‘Help!’ went to No.1 on both the UK and US singles charts in late summer 1965. It was the fourth of six number one singles in a row on the American charts. Writer Ian MacDonald describes the song as the "first crack in the protective shell" Lennon had built around his emotions during the Beatles' rise to fame, and an important milestone in his songwriting style. Lennon himself stated to Playboy magazine that "I was fat and depressed and I was crying out for 'Help”. The Beatles recorded it in 12 takes on 13 April 1965 and it was the group's first use of two 4-track machines.

 

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