The Beatles evolved and changed with every album they issued. I prefer the second half of their career starting from the Revolver album. However there are some lovely tracks on Help, despite the heavy workload that the Beatles were operating under. Help was issued on 8th June 1965, and was both the soundtrack to the film and their 5th album in three years of intense activity.

The title track ‘Help’,was also a No.1 single of course. This was not a ‘churn it out’ pop song but a genuine plea from the heart. Lennon really was feeling stressed by his pressure-cooker Beatle existence…”When I was younger….I never needed any help in any way. Now those days are gone, I’m not so self assured….HELP I need somebody.”

 My favourite track is “You’ve got to hide your love away”. This is Lennon doing his Dylan impression, and a very fine job he does of it too. Another number one single ‘Ticket to Ride’ completes the first side. The Lennon & McCartney songwriting machine could write hits to order, and the most recorded song of all time ‘Yesterday’ wasn’t even issued as a single at first…it’s just another track on the Help album!

Any Beatle fan would recognise the Help album cover, and I have used these silhouettes to create a pop art style painting. The colours have been inspired by the artist Julian Opie and his painting of the Blur album cover. It was a simple image to produce, but I think it is effective. I used oils on canvas stretched over a wooden frame measuring 19.5″ x 8″, and this is for sale @ £27 plus post and packing. 

John McNally