The Beatles - Help! (1965) Review
Help! (1965) is the fifth studio album by The Beatles, marking the start of one of the greatest runs of albums in music history. John Lennon described this era as the “Dylan Period” due to the clear influence of Bob Dylan and the marijuana he introduced to them. During the recording of this album, John and George also tried LSD for the first time. This album marks a major turning point for the Beatles.
“Help!” is a classic song and an excellent opener. The descending notes in the intro and chorus work very well. The lyrics are solid, addressing themes of insecurity and depression despite the upbeat instrumental.
“The Night Before” features vocals drenched in reverb, an early sign of the psychedelic production that would be expanded on in later albums. George’s guitar solo is simple but captures the groovy 60s vibe. The refrain Paul sings after the solo is a solid addition. It’s a solid song overall.
“You’ve Got To Hide Your Love Away” is a great folksy John Lennon song. John’s songwriting from Beatles for Sale to Help! reached a new level. The lyrics are solid and more subtle than those on previous albums. The flute part played by John Scott adds a nostalgic layer.
“I Need You,” written by George Harrison, is another great song on this album. The chorus has an underrated melody, and the lyrics are relatable. The mix of a 12-string guitar and a classical guitar shows experimentation that would shape the sound of psychedelic pop in the 1960s. The backing vocals are very good.
“Another Girl” leans slightly more towards country. It’s fine but not Paul’s best on this album. The guitar riff in the outro sounds so smooth. “You’re Gonna Lose That Girl” has underrated percussion parts. The harmonizing on this track is incredible. The lyrics are a bit bland, but the music is solid.
“Ticket to Ride” is a classic song and arguably the first psychedelic-pop song. Many believe it was one of the first written after John and George experimented with LSD. The drumming is cool, and the drum fills throughout are pleasing. The lyrics are great, and John Lennon believed it was one of the earliest heavy metal songs ever made.
“Act Naturally” is a cover of a Buck Owens and the Buckaroos song sung by Ringo Starr. It’s fine and one of the better Ringo songs from the earlier years, but not one of the premier songs on the album.
“It’s Only Love” is allegedly John Lennon’s least favorite song he wrote, citing the “terrible lyric” as the main reason. I enjoy this song and think it’s a solid example of jangle-pop. All the guitar layers stand out.
“You Like Me Too Much” is the second George Harrison song on the album. It’s good but not as good as “I Need You.” The verses are better written than the chorus, and the electric piano is a soothing addition.
“Tell Me What You See” is another proto-psychedelic-pop song, mainly due to the vocals and guitars in the mix. McCartney has said this song wasn’t that memorable. While it isn’t one of the best, it’s still charming.
“I’ve Just Seen a Face” is one of the best songs on the album. This is the Beatles at the peak of their country-inspired music. The melody and vocal delivery of the verses by McCartney are excellent. The guitar deserves a mention because it is amazing.
“Yesterday” is one of the most revered songs ever and has more covers than any song in modern history. That’s for a reason; this is one of the first Beatles songs that touches perfection. The incredible songwriting and minimal production with strings work beautifully together.
“Dizzy Miss Lizzy” is not a bad cover by any means, but it’s a bit of a fumble. You have one of the greatest songs ever that would’ve worked great as a closing track, but instead, you end with this song, which could’ve been placed anywhere on the album or left off entirely.
1965 was an insane year for the Beatles, as it was when they were introduced to LSD a few months after Bob Dylan introduced them to marijuana. The music began to change and revolutionize at a breakneck pace from here on out. Another great Beatles album.
Speedrun the Album: “Help!” - “You’ve Got To Hide Your Love Away” - “I Need You” - “Ticket to Ride” - “I’ve Just Seen a Face” - “Yesterday”
8/10 - Great