Paul McCartney – “Helter Skelter” Live

Look Out ‘Cause Here She Comes!

“Helter Skelter” was credited to Lennon-McCartney although it was Paul who wrote it. It was recorded by The Beatles on September 9, 1968 in London and released on November 22, 1968 for “The White Album.” It eventually became known for being one of the band’s most notorious songs and also served as a prototype for heavy metal music in the seventies.

• Number 52 on The Rolling Stone Magazine’s “100 Greatest Beatles Songs” list
• Number 5 on Q Magazine’s “100 Greatest Guitar Tracks”

A product of McCartney’s deliberate effort to create a sound as loud and dirty as possible, the song has been noted for both its “proto-metal roar” and “unique textures” and is considered by music historians as a key influence in the early development of heavy metal.

McCartney’s inspiration came after reading an interview with Pete Townshend of The Who. He wanted to outdo their latest single at that time “I Can See for Miles.” Because some critics have accused McCartney for only writing ballads, this song became his response.

Starr’s recollection is less detailed, but agrees in spirit: “‘Helter Skelter’ was a track we did in total madness and hysterics in the studio. Sometimes you just had to shake out the jams.”

It’s undeniably one of the best rock and roll songs of all time!