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About Help

"Help!" is a song by the English rock band the Beatles that served as the title song for the 1965 film and its soundtrack album. It was released as a single in July 1965, and was number one for three weeks in the United States and the United Kingdom. Credited to Lennon–McCartney, "Help!" was written by John Lennon with some assistance from Paul McCartney. During an interview with Playboy in 1980, Lennon recounted: "The whole Beatles thing was just beyond comprehension. I was subconsciously crying out for help". It was ranked at number 29 on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. 


Year:
2006
2:18
10,647 
#18

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The Beatles

The Beatles were an English rock band formed in Liverpool in 1960. They became the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed act in the history of popular music. Their best-known lineup consisted of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr. Rooted in skiffle and 1950s rock and roll, they later utilised several genres, ranging from pop ballads to psychedelic rock, often incorporating classical and other elements in innovative ways. In the early 1960s, their enormous popularity first emerged as "Beatlemania", but as their songwriting grew in sophistication, they came to be perceived by many fans and cultural observers as an embodiment of the ideals shared by the era's sociocultural revolutions. more »

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12 facts about this song

Music Genre
"Help!" is primarily categorized as Pop Rock and Folk Rock. This genre represents the band's versatility in fusing folklore-style narrative storytelling with rock music elements.
Release Date
The song "Help!" was released on July 23, 1965. This date marked it as one of the mid-year releases, during a period when the Beatles were at the peak of their success.
Album
"Help!" is the title track of the Beatles' fifth studio album, which shares the same name.
Chart Performance
The song was a commercial success. It topped the charts in several countries including the UK Singles Chart and the Billboard Hot 100 in the US.
Music Composition
"Help!" showcases The Beatles’ trademark vocal harmonies with John Lennon taking the lead and Paul McCartney and George Harrison providing the backing vocals.
Song Meaning
Lennon admitted in an interview that the lyrics to "Help!" were a cry for help amidst the intense pressures of Beatlemania. It reflected his personal feelings of vulnerability and confusion at the time.
Film Inclusion
"Help!" was also featured in the Beatles' film with the same name, serving as its main theme song.
Cover Versions
The song has been covered by various artists worldwide, including The Carpenters and John Farnham, indicating its universal appeal and timeless quality.
Songwriting Credits
As with many Beatles songs, the credits for composing "Help!" go to both John Lennon and Paul McCartney. However, Lennon stated that it was primarily his composition.
Recognition
In 2004, "Help!" was ranked number 29 on Rolling Stone's list of "The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time".
Recording Techniques
The Beatles used modern recording techniques for their time in "Help!", including varispeeding, a process that alters the speed of the tape when recording.
First Live Performance
The song was first performed live on 1 August 1965 at the ABC Theatre in Blackpool, England and was also part of their set in their famed Shea Stadium Concert in New York.

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