On this date in 1965, HELP! by THE BEATLES began a 3-week run at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 (Sep 4, 1965) The title track from their fifth album and second film marked a significant shift in the band's songwriting approach, particularly for John Lennon. Despite its upbeat tempo, the song was, in Lennon's own words, "a genuine cry for help". Lennon, speaking in 1980, revealed the true nature of the song: "I was actually crying out for help. Most people think it's just a fast rock 'n' roll son