Following the release of "Dark Horse" as a lead single, in mid November, the album was issued on 9 December 1974 in the United States (as Apple SMAS 3418). In Britain, the single was "Ding Dong", and "Dark Horse" was delayed until 20 December (with Apple catalogue number PAS 10008). The UK release coincided with the final show of the tour, at Madison Square Garden in New York, and came the day after Harrison and Paul McCartney had signed legal papers dissolving the Beatles partnership, at the Plaza Hotel. "Dark Horse" sold well in America initially, earning a gold disc for advance orders and climbing to number 4 on the "Billboard" 200, but its chart stay was a relatively brief seventeen weeks. In Canada, it peaked at number 42 at the start of February 1975 before quickly falling out of the "RPM" Top 100.