Help! was released in August 1965 in the UK and the US in mono and stereo versions. For the first time a Beatles album was released in both countries with the same name at the same time. The UK version had 7 songs from the movie and 7 other songs (5 original and 2 covers). The US version had the same 7 songs from the movie and instead of the other songs, it had other music from the movie. From here on all the Beatles albums would be released in both countries with the same name, and with the exception of Magical Mystery Tour, with the same track listings.
Like the rest of the Beatles catalog, the album was re-released in 1987 in stereo on CD using the UK track listing. The albums was also reissued in the US as and LP with the UK track listing, making it the first time that the UK version was officially available in the US. The stereo mix was altered by George Martin slightly for these issues. The 2009 re-mastered mono version contains the original mono version as well as the original 1965 stereo version.
One funny note is that the album cover shows the Beatles with arms positioned to spell out a word in flag semaphore. When they spelled out Help it did not look good, so they repositioned the arms to look good. The actual letters ended up being NUJV!
Act Naturally – Stereo again wins. The mix they did here is super.
It’s Only Love – Mono. I just like this mix better, even though the stereo sounds good.
You Like Me To Much – Mono is the winner again. This song is a great throwback to the earliest Beatles and even Herman’s Hermits! It all sounds better in mono.
Tell Me What You See – Tie. I think by this album, they have learned to mix mono very well so there are some excellent mixes.
I’ve Just Seen A Face – Stereo wins, especially the great opening.
Yesterday – Mono wins. I really thought I was going to pick the stereo. But when the strings came in only out of the left I felt distracted.
Dizzy Miss Lizzy – This great rock and roll song is much better in a stereo mix.
Here are both versions of Yesterday (the most covered song in modern musical history). You choose!
Enjoy!
Mono
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8k_9-2xPDcQ]
Stereo
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rk3fq69g2v4]