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Paul McCartney’s Best-Selling Lyrics Book & The Most Valuable Beatles Records

Paul McCartney’s newly expanded book of lyrics takes fans through his entire music history, so there’s no better time to dive into a list of the most sought-after Beatles records.

Paul McCartney has been approached numerous times over the years about writing an autobiography, but he has always declined. Instead, in 2021, he decided to let his lyrics do the talking and released The Lyrics: 1956 to the Present. The expansive book illuminates the lyrics of over 160 songs with intimate backstories, entertaining anecdotes, and details of McCartney’s songwriting process. Since he has never kept a diary and his songs span his entire life, McCartney felt that this was the best way to share his story.

In November 2023, an expanded paperback version of the New York Times best-seller was released, revealing even more about McCartney and the lyrics he wrote for The Beatles, Wings, and his solo material.  

To go along with The Lyrics: 1956 to the Present, Discogs presents a look back at The Beatles’ catalog and the releases that have become the most collectible. Below, you’ll find some of the Beatles’ most valuable releases, based on the highest prices paid for these items on Discogs.

#1

Love Me Do

The Beatles

1962

This rare promo version of the band’s debut single was limited to 250 copies and originally given to DJs, music journalists, and friends. Collectors view this release as a holy grail, especially because if Love Me Do hadn’t been successful, the Beatles may have never become the band they are today.

Sold for $14,062

Love Me Do
The Beatles
1962
Rock, Beat
Vinyl, 7″, 45 RPM, Single, Promo
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#2

Please Please Me

The Beatles

1963

Even though multiple versions of Please Please Me appear on this list, this particular pressing is extra appealing for dedicated Beatles collectors. According to the database, it’s the first stereo pressing of the album and the last time Parlophone used gold text on their labels.

Sold for $9,782

Please Please Me
The Beatles
1963
Rock
Vinyl, Album, Stereo, Dick James Credits
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#3

Please Please Me

The Beatles

1963

This pressing of Please Please Me is another sought-after stereo version of the Beatles’ debut studio album. It was released at the same time as the aforementioned version, but it features different publishing credits on its black and gold labels.

Sold for $7,064

Please Please Me
The Beatles
1963
Rock, Beat
Vinyl, Album, Stereo, Northern Songs Credits
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#4

Introducing…The Beatles

The Beatles

1964

One of the rarest commercially released Beatles records in the US, this pressing of Introducing…The Beatles is so scarce that the total amount pressed remains unknown. According to a Discogs contributor, this version features a “column back” and as of now, only 18 copies have been verified as being authentic.

Sold for $5,000

Introducing…The Beatles
The Beatles
1964
Rock, Pop, Beat, Rock & Roll
Vinyl, Album, Stereo
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#5

The Beatles & Frank Ifield On Stage

The Beatles

1964

In 1964, Vee Jay Records decided to cash in on some Beatles recordings before they lost the rights and threw together a reissue of a compilation that featured tracks from the band and Frank Ifield, a popular easy listening and country music singer. The original “old man” cover was replaced with a portrait of the Beatles, but very few made it into stores, making it quite the rare collectible.

Sold for $4,891

The Beatles & Frank Ifield On Stage
The Beatles And Frank Ifield
1964
Rock, Pop, Vocal
Vinyl, Compilation, Mono
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#6

Sold for $3,896

Yesterday And Today
The Beatles
1966
Rock, Beat, Pop Rock
Vinyl, Album, Compilation, Mono
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#7

Sold for $3,571

Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band
The Beatles
1983
Rock, Psychedelic Rock, Pop Rock
Vinyl, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo
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#8

Sold for $2,999

The Beatles Mono Collection
The Beatles
1982
Rock, Blues, Beat, Rock & Roll, Psychedelic Rock
Vinyl, Box Set, Compilation, Limited Edition, Repress, Mono
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#9

Sold for $2,995

The Beatles And Frank Ifield On Stage
The Beatles & Frank Ifield
1964
Rock, Pop, Pop Rock, Vocal
Vinyl, Compilation
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#10

Sold for $2,820

Please Please Me
The Beatles
1963
Rock & Roll
Vinyl, Mono, Album, Gold & Black Label, Dick James Credits
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#11

Sold for $2,808

The Beatles
The Beatles
1968
Rock, Rock & Roll, Pop Rock, Psychedelic Rock, Experimental
2 x Vinyl, Album, Numbered, Stereo
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#12

Sold for $2,625

A Hard Day’s Night
The Beatles
1964
Rock
Vinyl, 7″, Promo
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#13

Sold for $2,500

Something New
The Beatles
1964
Rock, Rock & Roll, Pop Rock, Beat
Vinyl, 7″, 33 ⅓ RPM, Jukebox, Stereo
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#14

Sold for $2,500

Let It Be
The Beatles
1970
Rock, Pop
Vinyl, Album, Box Set, Limited Edition
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#15

Sold for $2,250

The Beatles Vs The Four Seasons
The Beatles Vs The Four Seasons
1964
Rock, Pop, Pop Rock
Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo, Vinyl, LP, Compilation, Stereo, All Media, Compilation
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#16

Sold for $2,250

Open-End Interview With The Beatles
The Beatles
1964
Rock, Non-Music, Interview, Beat
Vinyl, 7″, 33 ⅓ RPM, EP, Promo
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#17

Sold for $2,247

I Feel Fine
The Beatles
1964
Rock, Beat, Pop Rock, Rock & Roll
Acetate, 7″, 45 RPM
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#18

Sold for $2,173

Hey Jude
The Beatles
1970
Rock, Rock & Roll, Pop Rock, Beat, Psychedelic Rock
Vinyl, Compilation
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#19

Sold for $2,173

Let It Be
The Beatles
1970
Rock, Pop Rock
Vinyl, Album, Box Set, Limited Edition
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#20

Sold for $2,172

Abbey Road
The Beatles
1969
Rock, Pop Rock
Vinyl, Album, Stereo
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#21

Sold for $2,156

Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band
The Beatles
1984
Rock, Pop, Rock & Roll, Pop Rock, Psychedelic Rock
Vinyl, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo
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#22

Sold for $2,065

Please Please Me
The Beatles
1963
Rock, Beat
Vinyl, Album, Mono
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#23

Sold for $2,000

Yesterday And Today
The Beatles
1966
Rock, Pop, Beat, Rock & Roll, Rockabilly, Psychedelic Rock
Vinyl, Album, Compilation, Stereo
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#24

Sold for $1,999

Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band
Beatles, The
1967
Rock, Psychedelic Rock, Pop Rock
Vinyl, Album, Stereo
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#25

Sold for $1,900

The Beatles Talking / You Can’t Do That
The Beatles
1964
Rock, Pop, Beat, Interview
Vinyl, 7″, 45 RPM, Promo
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The Beatles ‎Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band cover

About the Most Expensive Items Sold on Discogs

This is a list of the most expensive releases sold features items that were purchased and paid for on Discogs. Although most people come to Discogs to buy new records from independent sellers around the world, some collectors are on the hunt for rarities that sell for high prices due to their scarcity. 

Discogs is the world’s largest online music database and marketplace. Dedicated contributors catalog releases in the Database and sellers use this information to list items for sale in the Marketplace. On the right side of each release page, you’ll find useful statistics about the lowest, median, and highest price paid for the item you are viewing.

All prices have been converted to USD (United States Dollar). Some prices may fluctuate with the exchange rate; the prices on this list reflect the current exchange rate while the prices on the release pages reflect the exchange rate at the time of sale.

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