Matrix Information
Side 1: (mono) 7XCE 21185-1 KT
Side 2: (mono) 7XCE 21186-1 KT
Overview
While anticipated to appear on the Apple label, the Apple trademark and label artwork weren't sorted in time, so initial copies of this single (along with the first Apple singles by Jackie Lomax and Mary Hopkin) were pressed with standard Parlophone labels. Copies with Apple labels would become available some seven weeks later (with some fanfare from EMI (Australia)!).
Contrary to assumption, the Parlophone version is not 'rare', as EMI (Australia) ordered an initial print-run of 30,000 label sets!
Presumably due to the length of 'Hey Jude', this single was one of only two that were pressed from UK metal parts, the other being 'Let It Be'/'You Know My Name (Look Up The Number)'.
The single remained available until the late 1980s. By 1978 it had sold over 200,000 copies - an amazing achievement!