Who Was Eleanor Rigby?
Eleanor Rigby
Eleanor Rigby is one of the Beatles' most beloved songs. It is a part of the album Revolver, considered by many fans and critics to be the best album the Beatles or anyone else ever recorded.
Most sources credit Paul McCartney as the primary writer, but John Lennon complicated the issue just before he died in 1980 when he said "the first verse pf Eleanor Rigby was his and the rest are basically mine." Paul gives credit to John for "half a line."
Regardless, Eleanor Rigby is one of the most beautiful sad songs ever recorded.
The Real Eleanor Rigby
- Read About the Real Eleanor Rigby
Yes there was a real Eleanor Rigby!
More Eleanor Rigby Facts
* Paul sings lead. John Lennon and George contribute harmony and backing vocals.
* None of the Beatles played instruments on Eleanor Rigby.
* Producer George Martin composed a string section for the song consisting of four violins, two violas and two cellos. The instruments were played by session musicians.
* Microphones were placed unusually close for a more unique sound.
* On August 5, 1966, Eleanor Rigby was released on both the album Revolver and on a double A-side single with "Yellow Submarine" on Parlophone in the United Kingdom and Capitol in the United States.
* Eleanor Rigby was number one on the British charts, but in the United States it only reached the number eleven.
* Eleanor Rigby is the second song featured in the 1968 Beatles animated film Yellow Submarine. The first is the title song, Yellow Submarine.
Eleanor Rigby Lyrics
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?
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?
Eleanor Rigby Statue in Liverpool
In 1982, Pop singer Tommy Steele sculptured a bronze statue of Eleanor Rigby. The statue is located on Stanley Street in Liverpool. Stanley Street is very close to the Matthew Street Quarter (home of The Cavern Club).
Eleanor is sitting on a bench with her shopping bag and scarf, sharing some bread crumbs with the sparrows. A plaque behind her dedicates the statue "to all the lonely people."
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Beatles Photos at Rolling Stone
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Seventy-eight classic Beatles photos.
