The Beatles “Help!” released 55 years ago today, August 6th, 1965 (the UK version – this LP is the US soundtrack version which came out on August 13th; the film was released on August 25th). We do have the UK version but it’s currently quarantined at my kid’s high school’s radio station and I have no idea when we’ll see it again. Anyway, I love Help! and am more familiar with the UK version but the US soundtrack version has some pretty cool instrumentals from the movie (including a sitar-upped variation of “A Hard Day’s Night”). Help! is also my most-listened to Beatles album for a couple of songs in particular: “The Night Before,” “You’ve Got to Hide Your Love Away” and “I’ve Just Seen a Face.” Those songs remind me of college: hanging out at a friend’s house, mellow-partying, he’d play those songs on guitar (competently!). “Yesterday” of course is amazing, as are the tracks The Beatles released as single: “Ticket To Ride” (#1 UK, #1 US) and the title track “Help!” (#1 UK, #1 US). The album also went to #1 in both the UK and the US as well as about a zillion other countries (not really, but it did go to the top everywhere that has charts). I’ve seen the movie – it is delightfully silly, mixing Monty Pythonish (pre Monty Python of course) humor with eastern religion imagery. Madcap adventures ensue.