📝 Song Information:
“Yesterday” is one of The Beatles’ most iconic and widely covered songs. It was written by Paul McCartney, though credited to the Lennon–McCartney partnership. The song was first released on August 6, 1965, as part of the UK album Help! and later as a single in the US on September 13, 1965. It marked a significant departure from the band’s early rock and roll style, showcasing a more melancholic, acoustic sound. McCartney performed the song solo, accompanied by a string quartet—an unusual choice at the time for a pop song.
“Yesterday” quickly became a cultural phenomenon. It topped the US Billboard Hot 100 for four weeks and is estimated to have over 2,200 cover versions, making it one of the most covered songs in music history. In 1997, it was voted the No. 1 pop song of all time by MTV and Rolling Stone magazine.
🎧 Song Meaning:
At its heart, Yesterday is a haunting lament about lost love and regret. The lyrics tell the story of a man who wakes up to find that everything has changed—his happiness, his relationship, even his identity. The opening line, “Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away,” sets a tone of sorrow and confusion, as the narrator longs for a time when life felt simpler and love was still intact.
There is no mention of what exactly went wrong in the relationship. This ambiguity makes the song even more relatable, as it allows listeners to project their own memories and heartbreaks onto it. The chorus reflects helplessness and disbelief: “Why she had to go, I don’t know, she wouldn’t say.” It’s a powerful portrayal of how sudden emotional loss can feel senseless and irreversible.
Though written in his early twenties, McCartney captured a depth of emotion that resonated with audiences of all ages. The melody is soft, melancholic, and timeless, reinforcing the message of longing and memory.
❓ What Made Paul McCartney Dream This Song?:
One of the most fascinating facts about Yesterday is that Paul McCartney literally dreamed it. In 1964, he woke up in a London flat with the full melody in his head and initially thought he might have subconsciously stolen it. For weeks, he played the tune to friends and industry contacts, asking, “Is this a song that already exists?”
Because the melody was so complete, he gave it placeholder lyrics at first:
🎶 “Scrambled eggs, oh my baby how I love your legs…” 🎶
Yes, “Yesterday” began as a joke called Scrambled Eggs until McCartney eventually crafted the poignant lyrics we know today.
This unusual origin sparked debates about whether a melody could truly arrive in a dream, untouched. But McCartney has maintained that it came to him fully formed, which adds a mystical layer to the song’s legacy. Many fans believe that this “gift from the subconscious” explains the song’s emotional purity—it came from a place beyond logic, beyond planning, straight from the soul.
📺 Watch the Song:
🎶 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.
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