The Beatles ‎– Help! (UK)

Original UK First Pressing.

Black label with yellow logo and silver print. “The Gramophone Co. Ltd” printed at the start perimeter print and “Sold in U.K.” text. With KT tax code on the label. Matrix numbers: Side 1: YEX 168-1; Side 2: YEX 169-1.

Variation A. In 1965 the font on the label changed to Sans Serif. The * credit indicator for “I Need You” is now placed to the right of the song title, not to the left. This tracklist layout stayed for future issues of the LP. The laqueur numbers (YEX.168 & YEX.169) snuggle relative to date on both sides.

Considering that Help! functions as the Beatles’ fifth album and as the soundtrack to their second film — while filming, they continued to release non-LP singles on a regular basis — it’s not entirely surprising that it still has some of the weariness of Beatles for Sale. Again, they pad the album with covers, but the Bakersfield bounce of “Act Naturally” adds new flavor (along with an ideal showcase for Ringo’s amiable vocals) and “Dizzy Miss Lizzy” gives John an opportunity to flex his rock & roll muscle. George is writing again and if his two contributions don’t touch Lennon and McCartney’s originals, they hold their own against much of their British pop peers. Since Lennon wrote a third more songs than McCartney, it’s easy to forgive a pair of minor numbers (“It’s Only Love,” “Tell Me What You See”), especially since they’re overshadowed by four great songs. His Dylan infatuation holds strong, particularly on the plaintive “You’ve Got to Hide Your Love Away” and the title track, where the brash arrangement disguises Lennon’s desperation. Driven by an indelible 12-string guitar, “Ticket to Ride” is another masterpiece and “You’re Going to Lose That Girl” is the kind of song McCartney effortlessly tosses off — which he does with the jaunty “The Night Before” and “Another Girl,” two very fine tunes that simply update his melodic signature. He did much better with “I’ve Just Seen a Face,” an irresistible folk-rock gem, and “Yesterday,” a simple, beautiful ballad whose arrangement — an acoustic guitar supported by a string quartet — and composition suggested much more sophisticated and adventurous musical territory, which the group immediately began exploring with Rubber Soul.