Friday, March 11, 2016

All the Lonely People



Ah look at all the lonely people
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 the 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
Where do they all come from?
All the lonely people
Where do they all belong


George Martin, the legendary producer sometimes called "the fifth Beatle" because of his influence on their sound from the outset died earlier this week. Unlike a number of significant figures in the music business who have headed to rock and roll heaven in recent months Martin had "a good innings" as the British say, living to age 90.

Martin adapted over the years alongside the Fab Four and produced some remarkable albums. One of my favourite songs for both tune and lyrics is Eleanor Rigby. It captures the poignancy of loneliness and in some ways dates itself because a clergyperson was involved in the funeral of Eleanor. That doesn't happen so often in modern day Britain.

Do you know the song? Do you like it, or is it too morose for your taste? All those who appreciate it, twist and shout. (A Beatles hit but not a Beatles song.)

5 comments:

roger said...

Great song and great lyrics. It probably ranks as one of my favourite Beatles songs, although it's a short one - just a couple of minutes long. I still prefer Hey Jude and The Long and Winding Road to name just a couple.

If we're talking about bands from yesteryear, one of my favourites is still The Clash. I loved the music and the lyrics, and although they were extremely political and I don't always agree with the message, I still listen to them almost daily. Songs like Armagideon Time and Ghetto Defendant.....it doesn't get any better!

Judy said...

This song was actually running through my head as I walked in Toronto the last couple of days (visiting old friends and doing some shopping and getting some "Big City" entertainment together) LOTS of street people, begging.... I know we have them in every city... multitudinous reasons for that situation - then the song, "Imagine" came to mind - we have a LOT to do in our society to make things right and comfortable for everyone.

Laurie said...

I am taking my son to the Beatles museum in Liverpool in 10 days. Roger, I listen to the Clash every week. Love the music. Music lives on!

Eric Mundy said...

The Beatles were very lucky to have someone like George Martin finessing their raw talent. Obviously the Beatles were brilliant with their writing, tapping in to the every day life of growing up in Liverpool, but it appears that Martin had the trained musical background to take those ideas and sculpt them into classics. Also fortunate that the "lads" had the foresight to let him do his thing.
Listening to Eleanor Rigby takes you somewhere.

David Mundy said...

All of your comments were thoughtful and worthwhile additions. Thank you. And no one "clashed" in their perspectives!