The Beatles

Lyrics

[Verse 1: John Lennon]
I read the news today, oh boy
About a lucky man who made the grade
And though the news was rather sad
Well, I just had to laugh
I saw the photograph
He blew his mind out in a car
He didn't notice that the lights had changed
A crowd of people stood and stared
They'd seen his face before
Nobody was really sure if he was from the House of Lords

[Verse 2: John Lennon]
I saw a film today, oh boy
The English Army had just won the war
A crowd of people turned away
But I just had to look
Having read the book

[Refrain: John Lennon]
I'd love to turn you on
(Seven, Eight, Nine, Ten)
Alarm clock rings
[Bridge: Paul McCartney]
Woke up, fell out of bed
Dragged a comb across my head
Found my way downstairs and drank a cup
And looking up I noticed I was late
Found my coat and grabbed my hat
Made the bus in seconds flat
Found my way upstairs and had a smoke
And somebody spoke and I went into a dream
[Interlude: John Lennon]
Ahh-ah-ah-ah
Ah-ah-ah, ah-ah-ahh

[Verse 3: John Lennon]
I read the news today, oh boy
Four thousand holes in Blackburn, Lancashire
And though the holes were rather small
They had to count them all
Now they know how many holes it takes to fill the Albert Hall

[Refrain: John Lennon]
I'd love to turn you on
[Instrumental Outro]
Whistle
Studio chatter
(Never could be any other way)
(Never been so high
What’s that?)
(Never could be any other way)
(Never been so high
What’s that?)
(Never could be any other way)
(Never been so high
What’s that?)
(Never could be any other way)
(Never been so high
What’s that?)
(Never could be any other way)
(Never been so high
What’s that?)
(Never could be any other way)
(Never been so high
What’s that?)
(Never could be any other way)
(Never been so high
What’s that?)
(Never could be any other way)
(Never been so high
What’s that?)
(Never could be any other way)
(Never been so high
What’s that?)
(Never could be any other way)
(Never been so high
What’s that?)
(Never could be any other way)
(Never been so high
What’s that?)
(Never could be any other way)
(Never been so high
What’s that?)

The Beatles' song "A Day in the Life" is one of the most iconic and groundbreaking tracks in the history of rock music. With its complex structure, innovative use of orchestration, and profound lyrics, the song stands as a testament to the band's lasting artistic legacy. Written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney in 1967, "A Day in the Life" remains a timeless masterpiece that continues to inspire and captivate music lovers around the world.

About A Day in the Life

The composition of "A Day in the Life" involved a unique collaboration between Lennon and McCartney, who each contributed different elements to the song. Lennon wrote the haunting opening and closing sections, which feature his distinctive vocal style and evocative lyrics. In these sections, Lennon reflects on the surreal and sometimes disturbing aspects of everyday life, such as the news stories of accidents and tragedies that he read in the newspaper.

McCartney, on the other hand, contributed the bridge section of the song, which offers a more upbeat and melodic counterpoint to Lennon's darker themes. This section is notable for its use of ascending chord progressions, which create a feeling of tension and release that perfectly complements the overall structure of the song.

One of the most memorable and innovative aspects of "A Day in the Life" is the use of an orchestra of 40 musicians in the climactic middle section of the song. Lennon and McCartney instructed the musicians to start at the lowest note on their instruments and gradually ascend to the highest note closest to E major over the course of 24 bars. The result is a stunning and chaotic wall of sound that perfectly captures the psychedelic vibe of the era.

The lyrics of "A Day in the Life" are equally complex and thought-provoking. Lennon drew inspiration from the death of Tara Browne, a young socialite who died in a car accident at the age of 21. Browne was a friend of the Beatles and had been mentioned in an earlier song, "She's Leaving Home." Lennon also incorporated random news stories he read in the paper, such as a report about potholes in Blackburn, which inspired the line "4,000 holes in Blackburn, Lancashire."

The overall effect of "A Day in the Life" is one of profound emotional and artistic depth. The song's complex structure and layered instrumentation offer a rich and immersive listening experience that rewards repeated listens. The lyrics, meanwhile, offer a poignant reflection on the fragility and unpredictability of life, as well as a powerful critique of the media's tendency to sensationalize tragedy and despair.

It's no surprise that "A Day in the Life" has been hailed as one of the Beatles' greatest songs and one of the most important works in the history of rock music. The song's influence can be heard in countless other works of music, from Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon" to Radiohead's "OK Computer," and its enduring popularity is a testament to the band's enduring creative legacy.

The music video for "A Day in the Life" was originally released in 1995 as part of the Beatles' "Anthology" mini-series. The video features previously unreleased footage of the band's recording sessions and offers a fascinating glimpse into the creative process behind this iconic song.

In the end, "A Day in the Life" stands as a shining example of the Beatles' remarkable talent and artistic vision. With its stunning orchestration, haunting lyrics, and complex structure, the song remains a timeless masterpiece that continues to inspire and amaze music lovers around the world.

• Release Date: May 26, 1967
• Artist: The Beatles