About the song
“Yesterday,” a song by the English rock band The Beatles, is a profound testament to the band’s versatility and emotional range. Written by Paul McCartney and credited to the Lennon-McCartney songwriting partnership, “Yesterday” was first released on The Beatles’ album *Help!* in August 1965. It marked a departure from the band’s usual sound, featuring McCartney’s introspective vocals accompanied solely by an acoustic guitar and a string quartet. This minimalist arrangement set it apart from their typical rock and roll style and showcased a more delicate, contemplative side of The Beatles.
The song’s impact was immediate and significant. Released as a single in the United States in September 1965, “Yesterday” swiftly climbed to number one on the U.S. charts. Its influence continued to grow, as it appeared on the UK EP *Yesterday* in March 1966 and later on the U.S. album *Yesterday and Today* in June 1966. The song’s poignant lyrics, which reflect on a past relationship with a sense of melancholy and longing, struck a chord with audiences worldwide.
With over 2,200 cover versions to its name, “Yesterday” stands as one of the most covered songs in the history of recorded music. Its significance was further solidified when it was voted the best song of the 20th century in a 1999 BBC Radio 2 poll and was recognized as the No. 1 pop song of all time by MTV and Rolling Stone magazine in 2000. In 1997, it was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, and Broadcast Music Incorporated (BMI) reports that it was performed over seven million times in the 20th century alone.
Despite its success and acclaim, the recording of “Yesterday” was notably different from other Beatles’ work, leading to the band members’ decision to veto its release as a single in the UK at the time. However, its enduring popularity was evident as other artists quickly recorded their own versions, and The Beatles’ original version was eventually released as a single in the UK in 1976, where it reached number 8 on the charts. “Yesterday” remains a powerful, evocative piece of music that continues to resonate with listeners across generations.
Video
Lyrics
Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away
Now it looks as though they’re here to stay
Oh, I believe in yesterdaySuddenly, I’m not half the man I used to be
There’s a shadow hanging over me
Oh, yesterday came suddenlyWhy she had to go I don’t know she wouldn’t say
I said something wrong, now I long for yesterdayYesterday, love was such an easy game to play
Now I need a place to hide away
Oh, I believe in yesterdayWhy she had to go I don’t know she wouldn’t say
I said something wrong, now I long for yesterdayYesterday, 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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