1965 HELP !

HELP! : SOUNDTRACK FROM THE MOTION PICTURE : 1965 bring gave us "Help!", the soundtrack to their second feature film of the same name. The album lead more towards folk rather than pop. Clearly the influence of Bob Dylan could be plainly felt. Containing two No.1 hits no less and the most covered song in history 'Yesterday', it was still considered relatively weak in Beatles standard.

HELP! : The first confessional song from John that's in actuality a cry for help. But because he is obliged to write a theme song for the movie, the tempo was speed up and so we have another another No.1 from the lads. Tina Tuner made an impressive version later in her career. Yet another song that was over exposed. Not one that I listen to too often.

THE NIGHT BEFORE : This was Paul's song. An average song that somehow doesn't merit its place on the second track on the album. Still a Beatles song can't be all bad. 

YOU'VE GOT TO HIDE YOUR LOVE AWAY : Here The Beatles redeem themselves with this Bob Dylan influenced love song rumored to be about their gay manager, Brian Epstein. A highlight from this album. This use to be one of favorite but again due to over exposure.....

I NEED YOU : On this, George was beginning to show his meddle as a songwriter who's on his way to rival Lennon and McCartney. A sweet country sounding little ditty, this one is a favorite with me. Strangely, George doesn't think much of this track 'cos he didn't even mention this on his autobiography "I.Me,Mine".

ANOTHER GIRL : A throwaway from Paul, and also a throwaway only by Beatles standard. This one nevertheless have its little charm. A song of it's time.

YOU'RE GONNA LOSE THAT GIRL : Another average song saved only by The Beatles marvellous harmonising skill. I used to love this song but I grew out of it, rending it just another average song to me.

TICKET TO RIDE : This, according to John Lennon was the first heavy metal song. Driven by a riff that's so infectious that it'll take days before you can get it out of your head. The second No.1 from the album and deservedly so. Another song that is so over exposed that it almost killed my interest in it.

ACT NATURALLY :  From the first album on, this is easily my most liked Ringo's vocal. This is country and western at its most infectious. Years later, Ringo would re record this song with the writer , Buck Owens on one of his solo album.

IT'S ONLY LOVE : Regarded by John Lennon as totally rubbish, this is one of my favourite on the album. 

YOU LIKE ME TOO MUCH : Not terribly memorable nor terribly bad, this was George's second song on the record. Still, I prefer this more than his contribution on "Rubber Soul".

TELL ME WHAT YOU SEE : Considered a filler, this was nevertheless a Beatles track so it wasn't all that bad. 

I'VE JUST SEEN A FACE : This is one of the gem from Paul McCartney. A country and western tune, it was a favourite of Paul's too 'cos he played this song time and time again at his solo concert. 

YESTERDAY : The standard of all standards. This was pure Paul from beginning to end. Who could have thought that classical music and pop music can blend so well together. Not really my favourite though, I much prefer his other standards or rather his version from his solo soundtrack from the movie "Give My Regards To Board Street". 

DIZZY MISS LIZZY : Trust The Beatles to come up with this rip roaring vocal right after the gentle reading of 'Yesterday'. I've hated this song for a good many years 'cos it was too hard for me. I only came to appreciate it after hearing it from the "Live At The Hollywood Bowl" album. The bass there was more upfront softening the rawness of this song. Hence, I am able to appreciate it more now.