‘Ticket to Ride,’ another John Lennon triumph from the Help! album, is by all objective measures a wonderful song. But I’m still struck by the uncanny appeal it seems to have for children.
OK, I’m generalizing… my sample size is admittedly small — my own two children and my nephew. But of all the great Beatles songs, including such blatantly kid-friendly fare as ‘Yellow Submarine’ and ‘Octopus’s Garden,’ why would this tune strike such a nerve with my little ones?
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.
Meet Me In Montauk 