“The whole Beatles thing was just beyond comprehension. I was subconsciously crying out for help”.
– John Lennon (1980)
Help! is a song by the Beatles that served as the title song for both the 1965 film and its soundtrack album. It was also released as a single, and was number one for three weeks in both the United States and the United Kingdom.
Help! was mainly written by John Lennon, but credited to Lennon–McCartney.
“I seem to remember Dick Lester, Brian Epstein, Walter Shenson and ourselves sitting around, maybe Victor Spinetti was there, and thinking, What are we going to call this one? Somehow Help! came out. I didn’t suggest it; John might have suggested it or Dick Lester. It was one of them. John went home and thought about it and got the basis of it, then we had a writing session on it. We sat at his house and wrote it, so he obviously didn’t have that much of it. I would have to credit it to John for original inspiration 70-30. My main contribution is the countermelody to John.”
– Paul McCartney (Paul McCartney: Many Years From Now)
The Beatles – Help! (live):
In fact. HELP! retains its authenticity through the emotion in its author’s voice. Looking back on this song in 1980, Lennon recalled it as a cry for help from the depths of what he referred to as his ‘fat Elvis’
period. Mentally exhausted by two years of continuous touring, he was isolated and alienated in his multi-roomed mansion in the stockbroker belt of London’s western fringe.
~Ian Macdonald (Revolution in the Head: The Beatles’ Records and the Sixties)
John Lennon: vocals and twelve-string rhythm guitar
Paul McCartney: bass and backing vocals
George Harrison: lead guitar and backing vocals
Ringo Starr: drums and tambourine
The Beatles – Help! (Studio version):
Help! (lyrics):
Help, I need somebody
Help, not just anybody
Help, you know I need someone
Help!
When I was younger, so much younger than today
I never needed anybody’s help in any way
But now these days are gone I’m not so self-assured
Now I find I’ve changed my life and opened up the doors
Help me if you can, I’m feeling down
And I do appreciate you being ’round
Help me get my feet back on the ground
Won’t you please, please help me?
And now my life has changed in oh so many ways
My independence seems to vanish in the haze
But every now and then I feel so insecure
I know that I just need you like I’ve never done before
Help me if you can, I’m feeling down
And I do appreciate you being ’round
Help me get my feet back on the ground
Won’t you please, please help me?
When I was younger, so much younger than today
I never needed anybody’s help in any way
But now these days are gone I’m not so self-assured
Now I find I’ve changed my mind, I’ve opened up the doors
Help me if you can, I’m feeling down
And I do appreciate you being ’round
Help me get my feet back on the ground
Won’t you please, please help me?
Help me, help me, ooo
–
Check out:
– Hallgeir & Egil
A hat tip to “I’m Down”, which is a fantastic B-side, and included in Dave Marsh’s book on singles, “The Heart Of Rock And Soul”.
Agreed, great song (…and book!)
– Hallgeir