CLASSIC ALBUM OF THE MONTH

The Beatles – Help!

Travelling five hours a day on the train to college leaves a lot of spare time, of which could be fulfilled doing more useful things. Though through this, I have discovered some great bands from various era’s through having the time to sit there and listen to their music. None so more than the likes of the Beatles, the Smiths, Stone Roses and the Cure. By being experimental, more doors have been opened and more great bands discovered.

This is where the new section, “Classic Album of the Month” comes to the fore, showcasing great albums from great bands over the years. The album receiving this week’s accolade is the timeless Beatles classic “Help!”, the fifth album in the prestigious career of a band deemed by many “the best ever”. The 1965 hit, revered by many for tracks like ‘Help!’ and ‘I’ve Just Seen A Face’, was the soundtrack album for their film of the same title.

The album kicks off with the self-titled ‘Help’!’, a number one that reigned over the charts for three weeks in the UK and USA. The fast-paced song highlights the fragile state of chief writer John Lennon, who was primarily responsible for the lyrics although having shared accreditation with Paul McCartney. Lennon said it was a cry for help after enduring the stresses of rising from relevant obscurity to high levels of success, though that it was one of his most genuine and favourite Beatles tracks. It begins with an urgent atmosphere, calling the word “Help” before descending into a rhythmic flow detailing the changes from a normal living into superstar existence. Although a pleasant sounding tune, the real meaning of the track highlights downcast emotions.“Now these days are gone, I’m not so self assured” sings Lennon whilst he continues later that “now my life has changed in oh so many ways, my independence seems to vanish in the haze”.  One of the greatest Beatles songs of all time, this is well worth a listen.

The album flourishes as it progresses, with various tracks of different sounds. The fourth song on the LP is a particular favourite of mine, titled 'I Need You'. Written by lead guitarist George Harrison, this was the second composition of his recorded by the band. The lyrics within the song are very emotional, and are thought to be based on Harrison’s relationship with Pattie Boyd, who he later married. The song writing is exceptional when combined with the calm relaxing melody. “I didn’t realise, as I looked in your eyes, you told me, oh yes you told me, you don’t want my loving anymore”. The track is very much in the form of a reflective, sombre mood, though a thoroughly enjoyable piece.

Each song in the album is a fantastic creation, all encompassing different topics and emotions. In the first half of this rollercoaster of a masterpiece, the listener encounters songs including 'You’re going to lose that girl' and 'Ticket to Ride', which held the top of the chart for three weeks in the UK.  However, the Beatles relaxed when covering Johnny Russell’s 'Act Naturally'. The amusing track, concerning the life of a man selected to perform in a film with no acting ability but just as himself, featured lead vocals by drummer Ringo Starr. “Well I hope you come and see me in the movies, then I know that you will plainly see, the biggest fool that ever hit the big time, and all I’ve got to do is act naturally”. A relaxing and amusing tune, it contrasts nicely against the seriously emotional songs.

Though in my mind, without doubt the best song on the album is 'I’ve just seen a face'. The fast paced track, almost in pure country form, was written by McCartney and featured himself on lead vocals. It begins with the fluent fusing of acoustic guitars rising in a classical-like form of music before dropping into a quick stiff-beat rhythm.  The song is one of a very limited number of tracks created by the band that does not feature a bass backing, having instead opted for two acoustic guitars and Harrisons twelve string acoustic. One of the fastest Beatle’s songs around, McCartney enters with the line “I’ve just seen a face I can’t forget the time or place where we just met, she’s just the girl for me and I want all the world to see we’ve met”. An upbeat, high tempo number, this song is highly recommended.

Of course, this review simply cannot be concluded without the mentioning of 'Yesterday', a song voted as the best song of the 20th century in a 1999 BBC Radio 2 poll. The song was performed solely by Paul McCartney, only being backed by a string quartet. None of the other Beatles had any involvement, and they vetoed the release of the track as a single in the UK. The classic, said to have had over 3,000 recorded cover versions, is the second from last song on the album, preceding 'Dizzy Miss Lizzy'. A beautiful track, the song is another in the form of a reflective style. “Suddenly, I’m not half the man I used to be, there’s a shadow hanging over me” sings McCartney. The song found its way onto the “1” album, a compilation of all number ones in the USA and UK between 1962 to 1970.

‘Help!’ is simply a magnificent album, from a magnificent band. If a new listener to the Beatles, as I myself was until around six months ago, it is a wonderful album to get introduced to the band by. It contains cleverly created tracks by song writing geniuses in the form of Lennon and McCartney from a long-gone era of golden music that many believe has passed and will never return. Many modern and past bands have been influenced by the “Fab Four”, and I think you should too.

Words: Alex Read

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