Cover versions:
- In 1968, Deep Purple recorded a cover version (greatly slowed-down) of the song on their album Shades of Deep Purple. Consistent with Lennon's other remark's about the song, he said that this version was 'the way the Beatles' should have done it'.
- In 1970, the Carpenters did a cover version for release on their album, "Close to You". It was not released as a single.
- In 1976, Henry Gross covered it for the ephemeral musical documentary All This and World War II. John Lennon once stated that this was his favourite version of the song. George and Paul do backing vocals.
- In 1976, The Damned covered the song for the B-side of "New Rose".
- In 1980, Australian vocalist John Farnham released the song as a piano-based ballad recorded at a much slower tempo.
- In 1985, Ford Motor Company reportedly paid $100,000 for the use of the song in commercials promoting their Lincoln-Mercury product line. This was the first time a Beatles song was used for a national commercial campaign.
- In early 1984, Tina Turner released a version of the song recorded with The Crusaders as the follow-up to her successful cover of Al Green's "Let's Stay Together". "Help!" peaked at #40 in the U.K. but went relatively unnoticed elsewhere. The following single "What's Love Got to Do with It" became her big comeback and "Let's Stay Together" and "What's Love Got to Do With It" were later both included on her multiplatinum selling album Private Dancer - her ballad version of "Help!" was however only included on the European editions of the album.
- U2 played it often during their 1986 A Conspiracy of Hope Tour and 1987 Joshua Tree Tour at a slower tempo.
- In 1989, the song was recorded by British girl group Bananarama alongside French & Saunders and Kathy Burke and released as the official Red Nose Day single to raise money for Comic Relief. French, Saunders and Burke were credited as Lananeeneenoonoo (a paraody of Bananarama who they had imitated in the French & Saunders television programme). This version reached #3 in the UK charts.
- Noel Gallagher performed it at certain Oasis concerts at a slower tempo.
- Paul McCartney also slowed it down a bit when he played it during his 1990 concert tour as part of a tribute to Lennon.
- "Help!" has also been covered by The Carpenters, Michael Stanley, dc Talk, Dolly Parton, Alma Cogan, Rick Wakeman, Howie Day, McFly, Roxette and Fountains of Wayne.
- In 1991, the Finnish metal band Waltari covered Help! on their debut album, Monk Punk.
- In 1998 The Punkles did a Punk cover of this song on their first album.
- In 1999, British jazz singer Claire Martin recorded a slowed-down cover on her album "Take My Heart" with Noel Gallagher on guitar.
- In 2000, Tsunku and 7HOUSE covered "Help!" on their Beatles' cover album, "A Hard Day's Night".
- In 2003 Art Paul Schlosser recorded a parody of "Help!" called Smelt which is on on his Words of Cheese and Other Parrot Trees CD now at Apple iTunes.
- In 2007, Rapper, Lil' Wayne, sampled the song's chorus for his new official mixtape entitled, The Leak. The song was replaced on The Leak, however, and was instead put on various underground mixtapes.
- French artist Louis Bertignac, previously of Téléphone, covered the song on his 2005-2006 tour, along with another Beatles song, "I'm Down".
Help
The Beetles Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Help!) Not just anybody
(Help!) You know I need someone
(Help!)
(When)
When I was younger
(When I was young)
(I never need)
I never needed anybody's help in any way
(Now)
But now these days are gone
(These days are gone)
I'm not so self-assured
(And now I find)
Now I find I've changed my mind
And opened up the doors
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?
(Now)
And now my life has changed
(My life has changed)
In oh, so many ways
(My indepen)
My independence seems to vanish in the haze
(But)
But every now and then
(Now and then)
I feel so insecure
(I know that I)
I know that I just need you like
I 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?
When I was younger
So much younger than today
I never needed anybody's help in any way
(Now)
But now these days are gone
(These days are gone)
I'm not so self-assured
(And now I find)
Now I find I've changed my mind
I've opened up the doors
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?
Help me, help me, ooh!
The Beatles' song "Help" is an iconic portrayal of the feelings of vulnerability that everyone experiences at some point in their lives. The song opens with a desperate call for help, conveying the singer's sense of urgency and need for someone to turn to. The lyrics emphasize the notion that even those who consider themselves strong-willed and independent can struggle and require support in their times of need.
The second verse recalls how the singer was once self-reliant but has now recognized the value of having someone trustworthy to lean on. They reflect on how their life has changed and how their independence seems to have vanished in the haze, and they have become more vulnerable. The song has an almost solemn tone, but there is still a sense of hope in the chorus as the singer asks for someone to help them and expresses their gratitude for their presence.
In summary, "Help" by The Beatles is a heart-wrenching plea for assistance that speaks to the universal human experience of vulnerability and the necessity of relying on others for support.
Line by Line Meaning
Help! I need somebody
The singer is calling out for help and needs someone to lend a hand.
Help! Not just anybody
The singer doesn't want just anyone's help, but someone specific.
Help! You know I need someone
The singer is emphasizing that the person they need knows who they are.
When I was younger
The singer is reminiscing about the past.
When I was young
The singer is reflecting on their youth.
I never needed anybody's help in any way
The singer was self-sufficient and didn't require assistance from anyone before.
But now these days are gone
The singer's life has changed, and they are no longer as self-assured as they once were.
These days are gone
The singer is acknowledging that things are different now compared to how they were in the past.
I'm not so self-assured
The singer is not as confident as they used to be.
Now I find I've changed my mind
The singer's perspective has shifted, and they now see the value in asking for help.
And opened up the doors
The singer has become more willing to accept assistance and has opened themselves up to the possibility.
Help me if you can, I'm feeling down
The singer is asking for help because they are feeling low.
And I do appreciate you being 'round
The singer is grateful for their friend's presence.
Help me get my feet back on the ground
The singer needs assistance in regaining their stability.
Won't you please, please help me?
The singer is pleading for their friend's help.
My independence seems to vanish in the haze
The singer's independence feels like it's slipping away and is becoming clouded.
But every now and then
Although the singer is not as independent, there are moments where they still feel strong.
Now and then
The singer experiences fleeting moments of independence.
I feel so insecure
The singer is feeling uncertain and vulnerable.
I know that I just need you like
The singer acknowledges that they need their friend's help.
I never done before
The singer is admitting that they've never needed someone's assistance in this way before.
Help me, help me, ooh!
The singer is pleading for help once again.
Contributed by Leo O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@nizaru100
@@lisettegarcia7013
In the Occident things are like this
Pop = Michel Jackson (Solo) and ABBA (group)
Rock= Beatles (group) and Elvis (Solo) !
Absolute Classical Musician = Johann Sebastian Bach;
Absolute Modern Musician = Jean-Michel Jarre;
and the Emperor of instruments = THE PIPE ORGAN
Tamam Shud
@DanielRalph56
Ringo: " i forgot my drums"
Ringo: *sees umbrella
Ringo: YES
@mr.random9239
That be me
@biggyflynnbond512
💩
@lizzychrome7630
Ringo is such a great drummer, he doesn't even need a drum set.
@minu4681
ahahahahahah
@Drea260
I’m pretty sure he’s using it indoors but whatever
@nosoyporta
"Okay kids don't forget to bring your instruments tomorrow"
Me: brings umbrella
@wolfgangamadeusmozart8177
Me: brings mayonnaise
@dugfuchfydyxymaddyfycufufu3114
I actually brought an umbrella and dressed up as ringo then my friends dressed up as the others and we played help our teacher was very confused then we told her “were the Beatles” and now she never questions us if we do strange things and sing
@asimov4979
I suppose you cant really use drums sitting at the back of a plank