Anthology 3


Anthology 3 is a compilation album by the Beatles, released on 28 October 1996 by Apple Records as part of The Beatles Anthology series. The album includes rarities and alternative tracks from the final two years of the band's career, ranging from the initial sessions for The Beatles to the last sessions for Let It Be and Abbey Road in 1969 and early 1970. It is the third in a quartet of albums with Anthology 1 and Anthology 2, and Anthology 4, all of which tie in with the televised special The Beatles Anthology.
The album was certified 3× Platinum by the RIAA and was the group's third double album in a row to reach number one on the US charts, equalling a record set by Donna Summer in the 1970s.
The Anthology albums were remastered and made available digitally on the iTunes Store on 14 June 2011, individually and as part of the Anthology Collection box set.

Content

Following "Free as a Bird" on Anthology 1 and "Real Love" on Anthology 2, a third John Lennon solo demo entitled "Now and Then" was to be reworked by the three surviving members of The Beatles for Anthology 3. However, this project was shelved due to Harrison's dislike of the quality of the song recording. McCartney later stated that Harrison called Lennon's demo recording "fucking rubbish". McCartney told Q Magazine in 1997 that "George didn't like it. The Beatles being a democracy, we didn't do it." The song would eventually be finished and released in 2023. In its place is "A Beginning", an orchestral instrumental track by the band's producer George Martin, initially intended for the White Album as the intro to "Don't Pass Me By".
Connecting to the previous Anthology albums, the cover image painted by Klaus Voormann features a collage of Beatles-related imagery designed to appear as a wall of peeling posters and album covers. An updated picture of Voormann can be seen in Harrison's hair in a segment of the Revolver album cover.

Track listing

All tracks in stereo, except where noted.

Charts

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Chart Position
US Billboard 200107

Certifications and sales