December 16: The Beatles’ Fourth Christmas Record, Pantomime: Everywhere It’s Christmas 1966

Recorded between sessions for Strawberry Fields Forever, for the 1966 offering, the usual greetings and thanks gave way to a ‘Pantomime’-themed collection of original songs and dramatic skits. The songs include Everywhere It’s Christmas, Orowainya, and Please Don’t Bring Your Banjo Back. Paul McCartney plays the piano. The sketches performed include Podgy the Bear and Jasper and Felpin Mansions.

Once again, the US fan-club members did not get a flexi-disc. Instead, they received a postcard with the message on one side and a short version of The Beatle Bulletin on the other, with enough room for a mailing label and postage.

Recorded: 25 November 1966 Location: Dick James Music Writer: The Beatles Producer: George Martin

Issued: 16 December 1966 Label: Lyntone, LYN 1145 Flexi disc: 7″, 1 side, 33⅓ RPM Total time: 6:36

– Hallgeir