"Helter Skelter" is a song by the English rock band the Beatles from their 1968 album The Beatles. It was written by Paul McCartney and credited to Lennon–McCartney. The song was McCartney's attempt to create a sound as loud and dirty as possible. It is regarded as a key influence in the early development of heavy metal. In 1976, the song was released as the B-side of "Got to Get You into My Life" in the United States, to promote the Capitol Records compilation Rock 'n' Roll Music.
Picture sleeve for the 1976 limited jukebox-only single re-release (reverse)
Helter skelter at Clacton Pier, in the English county of Essex
Manson in April 1968
Nikki Sixx and Mick Mars of Mötley Crüe (pictured in June 2005). The song was highly influential in the emergence of heavy metal.
The Beatles, also referred to colloquially as the White Album, is the ninth studio album and only double album by the English rock band the Beatles, released on 22 November 1968. Featuring a plain white sleeve, the cover contains no graphics or text other than the band's name embossed. This was intended as a direct contrast to the vivid cover artwork of the band's previous LP Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967). The Beatles is recognised for its fragmentary style and diverse range of genres, including folk, country rock, British blues, ska, music hall, proto-metal and the avant-garde. It has since been viewed by some critics as a postmodern work, as well as one of the greatest albums of all time.
Original copies had the band's name blind embossed on a white background and were numbered.
The songs that appear on The Beatles were demoed at George Harrison's home, Kinfauns, in May 1968.
The album was recorded largely at Abbey Road Studios.
The new relationship between John Lennon and Yoko Ono caused tension in the studio with the other Beatles.