Help! is an oft-overlooked Beatles album from 1965. As you can probably tell from its title, this is the soundtrack to the film Help!. Although a lot of people believe the movie is inferior to the Beatles' first effort, A Hard Day's Night, many agree that the soundtrack is superior. Unfortunately, the album is usually overlooked because it's not as "revolutionary" as their next works, Rubber Soul, Revolver, Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, and The Beatles (The White Album).
Help! shows the Beatles' maturation as a group. George Harrison was finally seriously attempting songwriting (his first song, "Don't Bother Me," was on With the Beatles, but he didn't contribute any songs to the following two albums), there were only two cover songs on the album (their previous album Beatles For Sale had six), and this album marked the first time musicians other than the Beatles or producer George Martin appeared on a track (Paul's "Yesterday" featured a string quartet).
Things get off to a great start with Help!, which features some of John Lennon's best lyrics up to that point. "When I was younger, so much younger than today/ I never needed anybody's help in any way/ But now these days are gone/ And I'm not so self-assured." This song is really John crying for help, as he was overwhelmed by the Beatles' fame at that time. The desperation in the lyrics and Lennon's voice contrasts with the upbeat, poppy music, but the elements work wonderfully. The backing vocals from George and Paul actually anticipate what John is going to say before he says it. The music is very fast-paced and frenetic, with Ringo pounding away on the drums and shaking a tambourine, John strumming an acoustic guitar, George providing electric guitars licks here and there, and Paul adding support with his bass guitar. My favorite part of the song, though, is when it's just John and his acoustic guitar. This was one of the first Beatles songs I ever heard (I think it was actually the second), and it remains one of my favourites today.
The Night Before is a Paul McCartney contribution, and it's the type of catchy pop number we've come to expect from Paul. John does some excellent electric piano work, Paul's bass guitar sounds terrific, George's guitar solo is first-rate, and Ringo's drums keep everything together. The lyrics, like every early Beatles song, are about love, with Paul wishing that his girl would treat him like she did "the night before." John and George's background vocals provide some nice harmony, and Paul gets to show off his vocal range.
You've Got to Hide Your Love Away is another brilliant Lennon composition. The lyrics are about love, but they also show how John was feeling at the time, especially in the opening line, "Here I stand head in hand, turn my face to the wall." The acoustic guitars are simply beautiful, and the flute solo is a nice touch. And let's not forget Ringo, who unenthusiastically (at least in the movie) hits a tambourine. Lennon's somber vocal performance is perfect, and this song was obviously influenced by Bob Dylan, whom Lennon greatly admired.
I Need You is the first George Harrison contribution to the album and only the second Harrison composition to be released. This is a very sweet love song that George wrote for his current girlfriend (and later wife) Pattie Boyd. George's vocals are earnest as he pleads for his girlfriend to come back to him, and Paul and John provide some wonderful harmony vocals. Musically, this song was the first time George used what Bob tells me is a volume pedal on his guitar to distort the sound, and it gives the song a unique feel.
Another Girl shows a darker side of Paul, as he tells his current girlfriend that he has found another girl who is "sweeter than all the girls." Paul's bass guitar is pretty dominant on this track, with an electric guitar occasionally joining in. John's acoustic guitar, Ringo's drums, and the backing vocals from George and John all lend support and make the song enjoyable fluff. Paul also does a cute guitar solo to end the song.
You're Going to Lose That Girl is an upbeat Lennon composition. On this track, John is telling another guy that if he doesn't start treating his girl right, John is going to take her away from him. Hmm... maybe this is in response to Paul's "Another Girl"? John's lead vocal is excellent, as are the backing vocals from Paul and George. In addition to the normal guitars and drums, this song also features Paul on piano and Ringo on bongos.
Lennon contributes yet another standout song with Ticket to Ride. In later years, Lennon described this as the first metal song, and even though it doesn't resemble metal in any way, there are still some heavy guitars and drums. John handles the lead vocals on this one, with Paul providing the harmony and also playing lead guitar. The fast-paced bridge is one of my favourite parts of the song, and this was a number one hit for the group.
Ringo Starr gets a chance to sing lead with a cover of Buck Owens' Act Naturally. This song has a country feel to it, and it's pretty cute. Ringo does a nice job on the vocals and drums, and the guitars sound fine. Unfortunately, Paul's backing vocals kind of get on my nerves. This is still a good song, though, and way better than the one Ringo was supposed to sing for the soundtrack ("If You've Got Trouble," found on Anthology 2, in which Ringo cries, "Aw, rock on, anybody!").
It's Only Love is another Lennon love song, which he later said was one of his least favourites. I like this song, though. It's simple but heartfelt. George used the wah-wah pedal again on this song, and it creates a nice effect. The music is very soft, relying mainly on an acoustic guitar and tambourine. John's vocals are impeccable, and it's really cute when he rolls the r on the line, "Just the sight of you makes nighttime bright."
You Like Me Too Much is George's second written contribution to the album. The music for this song is very unique, with Paul and producer George Martin both playing the same Steinway piano, but different parts of the song. John also plays the electric piano, and Ringo shakes a tambourine. The lyrics are cute, and George's vocals are once again earnest as he urges his girlfriend not to leave him "'cause you like me too much and I like you."
Tell Me What You See is another Paul love song, this time with Paul trying to convince a girl that he is trustworthy. I guess after "Another Girl," his girl got angry with him. John and Paul share lead vocal duties on this one, and Paul also plays the electric piano. It's an okay song, just not one of my favourites. I've Just Seen a Face is Paul's bluegrass song. The acoustic guitar intro is amazing, and the whole song has a soft, almost folk-style feel to it. Aside from the acoustic guitars and maracas, the only other element to the song is Paul's lead vocal, which is sublime. This is really a lovely little song, and it's a shame it's so underrated.
The next song on the album, also by Paul, is the furthest thing from underrated. I'm sure everyone has heard Yesterday, which is often hailed as one of the best songs of all time. The thing I don't like about this song is that none of the other Beatles are on the recording. Instead, a string quartet accompanies Paul as he strums an acoustic guitar and sings a sorrowful song about a lost love. It's still undeniably a great song, though.
Dizzy Miss Lizzie is the last cover song to appear on a Beatles record. This was originally recorded by singer-songwriter Larry Williams, and John does a superb job singing (or shouting) lead. The guitar riff sounds really cool, and this is a nice upbeat way to end the album. The Beatles also covered two other Williams songs, "Slow Down" and "Bad Boy," again with John singing lead (both available on Past Masters Volume One).
Help! is probably one of the first CDs you should buy if you are just getting into the Beatles. The album includes some early Beatles classics, and it also foreshadows the genius of the group's subsequent releases. This is an essential album, even if you have the number one hits (all three of them), because there are so many more outstanding songs on here.
Repeat (songs I can never get enough of): Help!, You've Got to Hide Your Love Away, I Need You, You're Going to Lose That Girl, I've Just Seen a Face, etc. Skip (songs I have trouble listening to even once): none
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