Definitely agree...sounds like a McCartney song. We had a family friend that we took in named Eleanor...she lived alone...had dementia...came to all of the family gatherings. In her house, she would always have dinner place setting for four people setup (plates, glasses, silverware, etc.). Just a wonderful lady. Only four members of our family attended her funeral. She is missed. This song reminds me of her. Be grateful and be kind! Happy Thanksgiving, Prof!
My wonderful parents, brilliant people, are now 89 and suffering from Alzheimer's. It's more horrible than one can imagine. Thanks for sharing your story. Today is the first Thanksgiving in my 60 years without at least being able to speak to my folks. We spoke yesterday but we can't have the long, thoughtful conversations of yesteryear. I love them both more than words can say.
I took the line "a face she keeps in a jar by the door" to another level. I didn't think of face cream, I thought of the faces we have when we're out in society, compared to at home. We pretend to be something else. Elenor Rigby was one person at home, but when she walked out of her home she put on a different face, one she kept in jar by the door.
@MikeD_ I think Paul deliberately aimed for the double meaning. Using the image of his mum's cold cream at the door when he was a child, but intentionally leaving the image open to being the masks we wear. Also, make up generally, is a mask we wear.
I was a teenager in the 80s who loved the Beatles. My piano teacher was a purest and preferred her students play classical music and hymns. 🙄 However, my mom bought me the sheet music for Eleanor Rigby and I learned to play it with Mom’s help. When I played it for my teacher, she actually liked it so much that I got to play it in a recital.
As an adult, when my kids were real young, I took a piano class at night school, this was the song I wanted to learn to play, nailed it. The 2nd song was ‘Up Where We Belong’ I did learn it, but had to quit because the boys were misbehaving when mom wasn’t home. At least I’m glad I tried and learned 2 songs.
I like your memory. Your mum did great. Same here, 80s, teenaged, piano teacher, classical only. It nearly drove any desire I had to play an instrument right out of me. Then I discovered you can by sheet music and play whatever you want. It was Creedence for me. I play bass now.
The first time I heard that song, the images were so vivid! It made me realize that the Beatles performed ART. Thanks to my Uncle David who bought me the Red album at age six.
Yes. The Beatles were first and foremost ARTISTS. They were driven to create art, which is at the root of why they, more than any other pop/rock band, continually experimented and evolved with their music.
Wiping the dirt from his hands as he walks from the grave... no one was saved. What a haunting line, he burys her when they could have cured each others loneliness. Only then do their paths cross.... chilling
"Wearing a face that she keeps in a jar by the door." Wow, 52 years later I finally know what that meant. It was a line that I first heard as I sat listening to the song in my older sister's room as she played her 45's on her small suitcase record player. I was the youngest of 8 children, and you can imagine how my 9, almost 10, year old brain was attempting to understand what that meant. My sister has long passed, but those days do bring back fond memories. She was almost 10 years older than me, still living at home. Well she was engaged, so she left home that year also. Maybe that is why those days are so etched in my head. The beginning of all my older siblings leaving home one at a time. The late 1960s were truly my wonder years.
@@ProfessorofRock Don't know if you will read this, but I felt compelled to share my thoughts on those years. I was the youngest of 8 children, 4 boys and 4 girls. As I was growing up in the "60"s and early "70"s, I was introduced to Pop music by my eldest sister, Anola, Country music by my oldest brother Mickey and 2nd oldest sister Charmain. My third eldest sister Angie was into Christian music, my 2nd and 3rd oldest brothers, Gene and Jerry, were into hard rock music, My Mom was into Big Band music and Polka by the Chmielewski Brothers. My step father was actually into opera and Christian. The 4th girl just ahead of me, Sonya, was into pop music. Me? I enjoy all types of music thanks to the variety I grew up with. Today I stick mostly to Christian and Country Music, while listening to classic pop and rock music. I am a writer, but usually write on Christianity, but I keep threatening the siblings still living that one day I will write a book about those years. In truth, my stories would not be much different than the stories we watched in the television show, "The Winder years". In fact the character, Kevin, was the age I was during those years.
The song clearly sounds like a Paul creation and the song's idea came from Paul. So odd John claimed it, though the band members did contribute ideas and lines. I always thought the line about "wearing a face she keeps in a jar by the door" referred to a brave face she wears in public that does not let others see her painful loneliness; now I know the real story thanks to you!!!
@ProfessorofRock Thank you! I have always loved this song, Eleanor Rigby. I even feel like her at times. But I never really thought to deep about it. "No one was saved." That's the saddest part of the song.
If you're ever lonely or feel unimportant remember that Jesus loves you. He was abandoned by all of his friends, so he knows what it feels like. You keep track of all my sorrows.[a] You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book. Psalm 56:8
I disagree vehemently with the folks claiming the Beatles weren’t among the best in music. Their stats don’t lie, but whatever. I love them, both for their music and the fact that listening to them reminds me of my Dad, who passed when I was 19. They were very innovative for their time. This song was never one of my favorites though. It’s so sad to me and I never quite enjoyed listening to it.
This song was so insightful and depressing for me, much like Simon and Garfunkel I Am A Rock. I used to visit nursing homes and it always reminded me of Eleanor Rigby. Brilliant. I never knew how many people contributed to the lyrics. Thanks again Professor. And yes it definitely sounds more McCartney than Lennon
Another S & G track, much less well-known, but with a similar vibe, is A Most Peculiar Man. Haunting. It could at one time have been about my own future.
You are so right about “I am a rock. “I am an island, and an island never cries.” These two songs sum up the universal human experience in a nutshell. So sad and haunting, just like “no one was saved”.
Happy beginning of Turkey week! 🦃 Eleanor Rigby. All the lonely people..... A fave Beatles tune of mine. 🎉 Thanks Professor. Everyone have a great start to the week. 🎉❤
There are not one, but TWO very haunting McCartney-penned songs on this album: "Eleanor Rigby" and "For No One". Juxtapose these with the phenomenally beautiful "Here, There and Everywhere", and the upbeat compositions "Good Day Sunshine", and "Got to Get You Into My Life" (the latter McCartney admitting was an "ode to pot") and it just underscores the astonishing range, imagination, creativity, and talent of McCartney.
I used to work for a Medical Supply Co in LA back in the day and would deliver supplies to a Medical building in Santa Monica. One of the names on the Doctors doors I would pass was Dr. ELMER Rigby, and I would always think to myself, "where DO they all come from?" as I walked by that door. GREAT song!
I remember watching an interview where Paul McCartney explained the origin of Elenor Rigby. I thought it was kind of him to help the elderly neighbor. It's amazing there is an actual grave of Elenor Rigby. You brought out more details about this story. Elenor Rigby was one of my favorite Beatles song when I was a kid. It didn't make me sad.
Morning two questions did you drop your video and did Crystal preform Have You Left Me For The One You Left Me For? I like that song and actually listen to it the other day?
First, I just want to thank you, for bringing your knowledge, insight, and awesome back stories to us! I always look forward to an episode from you. You truly are the Professor of Rock and an American treasure! I was a child, completely stunned by Eleanor Rigby when I first heard it. The evolution of the Beatles in such a short time, was astonishing. The Beatles music is something I have never tired of. Never will. Happy Thanksgiving!
Somehow, some way, through the best of times, and the worst of times, the Beatles found a way to make beautiful music together and billions are glad they did.
Revolver is the best Beatles album ever. If this album was put in a time capsule and a couple hundred years later was found and played, it would showcase almost every musical style of the 20th century. It's truly a masterpiece. Eleanor Rigby holds a special place in my heart. Before I was born, my father was a Roman Catholic priest, Father McKenzie. Revolver was the only Beatles album he owned when I was a kid, so I grew up listening to this album a lot. Thanks Professor!
🎉I agree. Before Revolver I was rather indifferent to The Beatles. I liked their pop stuff, but I was listening more to country at the time. Then Revolver came out and I recognised it immediatly as something more than effemeral throw away pop - these are art songs equal to anything by Brahms or Purcell.
"The first few bars just came to me" - it seems I've heard Sir Paul say similar things about other of his classics (Yesterday, Hey Jude). If only there were some way for the rest of us to be cursed with such an affliction! 😄
I love how we watch this in action in the Get Back documentary when he plucks the title tune out of the ether while they're waiting for John to show up.
I love how he says he dreamed about his mother and she told him “everything will be alright, just let it be.” “So”, he continues, “I got up and wrote a song”. And I thought, yeh, like you do! if you’re Paul McCartney! 😂
Rubber soul is a masterpiece and Eleanor Rigby is one of my favorite songs of all the Beatles catalog. I love all Beatles songs and have since my dad put the headphones on me so that he could spend time with his date. Beatles were my sitter as a young kid and it shaped my musical taste and style forever.
Rubber Soul is one of my favourite Beatles albums, after Abbey Road, its neck and neck with Pepper. But, Eleanor Rigby was on Revolver, not Rubber Soul.
When I was a kid in the 70's I inherited the single of Yellow Submarine and Eleanor Rigby. I just loved it but it took me a few years to realize that the Paul McCartney from Wings was in The Beatles. My Mom thought it was funny that I didn't know.
The cold detached tone of Paul's vocal is just perfect. I can imagine why he didn't like it. It expresses too well loneliness. Great review, I didn't know it was possible to be that much nerdier than me when it comes to the Beatles, thank you!
Eleanore Rigby was one of my older sister’s favorite Beatles song. I remember sitting in her room looking at this album cover. It’s a very iconic cover.
I remember the reaction to John's "bigger than Jesus" comment at the time but even as a 13 year old it seemed to me that he meant that it indicated that something was wrong with society, not that they deserved to be more popular than God's son.
@@BernieOliver And that shows us another thing that's wrong with society. Or at least it should if people were more interested in what is really going on than they are in going off half cocked about something they didn't really listen to.
That was the moment that Lennon ceased to be a Beatle, after that foolish comment and the extreme reaction against it, Lennon was so afraid that he was disgusted by the whole Beatle idolatry concept, that was the beginning of the end, after that he relinquished his leadership, abdicated the throne
Very first song i ever remember a referral to was, She Loves You, when my mum used to sing it to me, when she was giving me a bath, when i was about 3, in 1964 !
The Beatles remind me of Sir Issac Newton! He took a bunch of random theories and experiments, combined them and took it to a new level. Just like the Beatles did in music in the 60s!
So did James Clerk Maxwell, with electromagnetic phenomena. The four equations that bear his name still hold true, even though Sir Isaac's three Laws of Motion are no longer correct for sub-atomic physics. (NB: JCM was emphatically NOT the guy with the notorious silver hammer.)
There's little wonder the Beatles broke up. John hated losing control. Paul refused to be controlled. George was stifled. But the tension produced their best work.
Ummm…well actually it’s the opposite: their creative tensions never led to one censoring another. That’s why they kept evolving-TOGETHER. They were a band 13 yrs from their mid-teens to beyond maturity…and were beyond ready by 1970 to go their separate creative ways.
I'm a huge Beatles fan and when I fist heard it, I couldn't believe it was the Beatles. Years later when I bought the cassette of Revolver (The US Version), I couldn't believe the music on it. When I bought the CD in 1987, I actually found the UK version better than the US version. It is my favorite album by the Beatles and I would consider it to be their finest work.
I have a memory concerning Eleanor Rigby.: When the song was just out being played on the radio, (summer of '66), I was 14 yrs old & was visiting my VERY Christian/Catholic relatives. I went to a local record store with one of my cousins, & purchased this latest Beatles single. Later that day, I was in their living room playing it on their "record player", when my cousin's dad came into the room, absolutely furious that I had bought it, saying "What are you doing with that, don't you know what they said?!". He was so angry that for a moment, I thought he was going to take the record & smash it, but instead, he just stormed out of the room, much to my relief. I think of that incident every time I hear either Eleanor Rigby or Yellow Submarine.
I was 10 and a huge Fan of this thing called The Beatles. It's a McCartney song all day long. I find it interesting that so many people contributed to it. I had also heard of the same thing happening on A Day In Life. So it stands to reason that this was an ongoing thing for those around them in their inner circle to contribute ideas.
Truly one of the finest songs ever written...regardless of the nit-picky egoistic comments batted around unnecessarily. It is also a song that moved into master class status thanks to George Martin's unbelievably moving arrangement..credited to George alone. Arguing who wrote what adds nothing to its haunting movements...It's like saying Billy Preston was the 5th Beatle..no George Martin was. Who cares? I only remember the phenomenal music created by the synergy of all these people coming together. Eleanor Rigby lives forever! ❤
So glad to hear you mention Geoff Emerick and Sir George Martin as their recording contributions to Revolver are nothing short of stunning. However, you did not mention, at least to my ears, that Paul won best vocal performance Grammy by male or female (rock ‘n’ roll category) that year: 1966. That was when Grammies meant something - more than just selling more records. (imvho) 🎸👨⚕️. 🫶✌️♾️ 🌲🎄🎅🏻🍁🍂🇬🇧🏴🇺🇸
I agree with your understood significance of "Eleanor Rigby." It was/remains one of my favorites. The timelessness of it appeals to me, and yes I've seen plenty of "lonely people" just working to get by during my years. As for Paul and John? Paul deserves far more credit than he was ever given. John's ego was his worst enemy.
The Beatles had two "eras" in my mind. Their early stuff, much more pop-music sounding, and their later stuff, very clearly influenced by (and influencing) the late '60s culture. Revolver was the perfect mix of both, IMHO. Also, I agree 100% -- Eleanor Rigby sounds like a McCartney song, moreso than a Lennon song.
Let’s face it, all of our imaginations are influenced by bits of memory, images that we have seen or heard over the years but Paul’s true gift is bringing everything together and creating a believable fictitious character
In 2020, I bought a Hofner Violin Bass copy (Epiphone) from Clay Cross rd in Woolton, Liverpool. It is 300yds from St Peter's Church and Eleanor Rigby's grave, about half a mile from Mendips, Lennon's house on Menlove Ave, about a mile from Strawberry Field, and Mc Cartney's house is about a mile further on in Allerton. I always assumed the 'Face in a jar' line was a reference to Pensioners keeping their false teeth in a jar of water? Others have speculated that it was her 'Happy face' she presented to the public to mask her loneliness? The best line for me, and one of the true great lines in Pop Music history is "Father McKenzie wiping the dirt from his hands as he walks from the grave....No one was saved." Pure haunting, simple poetry.
Eleanor Rigby is my one of my few favorite Beatles songs. It's actually number one. I didn't grow up with a lot of their music. I love this song and it's always made me cry a little.
I remember seeing this song preformed on the public television channel when I was a teen. This is my favorite Beatles song, and that song started my love of hearing violins.
As a kid I in the 1980s I was used to the 1984 remake on Paul's "Broad Street" album. So when I first heard the original version, I thought it sounded strange in a way. There's a sense of "quiet desperation" to it that the remake lacks but that desperation suits the song so well. I think the remake pales in comparison now.
I really enjoy these post era breakdowns of the music that framed my youth. I was born in 1960. I remember my older sister crying and screaming at the TV when The Beatles were on Ed Sullivan. This IS the music of my life. I still listen to them almost on a daily basis. It never gets old. Thank you and Merry Christmas Prof!
I remember listening to this song in my childhood when it came out and loving it. My brothers and a couple of my cousins and I would sing along. As we sang the line "Father McKenzie, writing the words of a sermon that no one will hear," we would always substitute the remaining words "no one comes near" with "drinking a beer." It still makes me chuckle just to think of it.
60's Australian band The Zoot did a great cover of the song, rearranging to remove the strings and create a driving heavy rock version. Worth listening, it can be found on TH-cam.
What an amazing collection of art Revolver is. Eleanor Rigby is certifiably timeless in these days, as are many on this album. I still listen to Tomorrow Never Knows on the regular. Top work as always Adam Fins Up 👍😎
Here in Australia the Zoot version has always ruled the airwaves here - released in 1971 when I was 6 1/2 yo - it truly lives in my soul ❤️Featuring the classic Zoot lineup of: Beeb Birtles (from the classic LRB lineup)- Rick Springfield - Daryl Cotton & Rick Brewer. If you haven’t heard it Adam, give it a listen. Would love to hear your thoughts. Best wishes Lesa 🇦🇺
Both versions sit well with me, the poetic imagery of the original and polar opposite absurdly unleashed rocked out Zoot version. Most people who Ive introduced the Zoot version to are usually left agape! Angry Pete
Always one of my favorite Beatles songs. Either did not know or had forgotten about George's and Ringo's and Pete Schotten's contributions to this perfect classic. George Martin's string quartet added a lot. Personally I think Paul is nuts to be dissatisfied with his vocals on it. Thank you for covering it, Professor.
1966 was my graduation from high school in Oliver, B.C. and Revolver was the last LP I bought before leaving home. Long after a near decade long career as a radio DJ, I can recall the impact this collection of Beatles tunes had on my musical taste buds that colored my playlist that would highlight an adult accessable version of rock.
If you've never heard it before, find the instrumental version of "Eleanor Rigby" on one of the Beatles Anthology albums. It's an incredible musical piece that stands on its own quite well (I'd say as well as the vocal version.) And you can sing the song along with it.
How is it in 2024 We don't have You on an Actual network on, say a Friday night at 10PM just taking in sensational journalistic pieces such as this that are informative & breathtakingly refreshing??!?!? Just a wonderful masterpiece of en episode Adam! (Ala Wyane's World)… We're not worthy, We're not Worthy!!! THANKS… It took me several years not to sing and hum this infectiously infectious song out of the forefront of my mind and now it's back! Initially I thought you were introducing Penny lane, but Oh how wrong I was!!! LOL
I think Eleanor Rigby is the most powerful song the Beatles ever did. I think that Paul was known for "silly love songs" and musical theater, while John was (and wanted to be) known as the deeper artist. I have thought the song is very much Paul in a deeper, more introspective mood; perhaps inspired by John. POR's report suggests a lot of input from the other band members and friends. That seems logical. No matter how much John may have contributed to the lyrics, it is clearly a Paul project. John would not have gone with that string arraignment, and he would have sung it. The storytelling is very much in Paul's musical theater style. I think that later on, as the song stood out as one of their best; John's jealousy got the better of him.
It's a sad, hauntingly beautiful song. I think Paul's vocal is great one it. My other favorite off Revolver from him is Here, There and Everywhere and For No One. Revolver is such a great album. Full of great tunes and such forward thinking in terms of style, recording techniques, instrumentation and so much more. Great video. I learned so much more. Your channel is really awesome....thanks...❤️✌️👏
Wow! So many new insights on this one! This came out when I was 3 and I still remember hearing it all the time because my older brothers and sisters played it all the time and then me. The video to it from the movie always haunted me too. It's kind of the theme of my, and everyone's life. It's interesting to find out that George is the one who suggested the catch line, "Ah, look at all the lonely people". That is pure George and shows how much of an influence he actually was on the music though he often doesn't get the credit for it.
I have a good nostalgic moment for you. Do you remember before we had TV remote controls we had those boxes that were wired to the TV and had buttons in a row to change the channels. It would add more channels than the typical 2-13 a TV dial would have on it. Cheers!
I don't see John Lennon having much interest in a song like Eleanor Rigby or having the ability to write a song in that vein. This is definitely a Paul McCartney song.
The Beatles, I love the Beatles the greatest rock band in my opinion #2 the doors. I love it when you do episodes on the Beatles. George Harrison is my favorite member but all 4 members are great. You should do an episode about George Harrison's song only a northern song I really love that song. The 1960's and the 1970's are the best decades of rock in my opinion.
Eleanor Rigby was one of the best songs of the Beatles even though it had a lot violins and cellos in it instead of guitars but I still liked it and I still do next to Yellow Submarine. Thanks again Professor and have a wonderful Thanksgiving this week Thank You.🎶🎤🎸🎸🎹🥁🎶
Paul is a great storyteller. "She's Leaving Home" is another good one. I never knew that George Harrison wrote the chorus! I read an interview where Paul said he told George Martin to tell the string players not to use vibrato. Like you said, he didn't want it too sweet.
"George Harrison wrote the chorus" (meaning the refrain "ah look at all the lonely people", actually, rather than the chorus, which is "All the lonely people, where do they all come from" etc.) is really a myth, a factoid that doesn't have any good evidence.
That right of passage in early childhood when we experience real terror when Ringo (a born lever-puller) pulls the submarine's lever and drops himself out on the seabed full of stompy chompy monsters
So great to hear Eleanor Bron mentioned. She's been a favorite actor since "Women In Love", and "Help". She's got great comedic AND dramatic chops. I'll happily think of her portraying Eleanor Rigby now, whenever I hear the song.
I believe that Mr. McCartney was the main contributor to that amazingly beautiful song. John Lennon seems to have been the kind of man that would have tantrums and say things to make himself seem to be the only truly talented artist in the group. I adored him when I was younger but then I began to see that he was only human and not a very sincere person. There isn’t much that he said that I would believe.
Thankful for all the great music, the composers, Lyricists, musicians, producers, and all who brought the music to the people, Live music has always been my favorite but treasure albums, 45’ s, 8 track, cassettes, reel to reel tapes, videos, VHS tapes, CD’s, streaming, posting and all the magic that allows us to hear and see the music.. Thankful, really thankful. Thanks also to this program, reminding all of music.
To me, Eleanor Rigby is McCartney's masterpiece (along with Penny Lane). I always liked how the cello echoes the melody when Father McKenzie wipes the dirt from his hands. It's a fantastic tale of how this song came about. Did you know that the gravestone is by the church where John and Paul first met in 1957? When I first heard Revolver, I actually thought this was the Beatles' heavy metal album. It would've been in the late 80s when all the hairy bands were out and I was just a little kid. I was so used to the clean, jangling guitars on the early Beatles records. Then I heard Revolver with all those loud, distorted guitars and it blew me away as always. IMHO rock music was definitely at its peak in 1966 and '67.
mania this past summet my neighbor moving sold me lewishohn complete beatles 92 think recalls first meeting paul and john not sure maybe in the movie backbeat neighbor also sold me 1988 hmv past masters boxset wood slide box missing revolver not a net buyer just local any website maybei can find one my sister could order maybe of course are uk parlophone to complete the boxset
Watch the animated movie "Yellow Submarine" and as "Eleanor Rigby" plays, watch the 3D effect of the animation of the rooftops that the creators say they never intended. The Beatles did not even lend their speaking voices to that movie, but it became an instant classic. Fittingly, both songs were released together in a single.
Eleanor Rigby is one of my many favorites of the Beatles. I was young during the '60s and The Beatles music had a huge influence on me and my friends all the way through high school.
I will always remember hearing that song for the first time. I was coming home from a meeting, and the song was playing on the radio. Even though I was 11, knew instantly it was Paul’s voice. By that time, I was hooked.
"The iconic hook 'Ah look at all the lonely people' came from George." This factoid is repeated everywhere, it's true, but there's really scant evidence for it. First, note that the line “all the lonely people” was already in the chorus written by Paul. The only direct evidence for George’s involvement in the idea to re-use that phrase in the refrain “Ah, look at all…” comes from John Lennon. According to John, it was an idea that emerged in the studio whilst Paul and George were working on it. But he doesn’t say it was George’s idea: “Who said what to whom as we were writing, I don’t know. I do know that George Harrison was there when we came up with [sings] ‘Ah, look at all the lonely people.’ He [Paul] and George Harrison were settling on that as I left the studio to go to the toilet . . .” (Sheff, 1980) Indirect evidence is sometimes inferred from a George interview after publishing his autobiography. He said: "[Lennon] was annoyed 'cause I didn't say that he'd written one line of this song 'Taxman'. But I also didn't say how I wrote two lines of 'Come Together' or three lines of 'Eleanor Rigby', you know? I wasn't getting into any of that.” But everybody made suggestions in the finishing of ER in the studio and “three lines” is probably a figure of speech ("one line . . . two lines . . . three lines"). In any case this remark does not specify “Ah look at all the lonely people”, and even if it did it says nothing at all about the tune. The popular notion that George originated “Ah look at all the lonely people” really comes from an author (Steve Turner) who claimed that the line was added to Paul’s rough lyric sheet in George’s hand. But this is clearly a mistake. The addition is done with a different ink (the image is widely available on the net),but is obviously Paul’s handwriting. So this says nothing about who came up with the idea, and again there’s no hint concerning the tune. I believe the reason that this rumour gained momentum is due in large part to a confusion between two men called “George”. George Martin said that after ER was considered finished he had an idea to top-off the arrangement and asked Paul to record an overdub. George suggested that Paul sing “ah, look at all the lonely people” again as a counterpoint over the closing chorus. I think myself that ambiguous second-hand references to “George” coming up with this idea have encouraged a misunderstanding. In short, the claimed evidence that “George Harrison wrote ‘Ah look at all the lonely people’“ is weak and confused. All we can say is that he may have had a hand in the idea of re-purposing Paul’s line as an added refrain.
One of the stories I heard over the years was that McCartney was concerned that modern habits would abbreviate the writing credits from Lennon & McCartney to just Lennon. Think radio deejays introductions. He asked Yoko if she would agree to change the credits for Michelle to McCartney & Lennon. She said she couldn’t do that. I don’t blame him for wanting a better telling of their collaboration.
Sounds like more of a McCartney song to me - he had the initial inspiration. I would say that this ranks as one my favorite songs not just of The Beatles but of all time - though naming favorite songs is difficult. I love the production and recording of it - the vocals and the strings lines through the song. Amazing!
It got to 8:03 and no Professor on my feed. I literally almost chucked my coffee cup and joint across the room which would have culminated in me crying in a shaking in a crumbled mess on the floor. Professor has truly sprung, broke and addicted me!
I've come to conclude that Lennon was quite narcissistic both in his behavior, but also in his need to take the lead even when it didn't belong to him.
You bringing up that only Paul, John, and George sang on the track, leads me to think Yellow Submarine was the other side in order to make up for the exclusion of Ringo.
Ringo didn’t sing very often so I don’t think that’s why Yellow Submarine was on the other side. He usually sang lead on one song per album. Never on harmony vocals. He didn’t have that kind of voice for tight harmonies.
Poll: What is your pick for the MOST INNOVATIVE SONG of Its TIME when it came out?
Good Vibrations.
@@ProfessorofRock Eruption Edward Van Halen.
I'll go with another Beatles song ----Helter Skelter ...
@@TerrickTerranA most fitting selection!👍
Time - Pink Floyd (Most of their songs, really)
Definitely agree...sounds like a McCartney song. We had a family friend that we took in named Eleanor...she lived alone...had dementia...came to all of the family gatherings. In her house, she would always have dinner place setting for four people setup (plates, glasses, silverware, etc.). Just a wonderful lady. Only four members of our family attended her funeral. She is missed. This song reminds me of her.
Be grateful and be kind! Happy Thanksgiving, Prof!
I agree.
What a wonderful woman.
Glad you shared that ❤
My wonderful parents, brilliant people, are now 89 and suffering from Alzheimer's. It's more horrible than one can imagine. Thanks for sharing your story. Today is the first Thanksgiving in my 60 years without at least being able to speak to my folks. We spoke yesterday but we can't have the long, thoughtful conversations of yesteryear. I love them both more than words can say.
I took the line "a face she keeps in a jar by the door" to another level. I didn't think of face cream, I thought of the faces we have when we're out in society, compared to at home. We pretend to be something else. Elenor Rigby was one person at home, but when she walked out of her home she put on a different face, one she kept in jar by the door.
I thought the same thing. As it happened, Macca has a song titled My Brave Face.
That's a great interpretation.
I interpreted it the same way.
Not an interpretation. That is the meaning of those words
@MikeD_ I think Paul deliberately aimed for the double meaning. Using the image of his mum's cold cream at the door when he was a child, but intentionally leaving the image open to being the masks we wear. Also, make up generally, is a mask we wear.
I was a teenager in the 80s who loved the Beatles.
My piano teacher was a purest and preferred her students play classical music and hymns. 🙄
However, my mom bought me the sheet music for Eleanor Rigby and I learned to play it with Mom’s help.
When I played it for my teacher, she actually liked it so much that I got to play it in a recital.
As an adult, when my kids were real young, I took a piano class at night school, this was the song I wanted to learn to play, nailed it. The 2nd song was ‘Up Where We Belong’ I did learn it, but had to quit because the boys were misbehaving when mom wasn’t home. At least I’m glad I tried and learned 2 songs.
I like your memory. Your mum did great. Same here, 80s, teenaged, piano teacher, classical only. It nearly drove any desire I had to play an instrument right out of me. Then I discovered you can by sheet music and play whatever you want. It was Creedence for me. I play bass now.
@@suzquthey’re grown up now, right? Maybe take lessons again. It’s never too late.
@ I love CCR
@@suzqu I can tell from your username. Them or Suzi Quattro. 🙂
The first time I heard that song, the images were so vivid! It made me realize that the Beatles performed ART. Thanks to my Uncle David who bought me the Red album at age six.
Yes! This is when they became artists!
This song is a POEM.
Yes. The Beatles were first and foremost ARTISTS. They were driven to create art, which is at the root of why they, more than any other pop/rock band, continually experimented and evolved with their music.
Wiping the dirt from his hands as he walks from the grave... no one was saved. What a haunting line, he burys her when they could have cured each others loneliness. Only then do their paths cross.... chilling
That's a Lennon line if I ever heard one !
@@davidlauter1622 No, way too subtle for Lennon.
@99tonnes wrong !!!!!
@@davidlauter1622 Harrison contributed to it.
@kevinkenny6975 so did John and Mel and without George Martin it wouldn't be anything !
That string section makes you sit up and pay attention. This was one of my favorite songs as a kid, this and A Day In the Life still make me tear up.
Amen!
I think I can play it on my violin that I have not picked up since seventh grade.
@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 Why don't you then? Go busking and make a penny
Adam...when are you going to interview Paul or Ringo? They are getting up there in age...time is of the essence.
"Wearing a face that she keeps in a jar by the door." Wow, 52 years later I finally know what that meant. It was a line that I first heard as I sat listening to the song in my older sister's room as she played her 45's on her small suitcase record player. I was the youngest of 8 children, and you can imagine how my 9, almost 10, year old brain was attempting to understand what that meant. My sister has long passed, but those days do bring back fond memories. She was almost 10 years older than me, still living at home. Well she was engaged, so she left home that year also. Maybe that is why those days are so etched in my head. The beginning of all my older siblings leaving home one at a time. The late 1960s were truly my wonder years.
Isn't that cool!
@@ProfessorofRock Don't know if you will read this, but I felt compelled to share my thoughts on those years. I was the youngest of 8 children, 4 boys and 4 girls. As I was growing up in the "60"s and early "70"s, I was introduced to Pop music by my eldest sister, Anola, Country music by my oldest brother Mickey and 2nd oldest sister Charmain. My third eldest sister Angie was into Christian music, my 2nd and 3rd oldest brothers, Gene and Jerry, were into hard rock music, My Mom was into Big Band music and Polka by the Chmielewski Brothers. My step father was actually into opera and Christian. The 4th girl just ahead of me, Sonya, was into pop music. Me? I enjoy all types of music thanks to the variety I grew up with. Today I stick mostly to Christian and Country Music, while listening to classic pop and rock music. I am a writer, but usually write on Christianity, but I keep threatening the siblings still living that one day I will write a book about those years. In truth, my stories would not be much different than the stories we watched in the television show, "The Winder years". In fact the character, Kevin, was the age I was during those years.
What a poignant line.
The song clearly sounds like a Paul creation and the song's idea came from Paul. So odd John claimed it, though the band members did contribute ideas and lines. I always thought the line about "wearing a face she keeps in a jar by the door" referred to a brave face she wears in public that does not let others see her painful loneliness; now I know the real story thanks to you!!!
@@cloudbudget John had his faults
The Beatles were so ahead of their time in many ways - brilliant
I'm a Beatles nerd knows it all but you always manage to find little gems like this one... Thanks
Very cool!
We thought the band would last forever.
The music lives on......
It does indeed!
Nothing lasts forever..
@@JeffCarrozzo The Beatles are the Lizt,Bach etc of the 20th century..
@@JeffCarrozzonot even cold November rain?
@ProfessorofRock Thank you! I have always loved this song, Eleanor Rigby. I even feel like her at times. But I never really thought to deep about it. "No one was saved." That's the saddest part of the song.
Thanks!
If you're ever lonely or feel unimportant remember that Jesus loves you. He was abandoned by all of his friends, so he knows what it feels like.
You keep track of all my sorrows.[a]
You have collected all my tears in your bottle.
You have recorded each one in your book. Psalm 56:8
@@jtbalinAmen!
@@jtbalinThank you. I needed to hear that. 😌
@@jtbalin
You have no idea of how much I needed to hear this today. Thank you.
I disagree vehemently with the folks claiming the Beatles weren’t among the best in music. Their stats don’t lie, but whatever. I love them, both for their music and the fact that listening to them reminds me of my Dad, who passed when I was 19. They were very innovative for their time. This song was never one of my favorites though. It’s so sad to me and I never quite enjoyed listening to it.
I know what you mean. It was bond between my Dad and I as well. Helps to keep their memories alive!
@@ProfessorofRock My musical bond was over classical music with my dad and Dolly Parton with my mom.
@@TerrickTerran Very cool!
My mom loved Hank Williams and Charlie Pride. Can’t hear them without thinking of her.
The Beatles will ALWAYS be the BEST band ever! 💖💖💖
This is the first Beatles song where I memorized Ringo's part perfectly. And I can still replicate it without fail today.
Cool!
A clear case of LESS cowbell .
I'd still argue the drum mix wasn't loud enough.
Took me a few days. I'm the black sheep of the family.
The guitar solo's even harder!😉🎵👍
This song was so insightful and depressing for me, much like Simon and Garfunkel I Am A Rock. I used to visit nursing homes and it always reminded me of Eleanor Rigby. Brilliant. I never knew how many people contributed to the lyrics. Thanks again Professor. And yes it definitely sounds more McCartney than Lennon
This makes me want to start up volunteering at nursing homes too.
Another S & G track, much less well-known, but with a similar vibe, is A Most Peculiar Man. Haunting. It could at one time have been about my own future.
You are so right about “I am a rock. “I am an island, and an island never cries.”
These two songs sum up the universal human experience in a nutshell. So sad and haunting, just like “no one was saved”.
Happy beginning of Turkey week! 🦃
Eleanor Rigby.
All the lonely people.....
A fave Beatles tune of mine. 🎉
Thanks Professor.
Everyone have a great start to the week. 🎉❤
Happy Thanksgiving week to you and yours.
@@AnnaTrail-xp8pr
🦃
Hello Roger! Happy Thanksgiving!
Anna, Did you see Sammy is doing a Vegas residency?
Iconic opening line.
Great video. Thank you for naming all of your sources - I wish more people did that.
YOu're welcome!
There are not one, but TWO very haunting McCartney-penned songs on this album: "Eleanor Rigby" and "For No One". Juxtapose these with the phenomenally beautiful "Here, There and Everywhere", and the upbeat compositions "Good Day Sunshine", and "Got to Get You Into My Life" (the latter McCartney admitting was an "ode to pot") and it just underscores the astonishing range, imagination, creativity, and talent of McCartney.
FOR NO ONE has to be one of the saddest songs I have ever heard. It's a tie with Freddy King's song IT AIN'T THAT I DON'T LOVE YOU.
I used to work for a Medical Supply Co in LA back in the day and would deliver supplies to a Medical building in Santa Monica.
One of the names on the Doctors doors I would pass was Dr. ELMER Rigby, and I would always think to myself, "where DO they all come from?" as I walked by that door.
GREAT song!
I'm sitting in Santa Monica right now as I read what you wrote. Very strange ❤
I remember watching an interview where Paul McCartney explained the origin of Elenor Rigby. I thought it was kind of him to help the elderly neighbor. It's amazing there is an actual grave of Elenor Rigby. You brought out more details about this story.
Elenor Rigby was one of my favorite Beatles song when I was a kid. It didn't make me sad.
Thanks Catherine!
Morning two questions did you drop your video and did Crystal preform Have You Left Me For The One You Left Me For? I like that song and actually listen to it the other day?
@AnnaTrail-xp8pr Yes. It is posted. I couldn't post copyright music, but there's some jamming.
I remember seeing photos of the gravestone of an Eleanor Rigby.
I can't describe my feelings, but poignant comes closest.
I would have loved to meet her.
One of the reasons "Revolver" is my favorite Beatles album. So hauntingly, desperately, sad.
Amen!
They should teach this in history classes.
Paul has the gift of pulling inspiration out of the ether. His brilliance in creating music and lyrics is evident in his portfolio of work.
First, I just want to thank you, for bringing your knowledge, insight, and awesome back stories to us! I always look forward to an episode from you. You truly are the Professor of Rock and an American treasure! I was a child, completely stunned by Eleanor Rigby when I first heard it. The evolution of the Beatles in such a short time, was astonishing. The Beatles music is something I have never tired of. Never will. Happy Thanksgiving!
Somehow, some way, through the best of times, and the worst of times, the Beatles found a way to make beautiful music together and billions are glad they did.
Revolver is the best Beatles album ever. If this album was put in a time capsule and a couple hundred years later was found and played, it would showcase almost every musical style of the 20th century. It's truly a masterpiece.
Eleanor Rigby holds a special place in my heart. Before I was born, my father was a Roman Catholic priest, Father McKenzie. Revolver was the only Beatles album he owned when I was a kid, so I grew up listening to this album a lot. Thanks Professor!
Thanks Jason!
🎉I agree. Before Revolver I was rather indifferent to The Beatles. I liked their pop stuff, but I was listening more to country at the time. Then Revolver came out and I recognised it immediatly as something more than effemeral throw away pop - these are art songs equal to anything by Brahms or Purcell.
So did your father resigned from his pastoral job in order to form a couple and have a baby?
@@Uetti Yes.
"The first few bars just came to me" - it seems I've heard Sir Paul say similar things about other of his classics (Yesterday, Hey Jude).
If only there were some way for the rest of us to be cursed with such an affliction! 😄
No kidding! He's so great!
I love how we watch this in action in the Get Back documentary when he plucks the title tune out of the ether while they're waiting for John to show up.
I love how he says he dreamed about his mother and she told him “everything will be alright, just let it be.” “So”, he continues, “I got up and wrote a song”. And I thought, yeh, like you do! if you’re Paul McCartney! 😂
If everyone could do it then it wouldn’t be spectacular, would it?
I loved all the Beatles albums. Still do. I was a teenager when they came to America.
Rubber soul is a masterpiece and Eleanor Rigby is one of my favorite songs of all the Beatles catalog. I love all Beatles songs and have since my dad put the headphones on me so that he could spend time with his date. Beatles were my sitter as a young kid and it shaped my musical taste and style forever.
Oh ..Rubber Soul !!!!
Rubber Soul is one of my favourite Beatles albums, after Abbey Road, its neck and neck with Pepper. But, Eleanor Rigby was on Revolver, not Rubber Soul.
Probably my favorite Beatles song. The classical accompaniment was brilliant. For the mid-60s, it was revolutionary.
When I was a kid in the 70's I inherited the single of Yellow Submarine and Eleanor Rigby. I just loved it but it took me a few years to realize that the Paul McCartney from Wings was in The Beatles. My Mom thought it was funny that I didn't know.
Woohoo thanks for the shout out!! 😜 Eleanor Rigby !! Of my top 10 favorite Beatles songs! Thanks Adam!! Peace 🕊️☮️♾️😎🎸🤟🏼
YOu got it! Great memory shared!
The cold detached tone of Paul's vocal is just perfect. I can imagine why he didn't like it. It expresses too well loneliness. Great review, I didn't know it was possible to be that much nerdier than me when it comes to the Beatles, thank you!
Agree with you 100%. It was definitely Paul's song and one of the greatest songs of all time in my opinion.
Eleanore Rigby was one of my older sister’s favorite Beatles song. I remember sitting in her room looking at this album cover. It’s a very iconic cover.
Very cool!
I remember the reaction to John's "bigger than Jesus" comment at the time but even as a 13 year old it seemed to me that he meant that it indicated that something was wrong with society, not that they deserved to be more popular than God's son.
Welcome to the Southern US!
@@BernieOliver And that shows us another thing that's wrong with society. Or at least it should if people were more interested in what is really going on than they are in going off half cocked about something they didn't really listen to.
@SidecarBob Faith is one of greatest ideas man has come up with. Religion is one of the worst.
@@BernieOliver So true.
That was the moment that Lennon ceased to be a Beatle, after that foolish comment and the extreme reaction against it, Lennon was so afraid that he was disgusted by the whole Beatle idolatry concept, that was the beginning of the end, after that he relinquished his leadership, abdicated the throne
Very first song i ever remember a referral to was, She Loves You, when my mum used to sing it to me, when she was giving me a bath, when i was about 3, in 1964 !
So cool!
The Beatles remind me of Sir Issac Newton! He took a bunch of random theories and experiments, combined them and took it to a new level. Just like the Beatles did in music in the 60s!
Good comp!
So did James Clerk Maxwell, with electromagnetic phenomena. The four equations that bear his name still hold true, even though Sir Isaac's three Laws of Motion are no longer correct for sub-atomic physics.
(NB: JCM was emphatically NOT the guy with the notorious silver hammer.)
There's little wonder the Beatles broke up.
John hated losing control.
Paul refused to be controlled.
George was stifled.
But the tension produced their best work.
Ummm…well actually it’s the opposite: their creative tensions never led to one censoring another. That’s why they kept evolving-TOGETHER. They were a band 13 yrs from their mid-teens to beyond maturity…and were beyond ready by 1970 to go their separate creative ways.
You forgot Ringo
I'm a huge Beatles fan and when I fist heard it, I couldn't believe it was the Beatles. Years later when I bought the cassette of Revolver (The US Version), I couldn't believe the music on it. When I bought the CD in 1987, I actually found the UK version better than the US version. It is my favorite album by the Beatles and I would consider it to be their finest work.
Thanks for sharing !
It’s one of their most innovative songs.
Seems like the UK versions are always better. 🤷♀️
I have a memory concerning Eleanor Rigby.: When the song was just out being played on the radio, (summer of '66), I was 14 yrs old & was visiting my VERY Christian/Catholic relatives. I went to a local record store with one of my cousins, & purchased this latest Beatles single. Later that day, I was in their living room playing it on their "record player", when my cousin's dad came into the room, absolutely furious that I had bought it, saying "What are you doing with that, don't you know what they said?!". He was so angry that for a moment, I thought he was going to take the record & smash it, but instead, he just stormed out of the room, much to my relief. I think of that incident every time I hear either Eleanor Rigby or Yellow Submarine.
I was 10 and a huge Fan of this thing called The Beatles. It's a McCartney song all day long. I find it interesting that so many people contributed to it. I had also heard of the same thing happening on A Day In Life. So it stands to reason that this was an ongoing thing for those around them in their inner circle to contribute ideas.
Truly one of the finest songs ever written...regardless of the nit-picky egoistic comments batted around unnecessarily. It is also a song that moved into master class status thanks to George Martin's unbelievably moving arrangement..credited to George alone. Arguing who wrote what adds nothing to its haunting movements...It's like saying Billy Preston was the 5th Beatle..no George Martin was. Who cares? I only remember the phenomenal music created by the synergy of all these people coming together. Eleanor Rigby lives forever! ❤
This song was sung by ZOOT ala Rick Springfield, Daryl Cotton, Glen Wheatley etc. as a cover in 1970's Australia becoming a huge hit.
So glad to hear you mention Geoff Emerick and Sir George Martin as their recording contributions to Revolver are nothing short of stunning. However, you did not mention, at least to my ears, that Paul won best vocal performance Grammy by male or female (rock ‘n’ roll category) that year: 1966. That was when Grammies meant something - more than just selling more records. (imvho)
🎸👨⚕️. 🫶✌️♾️ 🌲🎄🎅🏻🍁🍂🇬🇧🏴🇺🇸
One of the best, but when it comes to the Beatles, how can you choose the best
Right?
I agree with your understood significance of "Eleanor Rigby." It was/remains one of my favorites. The timelessness of it appeals to me, and yes I've seen plenty of "lonely people" just working to get by during my years. As for Paul and John? Paul deserves far more credit than he was ever given. John's ego was his worst enemy.
The Beatles had two "eras" in my mind. Their early stuff, much more pop-music sounding, and their later stuff, very clearly influenced by (and influencing) the late '60s culture. Revolver was the perfect mix of both, IMHO.
Also, I agree 100% -- Eleanor Rigby sounds like a McCartney song, moreso than a Lennon song.
Let’s face it, all of our imaginations are influenced by bits of memory, images that we have seen or heard over the years but Paul’s true gift is bringing everything together and creating a believable fictitious character
In 2020, I bought a Hofner Violin Bass copy (Epiphone) from Clay Cross rd in Woolton, Liverpool. It is 300yds from St Peter's Church and Eleanor Rigby's grave, about half a mile from Mendips, Lennon's house on Menlove Ave, about a mile from Strawberry Field, and Mc Cartney's house is about a mile further on in Allerton. I always assumed the 'Face in a jar' line was a reference to Pensioners keeping their false teeth in a jar of water? Others have speculated that it was her 'Happy face' she presented to the public to mask her loneliness? The best line for me, and one of the true great lines in Pop Music history is "Father McKenzie wiping the dirt from his hands as he walks from the grave....No one was saved." Pure haunting, simple poetry.
@@GBPaddling So interesting. I always thought the face in the jar referred to her makeup in a jar. See how a line can be so many different things.
Face in a jar means makeup.
Long my favorite Beatles tune and top 10 of all time. Hands down Best Songwriter ever. 25 carat Gold
Eleanor Rigby is my one of my few favorite Beatles songs. It's actually number one. I didn't grow up with a lot of their music.
I love this song and it's always made me cry a little.
I know what you mean!
What’s number two for you?
I remember seeing this song preformed on the public television channel when I was a teen. This is my favorite Beatles song, and that song started my love of hearing violins.
As a kid I in the 1980s I was used to the 1984 remake on Paul's "Broad Street" album. So when I first heard the original version, I thought it sounded strange in a way. There's a sense of "quiet desperation" to it that the remake lacks but that desperation suits the song so well. I think the remake pales in comparison now.
Thanks for sharing!
I really enjoy these post era breakdowns of the music that framed my youth. I was born in 1960. I remember my older sister crying and screaming at the TV when The Beatles were on Ed Sullivan. This IS the music of my life. I still listen to them almost on a daily basis. It never gets old. Thank you and Merry Christmas Prof!
The last song I learned to play on acoustic guitar for my high school guitar class final. I aced it 🤘
Very cool!
I remember listening to this song in my childhood when it came out and loving it. My brothers and a couple of my cousins and I would sing along. As we sang the line "Father McKenzie, writing the words of a sermon that no one will hear," we would always substitute the remaining words "no one comes near" with "drinking a beer." It still makes me chuckle just to think of it.
60's Australian band The Zoot did a great cover of the song, rearranging to remove the strings and create a driving heavy rock version. Worth listening, it can be found on TH-cam.
What an amazing collection of art Revolver is. Eleanor Rigby is certifiably timeless in these days, as are many on this album. I still listen to Tomorrow Never Knows on the regular. Top work as always Adam Fins Up 👍😎
Here in Australia the Zoot version has always ruled the airwaves here - released in 1971 when I was 6 1/2 yo - it truly lives in my soul ❤️Featuring the classic Zoot lineup of: Beeb Birtles (from the classic LRB lineup)- Rick Springfield - Daryl Cotton & Rick Brewer. If you haven’t heard it Adam, give it a listen. Would love to hear your thoughts. Best wishes Lesa 🇦🇺
Both versions sit well with me, the poetic imagery of the original and polar opposite absurdly unleashed rocked out Zoot version.
Most people who Ive introduced the Zoot version to are usually left agape!
Angry Pete
Always one of my favorite Beatles songs. Either did not know or had forgotten about George's and Ringo's and Pete Schotten's contributions to this perfect classic. George Martin's string quartet added a lot. Personally I think Paul is nuts to be dissatisfied with his vocals on it. Thank you for covering it, Professor.
Thanks, Professor. This is one of your best.
1966 was my graduation from high school in Oliver, B.C. and Revolver was the last LP I bought before leaving home. Long after a near decade long career as a radio DJ, I can recall the impact this collection of Beatles tunes had on my musical taste buds that colored my playlist that would highlight an adult accessable version of rock.
If you've never heard it before, find the instrumental version of "Eleanor Rigby" on one of the Beatles Anthology albums. It's an incredible musical piece that stands on its own quite well (I'd say as well as the vocal version.) And you can sing the song along with it.
One of the top 10 for sure. My favorite Paul song.
Brilliant song. McCartney is a genius, and this is right up there with the best. Definitely 90% Paul’s song, get real.
How is it in 2024 We don't have You on an Actual network on, say a Friday night at 10PM just taking in sensational journalistic pieces such as this that are informative & breathtakingly refreshing??!?!?
Just a wonderful masterpiece of en episode Adam! (Ala Wyane's World)… We're not worthy, We're not Worthy!!!
THANKS… It took me several years not to sing and hum this infectiously infectious song out of the forefront of my mind and now it's back! Initially I thought you were introducing Penny lane, but Oh how wrong I was!!! LOL
I think Eleanor Rigby is the most powerful song the Beatles ever did. I think that Paul was known for "silly love songs" and musical theater, while John was (and wanted to be) known as the deeper artist. I have thought the song is very much Paul in a deeper, more introspective mood; perhaps inspired by John. POR's report suggests a lot of input from the other band members and friends. That seems logical. No matter how much John may have contributed to the lyrics, it is clearly a Paul project. John would not have gone with that string arraignment, and he would have sung it. The storytelling is very much in Paul's musical theater style.
I think that later on, as the song stood out as one of their best; John's jealousy got the better of him.
Definitely one of their best songs. I loved it the first time I heard it when I was about 8 years old.
Indeed!
It's a sad, hauntingly beautiful song. I think Paul's vocal is great one it. My other favorite off Revolver from him is Here, There and Everywhere and For No One.
Revolver is such a great album. Full of great tunes and such forward thinking in terms of style, recording techniques, instrumentation and so much more.
Great video. I learned so much more. Your channel is really awesome....thanks...❤️✌️👏
Wow! So many new insights on this one! This came out when I was 3 and I still remember hearing it all the time because my older brothers and sisters played it all the time and then me. The video to it from the movie always haunted me too. It's kind of the theme of my, and everyone's life. It's interesting to find out that George is the one who suggested the catch line, "Ah, look at all the lonely people". That is pure George and shows how much of an influence he actually was on the music though he often doesn't get the credit for it.
I have a good nostalgic moment for you. Do you remember before we had TV remote controls we had those boxes that were wired to the TV and had buttons in a row to change the channels. It would add more channels than the typical 2-13 a TV dial would have on it. Cheers!
Great memory!
@@ProfessorofRock I think it was called a converter.
I’ve seen those.
They were all talented and successful, but Paul was the one.
Nope
I don't see John Lennon having much interest in a song like Eleanor Rigby or having the ability to write a song in that vein. This is definitely a Paul McCartney song.
Lennon once said that he wrote most of this song. Paul wrote the first verse and most of the rest was John
The Beatles, I love the Beatles the greatest rock band in my opinion #2 the doors. I love it when you do episodes on the Beatles. George Harrison is my favorite member but all 4 members are great. You should do an episode about George Harrison's song only a northern song I really love that song. The 1960's and the 1970's are the best decades of rock in my opinion.
Amen!
Eleanor Rigby was one of the best songs of the Beatles even though it
had a lot violins and cellos in it instead of guitars but I still liked it and
I still do next to Yellow Submarine. Thanks again Professor and have a wonderful Thanksgiving this week Thank You.🎶🎤🎸🎸🎹🥁🎶
Well said! THanks do the same!
"When Ding-Dongs were wrapped in tinfoil..." NICELY DONE, guys!!
Yodels in foil printed in blue with silver stars.
@@JohnnyArtPavlou 💯💯💯
Paul is a great storyteller. "She's Leaving Home" is another good one. I never knew that George Harrison wrote the chorus! I read an interview where Paul said he told George Martin to tell the string players not to use vibrato. Like you said, he didn't want it too sweet.
"George Harrison wrote the chorus" (meaning the refrain "ah look at all the lonely people", actually, rather than the chorus, which is "All the lonely people, where do they all come from" etc.) is really a myth, a factoid that doesn't have any good evidence.
" Fun is the one thing that money can't buy " oh really ! Lol 🤣🤣🤣 wanna bet ! I bet money bought McCartney plenty of Fun !
@@davidlauter1622 A smothered teenaged girl's "fun" *is* something that her staid parents' money can't buy.
Such a hauntingly, sad song that hits in the feels every time.
That right of passage in early childhood when we experience real terror when Ringo (a born lever-puller) pulls the submarine's lever and drops himself out on the seabed full of stompy chompy monsters
Ha ha!
So great to hear Eleanor Bron mentioned. She's been a favorite actor since "Women In Love", and "Help". She's got great comedic AND dramatic chops. I'll happily think of her portraying Eleanor Rigby now, whenever I hear the song.
She also plays a ruthless industrialist in the DOCTOR WHO story "Revelation of the Daleks".
@@henrykujawa4427 Gotta find it! Thanks.
I believe that Mr. McCartney was the main contributor to that amazingly beautiful song. John Lennon seems to have been the kind of man that would have tantrums and say things to make himself seem to be the only truly talented artist in the group. I adored him when I was younger but then I began to see that he was only human and not a very sincere person. There isn’t much that he said that I would believe.
Harrison helped with the line “ Look at all the lonely people”
Thankful for all the great music, the composers, Lyricists, musicians, producers, and all who brought the music to the people, Live music has always been my favorite but treasure albums, 45’ s, 8 track, cassettes, reel to reel tapes, videos, VHS tapes, CD’s, streaming, posting and all the magic that allows us to hear and see the music.. Thankful, really thankful. Thanks also to this program, reminding all of music.
To me, Eleanor Rigby is McCartney's masterpiece (along with Penny Lane). I always liked how the cello echoes the melody when Father McKenzie wipes the dirt from his hands. It's a fantastic tale of how this song came about. Did you know that the gravestone is by the church where John and Paul first met in 1957? When I first heard Revolver, I actually thought this was the Beatles' heavy metal album. It would've been in the late 80s when all the hairy bands were out and I was just a little kid. I was so used to the clean, jangling guitars on the early Beatles records. Then I heard Revolver with all those loud, distorted guitars and it blew me away as always. IMHO rock music was definitely at its peak in 1966 and '67.
mania this past summet my neighbor moving sold me lewishohn complete beatles 92 think recalls first meeting paul and john not sure maybe in the movie backbeat neighbor also sold me 1988 hmv past masters boxset wood slide box missing revolver not a net buyer just local any website maybei can find one my sister could order maybe of course are uk parlophone to complete the boxset
Watch the animated movie "Yellow Submarine" and as "Eleanor Rigby" plays, watch the 3D effect of the animation of the rooftops that the creators say they never intended. The Beatles did not even lend their speaking voices to that movie, but it became an instant classic. Fittingly, both songs were released together in a single.
Eleanor Rigby is one of my absolute FAVORITE Beatles songs!!!
What's your favorite lyric from it. Mine is the Face in the Jar!
@ProfessorofRock Ahhhhhhhh, look at all the lonely people. 😎
Same here.
Eleanor Rigby is one of my many favorites of the Beatles.
I was young during the '60s and The Beatles music had a huge influence on me and my friends all the way through high school.
Happy Thanksgiving to all of my fellow Americans.
For those who don't celebrate, I hope you have a wonderful week/weekend.
Much Love!😘💖🫂🐾🐾🩵🦃🥧🍽🎉
Happy Thanksgiving to you my friend!
Happy Thanksgiving to you also. I hope it's a great one!
Bock bock!
I think it was predominantly McCartney - if he gave credit to a friend as well as fellow Beatles, he would’ve given credit as well
In high school, I had the 45. It was the flip-side of Yellow Submarine.
The flip side and the best side.
I will always remember hearing that song for the first time. I was coming home from a meeting, and the song was playing on the radio. Even though I was 11, knew instantly it was Paul’s voice. By that time, I was hooked.
"The iconic hook 'Ah look at all the lonely people' came from George." This factoid is repeated everywhere, it's true, but there's really scant evidence for it.
First, note that the line “all the lonely people” was already in the chorus written by Paul. The only direct evidence for George’s involvement in the idea to re-use that phrase in the refrain “Ah, look at all…” comes from John Lennon. According to John, it was an idea that emerged in the studio whilst Paul and George were working on it. But he doesn’t say it was George’s idea:
“Who said what to whom as we were writing, I don’t know. I do know that George Harrison was there when we came up with [sings] ‘Ah, look at all the lonely people.’ He [Paul] and George Harrison were settling on that as I left the studio to go to the toilet . . .” (Sheff, 1980)
Indirect evidence is sometimes inferred from a George interview after publishing his autobiography. He said: "[Lennon] was annoyed 'cause I didn't say that he'd written one line of this song 'Taxman'. But I also didn't say how I wrote two lines of 'Come Together' or three lines of 'Eleanor Rigby', you know? I wasn't getting into any of that.” But everybody made suggestions in the finishing of ER in the studio and “three lines” is probably a figure of speech ("one line . . . two lines . . . three lines"). In any case this remark does not specify “Ah look at all the lonely people”, and even if it did it says nothing at all about the tune.
The popular notion that George originated “Ah look at all the lonely people” really comes from an author (Steve Turner) who claimed that the line was added to Paul’s rough lyric sheet in George’s hand. But this is clearly a mistake. The addition is done with a different ink (the image is widely available on the net),but is obviously Paul’s handwriting. So this says nothing about who came up with the idea, and again there’s no hint concerning the tune.
I believe the reason that this rumour gained momentum is due in large part to a confusion between two men called “George”. George Martin said that after ER was considered finished he had an idea to top-off the arrangement and asked Paul to record an overdub. George suggested that Paul sing “ah, look at all the lonely people” again as a counterpoint over the closing chorus. I think myself that ambiguous second-hand references to “George” coming up with this idea have encouraged a misunderstanding.
In short, the claimed evidence that “George Harrison wrote ‘Ah look at all the lonely people’“ is weak and confused. All we can say is that he may have had a hand in the idea of re-purposing Paul’s line as an added refrain.
Your explanation makes more sense than the commonly accepted, Moore simplistic one.
@@fleetskipper1810 Thankyou.
One of the stories I heard over the years was that McCartney was concerned that modern habits would abbreviate the writing credits from Lennon & McCartney to just Lennon. Think radio deejays introductions. He asked Yoko if she would agree to change the credits for Michelle to McCartney & Lennon. She said she couldn’t do that. I don’t blame him for wanting a better telling of their collaboration.
It was fun to see in Yesterday the recalling of the song's lyrics.
Right!
Sounds like more of a McCartney song to me - he had the initial inspiration. I would say that this ranks as one my favorite songs not just of The Beatles but of all time - though naming favorite songs is difficult. I love the production and recording of it - the vocals and the strings lines through the song. Amazing!
Excellent meaningful lyrics ! That’s typical Beatles ! 😊
For sure!
It got to 8:03 and no Professor on my feed. I literally almost chucked my coffee cup and joint across the room which would have culminated in me crying in a shaking in a crumbled mess on the floor. Professor has truly sprung, broke and addicted me!
Ha ha! Did it come up finally?
Did it show up?
@@ProfessorofRock Oh yeah! I'm happy and talking about the Beatles, not crying 🤘
Fascinating.
You have a great storytelling skill that is straightforward and unpretentious.
Yes, but great story telling is actually quite complex. Not easy to do. Adam is brilliant.
I've come to conclude that Lennon was quite narcissistic both in his behavior, but also in his need to take the lead even when it didn't belong to him.
You bringing up that only Paul, John, and George sang on the track, leads me to think Yellow Submarine was the other side in order to make up for the exclusion of Ringo.
Ringo didn’t sing very often so I don’t think that’s why Yellow Submarine was on the other side. He usually sang lead on one song per album. Never on harmony vocals. He didn’t have that kind of voice for tight harmonies.
Another exceptional example of why the Beatles are the greatest rock group of all time. Sixty years later, the song has lost none of its vitality.