I WASN'T PREPARED FOR THIS!! THE BEATLES - HELTER SKELTER | FIRST TIME REACTION!!!

[@metalteen.]

Do you like this Beatles style???? Let me know!! ⬇️⬇️⬇️

[@samguberman2288]

The Beatles do all styles...and I love them all.

[@philshorten3221]

if you want a really early almost proto-metal from the last band you would expect Pink Floyd "The Nile Song"

[@Wiencourager]

This song was basically the birth of metal. There was basically nothing like this before it. The noisiness, distortion, screamed vocals, heavy bass,fast pace, had never really all been packed into one song before this.

[@Frankincensedjb123]

Not quite. MC5 back in '63 was the creators of metal/punk.

[@will-x9c]

@ Thank you. MC5 made Helter Skelter sound like a lullaby. Iron Butterfly were sometimes said to be the originators. Not really but their music could sound like dinosaurs mating. And my personal favorite Blue Cheer. Not metal per se but feedback and distortion loud enough to peel paint off the walls. Literally. Such music was gaining popularity and the Beatles just turned up their amps for one song and are now given credit for inventing "metal". And everything else. The wheel? Beatles. Internet? Beatles. They went their separate ways not long after this, bickering and back stabbing as they went

[@Cbcw76]

Les Paul was running his first amps and guitars in over-drive in the '50s. Listen to the Beatles' own version of HOLD ME TIGHT for chugga-chugga overdrive. Listen to Little Richard's GOOD GOLLY MISS MOLLY. The Kinks first hits.

[@Beatles4Sale.]

It was the birth of Paul’s five octave range. 😂

[@bwilson5401]

Nah.The Kinks are credited with the birth of metal, with the hard guitar riffs.

[@pairofpints]

Invented heavy metal and still had time for harmonies. Best band ever.

[@_SliK_]

I highly recommend ‘I Want You (She’s So Heavy)’. Hell, I recommend everything they did.

[@ednieto05]

Yup! That song has one of the first great doom metal riffs ever.

[@HabaneroTi]

The Beatles were like, what are we going to do today? Hmm, how about inventing a whole new rock genre? Heavy Metal? Progressive? Psychedelic? Classical? Conceptual? Experimental? Sure, hold our beers!

[@Frankincensedjb123]

Hardly, MC5 was doing metal/punk in '63. Know your history.

[@HabaneroTi]

@@Frankincensedjb123 Yeah but they weren't nearly as well known and their influence wasn't to come until much later, after the Beatles were gone.

[@dustandroktwok1447]

​@@HabaneroTi Exactly.

[@seiraeiramasil2302]

@@Frankincensedjb123 Just a Beatles hater. I've never even heard of MC5 and if the truth be told, I'd bet hardly ANYONE has, but I guess that's the point. The Beatles came to America and conquered, they were known for not staying in one genre, they've done it all and that's what set them apart from all other bands. Yeah, I'm sure you'd have to actually DIG DEEP into music history to find info. on MC5 and their accomplishment on creating heavy metal, seems they've faded into obscurity.

[@pleasantvalleypickerca7681]

Beatles ar still the most creative band in rock history. They influenced so much that followed.

[@davidschecter5247]

Glad you liked it. The Beatles could pretty much do anything they wanted and they invented a lot of what we still hear in rock music these days. Ringo was one of the best drummers because he didn't show off for the sake of it -- he just played what he felt each song needed, and 100% of the time he did exactly that. No showboating in the group -- everything was so the song could be the best that it could -- not so one member could be shown to be better than the others.

[@beatlebrian4404]

"I've got blisters on my fingers" from Ringo was taken from the end of one take, when The Beatles played the song for 27 minutes nonstop!

[@metalteen.]

@@beatlebrian4404 ouchhhh 😬

[@AlBarzUK]

There was a lot of takes at that point, too.

[@bryanbutler8713]

@metalteen. If you listen to the Beatles enough you can tell who's who even when they're not singing, that's not Ringo it's John.

[@beatlebrian4404]

@@bryanbutler8713 than you need to listen more! It's 100% Ringo!

[@andyallan2909]

This was the first ... the invention of heavy metal, if you like.

[@laurab68707]

I grew up with the Beatles. You need to listen many of their early years songs beginning in 1964, the year they became the mega stars of the decade. Their music changed over the years and kept getting better and better.

[@gaizkasalazarrodriguez5054]

They were The Kings of Music!!!!

[@merullesr]

This song is in fact Paul McCartney's response to Peter Townshend who announced that he had produced the hardest song in history. Paul McCartney was very disappointed after listening to it and wrote Helter skelter to show what a really hard song was for him. At the end of the song, we hear Ringo Starr throw down his drumsticks and shout "I have blisters on my fingers", because they had rehearsed this recording over and over until Paul was really satisfied.

[@marcosc11000]

First heavy metal song, nothing like this before Almost 60 years an still sounds better

[@theG-man-p2h]

Paul McCartney has said that he wanted to make the loudest, in your face song in response to the song, "I Can See For Miles", by The Who. I think he succeeded!😄☮

[@Wiencourager]

@@theG-man-p2h Paul only caught part of an interview on the radio with Pete Townsend talking about it, and he hadn’t heard the song yet. But he came up with something he through would top Townsends description of it.

[@ednieto05]

Check out The Beatles' "I Want You (She's So Heavy)" from 1969. Major heavy/Doom metal riffs in that song that also features some Santana like vibes are parts and bluesy sections before the song explodes with very heavy riffs and drums. Classic!

[@metalteen.]

@@ednieto05 I'll check it out :)

[@garfle1959]

Lennon on Bass

[@roddlyyours1]

I didn’t know that. The bass is great

[@rainpain3655]

It's actually Paul on bass, it's been proven by you can't unhear this.

[@roddlyyours1]

@ that’s what I thought

[@robinfoster7597]

@@rainpain3655 Paul did some over dubs, but that heavy driving bass is John - you can hear his style.

[@rainpain3655]

@@robinfoster7597 it is Paul, it's already been proven by you can't unhear this

[@gregorydahl5489]

Thank you for your excellent reaction ! As usual ! Particularly, in how you let your emotions show while listening, with a thought ful commentary afterwards ! This is a great Beatles tune ! First heavy metal song and one I never tire of listening to just like the Beatles ; Hey Bulldog and Tomorrow Never Knows ! Two other higher tier songs !

[@metalteen.]

@@gregorydahl5489 😁

[@savethelighthouse]

This was 1968. The Moonwalk had not happened when this came out. You had to drop the needle on the vinyl and everything. People will say it's the birth of heavy metal but Born To Be Wild by Steppenwolf came out that same year and it had the words "heavy metal thunder" in it's lyrics.

[@dennisthomas118]

And then Iron Butterfly, Lead Zeppelin, etc

[@tagoldich]

I think "Everybody's Got Something to Hide . . ." also from side 3, is about equally head-banging HARD core!

[@papercup2517]

Birthday, too?

[@ChrisJohnsonChannel]

For the Beatles it was the most hardcore track..for 1968 It was heavy.. at the time Steppenwolf’s “Born to be Wild” was about as heavy

[@JohnSmall314]

You have to listen to these old rock albums with big speakers instead of headphones. That way you get the bass notes shaking your bones.

[@nikosalmpanis-ty3jt]

Early heavy metal🤘

[@x_trio_3_po333]

Pat Benatar did a good cover of this song. Though I've always preferred the original. Its amazing that 82yo Paul McCartney still sings this song in concert. Just like Ann Wilson at 78 still sings Barracuda!

[@pierreolivier1486]

57 years ago....

[@IvorPresents]

There was nothing like this before them. It was frightening and trailblazing, I wish Charles Manson did not tarnish the power of the song by association, I will appreciate the generation that does not bring the murderer to mind, Hearing this

[@metalteen.]

@@IvorPresents huh I didnt know he was associated with the song 🤔

[@SabineThinkerbellum]

@metalteen. yes, it’s the first thing that comes to mind. Sadly.

[@beanybun6110]

⁠@metalteen.Sharon Tate murders- the basis for Tarantino’s revisionist film once upon a time in Hollywood. Manson claimed to have been motivated to arrange the murders by this very song…

[@Bruce15485]

@metalteen. Yes, he heard messages in the song !

[@bustedfender]

Yeah, the drummer’s called Ringo.

[@edwardsadler3348]

People have turned it off early but worth waiting for Ringos blisters....

[@oberaberg5283]

Love your reaction!

[@metalteen.]

Thank you!!!! =) =) =)

[@criticalthinkersrule]

So glad you sayed for the final classic line by John Lennon. Many people don't make it.

[@dustandroktwok1447]

It's Ringo Starr

[@criticalthinkersrule]

@@dustandroktwok1447 Right you are. I've always thought it was Lennon. Thanks for that.

[@randydee024]

Ringo Starr whose name is actually name is Richard Starky

[@johnlambert-cb9kw]

You should listen to Tomorrow never knows from the album Revolver

[@Kuesel68]

It was cut together from some takes, one took 27 minutes as the rumour goes - not wonder Ringo was shouting out at the end.

[@EastPeakSlim]

I GOT BLISTERS ON MY FINGERS!

[@metalteen.]

@@EastPeakSlim 😂

[@Zimbrabim]

I GOT BLISTERS ON MY EARS!!!

[@KeithSpinneyMusic]

John Lennon on bass, Paul on guitar.

[@rainpain3655]

Paul is actually playing bass, it's been proven by you can't unhear this.

[@robinfoster7597]

@@rainpain3655 the heavy bass is John on the Bass 6, you can hear his style.

[@dustandroktwok1447]

John Lennon is playing the bass. Paul is on lead guitar, George is on rhythm guitar.

[@goranjarmar4135]

John Lennon on a six-string Fender bass

[@Linda-y9h]

Now read the book Helter Skeltor alone, at night. 😱

[@jenniferfoster1692]

Yes, Paul doing metal!!! The Beatles have no one style, they're limit-less. I love the Motley Crue cover, too, they took it to it logical conclusion of an actual early 80s heavy metal song.

[@RobertRich-y6d]

Still the best

[@stevenboettcher4796]

That probably was John on bass. It’s really uncharacteristic of Paul’s playing.

[@36karpatoruski]

Great, great song. Hard Rock, not Metal. Which is automatically then better than Metal.

[@laural.enright4780]

Look up the meaning of the word "iconic" and you see "the Beatles" :)

[@Frankincensedjb123]

Even though this wasn't the first 'heavy metal" (for lack of a better term), it was the first one to be heard by a large audience. MC5 was doing metal/punk back as far as '63

[@Cbcw76]

And Les Paul, in the '50s.

[@Patrick-c8p2z]

1969...Chuck.

[@trevorporter4776]

Dana Fuchs also covers this.

[@Marlenefanclubsimone]

❤💣🤘🇮🇹

[@aircap]

The bass sounds heavy and aggressive because it’s Lennon, not Paul.

[@rbking9296]

So glad you are listening to the original as far as Mötley Crüe is concerned they totally butchered this song

[@robertpetre9378]

My guitar teacher claimed this was the first heavy metal song but I disagree it’s definitely a step in that direction though.

[@gidion4004]

You were not yet born in1970.......while I was 20 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! sigh!

[@will-x9c]

The first metal song? Maybe. It was '68 so probably. The drums, yes, Ringo with a temper. Helter Skelter was British slang for a playground slide. The Beatles could do a song about anything and it would be over-interpreted by us Kool Kidz..what is this song REALLY about? As it turned out, a playground slide. The Manson Family ( I told you about them) supposedly thought this song was a signal to them from the Beatles to start a race war in the US so they went on a murder spree. Supposedly. Because..reasons. Reality was different back then. Now that you know that try to forget it, make room in your brain for more significant information. Umm...your air drumming skills need work. I may seem critical but better that you hear it from me buddy :)

[@HabaneroTi]

There's also elements of proto-punk here, emphasizing raw emotion over musical grace.

[@papercup2517]

Not exactly a playground slide but the proper name for a common amusement park/funfair attraction: A tall conical tower, often painted in bright red and white stripes like a barber shop sign, with steps inside to reach the top of a spiral slide going down around the outside. You were issued with a mat to slide down on. It could get pretty chaotic (as in the song) when some people wanted to go faster than others, who gripped the sides to slow themselves down, causing frustration in those above them. Young teen boys might chase girls down it and attempt to crash land on them at the bottom... girls might wait around longer than strictly necessary, hoping to be crash landed on...and so on... All of this mayhem was used in the song, possibly as an analogy for sexual partners with differing libidos or energy levels; or possibly for more general macho male rivalry... Or, umm... a race war...? Not really, Mr Manson. Agree with your air drumming critique; it needs work though top marks for enthusiasm!

[@PattiCrichton]

@@papercup2517 THANK YOU for correcting the other person who said it was a playground ride. I was going to tell him what you did, so thanks for saving me having to do it!!!!

[@will-x9c]

@@papercup2517 Now I know the precise definition of a Helter Skelter; much appreciated :) Anthropologists in the future will theorize that they were temples for the performance of adolescent mating rituals. Like being crash-landed on. The Narrative at the time in the US media was that the Manson Family represented the dark side of the counterculture - acid-charred hippies rising up in a murderous zombie apocalypse. Be afraid! Helter Skelter encapsulated that story in the mind of the public. Manson himself had significant connections for a loser/nobody. Neil Young thought he was a musical genius and used his influence to try to get Charlie a recording contract. Dennis Wilson of the Beach Boys was allegedly a "disciple". And so on. In retrospect the Manson story was nothing more than a Hollywood production.

[@papercup2517]

@@PattiCrichton🙂

[@elementrypenguin3116]

Helter SkelterT? Really?

[@will-x9c]

BTW, Ringo just released a new album. Seriously. I'm going to try to miss that one.

[@newms69]

It's good bird brain.

[@will-x9c]

@@newms69 LOL. If you say so. Sir Richard Starkey (seriously) is 85 years old. It's probably 99.997 percent AI/Virtual Ringo. You wouldn't know the difference microwit

[@Cbcw76]

I hate seeing another "first metal?" LIE perpetuated. STOP IT.