HELPing In The Studios
December 17th, 2006
Previously I offered studio take 6 of the Beatles’ “I Feel Fine.” The audio player has takes 1 through 5 of “HELP!” The vocals weren’t introduced until take 9.
John considered this song to be a personal breakthrough, because it was a sincere cry for help. For all of the Beatles trivia I’ve picked up over the years, I’ve never seen confirmation of my suspicion that the song title HELP! was inspired by a magazine cover, as discussed here.
I’d like to offer a scan of the picture sleeve to the original single, as well as the single itself, but it’s in the possession of Mr. Dennis F. Rogers; so, instead, you can watch the Beatles performing the song on TV. This is from the last Ed Sullivan show ever broadcast in black and white. It’s fitting, I suppose, as this is, I imagine, the very last appearance of the Beatles in their Fab Four incarnation. “Rubber Soul” was released in December, and it was obvious to everybody that the times, they were a changin’.
One other piece of trivia I can pass along is that the man sitting at the control console on Tuesday, April 13, 1965, engineering the recording of HELP! was Norman Smith. He later had a hit single of his own, on the charts in late 1972. Some may consider it silly fluff, but I’ve always loved this song. Perhaps you remember it?
1 Comment
1. Cactus Lizzie | March 7th, 2008 at 9:34 pm
Here I am, over a YEAR later past the posting of this item on the blog, and I’m responding to it! I guess I was busy around Xmas of 2006! Well, better late than never, I guess! HA! HA!
…Anyway, indeed I DO remember that song well. Just forgot it was a guy named Norman Smith. Another one-hit wonder guy, I presume?
Yeah, and I liked it TOO, Doug! In my head, I’m always dancing an easy swing or a little foxtrot to that song! If I had ever been on American Bandstand, and that song was ever played on that show, I would’ve said, “Well, Dick, it’s got a good beat to dance to!!!”
Remember those American Bandstand record review ratings by the teens?!! Sure didn’t sound like there was any PAYOLA for THEIR SIMPLE comments!!! HA! HA!
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