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7" Singles (45s) Variations
Beatles 7" records were pressed in Canada from 1963 up until the late 1980s. (The Decca My Bonnie 45 from 1962 was not a "Beatles" record per se). Like it was the case with the LPs, these 45s were reissued many times during this period (although not as much as LPs), after which records were imported from the USA or the EU once Canada stopped pressing its own vinyl records. Beatles 45s on Capitol Records also saw seven label designs through the years, most of which have different subvariants of their own, making a total of fifteen label subvariants, plus Starline variants (each one is numbered accordingly across this website). Understanding these differences can allow precise dating of any specific pressing. Here below is a detailed account of the different Capitol label variations and subvariations found with Canadian Beatles 45s:
1. Yellow / Orange Swirl no Brackets
These were used on Beatles records between 1963 and June 1966 (this is identified as number "1" across this website). This variant is identified by the perimeter text around the label that states "MFD IN CANADA BY CAPITOL RECORDS OF CANADA"
2. Yellow / Orange Swirl with Brackets
These were used on Beatles records between July 1966 and 1969 (this is identified as number "2" across this website). This variant is identified by the perimeter text around the label that states "MFD IN CANADA BY CAPITOL RECORDS (CANADA)", adding brackets around the word "Canada".
3. Apple
These were used on Beatles records between November 1968 and 1975 (this is identified as number "3" across this website). This variant is easily identified by the apple on the label. It is important to note that in Canada, only Apple releases were released on this label, while, unlike it was the case in the USA, reissues of Capitol titles were NOT released on the Apple label, but rather on the Capitol target and early orange labels.
4. Target with Oval Logo
These were used on Beatles records in late 1969 on some rare titles before using the target logo (see label 5), this is identified as number "4" across this website. This variant is identified by the orange / red target label that features the old-style oval logo. While the USA reissued Capitol albums on the Apple label, Canada reissued them on this label instead during this period.
5. Target with Target Logo
These were used on Beatles records in 1970 and 1971 (this is numbered as number "5" in this website). This variant is identified by the orange / red target label that features the new target-style logo. Labels from before December 1971 are glossy, while those from early 1972 have a flat finish. While the USA reissued Capitol albums on the Apple label, Canada reissued them on this label instead.
6. Orange 1st Generation
These were used on a handful of Beatles titles in 1972 and 1973 (this is identified as number "6" across this website). This variant is identified by the GOLD perimeter text around the label. While the USA reissued Capitol albums on the Apple label, Canada reissued them on this label instead during this period. This is one of the scarcest variations for Beatles singles.
7. Orange 2nd Generation
These were used on Beatles records in 1975 - labels all have the ® logo, which seems to indicate that this variation was not used before January 1975, unlike the LPs that features earlier labels with the ™ logo in 1973-1974. (this is identified as number "7" across this website). This variant is identified by the BLACK perimeter text around the label. This variation also features only a handful of reissued titles, but remains slightly more common than the previous variation. While the USA reissued Capitol albums on the Apple label, Canada reissued them on this label instead during this period.
8. Orange 3rd Generation
These were used on Beatles records as early as June of 1976 (this is identified as number "8" across this website). This variant is identified by the bumpy ridge around the label, symbolic of pressing operations moving to Capitol's new in-house pressing plant. Almost all Beatles singles (Capitol and Apple) were reissued on this variation; only a few early titles from the 72000 series were not reissued. This was also the variation that was featured in the Beatles Forever series. (See section on Beatles singles for the complete list).
9. Purple 1st Generation
This label variation does not exist with Beatles 45 RPM singles, but was used on a series of Solo (mostly McCartney) reissues in 1977-1978 on an old-style black label with a silver circle and the dome logo in the perimeter print.
10. Purple 2nd Generation
These were used on Beatles records between 1978 and 1980 (this is identified as number "10" across this website). This variant is identified by the perimeter text around the label design that states "Manufactured in Canada by Capitol Records-EMI".
11. Purple 3rd Generation
These were used on Beatles records between 1980 and 1983 (this is identified as number "11" across this website). This variant is identified by the thinner perimeter text around the label design that states "Manufactured in Canada UNDER LICENSE by Capitol Records--EMI".
12. Retro Rainbow label - 1st Genration (Capitol Pressing)
These were used on Beatles records only in 1983 before the Capitol pressing plant was decommissioned (this is identified as number "12" across this website). This variant is identified by the new retro rainbow label design with characteristic bumpy ridge found on Capitol pressings . These were the last of the Capitol pressings to be pushed out of the Mississauga plant. Only a handful of titles have been pressed on this generation.
13. Retro Rainbow label - 2nd Genration (Columbia Pressing)
These subcontracted Columbia pressings were found on Beatles records between late 1983 and 1986 (this is identified as number "13" across this website). This variant is identified by the same retro rainbow label design and a smooth label edge. These usually also have a Columbia matrix number system. This label design is identical to the previous variation, but the text font and layout is quite different from titles found on the 1st generation. This variation has seen the complete reissue of the Beatles' catalogue (unlike variation 1 who has seen only a handful of titles).
14. Retro Rainbow label - 3rd Genration (Cinram Pressing)
***No Beatles 45 has been pressed by Cinram*** There is therefore no variation with a ".14" number in this archive.
15. Neo Purple
These were used on Beatles records around 1986 (this is identified as number "15" across this website). This variant is identified by the neo-purple label design with no bumpy ridge.
Starline Series : Green Swirl and Beige Variants
These were used on Beatles records between 1965 and 1986. Starline releases from 1965 feature a green swirl design (and are made from US masters), while later Starline issues are identified by their beige label design (see "Beatles Singles" section for a detailed list of subvariants).
Other Labels : Decca, United Artists, MGM, ATCO
Although the core of the Beatles' Canadian catalogue features releases by Capitol, some titles were released and reissued on other record labels, and therefore feature different label designs. These are detailed and pictured in each individual album title sections.
For a detailed account of released titles for each of these label variations, you can also explore the RELEASE BY LABEL TYPE page through the main menu.
