Help! / I'm Down
The Beatles combine the unforgettable title track "Help!" on the 1965 single. with the energetic "I'm Down", a raw rock'n'roll gem on the B-side, in the Italian Parlophon release.
The Beatles – Help! / I'm Down, an Italian 7" mono release from 1965 on the Parlophon label, catalog number QMSP 16383. This copy, featuring the black Parlophon label, belongs to the second Italian pressing from 1965, whereas the first edition used a dark green label.
“Help!” is one of Lennon’s most recognizable compositions and serves as the title track for both the Beatles' second film and the accompanying album. Beneath the catchy pop melody lie unusually personal lyrics by Lennon, which he later described as a genuine cry for help during the band's period of sudden global fame.
The B-side, “I'm Down”—primarily a McCartney composition—reveals a completely different side of the Beatles: an energetic rock 'n' roll track heavily inspired by Little Richard, featuring explosive vocals and an immediate, raw sound. The song was not included on the original Help! album and was first released specifically as the B-side of this single.
The Italian edition is particularly appealing due to its unique picture sleeve featuring a photograph of the Beatles from the Help! film. This copy comes with the original sleeve shown in the photos, which displays distinct signs of its sixty-odd years of age.
One copy is available
