I WANT TO HOLD YOUR HAND / THIS BOY
Parlophone A8103
Released 12 December 1963
Original recommended retail price: 10/-
The single that ignited Beatlemania in Australia, reaching No. 1 here before anywhere outside Britain.
Matrix Information
Side 1: (mono) 7XCE17559 7AXPA644
Side 2: (mono) 7XCE17560 7AXPA645

June 1976
Side 1: (stereo) 7XCE 17559
Side 2: (stereo) 7XCE 17560

June 1982
Side 2: (stereo) 7XCE 17560-3 AP

Overview
The single that marked the start of Beatlemania in Australia, entering every state chart upon release and reaching No. 1 the following week - before anywhere else in the world outside of Great Britain.

Its popularity created such excitement that by Christmas 1963, EMI (Australia) had devoted maximum press time and effort but still had no hopes of keeping up with sales demand for Beatles records.

Deleted by mid-1970, the single was recut in June 1976 (both sides in stereo) and reissued in July, where it remained available until the late 1980s. For the recut, EMI (Australia) sourced a fresh tape from EMI UK. For whatever reason, EMI UK despatched the October 1963 stereo mix of 'I Want To Hold Your Hand' rather than the later November 1966 stereo mix that was made for A Collection of Beatles Oldies. EMI (Australia) dutifully used what it was sent; it didn't care about the mix, just the title. Thus, this single marked the first (and only) 7" appearance of this mix anywhere in the world.

Due to a damaged mother, 'This Boy' was recut at Studios 301 by Allan Parsons in June 1982. For the recut, Allan used a copy of the 1976 single, as EMI (Australia) had sent the master tape over to Capitol US without making a copy! Please visit The Number Ones page for more information.
Chart Performance

Brisbane

(QLD)

Sydney

(NSW)

Melbourne

(VIC)

Hobart

(TAS)

Adelaide

(SA)

Perth

(WA)

Chart Entry

21-Dec-63

20-Dec-63

21-Dec-63

20-Dec-63

14-Dec-63

20-Dec-63

Highest Position

1

1

1

1

1

1

Weeks In

23

31

40

14

29

19
Listed as "I Want To Hold Your Hand"
Silver/Black Style 'A'
AUSP8103SBA.a

LEEDS MUSIC / LEEDS MUSIC
"HAND" on line 2 of A-side title
AUSP8103SBA.b

As per variation 'a' except:
- lines above/below LEEDS MUSIC / LEEDS MUSIC
- different spacing of "I WANT TO HOLD YOUR" line (A-side)
- different spacing of "THIS BOY" line (B-side)
AUSP8103SBA.c

LEEDS MUSIC / LEEDS MUSIC
"YOUR HAND" on line 2 of A-side title
Spacing of "THIS BOY" as per AUSP8103SBA.a
AUSP8103SBA.d

NORTHERN SONGS / NORTHERN SONGS
Orange
AUSP8103O.a
Silver/Black Style 'C'
AUSP8103SBC.a

First appeared in October 1982 with the release of The Australian 20th Anniversary Singles Collection

Visit AB34 for more information or to see an image of the picture sleeve
Silver/Black Style 'D'
AUSP8103SBD.a