59 Years Ago a 1967 Beatles Hit Reached No. 1 in Nine Countries

1967 was an eventful year for The Beatles. The first half saw the release of Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, and in August their manager Brian Epstein died. Their first release after his death was the song 'Hello, Goodbye', recorded and issued quickly in November 1967, just before the Magical Mystery Tour album.

Alistair Taylor recalled McCartney demonstrating a word-association exercise at a hand-carved harmonium, offering a string of opposites that helped shape the tune: 'Black,' 'White.' 'Good,' 'Bad.' 'Hello,' 'Goodbye.' The song itself plays on contrasts and opens with lines like 'You say, 'Yes.' I say, 'No'' and 'You say, 'Goodbye,' and I say, 'Hello, hello, hello'.

'Hello, Goodbye' became a global success, reaching No. 1 in nine countries, including the United States and the United Kingdom, and reassured band and fans that Epstein's death had not ended them.

United Kingdom; United States

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