The Beatles’ Rubber Soul Gets Deluxe Treatment

There isn’t a more definitive transitional album in rock like Rubber Soul by The Beatles.

Originally released on Dec. 3, 1965, it was the Fabs’ sixth LP and one that served as the bridge connecting the pop power of their first four years with the studio experimentalism that would define their later works. It was recorded over the course of four short weeks in the fall of ‘65 shortly after the band’s iconic concert at Shea Stadium in Flushing, New York (my mom was there!).

Working with new instruments and recording techniques, the record gave birth to such eternal Beatles standards as “Drive My Car,” “Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown),” “Nowhere Man,” “Michelle,” “Girl” and the quintessential wedding song “In My Life.” Many consider it a pioneering work in the concept of a pop album as high art.

Today, UMG and Apple Corps Ltd. announced the release of a Super Deluxe Edition of Rubber Soul as a 5LP or 4CD box set similar to the “Special Edition” of 1966’s Revolver that came out in 2022. Newly mixed by producer Giles Martin and engineer Sam Okell, the collection presents the album in stunning new stereo and Dolby Atmos mixes, alongside the original mono mix, the original Capitol U.S. Album version, and expanded with previously unreleased session recordings and home demos, and the contemporary double A-side single, “Day Tripper” / “We Can Work It Out.” “Michelle (Take 1)” is available to listen to below. The new editions will be released on Oct. 2 via Apple Corps Ltd./Capitol/UMe and are available to pre-order now.

All of the new Rubber Soul formats feature the album’s new stereo mix, sourced directly from the original four-track master tapes. The audio is brought to the fore in stunning clarity with the help of cutting-edge de-mixing technology developed by the award-winning sound team led by Emile de la Rey at Peter Jackson’s WingNut Films Productions Ltd., while remaining faithful to the spirit of the original recordings.

The forthcoming reissue brings together all 14 new stereo mixes for the first time, while the expanded editions open the studio doors on the making of Rubber Soul. Across the Super Deluxe collections, fans can explore 24 early session recordings, including 20 previously unreleased takes and three previously unreleased home demos – among them early versions of “Day Tripper” and “We Can Work It Out,” plus “Little Girl,” a previously unheard John Lennon song outline never before released or even rumored. The collections also include the original mono album, the original Capitol U.S. album version and the 1965 double A-side single, while the 2CD and 2LP Special Editions feature a curated selection of session highlights, demos and the single.

The 4CD and 5LP Super Deluxe editions are accompanied by an 88-page hardbound book featuring a brand new written introduction by Paul McCartney, and a foreword compiled from John Lennon’s own words, bringing together reflections on Rubber Soul from across his life, including the years following The Beatles’ break-up. The two pieces offer a unique perspective on the making and enduring impact of the album, alongside rare photographs, in-depth album background and track notes.

Rubber Soul will be available in standard 1CD and 1LP editions, 2CD and 2LP Special Editions, and 4CD and 5LP Super Deluxe editions. The collection will also be available on Blu-ray, featuring the new Dolby Atmos mix, high-resolution stereo audio and promotional films for “Day Tripper” and “We Can Work It Out,” alongside limited-edition orange vinyl and D2C exclusive Zoetrope vinyl editions.

Formats

5LP Box Set

5LP Box Set, pressed on 180-gram vinyl, with 7” Single, 88-page hardbound book in a 12” x 12” slipcase”

• LP1: Rubber Soul (New stereo mix) half-speed mastered: 14 tracks

• LP2 & 3: Sessions and Demos (Stereo) half-speed mastered: 26 tracks

• LP4: Rubber Soul (Original mono master): 14 tracks

• LP5: Rubber Soul (Original Capitol US album): 12 tracks

• 7”: ‘Day Tripper’ & ‘We Can Work It Out’ (Stereo)

 

4CD Box Set

4CD Box Set with 88-page hardbound book in a 12” x 12” slipcase:

• DISC 1: Rubber Soul (New stereo mix): 14 tracks

• DISC 2: Sessions, Demos and the Single (Stereo): 28 tracks

• DISC 3: Rubber Soul (Original mono master): 14 tracks

• DISC 4: Rubber Soul (Original Capitol U.S. album): 12 tracks

D2C-exclusive editions of the 5LP and 4CD Super Deluxe Box Sets, featuring an exclusive poster and set of art cards, are also available from the official Beatles Store, alongside a limited-edition Zoetrope picture disc.

 

Rubber Soul Special Edition Deluxe (30 tracks)

2LP

2LP on half-speed mastered 180-gram vinyl in a gatefold sleeve with 4-page insert abridged from the Super Deluxe book:

• LP1: Rubber Soul (New stereo mix): 14 tracks

• LP2: The Single, Demos and Sessions Highlights (Stereo): 16 tracks

 

2CD

2CD in digisleeve and slipcase, with a 40-page booklet abridged from the Super Deluxe book:

• DISC 1: Rubber Soul (New stereo mix): 14 tracks

• DISC 2: The Single, Demos and Sessions Highlights: 16 tracks

 

Rubber Soul Special Edition Standard (14 tracks)

1LP (New stereo mix) on half-speed mastered 180-gram vinyl

1LP (New stereo mix) on half-speed mastered 180-gram orange colour vinyl

1CD in digisleeve + 20-page booklet (New stereo mix)

Rubber Soul Blu-ray Edition: 16 tracks + 4 videos

1 Blu-ray disc

New stereo mix in hi-res 96kHz/24-bit audio, new Dolby Atmos mix, and four videos

Tracklistings

Rubber Soul – Special Edition Super Deluxe: 5LP + 7” Single Box Set

LP1- New Stereo Mix

Side A

A1. Drive My Car

A2. Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)

A3. You Won’t See Me

A4. Nowhere Man

A5. Think For Yourself

A6. The Word

A7. Michelle

 

Side B

B1. What Goes On

B2. Girl

B3. I’m Looking Through You

B4. In My Life

B5. Wait

B6. If I Needed Someone

B7. Run For Your Life

 

LP2 – Sessions, Demos and The Single (Disc 1)

Side A

A1. 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 B

B1. 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 A

A1. 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 B

B1. 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 – Mono

Side A

A1. Drive My Car

A2. Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)

A3. You Won’t See Me

A4. Nowhere Man

A5. Think For Yourself

A6. The Word

A7. Michelle

 

Side B

B1. What Goes On

B2. Girl

B3. I’m Looking Through You

B4. In My Life

B5. Wait

B6. If I Needed Someone

B7. Run For Your Life

 

LP5 – U.S. Album

Side A

A1. I’ve Just Seen A Face

A2. Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)

A3. You Won’t See Me

A4. Think For Yourself

A5. The Word

A6. Michelle

 

Side B

B1. It’s Only Love

B2. Girl

B3. I’m Looking Through You

B4. In My Life

B5. Wait

B6. Run For Your Life

 

7” Single

Side A:

A1. Day Tripper

Side AA:

AA1. We Can Work It Out.

Rubber Soul – Special Edition Super Deluxe: 4CD Box Set

DISC 1: New Stereo Mix (14 tracks – identical sequence to LP1)

DISC 2: Sessions, Demos and the Single (28 tracks)

1. Wait (Take 3 – instrumental backing track)

2. Run For Your Life (Takes 1-5 – instrumental backing track)

3. Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown) (First version – Take 1)

4. Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown) (Second version – Take 2)

5. Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown) (Third version – Take 3)

6. Drive My Car (Takes 1 and 2 – instrumental backing track)

7. Day Tripper (Songwriting work tape)

8. Day Tripper (Take 1 – instrumental backing track)

9. Day Tripper (Takes 2 and 3 – instrumental backing track)

10. If I Needed Someone (Take 1 – instrumental backing track)

11. In My Life (Take 1)

12. In My Life (Extract with unused organ solo)

13. We Can Work It Out (Paul’s demo)

14. We Can Work It Out (Take 1 – instrumental backing track)

15. Nowhere Man (First version – Take 2)

16. Nowhere Man (Second version – Take 5 – instrumental backing track)

17. I’m Looking Through You (First version – Take 1)

18. I’m Looking Through You (Second version – Take 2)

19. I’m Looking Through You (Second version – Take 3)

20. Michelle (Guitar rehearsal)

21. Michelle (Take 1)

22. What Goes On (Take 1 – instrumental backing track)

23. The Word (Takes 1 and 2 – instrumental backing track)

24. Girl (Take 2 – instrumental backing track)

25. Beatle Talk (Think For Yourself vocal overdubs)

26. Little Girl (John’s demo)

27. Day Tripper (2023 mix)

28. We Can Work It Out (2023 mix)

DISC 3: Original Mono Master (14 tracks – identical sequence to LP4)

DISC 4: Original Capitol US Album (12 tracks – identical sequence to LP5)

 

Rubber Soul – Special Edition Deluxe: 2LP / 2CD

(Disc 1 / LP1 features the 14-track New Stereo Mix

Disc 2 / LP2: The Single, Demos and Sessions Highlights

Side A:

A1. Day Tripper (Songwriting work tape)

A2. Day Tripper (2023 mix)

A3. We Can Work It Out (Paul’s demo)

A4. We Can Work It Out (2023 mix)

A5. Wait (Take 3 – instrumental backing track)

A6. Run For Your Life (Takes 1-5 – instrumental backing track)

A7. Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown) (Second version – Take 2)

A8. Drive My Car (Takes 1 and 2 – instrumental backing track)

A9. If I Needed Someone (Take 1 – instrumental backing track)

 

Side B:

B1. In My Life (Take 1)

B2. Nowhere Man (Second version – Take 5 – instrumental backing track)

B3. Michelle (Take 1)

B4. What Goes On (Take 1 – instrumental backing track)

B5. I’m Looking Through You (Second version – Take 3)

B6. The Word (Takes 1 and 2 – instrumental backing track)

B7. Girl (Take 2 – instrumental backing track)

 

Rubber Soul – Blu-ray Edition

2026 Atmos Mix

1. Drive My Car

2. Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)

3. You Won’t See Me

4. Nowhere Man

5. Think For Yourself

6. The Word

7. Michelle

8. What Goes On

9. Girl

10. I’m Looking Through You

11. In My Life

12. Wait

13. If I Needed Someone

14. Run For Your Life

 

2023 Atmos Mix

15. Day Tripper

16. We Can Work It Out

 

2026 Stereo Mix

1. Drive My Car

2. Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)

3. You Won’t See Me

4. Nowhere Man

5. Think For Yourself

6. The Word

7. Michelle

8. What Goes On

9. Girl

10. I’m Looking Through You

11. In My Life

12. Wait

13. If I Needed Someone

14. Run For Your Life

 

2023 Stereo Mix

15. Day Tripper

16. We Can Work It Out

 

Videos:

1. Day Tripper (2023 Mix)

2. Day Tripper (Alternate Version)

3. We Can Work It Out (2023 Mix)

4. We Can Work It Out (Alternate Version)

 

VIDEO: The Beatles “Michelle” (Take 1)

 

VIDEO: Rubber Soul Special Editions ad