The Beatles – “Yesterday”
Written by: Paul McCartney (credited to Lennon–McCartney)
Released:
- UK Album: Help! (August 1965)
- US Single: September 1965
- UK EP: Yesterday (March 1966)
- US Album: Yesterday and Today (June 1966)
Genre: Pop Ballad
Length: 2:03
About the Song
“Yesterday” is one of the most iconic and enduring songs by The Beatles, written almost entirely by Paul McCartney. The song is a poignant ballad reflecting on loss and longing, with the narrator lamenting how a simpler, happier past has been replaced by sadness and regret.
It was a groundbreaking track for the band, as it marked the first time a Beatle recorded a song without the others. Accompanied solely by an acoustic guitar and a string quartet, McCartney’s performance showcased the band’s expanding creative direction.
Composition and Inspiration
Paul McCartney famously claimed that the melody came to him in a dream. Initially worried he might have subconsciously copied it, he played it to friends and colleagues to ensure its originality. For weeks, he worked with the placeholder lyrics “Scrambled eggs / Oh my baby, how I love your legs” until the final words took shape.
The reflective tone and timeless theme of lost love set the song apart from The Beatles’ earlier, more upbeat works.
Release and Reception
In the UK, “Yesterday” was included on Help! but was not released as a single. In the US, it debuted as a single and quickly climbed to the top of the charts, becoming The Beatles’ 11th No. 1 hit there.
The song has been hailed as a masterpiece, with critics praising McCartney’s lyrical vulnerability and the simplicity of its arrangement.
Historical and Cultural Impact
- Most Covered Song: “Yesterday” holds the Guinness World Record as the most covered pop song in history, with over 3,000 recorded versions.
- Radio Milestone: For years, it held the title of the most-played song on radio until surpassed by “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’” in 1999.
- String Quartet Influence: The use of a string arrangement, composed by producer George Martin, was a departure from the band’s typical rock sound and influenced many future ballads.
Interesting Facts
- First Solo Recording: This was the first Beatles track to feature only one member of the band, highlighting McCartney’s growing independence as an artist.
- Lennon’s Take: John Lennon, who had no part in writing or performing “Yesterday,” admitted years later that it was McCartney’s song alone but acknowledged its brilliance.
- Working Title: The original draft of the song was humorously titled “Scrambled Eggs” due to the placeholder lyrics McCartney used while composing the melody.
Legacy
“Yesterday” is a cornerstone of The Beatles’ legacy and remains a universal anthem of heartbreak and nostalgia. Its minimalist arrangement and heartfelt lyrics continue to resonate with listeners across generations, cementing its place as one of the greatest songs in music history.
Lyrics
Yesterday all my troubles seemed so far away.
Now it looks as though they’re here to stay.
Oh, I believe in yesterday.Suddenly, I’m not half the man I used to be.
There’s a shadow hanging over me.
Oh, yesterday came suddenly.Why she had to go?
I don’t know, she wouldn’t say.
I said something wrong.
Now I long for yesterday.Yesterday love was such an easy game to play.
Now I need a place to hide away.
Oh, I believe in yesterday.Why she had to go?
I don’t know, she wouldn’t say.
I said something wrong.
Now I long for yesterday.Yesterday love was such an easy game to play.
Now I need a place to hide away.
Oh, I believe in yesterday.Mm mm mm mm mm mm mm.
