Por Siempre Beatles

Background and song selection

The album's content is similar to that of a planned compilation LP titled Beatles' Celebration, which EMI's Odeon subsidiary had begun publicising in 1968 until the project was cancelled due to a lack of authorisation from Parlophone. This decision was in keeping with a condition imposed by the Beatles while renegotiating their recording contract in 1967.

Por Siempre Beatles – the title of which translates as Forever Beatles or Beatles Forever – was notable for the inclusion of the songs "The Inner Light" and "I'm Down", the B-sides to "Lady Madonna" and "Help!", respectively. By 1971, these two tracks, together with the 1970 B-side "You Know My Name (Look Up the Number)" (which was not included on Por Siempre), represented the only Beatles songs that had not appeared on one of the group's UK or US albums. The Spanish compilation therefore became highly sought after by Beatles collectors.

While "I'm Down" was included on the 1976 Capitol Records compilation Rock 'n' Roll Music, Por Siempre continued to be the only album among all the Beatles LP releases around the world to include "The Inner Light". The song subsequently appeared on a bonus disc in Parlophone's 1978 box set The Beatles Collection, and then on the spin-off release, Rarities, in 1979. As a result, interest in the Spanish compilation waned among collectors.

Although none of the twelve tracks on Por Siempre Beatles had appeared on an official British studio album by the Beatles, "Day Tripper" and "We Can Work It Out" were included on the 1966 UK compilation A Collection of Beatles Oldies, while "The Fool on the Hill", "Strawberry Fields Forever", "Your Mother Should Know", "Penny Lane", "Baby, You're a Rich Man" and "Blue Jay Way" all appeared on the American Magical Mystery Tour LP. The latter, while widely available as an import in Britain since 1967, received an official release there through Parlophone in 1976. "I Call Your Name" and "Yes It Is" had been issued on American albums during the 1960s – The Beatles' Second Album and Beatles VI, respectively.

The album inspired the band Chirigotas de Cadiz to perform a cover of "I Call Your Name" in their act, "Los Beatles de Cadiz".

Track listing

All songs by Lennon–McCartney, except tracks 11 and 12 by George Harrison.

1. "Day Tripper"
2. "Yes It Is"
3. "I'm Down"
4. "The Fool on the Hill"
5. "Strawberry Fields Forever"
6. "We Can Work It Out"

7. "Your Mother Should Know"
8. "Penny Lane"
9. "Baby, You're a Rich Man"
10. "I Call Your Name"
11. "The Inner Light"
12. "Blue Jay Way"