Help! (Remastered)

How John Lennon’s confessional song became the title for a silly James Bond spoof I really don’t know. The funny thing is, it works both ways–as a young man’s personal statement about learning to open up to others, and as the frantic theme for an exotic espionage chase comedy starring those lovable mop-tops (this time in color). Like A Hard Day’s Night, only the first “side” of this album actually contains songs from the movie–the biggest hits being the eponymous cry for assistance and “Ticket to Ride.” But part 2 has a few nice tunes as well, like “It’s Only Love,” “I’ve Just Seen a Face,” and a little ditty called “Yesterday.” And I always love it when they do an all-out screamer like “Dizzy Miss Lizzy,” which sounds like John’s raucous answer to Paul’s “Kansas City/Hey, Hey, Hey, Hey” vocal on Beatles for Sale. Of course, it’s essential–as are all the Beatles’ soundtracks (all the Beatles’ albums), with the possible exception of Yellow Submarine. –Jim Emerson

Price: $18.98

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