"Yesterday" by The Beatles is one of the most celebrated and influential pop songs in history, written by Paul McCartney (credited to Lennon–McCartney), and first released on the 1965 album Help!57. Notably, it is performed solely by McCartney, who sings and plays acoustic guitar, accompanied by a string quartet—a distinct arrangement that marked a departure from the Beatles' previous work and their first recording to feature just one member of the group567.
Key facts about "Yesterday":
- Release: The song debuted on August 6, 1965, in the UK as part of the Help! album, and was released as a single in the US a month later, where it reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100.
- Composition: McCartney is the only Beatle on the track. The song’s introspective tone and acoustic instrumentation underscore its melancholic theme: the regret and emotional pain of losing a relationship due to something the narrator said.
- Origins: McCartney composed the melody after waking up with it in his head and initially used the placeholder lyrics “Scrambled eggs / Oh, my baby, how I love your legs” until proper words were found.
- Arrangement: Producer George Martin suggested adding a string quartet, eventually leading to the unique chamber pop sound. The strings were recorded in a single take.
- Cultural Impact: With over 2,200 known cover versions, "Yesterday" is one of the most covered songs in recorded music history and has been played millions of times, per Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI). It was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1997 and named the best song of the 20th century in multiple polls.
- UK Release: Initially, "Yesterday" was not released as a single in the UK due to the band's reluctance to spotlight a solo effort under the Beatles name, but it was released there as a single in 1976.
- Songwriting Credit: Despite being written entirely by McCartney, it remains credited to Lennon–McCartney. McCartney’s 2002 request to reverse these credits was denied by Yoko Ono.
Lyrics excerpt:
Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away,
Now it looks as though they're here to stay,
Oh, I believe in yesterday.
The track’s enduring popularity and artistic innovation have secured its place as a milestone in both The Beatles’ career and the broader landscape of modern music57.
