Help
Carpenters Lyrics


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When i was younger, so much
Younger than today
I never needed anybody's help
In any way
But now these days are gone
I'm not so self assure
Now i find i've changed my mind
I've opened up the door
(*) help me if you can i'm feeling down
And if you do appreciate you being round
Help me get my feet back on the ground
Won't you please, please help me
Please help me
And now my life has changed in
Oh! so many ways
My independence seems to vanish
In the haze
And every now and then
I feel so insecure
I know that i need you like
I've never done before
Repeat (*)
Ah! ah! ah! ah!




Ah! ah! ah! ah!
Repeat (*)

Overall Meaning

The Carpenters' song "Help" is a poignant reflection on how life changes and how we change with it, particularly in relation to needing others. The first two lines of the song set up the theme: "When I was younger, so much younger than today / I never needed anybody's help in any way." Karen Carpenter's voice is sweet and clear as she sings these lines, but the lyrics themselves are imbued with a sense of innocence and invincibility that quickly fades. The next two lines announce the shift: "But now these days are gone, I'm not so self-assured / Now I find I've changed my mind, I've opened up the door."


From here, the chorus comes in, repeating the plea for help that makes up the song's title and refrain: "Help me if you can, I'm feeling down / And I do appreciate you being around / Help me get my feet back on the ground / Won't you please, please help me?" In the second verse, Karen Carpenter sings about how her life has changed in countless ways, but the most important is how her independence seems to have "vanished in the haze." She admits to feeling "so insecure" at times and acknowledges that she needs help more than ever before.


"Help" is a simple song, but it captures a complicated set of emotions. It's about growing up, losing our sense of invincibility, and coming to terms with our dependence on others. It's about acknowledging that we all need help sometimes, even if it's hard to ask for it. The Carpenters' melody is sweet and catchy, but it's the lyrics that really resonate and make this a timeless classic.


Line by Line Meaning

When i was younger, so much Younger than today
I used to be young and carefree. I was inexperienced and naive but I had my whole life ahead of me.


I never needed anybody's help In any way
I was confident in myself and my abilities. I believed I could handle anything on my own without any external support.


But now these days are gone I'm not so self assure Now i find i've changed my mind I've opened up the door
As I grew older, I realized that I wasn't invincible. I faced tough situations and came to the conclusion that it's okay to ask for help. I started accepting my limitations and reaching out to people when I needed them.


Help me if you can i'm feeling down And if you do appreciate you being round Help me get my feet back on the ground Won't you please, please help me Please help me
I am reaching out to someone I trust and asking them for assistance. I appreciate their presence in my life and their willingness to offer a helping hand. I am looking for support to help me overcome my challenges and get back on track.


And now my life has changed in Oh! so many ways My independence seems to vanish In the haze
Life is unpredictable and I have faced unexpected circumstances that have altered the course of my life. It has made me feel like I'm losing control and my independence is slipping away.


And every now and then I feel so insecure I know that i need you like I've never done before
I still have moments of doubt and insecurity where I feel like I can't do this on my own. I realize that I need the support of others more than ever, perhaps like I never have before.


Ah! ah! ah! ah! Ah! ah! ah! ah!
This is a repetition of a melody in the song that doesn't have any specific lyrical meaning. It serves as a musical interlude.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Tratore
Written by: John Lennon, Paul McCartney

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

G Audrey

When I was younger, so much younger than today
I never needed anybody's help in any way
But now these days are gone, I'm not so self-assured
Now I find I've changed my mind; I've opened up the door
Help me if you can, I'm feeling down
And I do appreciate you being 'round
Help me get my feet back on the ground
Won't you please (please help me, please help me)
And now my life has changed in oh so many ways
My independence seems to vanish in the haze
And every now and then, I feel so insecure
I know that I just need you like I've never done before
Help me if you can, I'm feeling down
And I do appreciate you being 'round
Help me get my feet back on the ground
Won't you please (please help me, please help me)
(Ahh, ahh, ahh, ahh)
(Ahh, ahh, ahh, ahh)
Help me if you can, I'm feeling down
And I do appreciate you being 'round
Help me get my feet back on the ground
Won't you please (please help me, please help me)



All comments from YouTube:

Ron Coloscos

So, here I am a 26 year old dude watching a 51 year old video of one of the most iconic female voice singing a cover song of the best band of all time.

M Grayl1983

Good lad

Joseph Spiegel

Very observant and totally correct. I might add; and essentially Ringo is singing lead while drumming. 🤷🏻‍♂️

Tim2015

Good, for you... copy this to your friends so they can listen and learn.

marcyfan

@Joseph Spiegel with karen as ringo, you don't believe she's actually asking for help because unfortunately she was too polite but in terms of anybody under 30 recognizing karen carpenter and the beatles are something to savor, i'm all for it. nobody sings "help!" like it's author. it's author and karen are missed terribly.

Joseph Spiegel

@marcyfan terribly terribly missed. They covered five Beatles songs (original and covers) I think unless I’m missing something. I love them all for their unique take on them. That John and Paul did too is heartwarming.
ETA:
I now believe it was 8 covers of original and covers of The Beatles. I didn’t recognize some of the more obscure songs but they are there.
ETAA:
And one of the 8 was Baby It’s You (The YOU set from 3 Carpenters videos) which was written by Burt Bacharach and 2 more who escape me it’s not in front of me. I didn’t realize The Beatles did an Bacharach song. Keep living keep learning…

7 More Replies...

Miou Miou

very cool how they managed to put in their own signature sound, without disrespecting the song.

Ben Stark

I think Neil Pert was once asked how it felt being the greatest drummer in the world. He said, “I don’t know, ask Karen Carpenter.”

Oasis58

Wow, now that's a compliment .....

Leo Dragon

Is that really true? Or possibly apocryphal? Because, if true, that elevates her talent to a whole new level.

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