle Talk (Think For Yourself vocal overdubs)B5. Little Girl (John’s demo)
LP4 – MonoSide AA1. Drive My CarA2. Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)A3. You Won’t See MeA4. Nowhere ManA5. Think For YourselfA6. The WordA7. MichelleSide BB1. What Goes OnB2. GirlB3. I’m Looking Through YouB4. In My LifeB5. WaitB6. If I Needed SomeoneB7. Run For Your Life
LP5 – US AlbumSide AA1. I’ve Just Seen A FaceA2. Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)A3. You Won’t See MeA4. Think For YourselfA5. The WordA6. MichelleSide BB1. It’s Only LoveB2. GirlB3. I’m Looking Through YouB4. In My LifeB5. WaitB6. Run For Your Life
7” SingleSide A:A1. Day TripperSide AA:AA1. We Can Work It Out
4CD Super Deluxe Box SetDISC 1: New Stereo Mix (14 tracks – identical sequence to LP1)DISC 2: Sessions, Demos and the Single (28 tracks)
Blu-ray EditionDISC 1: New Stereo Mix (14 tracks – identical sequence to LP1)