The American release of the Beatles' Help! LP (Capitol SMAS 2386 per Podrazik and Castleman's Fab Four discography All Together Now [Ann Arbor: Pierian Press, 1975]) began with a sixteen-second-long rendition (by the George Martin Orchestra) of the James Bond theme.*
This intro, especially the horns that faded into the west, IMO softened the effect of the intro of "Help!" itself, an intro which I always thought was too abrupt, although I always liked the lyrics (Lennon always had a knack for composing from the heart).
"Help!" with the Bond intro also appeared on the Beatles' greatest hits 1962-1966 double LP released in 1973.
I had a plastic copy of each, purchased new in 1980 and 1979 respectively. In 1996, with my "victrola" a busted dinosaur, I donated both and the rest of my Beatle record collection (accumlated as new pressings during my college days) to my church's yard sale.
Back to topic... Every time I hear on the radio or my store's muzak speaker "Help! I need somebody" out of the blue, I wish they'd play the Bond-ed version. And I'm not even a 007 fan.
*Beatlemaniacs may recall that the movie was a parody of international intrigue, like Get Smart. The US LP also included other instrumentals from the George Martin Orchestra, including a cut entitled "Another Hard Day's Night" which was a medley of AHDN, CBML and ISHKB played on Indian instruments (the kind which George Harrison would soon enough be associated with).
ixnay
This intro, especially the horns that faded into the west, IMO softened the effect of the intro of "Help!" itself, an intro which I always thought was too abrupt, although I always liked the lyrics (Lennon always had a knack for composing from the heart).
"Help!" with the Bond intro also appeared on the Beatles' greatest hits 1962-1966 double LP released in 1973.
I had a plastic copy of each, purchased new in 1980 and 1979 respectively. In 1996, with my "victrola" a busted dinosaur, I donated both and the rest of my Beatle record collection (accumlated as new pressings during my college days) to my church's yard sale.
Back to topic... Every time I hear on the radio or my store's muzak speaker "Help! I need somebody" out of the blue, I wish they'd play the Bond-ed version. And I'm not even a 007 fan.
*Beatlemaniacs may recall that the movie was a parody of international intrigue, like Get Smart. The US LP also included other instrumentals from the George Martin Orchestra, including a cut entitled "Another Hard Day's Night" which was a medley of AHDN, CBML and ISHKB played on Indian instruments (the kind which George Harrison would soon enough be associated with).
ixnay