Album out now: The Beatles - Rubber Soul (Super Deluxe)

Today, UMG and Apple Corps Ltd. release the expanded Special Edition of The Beatles’ landmark 1965 album Rubber Soul. Newly mixed by producer Giles Martin and engineer Sam Okell, the collection presents the album in new stereo and Dolby Atmos mixes, alongside the original mono mix and original Capitol U.S. album version, and is expanded with previously unreleased session recordings and home demos, as well as the contemporary ‘Day Tripper’ / ‘We Can Work It Out’ single. The Special Edition is available to buy now here.

Released with an accompanying visualiser today, ‘I’m Looking Through You (Second Version - Take 3)’ shows the evolution of one of Rubber Soul’s songs. Three different versions of the song were attempted - the first was recorded on 24th October, followed by two further takes during a six-hour session on 6th November. The third and final version was recorded on 10th and 11th November. This version comes from the 6th November session and shows how both the tempo and arrangement had changed from the early version, while still including two instrumental 12-bar sections. Paul subsequently wrote a bridge to replace these sections in the final version.

The new Rubber Soul Special Edition brings together these previously unreleased recordings with the album’s new stereo mix, original mono mix, original Capitol US album version and the contemporary ‘Day Tripper’ / ‘We Can Work It Out’ single, offering an unprecedented insight into the making of the album.

Reflecting on Rubber Soul over the years, John Lennon described it as “the first album where we took over control completely”, while Paul McCartney recalled that “Rubber Soul was a very exciting record to make”, describing it as “a strong advance on what had gone before”. George Harrison said, “Rubber Soul was my favourite album, even at that time. I think it was the best one we made; we certainly knew we were making a good album.” Ringo Starr called it “the departure record”, reflecting that “we were stretching a lot more in the writing and the playing” and “opening up to a lot of different attitudes, a lot of experimentation.”

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 rumoured. The collections also include the original mono album, the original Capitol US album version and the 1965 double A-side single, while the 2CD and 2LP Deluxe features 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.

First released on 3rd December 1965, Rubber Soul marked a pivotal moment in The Beatles' evolution. Arriving at the end of a remarkable year that saw John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr reach artistic and commercial heights, the album revealed a band pushing beyond the conventions of pop music and embracing a more adventurous approach to songwriting and recording.

Recorded over four weeks during October and November 1965, Rubber Soul captured The Beatles at a creative crossroads. Featuring classics including ‘Drive My Car’, ‘Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)’, ‘Nowhere Man’, ‘Michelle’, ‘Girl’ and ‘In My Life’, the album saw The Beatles experiment with new instruments, sounds and recording techniques, and is widely regarded as having pioneered the long-form pop album as an art form.

More than six decades after its original release, Rubber Soul continues to be recognised as a defining album in popular music. The Guardian described it as having “a strong case for being the most concise and the most complete Beatles album,” while The Independent called it “their first true masterpiece”. Its influence has continued to resonate with artists across generations: Brian Wilson later recalled that it was the first album he had heard where every song “went together like no album ever made before”, inspiring the creation of The Beach Boys’ Pet Sounds, while Kurt Cobain called the era his “favourite period” and Joni Mitchell said it’s the “Beatle album I played over and over.” More recently, artists including Harry Styles and Phoebe Bridgers have cited Rubber Soul as an influence.

The Beatles remain one of the most successful and influential acts in history. More than five decades after their split, their music continues to resonate across generations, from fans who lived through Beatlemania in the 1960s to new audiences discovering Hey Jude and Let It Be through streaming and social media. Beyond record sales, they reshaped fashion, youth culture, songwriting and album production, sparked the “British Invasion” in America, and redefined popular music with groundbreaking albums like Rubber Soul and Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.

Their legacy continues to draw millions of visitors to landmarks such as Abbey Road Studios, where fans still flock to recreate the iconic Abbey Road crossing photo. In an announcement made earlier this month, 3 Savile Row, the location of their iconic rooftop concert, is to be made into the first official fan experience, opening in 2027. Looking ahead, an eagerly anticipated four-film Beatles cinematic event is set for release in April 2028 through Sony Pictures Entertainment and Neal Street Productions. The project marks the first time Apple Corps Ltd. and The Beatles have granted full life story and music rights for a scripted film. Directed by Sam Mendes, it will star Harris Dickinson (John Lennon), Barry Keoghan (Ringo Starr), Paul Mescal (Paul McCartney) and Joseph Quinn (George Harrison).

Format Information

Rubber Soul - Special Edition Super Deluxe (68 tracks)

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 US 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

Tracklisting

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 - US 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

1. Day Tripper
2. 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)