I Want to Hold Your Hand


Despite Beatlemania in Britain, The Beatles make limited progress in the USA in 1963. She Loves You is released in September but is only a minor hit. This is expected as English acts never sell well in the US.

But Brian Epstein believes The Beatles can appeal to America. He asks John and Paul to write a song with the US audience in mind. They record I Want to Hold Your Hand in October 1963.



The song is never a favourite of its writers. But when I Want to Hold Your Hand is released in the US in January 1964, everything changes. It becomes their first number 1 and the second biggest selling single of all time. The first is the re-released
She Loves You.

Now America waits with excitement for the first visit of The Beatles in February 1964.

She Loves You
I Want to Hold Your Hand
A Hard Day's Night
Help!