The Beatles’ Song That Paul McCartney ‘Wrote in Two Hours’ and Called a ‘Work Job’
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The Beatles, arguably the most iconic and influential band in the history of modern music, had a vast catalog of songs, each with its own story, emotional depth, and intricate musicianship. Some tracks were crafted with painstaking care over months, while others came together almost spontaneously, as if from nowhere. One of the most remarkable examples of the latter is Paul McCartney’s classic “Yesterday,” which he famously wrote in an incredibly short span of time, claiming to have completed the song in just two hours. McCartney himself has often spoken of how the creation of this song was both unexpectedly effortless and strangely akin to a “work job” in the way he approached it.
“Yesterday,” though deeply melancholic and introspective, remains one of The Beatles’ most enduring and universally beloved songs. It holds a unique place in The Beatles’ catalog for its simplicity, vulnerability, and the sudden inspiration that brought it into existence. But behind the beauty and serenity of the track lies a fascinating backstory, one that reveals how McCartney’s creative process could sometimes be a product of both discipline and mystery.
The Creation of “Yesterday”: A Sudden Inspiration The Beatles
The year was 1965, and The Beatles were at the height of their fame. The band had already achieved immense success with their previous albums, such as Rubber Soul and Help!, and they were working on new material for their next project. The group was in the midst of a whirlwind schedule of touring, recording, and public appearances, yet McCartney found a rare moment of solitude to reflect and tap into his inner creativity.
It was during this period that McCartney woke up one morning with the melody of “Yesterday” fully formed in his mind. As he later recounted, he couldn’t remember whether it was a piece of music he had heard before, or if it had come to him in a dream. He awoke with the tune in his head and immediately felt compelled to work on it.
McCartney initially didn’t have lyrics to go with the melody, but he hummed the tune around the house, working on it bit by bit. As the melody solidified, the lyrics began to take shape, drawing from McCartney’s personal emotions of longing and regret. He wrote the words quickly, with little effort, feeling that the song almost wrote itself. According to McCartney, the entire process of writing the song took about two hours, which is remarkable given how deeply emotional and reflective the lyrics are.
In an interview, McCartney famously described the song as a “work job,” noting that he treated it like a task that needed to be completed. This comment might seem surprising, given the song’s beautiful and soulful quality. However, McCartney often took a pragmatic approach to songwriting, viewing it as a process of craftsmanship as much as art. He approached “Yesterday” with the same efficiency and discipline he applied to other aspects of his work, despite the song’s emotional depth. McCartney has said that it felt like “a gift” from the universe, but that the process of writing it itself was straightforward and quick—an exception to the often laborious and collaborative approach that characterized much of The Beatles’ music-making.
The Lyrics: A Moment of Vulnerability The Beatles
The lyrics of “Yesterday” were simple yet deeply poignant. The song tells the story of someone reflecting on the loss of something once cherished, lamenting how their life has changed for the worse. The narrator longs for the past, yearning to go back to a time when things were easier and more joyful. This feeling of loss is expressed through the repeated refrain, “Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away, now it looks as though they’re here to stay.”
McCartney, often known for his upbeat, optimistic songwriting, took a different direction here. The somber tone and melancholic mood of the lyrics reflect a side of McCartney’s emotional life that was less explored in his other work with The Beatles. Though McCartney has admitted that the song was not directly inspired by any particular event in his life, it can be seen as a general expression of the human experience of loss and nostalgia. Whether or not McCartney was consciously tapping into his own emotions at the time, the resulting song resonates with listeners because of its universal themes.
The simplicity of the lyrics also adds to the song’s power. There is no overt storytelling, no dramatic build-up—just a direct, intimate reflection of regret and longing. The song’s heartache is communicated in its stripped-down nature, with only McCartney’s voice and an acoustic guitar initially accompanying the melody.
The Recording of “Yesterday”: A Break from the Beatles’ Usual Sound The Beatles
Unlike many of The Beatles’ other tracks, “Yesterday” is not a full-band song. In fact, it was recorded with McCartney singing solo, accompanied by a string quartet. This marked a significant departure from the band’s typical style, which often involved lush, electric instrumentation and complex arrangements. “Yesterday” stands as a rare example of McCartney’s ability to create a deeply emotional, intimate piece that doesn’t rely on the usual Beatles’ sonic landscape.
The recording took place on June 14, 1965, at Abbey Road Studios in London, during the sessions for Help!, the album on which “Yesterday” appeared. The recording was completed in one take, with McCartney’s vocal track laid down first. A string quartet was later added, and the combination of McCartney’s soft, plaintive vocals with the classical instrumentation elevated the emotional impact of the track.
The decision to use a string quartet was a pivotal moment in The Beatles’ evolution as artists. Producer George Martin, who had worked with the band since the early days, suggested the arrangement, and McCartney was initially unsure about how the strings would fit into the song. However, the orchestral arrangement turned out to be a perfect complement to the song’s somber mood, adding a layer of elegance and sophistication to the otherwise simple composition.
“Yesterday” was one of the first instances where The Beatles began to experiment with orchestral elements in their music, something that would become more prominent in later works like Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. The song’s stripped-back, orchestral arrangement was groundbreaking for its time and is still regarded as one of the most beautiful and timeless pieces in The Beatles’ catalog.
The Impact and Legacy of “Yesterday” The Beatles
Released as a single in 1965, “Yesterday” became an instant hit, reaching number one on the charts in both the UK and the United States. The song quickly became one of The Beatles’ most beloved tracks, widely regarded as a masterpiece of songwriting. It stands out not only for its simplicity and emotional depth but also for its accessibility—“Yesterday” transcended the usual boundaries of pop and rock music at the time, appealing to a wide range of listeners.
The song’s influence extends far beyond its initial success. “Yesterday” is one of the most covered songs in music history, with over 2,200 recorded versions by various artists across different genres. It has been interpreted by everyone from Frank Sinatra to Ray Charles to Elvis Presley, making it one of the most enduring songs of the 20th century. The song’s beauty lies in its universality—its themes of longing, nostalgia, and the passage of time resonate with listeners from all walks of life, regardless of their background or musical taste.
The song also holds a special place in The Beatles’ history, serving as a testament to the band’s versatility and McCartney’s ability to create timeless music. “Yesterday” was one of the first Beatles songs to showcase McCartney’s ability as a solo songwriter, demonstrating his range and his capacity to write deeply personal songs that stood apart from the usual band dynamic. The success of “Yesterday” marked a turning point for McCartney as a songwriter, as he would go on to write even more emotive and reflective tracks in his career, both within The Beatles and as a solo artist.
Conclusion: A Moment of Serendipity The Beatles
“Yesterday” is an enduring testament to Paul McCartney’s songwriting genius, a track that came together effortlessly in a brief window of time but has remained an essential piece of music for generations. The fact that McCartney wrote the song in just two hours, with what he later described as a “work job” mentality, only adds to the mystique and allure of the track. Despite its seemingly spontaneous creation, “Yesterday” is one of the most poignant and beautifully crafted songs in popular music history. Its continued popularity speaks to McCartney’s innate ability to capture universal emotions with simplicity and grace, creating a timeless masterpiece that continues to resonate with listeners all over the world.
