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O Canada

Releases that are unique to Canada

This section lists releases that are unique to Canada; they have been designed, produced and distributed here across the country (and sometimes exported).



Variations that are unique to Canada

This section lists VARIATIONS that are unique to Canada; they are not "Canadian" by design, but these variations are still unique to Canada.

UA Mono Black
UA Mono Black
Unusual label 1 : When UA ran out of red mono labels, they used black labels intended for stereo releases.
UA Mono Blue
UA Mono Blue
Unusual label 2 : When UA ran out of black backup labels, they then used blue labels intended for Warner releases.
This Boy in stereo (1975)
This Boy in stereo (1975)
While the rest of the world featured the mono or fake stereo version, Canada offered the first true stereo pressing of the song.
Beatles Story Cassette
Beatles Story Cassette
First issue 4XWB: This album was never released on cassette in the USA, but was released twice in Canada.
Beatles Story Cassette
Beatles Story Cassette
Second issue C4: This album was never released on cassette in the USA, but was released twice in Canada.
Beatles '65 (Graham Newton)
Beatles '65 (Graham Newton)
Canadian-made master: Instead of using the USA-produced master, Graham Newton produced his own (better?) master.
Canadian Butcher cover
Canadian Butcher cover
Believed to have been produced only in the USA, the butcher cover was also produced in Canada. 3 cover + slicks survived.
Penny Lane Promo
Penny Lane Promo
Canada (along with the USA) were the only ones to feature the extra trumpet ending on their special release promo (200 pressed).
White Album Unnumbered
White Album Unnumbered
Canadian white albums did not number their covers; they were embossed and smaller in size. Numbered US covers were imported.
Let It Be box set
Let It Be box set
Unlike the USA, Canada issued Let It Be in its full glory: the box set format, as part of the Canadian 6000 series - SOAL-6351
Come To-gether B/A
Come To-gether B/A
Lennon usually had the A-side, but this time Harrison was set to have it. The first Canadian pressing flipped the A/B sides.
Ballad of J&Y Orange
Ballad of J&Y Orange
This title was famously not released on this label in the USA, the unique Canadian pressing is desirable today.
Red target reissues
Red target reissues
1971-1972 Unique to Canada*. While Capitol in the USA reissued Beatles albums on the Apple label, Canada used this label instead.
Sgt Pepper's colored vinyl
Sgt Pepper's colored vinyl
The USA produced a series of colored reissues, Canada followed, but added two unique reissues: The purple Pepper.
Love Songs colored vinyl
Love Songs colored vinyl
The USA produced a series of colored reissues, Canada followed, but added two unique reissues: The gold Love Songs.
Help!  CD - wrong mix
Help! CD - wrong mix
Worldwide CDs featured the new 1987 mix, Disque Americ & Cinram Canadian CDs mistakenly featured the original 1965 mix.
Rubber Soul CD - wrong mix
Rubber Soul CD - wrong mix
Worldwide CDs featured the new 1987 mix, Disque Americ & Cinram Canadian CDs mistakenly featured the original 1965 mix.
Thingumybob (reversed)
Thingumybob (reversed)
While worldwide releases featured Thingumybob on the A side, Canada featured Yellow Submarine instead.
Le Temps Des Fleurs
Le Temps Des Fleurs
Mary Hopkins recorded Those Were The Days in various languages. This Apple 2 release was unique to Québec, Canada.
Wonderwall - Left Opening
Wonderwall - Left Opening
Wonderwall has a flipped back image, Canadian manufacturers built come covers with a left-side opening.


The Rarest Canadian Items

Many Canadian items are unique, desirable and sometimes relatively scarce (see sections above), but a few specific variations are considered to be quite difficult (even impossible) to find today. Below is a list of the top want list items, or "Holy Grails" from the Canadian catalogue.

My Bonnie (Decca pressing)
My Bonnie (Decca pressing)
Only 12 documented surviving copies
1963 Love Me Do
1963 Love Me Do
78 sold in 1963
Please Please me (D. James)
Please Please me (D. James)
150 sold in 1963
From Me To You (N. Songs)
From Me To You (N. Songs)
250 sold in 1963
Beatlemania (green target)
Beatlemania (green target)
Only a few documented copies
Twist And Shout translucent
Twist And Shout translucent
Only 3-4 documented copies
Meet The Beatles, 5' reel
Meet The Beatles, 5" reel
191 copies sold between 1964 and 1967
Canadian Butcher
Canadian Butcher
Only 3 copies confirmed
Yesterday and Today
Yesterday and Today
Canadian ST-8 Record Club (TBC)
Penny Lane Promo
Penny Lane Promo
200 pressed
Reel. 1966 Toronto show
Half-Track soundboard tape, TO. Museum