The Beatles: Rubber Soul (US album, 180g, gold vinyl, RSD Black Friday 2026) [CAPITOL]

Why you'll love it

For the first time since Capitol issued it in 1965, the US version of Rubber Soul stands alone on vinyl, cut from the original 1965 US production master. It opens with "I've Just Seen A Face" and plays as a warmer, folkier record than its UK twin. The LP topped the Billboard chart for six weeks and sold 1.2 million copies in nine days.

This edition

• RSD Black Friday 2026 exclusive
• 180g gold vinyl
• Audio from the original 1965 US production master, following the mastering notes of the day
• Lacquers cut by Kevin Reeves at East Iris Studios, Nashville
• Outer sleeve replicates the original US album, with a poly-lined inner bag

About the album

Capitol shaped every early Beatles LP for the American market, and Rubber Soul shows the practice at its most interesting. "Drive My Car," "Nowhere Man," "What Goes On" and "If I Needed Someone" came off the running order; two songs held back from the UK Help!, "I've Just Seen A Face" and "It's Only Love," opened each side instead.

The swap tilts the record toward acoustic guitars and close harmonies, and Americans heard it that way for decades. "Norwegian Wood" drifts in on sitar, "In My Life" looks back with a calm that still surprises, and "Michelle" won the Grammy for Song of the Year.

Rolling Stone placed Rubber Soul at No. 5 on its 2012 list of the 500 greatest albums; the RIAA certified it six times platinum.

"Rubber Soul remains the classic it was from the day it was released."
Tim Sendra, AllMusic

Tracklist

Listen

Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)

On Capitol.