Editor’s Note: The Albumism staff has selected what we believe to be the 100 Greatest Soundtracks of All Time, representing a varied cross-section of films and musical genres. Click “Next Soundtrack” below to explore each soundtrack in the list or for easier navigation, view the full introduction & soundtrack index here.
Help!
Parlophone (1965)
Selected by Sarah Paolantonio
Including Help! on this list is a no-brainer. The UK version functioned as their fifth studio album, but the American release is pure Original Soundtrack to their second movie, Help! Each version has a different track listing but both include all the major hits from that year of Beatles hits: “You’re Gonna Lose That Girl,” “You’ve Got To Hide Your Love Away,” “The Night Before,” and “Another Girl.” Both include the singles “Ticket To Ride” and “Help!” The biggest difference is the instrumental tracks on the American release, music from the literal motion picture.
Released in 1965, Help! is cusp Beatles—before drugs really started to impress upon their songwriting and studio recording innovation. To me, they are still innocent goons on Help! probably because I can’t hear the songs without seeing the movie. They play ridiculous characters of themselves for an even more absurd plot (“We must have the ring!”). If you haven’t seen it, it’s the definition of A Flick and will satisfy any Beatles craving you have.
LISTEN & WATCH: