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Parlophone Original Released
17. Lady Madonna / The Inner Light (R 5675)
(Update: 31th. May 2023)

allyou
Black Parlophone Label
  • #17-1 Demonstration Record / matrix 3/2
  • #17-2 Factory Sample/ matrix 3/2
  • #17-3 Push-out Center / with Fan Club insert / matrix 3/2
  • #17-4 Solid Center / with Fan Club Insert / matrix 3/2
  • #17-5 without SOLD IN U.K. / matrix 3/2
  • #17-6 with SOLD IN U.K. / Polo ring / matrix 3/2
  • #17-7 without SOLD IN U.K. / Polo ring / matrix 3/2



Notice* Click the disk of each single, so you can see the large picture image.

#17 Lady Madonna / The Inner Light (R 5675)
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Released: 15 March 1968 (UK), 18 March 1968 (US)
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"Disc And Music Echo" 16th March 1968
Lady Madonna
Written by: Lennon-McCartney
Recorded: 3, 6 February 1968
Producer: George Martin
Engineers: Ken Scott, Geoff Emerick
Paul McCartney: vocals, piano, bass, handclaps
John Lennon: backing vocals, lead guitar, handclaps
George Harrison: backing vocals, lead guitar, handclaps
Ringo Starr: drums, handclaps
Ronnie Scott, Bill Povey: tenor saxophones
Harry Klein, Bill Jackman: baritone saxophones
The Inner Light
Written by: Harrison
Recorded: 12 January; 6, 8 February 1968
Producer: George Martin
Engineers: Geoff Emerick, JP Sen, SN Gupta
George Harrison: vocals
John Lennon: backing vocals
Paul McCartney: backing vocals
Sharad Ghosh/Hanuman Jadev: shehnai
Hariprasad Chaurasia/SR Kenkare: flute
Ashish Khan: sarod
Mahapurush Misra: tabla, pakavaj
Rij Ram Desad: harmonium

Lady Madonna, The Beatles' first release of 1968, was a bluesy number written by Paul McCartney, and recorded just prior to the group's trip to India to study meditation with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi.
It was also their final release on Parlophone/Capitol. From Hey Jude onwards, The Beatles released all their subsequent singles and albums on their own Apple Records label.
The Inner Light was written by George Harrison and first released as the b-side of Lady Madonna, with lyrics based on the Taoist guide to living Tao Te Ching.
It entered the charts at number five on 20 March, and a week later climbed to the top. It remained there for a second week, and spent eight weeks altogether in the chart. In the US it was released on 18 March. It fared less well, peaking at number four on 23 March.
(from "The Beatles Bible")


#17-1 Lady Madonna / The Inner Light (Demonstration Record: R 5675)
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TRACK LISTING
SIDE 1: Lady Madonna (Lennon-McCartney)
SIDE 2: The Inner Light (Harrison)
RELEASE DATE
Demonstration Record (First Press:15th March. 1968)
SLEEVE:FRONT SLEEVE:BACK SIDE 1 --> Click! SIDE 2 --> Click! DISK --> Click!
sleeve SLEEVE allyou baby_youre disk
LABEL CLOSE UP
SIDE 1 SIDE 2 Lime-green label with black ink and, on the A-side, a large white "A" over the face of the label.
label label
LABEL CLOSE UP
label label "The Gramophone Co. Ltd. (small letter)" was printed at the perimeter, and "DEMONSTRATION RECORD" was on the label.Has the "NORTHERN SONGS" credits on the label. label Displayed the intended release date "15th March 1968" at the center of the label.

Push-out center, tax code is "K,T"
LABEL CLOSE UP
label label label label label
This label contains the running times. SIDE 1 SIDE 2
Matrix No.:
7XCE 18438 - 3
Matrix No.:
7XCE 18439 - 2
OTHER ITEM
-

CATALOG NUMBER
R 5675
LABEL
Parlophone Demonstration Label (Lime-green Label)
MIX
Mono
MATRIX No. Side1 7XCE 18438 - 3
Side2 7XCE 18439 - 2
VINYL COLOR
BLACK
RECORD COMPANY'S NAME
The Gramophone Co. Ltd. (small letter)
CENTER
Push-out center
CENTRAL REMARK
"SOLD IN U.K..."
-
RECORDING PUBLISHED CREDIT Ⓟ1968 (smallⓅ)
PUBLISHER'S NAME
Side1
NORTHERN SONGS
Side2
NORTHERN SONGS
PRODUCER
George Martin
COVER DESIGN/ PHOTO/ NOTES
Green sleeve type-9B : Tab cut at top. Glued bottom and right.
"TRADE MARK OF THE GRAMOPHONE CO LTD." below the Parlophone logo on front. "EMI LPs" advert on back, issued in which advertised the latest EMI albums, including the Beatles own "SGT. Peppers". 
COMMENTS
Lime-green label with black ink and, on the A-side, a large white "A" over the face of the label.
  • "The Gramophone Co. Ltd. (small letter)" on its outer rim.
  • "DEMONSTRATION RECORD" and "NOT FOR SALE" were printed at the bellow of the Parlohone logo.

Made for both radio and for the record shops, all U.K. Parlophone and Apple 7" Beatles singles had promotional Records.
A Promo is always a copy of the exact performance and mix that is to be sold in the record shops. It is pressed from the very same plates used to make the commercially-available 45rpm singles.

The first 12 Beatles singles, from "Love Me Do" trough "Paperback Writer"(*)  all had promo's on white-label disks with black ink and, on the Aside, a large red "A" over the face of the label. Records like "Day tripper/We Can Work It Out", issued as double-A-sided disks, had the red "A" on both sides of the record label.

* excepted for "She Loves You, Can't Buy Me Love, I Feel Fine, and Help!"
EMI did not prepare a demonstration record for these records.

Beginning with "All You Need Is Love (**)", Promo's were made with a lime-green background and a White "A" on the intended Aside These lime -green promo's had slightly-smaller labels, so the labels fit within the circle of ridges surrounding the label area, instead of overlapping onto them, as the previous promo's did.

**  EMI did not prepare a demonstration record for "Strawberry Fields Forever"



#17-2 Lady Madonna / The Inner Light (Factory Sample: R 5675)
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TRACK LISTING
SIDE 1: Lady Madonna (Lennon-McCartney)
SIDE 2: The Inner Light (Harrison)
RELEASE DATE
Factory Sample (First Press: 15th March. 1968)
SLEEVE:FRONT SLEEVE:BACK SIDE 1 --> Click! SIDE 2 --> Click! DISK --> Click!
sleeve SLEEVE allyou baby_youre disk
LABEL CLOSE UP
label The "PARLOPHONE" logomark is small type.
With a "FACTORY SAMPLE NOT FOR SALE" sticker on the label of side-1.
label It has the central remark "SOLD IN UK...", and has tax code "KT".
LABEL CLOSE UP
SIDE 1 SIDE 2 "THE GRAMOPHONE CO. LTD. (capital letter)" was printed at the perimeter.
The "(P)-1968" statement was printed on the label.
Has the "NORTHERN SONGS, NCB" credits on both sides of the label.
label label label
LABEL CLOSE UP
label label The credit "Producer: George Martin" was printed below the group name.
OTHER ITEM
-

CATALOG NUMBER
R 5675
LABEL
Silver Parlophone (logo: small type)
MIX
Mono
MATRIX No. Side1 7XCE 18438 - 3
Side2 7XCE 18439 - 2
VINYL COLOR
BLACK
RECORD COMPANY'S NAME
THE GRAMOPHONE CO. LTD. (capital letter)
CENTER
Push-out center
CENTRAL REMARK
"SOLD IN U.K..."
YES
RECORDING PUBLISHED CREDIT Ⓟ1968 (smallⓅ)
PUBLISHER'S NAME
Side1
NORTHERN SONGS, NCB
Side2
NORTHERN SONGS, NCB
PRODUCER
George Martin
COVER DESIGN/ PHOTO/ NOTES
Green sleeve type-3A :Wavy cut at top.
"TRADE MARK OF THE PARLOPHONE CO LTD." below the Parlophone logo on front. "6'- to 50'-" tokens on front.
"BIG M" advert on back, without "Write for free sample" credit.
Glued left and right.
COMMENTS
This EMI Factory Sample copy of  "Lady Madonna / The Inner Light" was sent to radio station as a promo just prior to the disc's release in March 1968.

The first label was with capitalized printing of "THE GRAMOPHONE CO. LTD." at the perimeter, and a smaller Parlophone logo.
It has the central remark "SOLD IN UK...", and the "(P) 1968" statement.
Has the "NORTHERN SONGS, NCB" credits on both sides of the label.
Has the credit to George Martin as the Producer.
This single was manufactured two ways: both with and without the push-out center.



#17-3 Lady Madonna / The Inner Light (1st. Press "Push-out Center / with Fan Club Insert": R 5675)
 Back to the top of the line
TRACK LISTING
SIDE 1: Lady Madonna (Lennon-McCartney)
SIDE 2: The Inner Light (Harrison)
RELEASE DATE
15th March. 1968/First Press
SLEEVE:FRONT SLEEVE:BACK SIDE 1 --> Click! SIDE 2 --> Click! DISK --> Click!
sleeve SLEEVE allyou baby_youre disk
LABEL CLOSE UP
label The Parlophone logo (small type = 3cm) was printed at the top of the label.
label "THE GRAMOPHONE CO. LTD. (capital letter)" was printed at the perimeter.
The "(small) Ⓟ1968" statement was printed on the label.
LABEL CLOSE UP
label label Has the "NORTHERN SONGS, NCB" credits (2 lines) on both sides of the label.
SIDE 1 SIDE 2
label label
Matrix No.
Side-1: -3
Matrix No.
Side-2: -2
LABEL CLOSE UP
label label label
It has the central remark "SOLD IN UK...", and no tax code. The credit "Producer: George Martin" was printed below the group name.

OTHER ITEM: FAN CLUB INSERT
FRONT BACK FAN CLUB INSERT CLOSE UP
sheet sheet label label
With Fan Club insert
This is the Beatles Fan Club insert that came inside their "Lady Madonna" U.K. company sleeve for their single on Parlophone Records : R5675.       
The front says "The Official Beatles Fan Club", UK Branch Director : Freda Kelly". And "Fabulous Poster Offer !"    "Here's how you can get a NEW GIANT-SIZED FULL-COLOUR BEATLES PHOTO POSTER". At the bottom is an application to join the Official Beatles Fan Club.
The other side says "Keep in Touch with John, Paul, George, and Ringo".  "For the latest facts and photos, get The Beatles Official Monthly Book". At the bottom are directions on where to mail your application.

CATALOG NUMBER
R 5675
LABEL
Silver Parlophone (logo: small type)
MIX
Mono
MATRIX No. Side1 7XCE 18438 - 3
Side2 7XCE 18439 - 2
VINYL COLOR
BLACK
RECORD COMPANY'S NAME
THE GRAMOPHONE CO. LTD. (capital letter)
CENTER
Push-out center
CENTRAL REMARK
"SOLD IN U.K..."
YES
RECORDING PUBLISHED CREDIT Ⓟ1968 (smallⓅ)
PUBLISHER'S NAME
Side1
NORTHERN SONGS, NCB
Side2
NORTHERN SONGS, NCB
PRODUCER
George Martin
COVER DESIGN/ PHOTO/ NOTES
Green sleeve type-7B : Wavy cut type-B at top.
"TRADE MARK OF THE GRAMOPHONE CO LTD." below the Parlophone logo on front.
"7'3- to 50'-" tokens on front.
Glued bottom and right.
COMMENTS
The first label was with capitalized printing of "THE GRAMOPHONE CO. LTD." at the perimeter, and a smaller Parlophone logo.
It has the central remark "SOLD IN UK...", and the "(P) 1968" statement.
Has the credit to George Martin as the Producer.
This single was manufactured two ways: both with and without the push-out center.

Original first pressing of this single included a fanclub insert. Very rare original The Beatles Fan Club Membership / Poster Offer Insert.



#17-4 Lady Madonna / The Inner Light (1st. Press "Solid Center": R 5675)
 Back to the top of the line
TRACK LISTING
SIDE 1: Lady Madonna (Lennon-McCartney)
SIDE 2: The Inner Light (Harrison)
RELEASE DATE
15th March. 1968/First Press
SLEEVE:FRONT SLEEVE:BACK SIDE 1 --> Click! SIDE 2 --> Click! DISK --> Click!
sleeve SLEEVE allyou baby_youre disk
LABEL CLOSE UP
label The Parlophone logo (small type = 3cm) was printed at the top of the label.
label "THE GRAMOPHONE CO. LTD. (capital letter)" was printed at the perimeter.
The "(small) Ⓟ1968" statement was printed on the label.
LABEL CLOSE UP
label label It has the central remark "SOLD IN UK..."
This single was manufactured without the push-out center.
tax code is "K?,T"
label Catalog number "R 5675" was printed at the right side of the label.
LABEL CLOSE UP
label label Has the "NORTHERN SONGS, NCB" credits (2 lines) on both sides of the label.
label label
Matrix No.
Side-1: -3
Side-2: -2
LABEL CLOSE UP
label label The credit "Producer: George Martin" was printed below the group name.
OTHER ITEM: Fan Club Sheet
FRONT BACK With Fan Club insert
Original first pressing of this single included a fanclub insert.
This is the Beatles Fan Club insert that came inside their "Lady Madonna" U.K. company sleeve for their single on Parlophone Records : R5675.       
The front says "The Official Beatles Fan Club", UK Branch Director : Freda Kelly".The front says "The Official Beatles Fan Club", UK Branch Director : Freda Kelly". And "Fabulous Poster Offer !"    "Here's how you can get a NEW GIANT-SIZED FULL-COLOUR BEATLES PHOTO POSTER". At the bottom is an application to join the Official Beatles Fan Club.
sheet sheet

CATALOG NUMBER
R 5675
LABEL
Silver Parlophone (logo: small type)
MIX
Mono
MATRIX No. Side1 7XCE 18438 - 3
Side2 7XCE 18439 - 2
VINYL COLOR
BLACK
RECORD COMPANY'S NAME
THE GRAMOPHONE CO. LTD. (capital letter)
CENTER
Solid center
CENTRAL REMARK
"SOLD IN U.K..."
YES
RECORDING PUBLISHED CREDIT Ⓟ1968 (smallⓅ)
PUBLISHER'S NAME
Side1
NORTHERN SONGS, NCB
Side2
NORTHERN SONGS, NCB
PRODUCER
George Martin
COVER DESIGN/ PHOTO/ NOTES
Green sleeve type-9B : Tab cut at top. Glued bottom and right.
"TRADE MARK OF THE GRAMOPHONE CO LTD." below the Parlophone logo on front. "EMI LPs" advert on back, issued in which advertised the latest EMI albums, including the Beatles own "SGT. Peppers". 
COMMENTS
The first label was with capitalized printing of "THE GRAMOPHONE CO. LTD." at the perimeter, and a smaller Parlophone logo.
It has the central remark "SOLD IN UK...", and the "(P) 1968" statement.
Has the credit to George Martin as the Producer.
This single was manufactured two ways: both with and without the push-out center.

Original first pressing of this single included a fanclub insert. Very rare original The Beatles Fan Club Membership / Poster Offer Insert.



#17-5 Lady Madonna / The Inner Light (2nd. Press "without SOLD IN U.K.": R 5675)
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#17-6 Lady Madonna / The Inner Light (3rd. Press "with SOLD IN U.K. / Polo Ring": R 5675)
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TRACK LISTING
SIDE 1: Lady Madonna (Lennon-McCartney)
SIDE 2: The Inner Light (Harrison)
RELEASE DATE
1972? / Third Press
SLEEVE:FRONT SLEEVE:BACK SIDE 1 --> Click! SIDE 2 --> Click! DISK --> Click!
sleeve SLEEVE label label allyou
LABEL CLOSE UP
label The Parlophone logo (small type = 3cm) was printed at the top of the label.
label "THE GRAMOPHONE CO. LTD. (capital letter)" was printed at the perimeter.
The "(small) Ⓟ1968" statement was printed at the left part of the label.
LABEL CLOSE UP
label With the push-out center and was printed the central remark "SOLD IN UK..."
The embossed letter (tax code) is none.

With Polo ring.
label Catalog number "R 5675" was printed at the right side of the label.
LABEL CLOSE UP
label label Has the "NORTHERN SONGS, NCB" credits (2 lines) on both sides of the label.
label label
Matrix No.
Side-1: -3
Side-2: -2
LABEL CLOSE UP
label label The credit "Producer: George Martin" was printed below the group name.
OTHER ITEM
-

CATALOG NUMBER
R 5675
LABEL
Silver Parlophone (logo: small type)
MIX
Mono
MATRIX No. Side1 7XCE 18438 - 3 MOTHER & STAMPER
10 / TM
Side2 7XCE 18439 - 2 9 / LH
VINYL COLOR
BLACK
RECORD COMPANY'S NAME
THE GRAMOPHONE CO. LTD. (capital letter)
CENTER
Push-out center
CENTRAL REMARK
"SOLD IN U.K..."
YES
RECORDING PUBLISHED CREDIT Ⓟ1968 (smallⓅ)
PUBLISHER'S NAME
Side1
NORTHERN SONGS, NCB
Side2
NORTHERN SONGS, NCB
PRODUCER
George Martin
COVER DESIGN/ PHOTO/ NOTES
Green sleeve type-9B : Tab cut at top. Glued bottom and right.
"TRADE MARK OF THE GRAMOPHONE CO LTD." below the Parlophone logo on front. "EMI LPs" advert on back, issued in which advertised the latest EMI albums, including the Beatles own "SGT. Peppers". 
COMMENTS
The Third label was with capitalized printing of "THE GRAMOPHONE CO. LTD." at the perimeter, and a smaller Parlophone logo.
This label is with push-out center type with polo ring.

The "Sold in U.K." text was printed on the label.

The Beatles records were never really deleted until the 1990s, they were not being continually pressed either.
It stands to reason that EMI were unlikely to press a handful of copies to order. More likely, they would have run-off several hundred copies or more and held them in storage. Thus, it's likely that back orders at the beginning of the Seventies would have been filled with old stock before new pressings were required. Thus, polo rings cannot be found on every Beatles single from this time.
However, is a mixture of old and new labels (with and without Sold in U.K.) on some polo ring pressings.
Around this time there is a change in colour of the Parlophone labels from jet black to having a grey appearance.
EMI installed new presses in 1972, known as the 1400. These were custom made at Hayes, beginning in 1971. These presses left the tell-tale polo ring impression. We can assume that some old presses were still in use in the 1970s, explaining the absence of the polo rings on some discs.



#17-7 Lady Madonna / The Inner Light (3rd. Press "without SOLD IN U.K. / Polo Ring": R 5675)
 Back to the top of the line
TRACK LISTING
SIDE 1: Lady Madonna (Lennon-McCartney)
SIDE 2: The Inner Light (Harrison)
RELEASE DATE
1972? / Third Press
SLEEVE:FRONT SLEEVE:BACK SIDE 1 --> Click! SIDE 2 --> Click! DISK --> Click!
sleeve SLEEVE label label allyou
LABEL CLOSE UP
label The Parlophone logo (small type = 3cm) was printed at the top of the label.
label "THE GRAMOPHONE CO. LTD. (capital letter)" was printed at the perimeter.
The "(small) Ⓟ1968" statement was printed on the label.
LABEL CLOSE UP
label Catalog number "R 5675" was printed at the right side of the label.
label
With the push-out center and was removed the central remark "SOLD IN UK..."
The embossed letter (tax code) is none.

With Polo ring.
LABEL CLOSE UP
label label The credit "Producer: George Martin" was printed below the group name. label label
Matrix No.
Side-1: -3
Side-2: -2
LABEL CLOSE UP
label label The credit "Producer: George Martin" was printed below the group name.
OTHER ITEM
-

CATALOG NUMBER
R 5675
LABEL
Silver Parlophone (logo: small type)
MIX
Mono
MATRIX No. Side1 7XCE 18438 - 3
Side2 7XCE 18439 - 2
VINYL COLOR
BLACK
RECORD COMPANY'S NAME
THE GRAMOPHONE CO. LTD. (capital letter)
CENTER
Push-out center
CENTRAL REMARK
"SOLD IN U.K..."
-
RECORDING PUBLISHED CREDIT Ⓟ1968 (smallⓅ)
PUBLISHER'S NAME
Side1
NORTHERN SONGS, NCB
Side2
NORTHERN SONGS, NCB
PRODUCER
George Martin
COVER DESIGN/ PHOTO/ NOTES
Green sleeve type-9B : Tab cut at top. Glued bottom and right.
"TRADE MARK OF THE GRAMOPHONE CO LTD." below the Parlophone logo on front. "EMI LPs" advert on back, issued in which advertised the latest EMI albums, including the Beatles own "SGT. Peppers". 
COMMENTS
The Third label was with capitalized printing of "THE GRAMOPHONE CO. LTD." at the perimeter, and a smaller Parlophone logo.
This label is with push-out center type with polo ring.

The "Sold in U.K." text was not printed on the label.

The Beatles records were never really deleted until the 1990s, they were not being continually pressed either.
It stands to reason that EMI were unlikely to press a handful of copies to order. More likely, they would have run-off several hundred copies or more and held them in storage. Thus, it's likely that back orders at the beginning of the Seventies would have been filled with old stock before new pressings were required. Thus, polo rings cannot be found on every Beatles single from this time.
However, is a mixture of old and new labels (with and without Sold in U.K.) on some polo ring pressings.
Around this time there is a change in colour of the Parlophone labels from jet black to having a grey appearance.
EMI installed new presses in 1972, known as the 1400. These were custom made at Hayes, beginning in 1971. These presses left the tell-tale polo ring impression. We can assume that some old presses were still in use in the 1970s, explaining the absence of the polo rings on some discs.



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