11 Songs That Require HELP | Playlist 🎧

11 Songs That Require HELP features music courtesy of AJR, Alexander 23, Four Tops, Stevie Wonder, and Tori Kelly. 

“HELP I need somebody / HELP Not just anybody / HELP You know I need someone / HELP!” 🎵 “Help!” marked one of 20 no. 1 hits by the iconic collective, 🎙 The Beatles.  Honestly, any musical compendium centered around HELP can’t be without a shout out to this classic, right? Right. Furthermore, The Beatles also put in work in the H-E-L-P department with 🎵 “With a Little Help from My Friends” though we all know 🎙 Joe Cocker would ultimately make this one his own.  As for additional help, how about one of the greatest voices of all time, 🎙 Whitney Houston, alongside 🎙 Georgia Mass Choir telling us to 🎵 “Hold On, Help Is On The Way”.  These three gems, alongside the likes of 🎵 “Heaven Help Me” (🎙 Lizzo) or 🎵 “Help Me” (🎙 Chris Brown), could’ve all populated 🎧 11 Songs That Require HELP.  Given the shout-outs, do you need further explanation what this playlist entails? It’s all about HELP in some form or fashion. 🎧 11 Songs That Require HELP features music courtesy of 🎙 AJR, 🎙 Alexander 23, 🎙 Four Tops, 🎙 Stevie Wonder, and 🎙 Tori Kelly among others.  So, without prolonging this lengthy introduction any longer, let’s jump right into this H-E-L-P driven songs!

1. AJR, “The DJ is Crying For Help”

🎵 “The DJ Is Crying For Help” • 🏷 AJR Productions LLC • 🗓 2022

For alternative bro trio 🎙 AJR, the dramatic, sometimes overblown nature of their instrumentals, as well as a consistent, plight of the millennial narrative draws praise and skeptics. On 🎵 “The DJ Is Crying For Help”, the Met brothers do what they do – ornate production and millennial references. They do manage to show more maturity and to some extent, contrast, compared to the past.  The song title stands out. While this DJ is mentioned, he’s not necessarily intended to be a literal DJ – AJR is being metaphorical and symbolic.  Still, even if life must finally begin for 🎙 Jack Met and company – “You got older cause you’re good at life / I’m all seventeen at thirty-five” – this is still true to who the band is. For example, “Everyone’s trippin’ on pills” is millennial to the n^th degree.  Still, follow-up with the next lyric, “but now they’re prescribed too,” as well as “and everyone’s stackin’ their bills / But not ‘cause they like to,” and there is an enhanced element of maturity.  No worries though, we still get some salty language (“Yeah, I fucked up, but I did it my way”, and a colorful sound palette that grows in scope as the record progresses.  All told, the concept of 🎵 “The DJ Is Crying For Help” is fascinating, tackling growing up and all the responsibilities that go along with it. The H-E-L-P is in play fo’ sho’!

2. Tori Kelly, “Help Us to Love”

💿 Hiding Place • 🏷 Capitol • 📅 2018

“But there’s a friend of mine (That stays closer than a brother) / Ooh, love laid down his life (So why do we still fight one another?).”  🎙 Tori Kelly asks God to 🎵 “Help Us to Love” on her gorgeous, uplifting single from her 2018 contemporary gospel album, 💿 Hiding Place.  On this refreshing record, the 🏆 Grammy winner enlists some surefire ‘sangers’ – 🎙 The HamilTones (background vocalists for 🎙 Anthony Hamilton).  Although Kelly is best known for her pop music, it’s no secret that faith plays a pivotal role in her life. 

“There’s a love so high (That you cannot get over) 

That same love’s so wide (It’ll take forever just to get ‘round it) 

But love died somewhere 

Behind that cross you wear, you’re afraid to look when you look at me 

That ain’t real love 

Not the kind from above.”   

Tori speaks of God’s love and criticizes so-called Christians who ‘talk the talk’ but don’t ‘walk the walk’ and embody the love of Jesus.  As the song progresses, she’s perturbed by the lack of love across the world, petitioning to God, “Please, will you open our eyes?” Truly, she’s right as she asserts, “It takes everything to make love more than a dream.” Throughout, she never over-sings, packing a punch without doing too much.  She amps up the intensity beginning on the dynamic bridge section yet remains in control. The HamilTones fuel her fire with responsive vocals and stunning harmonies, solidifying the contemporary gospel sound. The message of love should appeal to everybody as the world needs more “unconditional love.”

Appears in 🔻:

• 101 Best Songs of 2018
• Tori Kelly, Help Us to Love: Sunday Refresh 🙏 1 (2022)

3. Stevie Wonder, “Heaven Help Us All”

💿 Signed, Sealed And Delivered • 🏷 Motown • 📅 1970

“Heaven help us, Lord, hear our call when we fall.” Some songs remain impactful and remain true years beyond their release. 🎙 Stevie Wonder ranks among the greats regardless of musical style.  In 1970, the decorated musician dropped 💿 Signed, Sealed And Delivered, led its funky title track. Beyond the title track,  Signed, Sealed And Delivered yielded other musical gems, including the moving  🎵 “Heaven Help Us All”. “Now I lay me down before I go sleep / In a troubled world, I pray the Lord my soul too keep.” On “Heaven Help Us All,” Stevie looks to the heavens above, and the power of prayer and faith to atone all that ails the world.  This soul record, written by 🎼 ✍ Ron Miller, has ample gospel cues and vibes 👏 🙌.  The jubilant backdrop contributes to lyrics that hope, pray, and petition for better days. Wonder sings authentically citing numerous people in need of H-E-L-P including “the child who never had a home,” “…the black man if he struggles one more day,”  “…the white man if he turns his back away,” and “…the boy who won’t reach twenty-one.” Socially and politically charged, while also filled with faith, the spirit and healing sentiment of Wonder’s 🎵 “Heaven Help Us All” is something that everybody should unite behind.  

Appears in 🔻:

• Stevie Wonder, Heaven Help Us All – Music To Atone To (2020)

4. Haley Reinhart, “Can’t Help Falling in Love” 

💿 Better • 🏷 red dot / ole Media Management L.P • 📅 2016 

Among the most beautiful songs of all time is the classic, 🎵 “Can’t Help Falling in Love”.  The most famous rendition is by the one and only 🎙 Elvis Presley.  To reiterate, Presley recorded it in 1961 for his 💿 Blue Hawaii album (also, a film). Many, many others, however, have tackled this utterly sublime musical selection, including former American Idol contestant, 🎙 Haley Reinhart.  Reinhart covers “Can’t Help Falling in Love” on her 2016 LP, 💿 Better. It’s safe to say that all should feel better after hearing her terrific take.

During her American Idol season, Reinhart possessed one of the most beautiful and distinct voices.  That distinct instrument shines like a diamond on “Can’t Help Falling in Love.” A simple record, for the most part,  Reinhart keeps things simple too.  She’s accompanied by piano, which is perfect – nothing more needed.  Vocally, she’s composed and poised, never over-singing.  She pushes more when it feels right, but never overdoes or overpowers.  Her balanced, polished take feels incredibly authentic as she makes this old song feel brand-spanking new. 

Appears in 🔻:  

• 13 Noteworthy FALL Songs (2022)  
• Elvis Presley vs. Haley Reinhart: Head 2 Head 🗣️ 38 (2022)

5. Alexander 23, “Hate Me If It Helps”

💿 Aftershock • 🏷 Interscope • 📅 2022 

“I wonder if your therapist likes me / I guess it depends on how much of the truth you tell to her.” Woo!  🎙 Alexander 23 (Alexander Glantz) commences his 2022 debut album, 💿 Aftershock, with a bang.  On 🎵 “Hate Me If It Helps”, defunct love is the source of the hate, which Glantz points out his ex directs solely at him without taking any responsibility.  “So, tell your friends I’m evil / Write songs that say I’m suck,” he asserts in the pre-chorus, concluding, “And roll your eyes when people ask about us.” Even though Alexander 23 agrees to these one-sided terms, he exposes her flaws in the process: “Because all you want is closure, but there’s nothing left to say / So you can hate me if it helps.” Glantz penned and produced this single alongside 🎼 ✍ 🎛 Dan Nigro. Oh, and by the way, another co-writer also stands out: 🎼 ✍ Olivia Rodrigo.  The result is an energetic pop/rock cut that superbly conveys the plight of love and the messiness of a breakup. 

6. Father John Misty, “Things It Would Have Been Helpful to Know Before the Revolution”  

💿 Pure Comedy • 🏷 Sub Pop • 📅 2017  

On 🎵 “Things It Would Have Been Helpful to Know Before the Revolution,” the third track from the 🏆 Grammy-winning alternative album, 💿 Pure Comedy, 🎙 Father John Misty (Josh Tillman) is sarcastic as he depicts a fictional tale of society.  Ultimately, it is satirical, but in some respects, there are clear truths within his assessment.  What makes this brilliant is Tillman’s ability to pen lyrics that are subject to multiple interpretations. This includes the opening verse:  

“It got too hot and so we overthrew the system 

‘Cause there’s no place for human existence right here 

On this bright blue marble orbited by trash 

Man, there’s no beating that 

It was no big thing to give up the way of life we had.”

Is FJM referencing physically taking care of the earth, or is he thinking bigger picture? Ah, that’s the beauty of Josh Tillman. In addition to the cerebral lyrics, the production and orchestration are utterly superb.  No HELP needed to eat this track up!  

Appears in 🔻:

• 11 Songs Where the ‘Before’ is Key (2019)

7. Maroon 5 & Julia Michaels, “Help Me Out”

💿 Red Pill Blues • 🏷 Interscope • 📅 2017 

🎙 Maroon 5 have changed dramatically since their 💿 Song About Jane days but don’t necessarily call it an evolution.  There have been plenty of hits by 🎙 Adam Levine and the 🏆 Grammy-winning band, including 15 top-10 hits. Still, their embracement of pop trends have proven hit or miss, something clear on their mixed bag, 2017 platinum certified album, 💿 Red Pill Blues.  Arguably, the promo single from the LP, 🎵 “Help Me Out”, featuring 🏆 Grammy nominee, 🎙 Julia Michaels, could’ve used additional HELP to make it catch the ears more – just saying (it didn’t chart on the Billboard Hot 100)! Pros include Levine’s singing – his falsetto remains top-rate, despite being drenched in vocal effects 😏.  Michaels also sounds sweet. Together, their vocal chemistry is a selling point, though “Help Me Out” should NOT be characterized or evaluated as a vocal masterclass or showcase. The production is slick (🎛 Diplo, King Henry, Noah Passovoy, and Sam Farrar), without, say, being earth shattering or game changing.  The songwriting is, um…yeah. The title tells you just everything we need to know about the track, and it’s repeated a few too many times.  That’s a whole lotta HELP 🤣 🤣 🤣! Revisiting 🎵 “Help Me Out”, it’s not as bad as the 2-star review I awarded it 😬, I suppose. The message is schmaltzy, but it has its redeeming qualities.

8. Kevin McHale, “Help Me Now” 

💿 Boy (EP) • 🏷  Kevin McHale •  📅 2019 

“Are you thinkin’ of me?” Ah, a question that has been asked by so many for years and years and years. 🎙 Kevin McHale maybe a baller 🏀, but we’re not talking about the baller 🤣. Our Kevin is probably best known for playing Artie Abrams on 📺 Glee.  Beyond that, McHale was a member of a boyband (🎙 NLT).  Ultimately, besides showing off his acting chops, he’s a musician independently releasing his EP, Boy in 2019. McHale is openly gay 🌈 with sexuality playing a role on the five-song effort. “I’ve got an insecure question / Do you wanna fuck?” Holy sh💩t! 🎵 “Help Me Now” commences with a funky groove, further fueled by a blend of soulful guitars and ripe synths.  The cherry on top is McHale himself, who delivers a strong vocal performance and brings plenty of attitude. Beyond that eyebrow-raising, unapologetic bullet, the chorus is quite catchy:   

“Oh, can you help me now? 

I’m getting caught up in 10 feet of water 

Staring at the bottom, yeah 

Help me now 

Sorry I brought up all the shit I thought of 

Please love me tomorrow, yeah 

Help me now…”  

9. Heidi Mollenhauer, “God Help the Outcasts”

💿 The Hunchback of Notre Dame • 🏷 Disney Enterprises, Inc. • 📅 1996 

“I don’t know if you can hear me / Or if you’re even there / I don’t know if you would listen to a gypsy’s prayer…” 🎵 “God Help the Outcasts” is a highlight from one of Disney’s best soundtracks, 💿 The Hunchback of Notre Dame. “God Help the Outcasts” is one of the most moving and powerful songs.  In the animated film, when “God Help The Outcasts” arrives, Esmerelda (🎙 Heidi Mollenhauer) claims sanctuary in the cathedral and petitions God on behalf of the outcasts and many people who have no one who seems to care about them or their lot. “Yes, I know I’m just an outcast,” she sings, later speculating, “Were you once an outcast too.”  

Esmerelda’s prayer is absolutely beautiful and sincere to the n^th degree:  

“God help the outcasts 

Hungry from birth 

Show them the mercy 

They don’t find on Earth 

God help my people 

We look to you still 

God help the outcasts 

Or nobody will.” 

Esmerelda wants to see all the downtrodden raised up.  Even if she’s an outcast, she makes a point that so many people, beyond an animated film miss when they look down upon others and fail to help: “I thought we all were children of God.” That’s the way it’s supposed to be, at least.  Worth noting that 🎙 Bette Midler delivers a fabulous version on the soundtrack too. Still, the moment, within the film, is incredibly moving.   

Appears in 🔻:  

• Heidi Mollenhauer, God Help the Outcasts: Music Lifts 🎶 🏋 16 (2022)
• God: 5ive Songs No. 49 (2022)
• 13 Songs Filled with GOD (2022)

10. Myylo, “I Can’t Help but Look”

💿 I’m a Nice Boy Too (EP) • 🏷 Myylo • 📅 2020 

💿 I’m a Nice Boy Too (EP), the 2020 EP by gay pop singer/songwriter 🎙 Myylo (Michael Myylo Lewis) commences with the “vibrant, tongue-in-cheek bop, ” “I Can’t Help but Look”. “I Can’t Help but Look” was co-written with 🎼 ✍ Dillon Deski and Kell Egan), is charming from the get-go. The premise is pretty clear-cut: 🎙 Myylo is checking out a total hottie. The resultant ear candy is ‘on-point.’  Interestingly, “I Can’t Help but Look” was influenced by 🎙 Cardi B (chord structures from 💿 Invasion of Privacy), boybands (melodies), and 🎙 Eminem (nasal delivery, 🎛️ Dr. Dre “sonics”). Musically ‘woke AF,’ it’s the vocals and lyrics that make “I Can’t Help but Look” radiate. Sigh, it’s not every day one manages to reference David Beckham and kombucha! Then, there are blessed moments of sexual innuendo such as “…Sippin’ Sunny D, you need them calories / I need that Vitamin ‘D’.”  The biggest reason why this is a rousing success is because you picture Myylo beaming as he sings, totally taking that sneak peak, and constructing an elaborate, relatable fantasy. 

11. Four Tops, “I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch)”  

💿 Four Tops Second Album • 🏷 Motown • 📅 1965 

“Sugar pie, honey bunch / You know that I love you / I can’t help myself / I love you and nobody else.” #ICONIC chorus! Ah, 🎵 “I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch)” – one of, if not the greatest HONEY 🍯 songs of all-time! 🎙 Four Tops were the stuff and “I Can’t Help Myself” ranks at the top of their illustrious catalog.  This mid-1960s joint, which appeared on 💿 Four Tops Second Album, peaked at no. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and remains the vibe of vibes nearly six decades later.  This 🎼 ✍ Holland-Dozier-Holland (Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier, and Eddie Holland) composition is an innocent soul song about L-O-V-E. Even though “ In and out my life / You come, and you go,” ultimately, “When you snap your fingers or wink your eye / I come a-running to you.” Why? Sheer love, baby! Backed by those incredible Motown musicians, and produced by Dozier and Brian Holland, “I Can’t Help Myself” is that oldie you find that you can’t help listening to because it’s so enduring and timeless.   

Appears in 🔻:

• 11 Songs That Are Sweet Like Honey (2023)

11 Songs That Require HELP (2023) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; AJR Productions LLC, Capitol, Disney Enterprises, Inc.,  Interscope, Kevin McHale, Motown, Myylo, red dot / ole Media Management L.P, Sub Pop; lalesh aldarwish from Pexels]