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Ah, look at all the lonely people
Eleanor Rigby picks up the rice in the church where a wedding has been
Lives in a dream
Waits at the window wearing a face that she keeps in a jar by the door
Who is it for?
All the lonely people
Where do they all come from?
All the lonely people
Where do they all belong?
Father McKenzie writing the words of a sermon that no one will hear
No one comes near
Look at him working, darning his socks in the night when there's nobody there
What does he care?
All the lonely people
Where do they all come from?
All the lonely people
Where do they all belong?
Ah, look at all the lonely people
Ah, look at all the lonely people
Eleanor Rigby died in the church and was buried along with her name
Nobody came
Father McKenzie wiping the dirt from his hands as he walks from the grave
No one was saved
All the lonely people (Ah, look at all the lonely people)
Where do they all come from?
All the lonely people (Ah, look at all the lonely people)
Where do they all belong?
JOHN: Yeah, “Rigby.” Ah, the first verse was his and the rest are basically mine. But the way he did it… Well, he knew he had a song. But by that time he didn’t want to ask for my help, and we were sitting around with Mal Evans and Neil Aspinall, so he said to us, “Hey, you guys, finish up the lyrics.”
Now I was there with Mal, a telephone installer who was our road manager, and Neil, who was a student accountant, and I was insulted and hurt that Paul had just thrown it out in the air. He actually meant he wanted me to do it, and of course there isn’t a line of theirs in the song because I finally went off to a room with Paul and we finished the song. But that’s how [gestures]…that’s the kind of insensitivity he would have, which upset me in later years. That’s the kind of person he is. “Here, finish these lyrics up,” like to anybody who was around.
PLAYBOY: Would Paul envision a theme? “Rigby” was about loneliness…
LENNON: Oh, he had the whole start: “Eleanor Rigby picks up the rice in the church where a wedding has been.” What’s the next line?
PLAYBOY: “Lives in a dream.”
LENNON: Yeah, and he had the story and knew where it was going. So we had to work out, “Well, is there anybody else in this story?” We came up with Father McCartney for a bit, but Paul said his dad would be upset, so we made it into McKenzie, even though McCartney sounded better. And then we went on to new characters… It’s hard to describe, even with the clarity of memory, the moment the apple falls. The thing will start moving along at a speed of its own, then you wake up at the end of it and have this whole thing on paper, you know? 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 and George were settling on that as I left the studio to go to the toilet, and I heard the lyric and turned around and said, “That’s it!” The violins backing was Paul’s idea. Jane Asher had turned him on to Vivaldi, and it was very good, the violins, straight out of Vivaldi. I can’t take any credit for that, at all.
‘Eleanor Rigby’ was Paul’s baby, and I helped with the education of the child.
ALL WE WERE SAYING
The Last Major Interview with John Lennon & Yoko Ono
David Sheff, Playboy, 1980.
from what I've read elsewhere, all 4 Beatles chipped in lines
I knew a girl named McGill. She called herself Lil but everyone knew her as Nancy.
This song reminds me that George Martin was a genius!
George Martin (and the rest of the Beatles) certainly had the creative ideas, but it also took Geoff Emerick to get those ideas onto tape. I don't think they would have sounded the same if Norman Smith stayed on as recording engineer.
John Lennon was killed 40 years ago today, at the age of 40.
He and Yoko were returning home to their NYC apartment when he was shot in the back at point blank range.
He was rushed to the hospital in the back seat of a NYCPD Squad car that managed to get thru the crowd and traffic that had quickly gathered at the scene.
The emergency room doctor ripped Lennon's chest open and massaged his barely beating heart, but it was to no avail - "Those hollow point bullets had really done their job. There was nothing that could be done. I held John Lennon's heart in my hands as he died."
New York City mourned for weeks.
All the radio stations played Beatles, and millions gathered in Central Park.
Rest in Peace John Lennon
Strawberry Fields Forever
![crown](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/crown.gif)
And it still hurts, 42 years later. I was sitting at a desk in Charlottesville studying chemistry, mid-afternoon I believe, with the radio on, playing his latest album, when the word came through. As I noted, still devastating.
Now I was there with Mal, a telephone installer who was our road manager, and Neil, who was a student accountant, and I was insulted and hurt that Paul had just thrown it out in the air. He actually meant he wanted me to do it, and of course there isn’t a line of theirs in the song because I finally went off to a room with Paul and we finished the song. But that’s how [gestures]…that’s the kind of insensitivity he would have, which upset me in later years. That’s the kind of person he is. “Here, finish these lyrics up,” like to anybody who was around.
PLAYBOY: Would Paul envision a theme? “Rigby” was about loneliness…
LENNON: Oh, he had the whole start: “Eleanor Rigby picks up the rice in the church where a wedding has been.” What’s the next line?
PLAYBOY: “Lives in a dream.”
LENNON: Yeah, and he had the story and knew where it was going. So we had to work out, “Well, is there anybody else in this story?” We came up with Father McCartney for a bit, but Paul said his dad would be upset, so we made it into McKenzie, even though McCartney sounded better. And then we went on to new characters… It’s hard to describe, even with the clarity of memory, the moment the apple falls. The thing will start moving along at a speed of its own, then you wake up at the end of it and have this whole thing on paper, you know? 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 and George were settling on that as I left the studio to go to the toilet, and I heard the lyric and turned around and said, “That’s it!” The violins backing was Paul’s idea. Jane Asher had turned him on to Vivaldi, and it was very good, the violins, straight out of Vivaldi. I can’t take any credit for that, at all.
‘Eleanor Rigby’ was Paul’s baby, and I helped with the education of the child.
ALL WE WERE SAYING
The Last Major Interview with John Lennon & Yoko Ono
David Sheff, Playboy, 1980.
Father McKenzie has to darn his socks because it would be unholy to damn them.
I think Paul would chuckle at that!
I wonder if Paul knows now that many of those "lonely people" were more contented than he thought?
Give it a break, obviously you don't know.
John Lennon was killed 40 years ago today, at the age of 40.
He and Yoko were returning home to their NYC apartment when he was shot in the back at point blank range.
He was rushed to the hospital in the back seat of a NYCPD Squad car that managed to get thru the crowd and traffic that had quickly gathered at the scene.
The emergency room doctor ripped Lennon's chest open and massaged his barely beating heart, but it was to no avail - "Those hollow point bullets had really done their job. There was nothing that could be done. I held John Lennon's heart in my hands as he died."
New York City mourned for weeks.
All the radio stations played Beatles, and millions gathered in Central Park.
Rest in Peace John Lennon
Strawberry Fields Forever
![crown](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/crown.gif)
Things haven't changed much, have they?
John Lennon was killed 40 years ago today, at the age of 40.
He and Yoko were returning home to their NYC apartment when he was shot in the back at point blank range.
He was rushed to the hospital in the back seat of a NYCPD Squad car that managed to get thru the crowd and traffic that had quickly gathered at the scene.
The emergency room doctor ripped Lennon's chest open and massaged his barely beating heart, but it was to no avail - "Those hollow point bullets had really done their job. There was nothing that could be done. I held John Lennon's heart in my hands as he died."
New York City mourned for weeks.
All the radio stations played Beatles, and millions gathered in Central Park.
Rest in Peace John Lennon
Strawberry Fields Forever
![crown](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/crown.gif)
Incidentally, Revolver was the first album I ever owned ... but not the first I bought.. It was on my parents' record shelf, and I decided I should own it.
I'm curious--was it neglected by your parents? Or maybe they tore the house up looking for it?
My parents would have neglected it, and I would have ... taken a long-term loan of it for sure, as it's one of my "desert island discs." Heck, it's worth having on a desert island just for the cover, 12" please.
Incidentally, Revolver was the first album I ever owned ... but not the first I bought.. It was on my parents' record shelf, and I decided I should own it.
And the baby-faced "cute" Beatle gave us this dark little gem.
And "How Do You Sleep?" is perfect excoriation.
The Rolling Stones??!!!
The Beatles were the ones who broke away from writing ''dance music'' and looked inside and wrote from and about their troubled souls about real relationships and religious experiences. The Stones are mere poseurs and misogynists. Wake the hell up!
The Stones are simply about putting on a razzle-dazzle big show in which Mick gets to strut and prance around. The Beatles were not song and dance men, which is why they stopped touring. I would never go see the Stones. They once invited Truman Capote to join them on stage, to which TC refused. He was asked why. His reply: ''I only do things that hold mystery for me.'' Right on, TC. The Stones are pure entertainment, which is ultimately so hollow.
You're both wrong, comparing artists is like comparing apples and oranges. They were both great in their prime, now one is gone and the other might as well be...
I knew a girl named McGill. She called herself Lil but everyone knew her as Nancy.
I knew a girl called Sheila, Sheila Blydge
I wish I knew what Beethoven piece you were referring to.
I wish I could remember. Must have been in a bad mood. I'm sure I felt better being snarky for a little bit.
Quite the contrary. How they sound to you is purely subjective. Hearing their music is still as impressive and innovative now as it was over 50 years ago. They were doing things then that no one even thinks of trying in today's cookie- cutter pop-obsessed industry.
What makes you so sure you know what contemporary musicians are thinking of trying? Obviously, The Beatles were innovative and influential, and I like this tune, but the music industry was pretty cookie-cutter and pop-obsessed in the 1960s as well; I'm not sure why so many people seem to forget that.
![](https://i.pinimg.com/564x/3b/07/71/3b0771979a07e52805ba0e4b4ac0aa02.jpg)
I wish I knew what Beethoven piece you were referring to.
Quite the contrary. How they sound to you is purely subjective. Hearing their music is still as impressive and innovative now as it was over 50 years ago. They were doing things then that no one even thinks of trying in today's cookie- cutter pop-obsessed industry.
No vest needed. Think what you want. We all like what we like!
It's a 10 anyway.
I've just done both things. Bah.
I disagree. I'd argue that none of their catalogue is dated as you suggest. Old perhaps but not dated. Are the works of the great composers dated? It's all a matter of perspective and of course opinion. Even with today's music, one can say that they are dated by your rationale. Music, all of it, is timeless.
Oh Yikes. Wish I could un-hear that ;-)
At which point I realize that if Bill tells me that I should absolutely NOT jump off that cliff. . .I might just jump off that cliff.
Oh Yikes. Wish I could un-hear that ;-)
John Denver should've known better......
![Image result for eleanor rigby](https://www.allthesinglegirlfriends.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Eleanor-Rigby-Statue.jpg)
![Image result for eleanor rigby](https://www.johnlennon.talktalk.net/images/rigby.jpg)
I agree with you bb_matt. As a pre-teen when I first heard this song, it made me afraid of growing up. I wanted to make sure nobody I knew ended up like Eleanor. 50 years on I realize that such loneliness is not something that can be cured and the Beatles got it right.
For anyone who is truly adventurous, there is this interesting cover by John Denver. Be advised: It is somewhat distressing...
Interesting. Absolutely.
It lacks something..... warmth, coherence of sound, the sonic space strikes me as hastily constructed. ....
It is a hard song to cover.
Youtube automatically went on to another cover by John Denver, Mr. Bojangles. That one is pretty decent. Perhaps because the sonic space is so much closer to his core sound.
![{#Bananasplit} {#Bananasplit}](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/bananasplit.gif)
The Beatles are my all-time favorite band. The highest score they'll ever get from me is 9. There simply is no such thing as a 10, as defined by Radio Paradise. As well, anyone being objective knows there are a few stinkers amongst all their great numbers (The Word comes to mind). But it's doubtful that'll ever get airplay on RP, so perhaps you'll be able to stick to your guns.
no, the orchestration was George Martin's idea.
Everybody in my mushrooming multitude of galactic presidential campaigns loves this groovy music in a minor key with poetic lyrics... this poem is a Shakespearean tragedy, where two people meet, but not in a way that will resolve each other's loneliness— she dies and he buries her... "no one was saved" as the poem ends with a conclusion... we be dancing like bowlegged gypsy muleskinners... love sex, drugs, and rock 'n roll... time flies when we're having fun... hope life is grand for you right this minute, WonderLizard...
Where do they all belong?
a 10
For anyone who is truly adventurous, there is this interesting cover by John Denver. Be advised: It is somewhat distressing...
Oh Yikes. Wish I could un-hear that ;-)
For anyone who is truly adventurous, there is this interesting cover by John Denver. Be advised: It is somewhat distressing...
![](https://viewerscommentary.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/yellow-submarine-eleanor-rigby.jpg)
It's sad how lonely we are.
Hope you are having a marvelous time, WonderLizard... everybody in my mushrooming multitude of churches be dancing...
Yes indeed, my mysterious friend. Yes indeed.
![{#Bananasplit} {#Bananasplit}](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/bananasplit.gif)
Amen to that, brother.
I think the music wasn't meant to be ground-breaking or mind-blowing, but was to convey the mood of the lyrics which it does well.
![{#Bananasplit} {#Bananasplit}](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/bananasplit.gif)
Only on Radio paradise!
Shakespeare+Vivaldi=Beatles...
Y'know, Romeo/Lazarus—whoever the hell you are, I don't give you enough credit for insight, what with all the bucknaked dancing, it's sorta strains credulity. But I think you've nailed this one. Nice.
Thank you! This song is a concise poem— literary minimalism— with the complete elements of a short story, which are characters, plot, climax, conclusion, epiphany, etc...
the tragedy of "Eleanor Rigby" is that two lonely people meet, but not in a way that will resolve either character's loneliness— she dies, and he buries her... the song ends with a religious image that defines the tragedy—
Eleanor Rigby, died in the church
And was buried along with her name.
Nobody came.
Father McKenzie, wiping the dirt
From his hands as he walks from the grave.
No one was saved.
Hope you are having a marvelous time, WonderLizard... everybody in my mushrooming multitude of churches be dancing...
Shakespeare+Vivaldi=Beatles...
Y'know, Romeo/Lazarus--whoever the hell you are, I don't give you enough credit for insight, what with all the bucknaked dancing, it's sorta strains credulity. But I think you've nailed this one. Nice.
...... totally agree the Beatles best album which was truly groundbreaking.
10
lunatic wrote:
Her older brother is named Maxwell Edison.
.
I knew a girl named McGill. She called herself Lil but everyone knew her as Nancy.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Disappearance_of_Eleanor_Rigby
![{#Bananapiano} {#Bananapiano}](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/bananapiano.gif)
evidently YOU are aptly named....
![{#Lol} {#Lol}](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/icon_lol.gif)
So long as you're an Old Fart 'at play', the moniker is to be worn with pride.
lunatic wrote:
Her older brother is named Maxwell Edison.
.
Her older brother is named Maxwell Edison.
.
evidently YOU are aptly named....
![{#Lol} {#Lol}](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/icon_lol.gif)
![{#Dance} {#Dance}](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/eusa_dance.gif)
amazing how things hit you
Her older brother is named Maxwell Edison.
.
The Rolling Stones??!!!
The Beatles were the ones who broke away from writing ''dance music'' and looked inside and wrote from and about their troubled souls about real relationships and religious experiences. The Stones are mere poseurs and misogynists. Wake the hell up!
The Stones are simply about putting on a razzle-dazzle big show in which Mick gets to strut and prance around. The Beatles were not song and dance men, which is why they stopped touring. I would never go see the Stones. They once invited Truman Capote to join them on stage, to which TC refused. He was asked why. His reply: ''I only do things that hold mystery for me.'' Right on, TC. The Stones are pure entertainment, which is ultimately so hollow.
your argument is rendered invalid by a) suspision that you're trolling and 2) that you don't know the difference between the act of a sportsman controlling a ball and the act of speaking nonsense. Fail.
This is one of the best songs ever written... brilliant short story with concise lyrics and fabulous music...
love it...
There's a sort of irony in those last six words being used in reference to this song.
Everybody in my church loves this song...
I am not alone !!
All the lonely people, where do they all come from?
* definitely lower than an 8: Helter Skelter/Obladi-oblada/Yellow Submarine/Get Back a.o.
I am not alone !!
Unbeleviable!!!
Only 2 options may explain:
1- they are just kidding
2- they are not from this planet...
To me, your comment above is about right, but I'd follow it with maybe a 6/7. Sometimes I really can't help thinking that some songs receive an automatic +4 for being a Beatles song...
I think you belong in a barrel with the monkeys. Somebody had to say it.
Oh yes and you and 13 other people in the world can't be wrong!
![{#Rolleyes} {#Rolleyes}](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/icon_rolleyes.gif)
You lost me at, "dribble".
![](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/icon_lol.gif)
It is a far, far better thing to have a firm anchor in nonsense than to put out on the troubled sea of thought.
- John Kenneth Galbraith
'tis a far, far better thing to be thought the fool than open one's mouth and remove all doubt.
"the will and influence of corporate money changers" etc.??? how about every musician (even your beloved stones), music critic, music listener in the last 60 years agree unanimously that they were THE single most important and influential band of the pop/rock era?
time to get back on your meds
It is a far, far better thing to have a firm anchor in nonsense than to put out on the troubled sea of thought.
- John Kenneth Galbraith
'tis a far, far better thing to be thought the fool than open one's mouth and remove all doubt.
"the will and influence of corporate money changers" etc.??? how about every musician (even your beloved stones), music critic, music listener in the last 60 years agree unanimously that they were THE single most important and influential band of the pop/rock era?
time to get back on your meds
Same with me. I think it's because it doesn't really go anywhere musically. I mean, the riff is great, but it doesn't go anywhere.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOGZlXBivw0
"Rick Wakeman performing a medley of the Beatles classics Help & Eleanor Rigby on Grand Piano, taken from 'The Other Side Of Rick Wakeman' "
"this is so amazingly good—such a rich interpretation! "
"Bravo!"
We discussed this in my (7th grade) English class too. Same reaction as your class (though I assume you and your classmates are older than we were), just 30 years earlier.
Stanley Jordan's cover is terrific as well.
![{#Mrgreen} {#Mrgreen}](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/icon_mrgreen.gif)
![](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/icon_yes.gif)