Last week I suggested that Revolver is a “Paul album” ‐ that is, the balance of the great songs on it were written by Paul McCartney. This week it’s John Lennon’s turn, and the “John album” I’m highlighting is The Beatles’ fifth record, Help!.
Help! was the band’s second soundtrack album, following A Hard Day’s Night, and while it isn’t the equal of that classic it doesn’t fall too short. I consider it probably the most underrated album in The Beatles’ discography. Not that it’s bashed, really, but you just never hear it come up in discussions of the band’s best work… it’s lost in a sea of Rubber Soul, Revolver, Sgt. Pepper and Abbey Road.
But Help! is a fabulous record. It would certainly be the best album released by just about any other rock band in the world, even if it’s just the fifth or sixth best by The Beatles. Consider this… though I’m arguing that this is a “John album,” it contains ‘I’ve Just Seen a Face’ and ‘Yesterday,’ two of Paul’s finest compositions. But even given those gems, it’s really no contest.
John Lennon’s contributions to Help! are, in order, the title song, ‘You’ve Got to Hide Your Love Away,’ ‘You’re Going to Lose that Girl,’ ‘Ticket to Ride’ and ‘It’s Only Love.’ Jesus, that would be a career for most songwriters.
My favorites from that group are ‘You’ve Got to Hide Your Love Away‘ and ‘Ticket to Ride,’ but every one of them is a classic. I think it’s safe to say Help! represents John Lennon’s very best outing with The Beatles.
(Yes, Yes, You’re gonna lose that girl)
You’re gonna lose that girl.
(Yes, Yes, You’re gonna lose that girl)
If you don’t take her out tonight,
She’s gonna change her mind,
(She’s gonna change her mind)
And I will take her out tonight,
And I will treat her kind.
(I’m gonna treat her kind)
You’re gonna lose that girl.
(Yes, Yes, You’re gonna lose that girl)
You’re gonna lose that girl.
(Yes, Yes, You’re gonna lose that girl)
If you don’t treat her right, my friend,
You’re gonna find her gone,
(You’re gonna find her gone)
’cause I will treat her right, and then
You’ll be the lonely one.
(You’re not the only one)
You’re gonna lose that girl.
(Yes, Yes, You’re gonna lose that girl)
You’re gonna lose that girl.
(Yes, Yes, You’re gonna lose that girl)
You’re gonna lose that girl.
(Yes, Yes, You’re gonna lose that girl)
I’ll make a point
Of taking her away from you, yeah,
(watch what you do)
The way you treat her what else can I do?
You’re gonna lose that girl,
(Yes, Yes, You’re gonna lose that girl)
You’re gonna lose that girl.
(Yes, Yes, You’re gonna lose that girl)
You’re gonna lose that girl.
(Yes, Yes, You’re gonna lose that girl)
I’ll make a point
Of taking her away from you, yeah,
(watch what you do)
The way you treat her what else can I do?
If you don’t take her out tonight,
She’s going to change her mind,
(She’s gonna change her mind)
And I will take her out tonight,
And I will treat her kind.
(I’m gonna treat her kind)
You’re gonna lose that girl.
(Yes, Yes, You’re gonna lose that girl)
You’re gonna lose that girl.
(Yes, Yes, You’re gonna lose that girl)
You’re gonna lose that girl
(Yes, Yes, You’re gonna lose that girl)
Meet Me In Montauk 
I would never have pegged this as a “John” song, but I agree it’s a gem. It’s such a simple sentiment so sweetly delivered. Yet its message is quite powerful. I hope this song has helped many men readjust their thinking and save their relationships 🙂
My favorite John song on this particular album is probably “Ticket to Ride,” but this is a great one as well. Still, as great as these John songs are, they are not even my all time favorite John songs, some of which would include “In My Life,” “A Day in the Life,” “Norwegian Wood,” “Glass Onion,” “Revolution” and “Across the Universe.”