'All You Need is Love' becomes fastest-selling Rock Band song

by Ludwig Kietzmann { Sep 18th 2009 at 3:45PM }

Microsoft has announced that "All You Need is Love," the first downloadable song for The Beatles: Rock Band, became the fastest-selling tune in the franchise's history within the first two days of availability. We'd like to believe that the Xbox-exclusive track was entirely propelled by the spirit of philanthropy, with proceeds from sales ("tens of thousands of dollars," Microsoft says) benefiting Doctors Without Borders, but its success probably comes from the fact that it's "All You Need is Love." By The Beatles.

A limited edition Beatles-themed Xbox 360, bearing artwork from the game's introduction video, was also sold by Microsoft during an online charity auction. After ten days, the system took off for $17,300.

If you've yet to expand the legendary band's in-game lineup or hope to gain entry in the on-going Beatles sweepstakes, keep in mind that revenue from "All You Need is Love" is still going to charity. All you need is 160

Tags: all-you-need-is-love, auction, dlc, the-beatles, the-beatles-rock-band, the-beatles-rock-band-dlc

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

T @ Sep 18th 2009 3:50PM

Regardless of why people bought the song, the fact the song is selling this well is great for Doctors without Borders.

Kizzle @ Sep 18th 2009 6:10PM

Yeah, but it kind of sucks if you support Doctors Restricted To Working Within Borders.

Tiptup300 @ Sep 18th 2009 11:53PM

Wait, so every time we buy a song House gets more money!? Day one purchase!

Peter Moore @ Sep 18th 2009 3:50PM

All You Need is Plastic Instruments™.

Bobby Kotick @ Sep 18th 2009 6:03PM

For once, we can agree on something.

Peter Moore @ Sep 18th 2009 6:04PM

Agree on what? I like Rock Band, and I like The Beatles: Rock Band.

I was just making a stupid joke.

Bobby Kotick @ Sep 18th 2009 6:46PM

Oh, a joke? I thought you were implying that we need to sell more plastic instruments...

Well, I sure feel stupid...

Still, more instruments sounds nice, like say for sake of example, a turntable?

Halo Pony @ Sep 18th 2009 3:51PM

"We'd like to believe that the Xbox-exclusive track was entirely propelled by the spirit of philanthropy, with proceeds from sales ("tens of thousands of dollars," Microsoft says) benefiting Doctors Without Borders,"

Funny, though, when you think about how much more cash they could have raised had it not been 360 exclusive.

But, that's Microsoft for you. Take the extra money out of the hands of a charity so you can sell a few more consoles.

I doubt Doctors Without Borders could've used the extra money, anyway.

copa @ Sep 18th 2009 3:55PM

Really, did Sony agree to forgo all PSN profits and all of their "bandwidth tax" on the track, and give the proceeds to Doctors Without Borders?

Thanks for telling us, I never knew that!

Paul @ Sep 18th 2009 4:11PM

could you be any more of a fanboy?

mietha CAG @ Sep 18th 2009 4:00PM

Or it could have something to do with a chance to win an item that sold for $17000. That's why I bought it. Fuck doctors without borders. There's plenty of people in the US without health care.

Slayer8675309 @ Sep 18th 2009 4:02PM

People are massive tools for The Beatles.

News at 11.

Peter Moore @ Sep 18th 2009 4:04PM

Slayer8675309 is a massive tool for being an huge asshole.

News at 10:30.

Slayer8675309 @ Sep 18th 2009 4:11PM

OH NOES, A DIFFERENCE OF OPINION.

Grow up, dude.

Alton Brown [ XBL: LordToastington, Soon-To-Be-PSN: OrIsItAltonBrown] @ Sep 18th 2009 4:18PM

No. You're just a tool. Joystiq doesn't need you. Please leave.

Roofie @ Sep 18th 2009 4:34PM

I love that someone calling other people tools, decides to tell the same people to grow up in the same comment string.

It's not your opinion that bothers people, it's the way that you're such a condescending prick about it.

Demon G Sides @ Sep 18th 2009 5:07PM

He's got a point that some people go a little overboard for Beatles things. Though, his word choice is a bit... crass.

Personally I don't see why they are so lauded even now, but hey, everyone's got their tastes. I don't like the beatles, some people don't like the rolling stones. Tomato Tomato.

yolarrydabomb @ Sep 18th 2009 7:19PM

RETARD!!

yolarrydabomb @ Sep 18th 2009 7:30PM

not you guys or Peter.

Slayer8675309.

paul eastwood @ Sep 18th 2009 4:07PM

We played that song during my wedding, when we signed the marriage license.

Dirty @ Sep 18th 2009 4:19PM

My wife and I did "for the love of money" by the O' jays.

Ok we didn't, but that would have been awesome.

paul eastwood @ Sep 18th 2009 4:31PM

We also had 'Farewell, Hyrule King' and 'Princess Leia's Theme' as part of the prelude, and Yellowcard's 'Only One' in the recessional.

Archon (PSN: Archonik, XBL: DarkARHN) @ Sep 18th 2009 4:07PM

You know how it would sell more?

If it was out for PS3 and Wii too. Well, 2.5 month to go...

squallgengar @ Sep 18th 2009 4:19PM

Would really suck if the $17,300 console red ringed.

charlie b. @ Sep 18th 2009 4:43PM

WHY ISN'T THIS UPVOTED TO 3 HEARTS

Demon G Sides @ Sep 18th 2009 5:10PM

No, it'd suck more if they went to get it fixed and they sent them a regular console back.

Gun Barrier @ Sep 18th 2009 6:00PM

no, it would suck more if they sent back the same one back, but with the art removed.

Snake Robot Podium @ Sep 18th 2009 4:20PM

Yeah, I bought it before I even had the game.

johnny @ Sep 18th 2009 4:24PM

all we all need is love, if all girls were easy there would be less crime in the world cause all men would be busy getting it on and less time stressed and working!! lol I have a dream that one day and girl on the street i can walk up to and say come to my bed and she follows without question. I have a dream!!!

Alton Brown [ XBL: LordToastington, Soon-To-Be-PSN: OrIsItAltonBrown] @ Sep 18th 2009 4:25PM

...

uncle jesse @ Sep 18th 2009 4:38PM

Your dream is every girls nightmare

Peter Moore @ Sep 18th 2009 6:07PM

Hello, Mr. Creepy Raper Guy.

Laughton @ Sep 18th 2009 4:26PM

I've never played any rhythm games but I'm thinking about getting RB. Can someone tell me if you can play just drums and not bother with other instruments?

Alton Brown [ XBL: LordToastington, Soon-To-Be-PSN: OrIsItAltonBrown] @ Sep 18th 2009 4:29PM

Absolutely. You can play any instrument you want solo.

Laughton @ Sep 18th 2009 4:42PM

Sweet. Thanks!

Daniel C. @ Sep 18th 2009 4:39PM

Considering it is the only DLC for the game at this point AND the majority of people who bought the game are Beatles fan AND it is one of the Beatles most popular songs... It would have been bigger news if it wasn't the fastest selling track ever.

RKN @ Sep 18th 2009 4:52PM

All you need is love, all you need is a job and a haircut!

RobLink (Alex Kidd incarnate) @ Sep 18th 2009 5:06PM

Hey! I have a job!

Could do with a haircut though.....

RKN @ Sep 18th 2009 5:08PM

Its from That 70s Show. : )

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZlTOPjcyQLs

RobLink (Alex Kidd incarnate) @ Sep 20th 2009 7:16AM

K. Never watched more than a couple episodes.

Fakeplasticball @ Sep 18th 2009 5:38PM

It's like Microsoft is paying money to keep stuff out of gamer's hands. "slap slap slap your hand." MS says "This song is not for you because we paid good money to stop you"

Oh but its for charity. So the chariable foundation will make half as much as they could if it was released on the playstation along with the xbox.

These are my sour grapes.

Halo Pony @ Sep 18th 2009 5:53PM

Selling a few more consoles is more important than providing a charity with extra funds.

Of course, we shouldn't expect anything different. This is Microsoft after all.

"Eh, Doctors Without Borders doesn't need the money. Let's pay for exclusivity!"

Snowblind @ Sep 18th 2009 6:44PM

But it's Microsoft that are given the money to the charity.
If it were on the Playstation (which it will be eventually) Sony will be taken that money, they won't be donating it at all.

Fakeplasticball @ Sep 19th 2009 10:53PM

My sour grapes is that I can't play a good beatles song.

*IMO Playstation would do the same as Microsoft, at least reluctantly. It's not worth the bad publicity

Kizzle @ Sep 18th 2009 6:09PM

I'm already growing tired of the songs on the disc. I know we've got three albums coming but they aren't the ones I would have chosen (I'll buy them anyway). I hope they keep going after December, even if it's just pick-and-choose tracks rather than full album releases.

The fact that this track is selling quickly is encouraging.