Songs > Yesterday
Yesterday
(Lennon/McCartney)
Song background
One of the more humorous song backgrounds in the Beatles song catalog, "Yesterday" famously began as a piano riff churning through Paul's head and waking him one night. Using the lines "Scrambled eggs/Oh my dear you have such lovely legs", Paul played the song for anyone and everyone who would listen, swearing up and down he had heard the tune before. When several people assured him it was completely original (and after driving everyone crazy in the process, as noted by George Martin), Paul completed the lyrics. The track, featuring Paul on his acoustic guitar backed by a string arrangement, is the most covered Beatles song ever.
Recording dates ...
Release dates
- March 16, 1965 (US) ("Yesterday/Act Naturally" single)
- June 15, 1966 (US) (on Yesterday And Today)
- August 6, 1965 (UK) (on Help!)
- March 4, 1966 (UK) (on "Yesterday" EP)
- April 2, 1973 (US) (on 1962-66)
- April 19, 1973 (UK) (on 1962-66)
- March 8, 1976 (UK) ("Yesterday/I Should Have Known Better" single)
- November 19, 1977 (UK) (on Love Songs)
- October 21, 1977 (US) (on Love Songs)
- November 14, 2000 (UK & US) (on Beatles 1)
Recording notes ...
Chart performance
- #1, October 9 - November 5 (4 weeks), Billboard (US)
Quotes
- "Well, we all know about "Yesterday." I have had so much accolade for "Yesterday." That is Paul's song, of course, and Paul's baby. Well done. Beautiful -- and I never wished I had written it." - John Lennon, Playboy, 1980
Awards
- Nominated for the 1965 Grammy for Record Of The Year
- Song Of The Year
- Best Vocal Performance; Male
- Best Contemporary (R&R) Single
- Best Contemporary (R&R) Vocal Performance; Male
- Best Arrangement Accompanying a Vocalist or Instrumentalist
Other notes
- Paul is the only Beatle present on the record, playing along with a string quartet. The idea to release the recording credited to Paul McCartney rather than The Beatles was briefly flirted with, but Brian Epstein would not allow it.
- "Yesterday" is the most covered Beatles song in history.
Notable covers
- Boyz 2 Men (from II, 1994)
- En Vogue (from Funky Divas, 1992)
- Michael Bolton (from Timeless - The Classics, 1992)
- Dr. John (from Hollywood Be Thy Name, 1975)
- Marvin Gaye (from That's The Way Love Is, 1969)
