I was in 9th grade when the Beatles arrived and they gave me an appreciation of rock/pop music I never had before.
Of course I saw the movie (on my July 10 birthday, IIRC) when it came out and later discovered the “real” AHDN album - the UK version.
Although the great Beatles trilogy - Rubber Soul, Revolver, Pepper - AHDN (UK album) certainly deserves mention with those three classics.
In particular, two acoustic songs on the album’s Side B showed how the Beatles could rock with acoustic guitars!
“Things We Said Today” - written by McCartney with a borrowed guitar on a boat during Caribbean vacation w/Jane Asher
“I’ll Be Back” - written by Lennon and a very powerful song in its’ own right.
More info on the UK album: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Hard_Day%27s_Night_(album)
Of course I saw the movie (on my July 10 birthday, IIRC) when it came out and later discovered the “real” AHDN album - the UK version.
I'm the same age as you, and was a Beatles fan right from the get go in early 1964, but didn't totally appreciate what a great album a Hard Days Night was until I bought the UK version a couple of years ago. We were cheated on the US version by all of the movie soundtrack instrumentals.