Video: 'The Beatles - Christmas Record 1963'

(Thursday, October 17, 1963, 2:30 -5:00 p.m. British Summer Time) — The Beatles’ first four-track recording session took place on this day at Studio Two, EMI Studios, with the group taping a Christmas message for their fan club members, and a single take of “You Really Got A Hold On Me,” and their fifth UK single: “I Want To Hold Your Hand” and “This Boy.”

The day began with a speech recording for the free flexi-disc to be given away to members of the Official Beatles Fan Club. This was the first of seven such recordings made between now and 1969, and was mailed to members on Dec. 6, 1963.

The Beatles also attempted a final version of Smokey Robinson’s “You Really Got A Hold On Me” – take 12 – but quickly gave up working on the song. The version on the With The Beatles album was an edit of takes 7, 10 and 11, all recorded on July 18, 1963.

The Beatles then took a break between 5:30 and 7:00 p.m.