Help! (1965) – The Beatles

I always enjoyed the melody and singing in the verses of The Beatles – “Help!” more than any other part of the song. It contains a sophisticated Lead-Lag-Lead-Synchronous pattern where backing vocals (Paul and George) move between anticipating, following, and echoing John’s lead melody. It’s clever, and you can see it clearly in the video, with them arranged one behind the other on a work plank. In fact, according to Paul McCartney, he was called in “to complete it” at John Lennon’s house, helping shape the countermelody arrangement.

Once again Lennon’s expressive and gritty vocals are wonderful, but here they feel more open and vulnerable than on rasping rockers like Twist and Shout and Dizzy Miss Lizzy; his voice carries a sense of urgency while still sounding controlled and melodic.

Help! was the title song for the 1965 film and its accompanying soundtrack album. Lennon later said that when he was commissioned to write it, he didn’t realise at the time that he was genuinely crying out for help, as he was going through a period of depression. He famously called it his “fat Elvis” period, saying, “Anyway, I was fat and depressed, and I was crying out for help.”

By this time, these four musicians from Liverpool – rooted in rock and blues and gifted in playing, singing, and songwriting – had become a cultural phenomenon. The Beatles had grown into something larger than John, Paul, George, and Ringo as individuals could comfortably carry.

Lennon, as his later reflections suggest, was becoming more aware of his own limitations and the strange weight of fame, including the sense of power others projected onto him. Through songs like Help!, he was trying to hold on to a more honest version of himself amid the noise surrounding his life.

 “The whole Beatles thing was just beyond comprehension. I was subconsciously crying out for help“
– Playboy interview 1980

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Wikipedia:

In the 1970 Rolling Stone “Lennon Remembers” interviews, Lennon said he felt that “Help!” and “Strawberry Fields Forever” were his most honest, genuine Beatles songs and not just songs “written to order“.

The Beatles recorded “Help!” in 12 takes on 13 April 1965 using four-track equipment. The first nine takes concentrated on the instrumental backing. The descending lead guitar riff that precedes each verse proved to be difficult, so by take 4 it was decided to postpone it for an overdub. To guide the later overdub by George Harrison, Lennon thumped the beat on his acoustic guitar body, which can be heard in the final stereo mix. 

 On 14 August, the group recorded a live performance of “Help!” and five other songs for The Ed Sullivan Show.

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 mind 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 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, help me, help me, oh

References:
1. Help! (song) – Wikipedia
2. Help! – SongMeanings