About the song
(Watch the video below)
"Eleanor Rigby" is a poignant song by The Beatles, released in 1966 on their album "Revolver." With its haunting melody and thought-provoking lyrics, the song stands as a testament to the band's ability to weave storytelling into their music. Here's a detailed breakdown of the song:
The opening of "Eleanor Rigby" immediately sets a somber tone with its melancholic strings, composed by George Martin and performed by a string quartet. This classical influence was a departure from the band's typical rock sound and contributed to the song's unique atmosphere.
The lyrics tell the story of two lonely individuals, Eleanor Rigby and Father McKenzie, who live their lives in isolation and obscurity. Eleanor Rigby is introduced as a woman who "picks up the rice in the church where a wedding has been," symbolizing her solitary existence and her connection to the transient nature of human relationships.
Father McKenzie, meanwhile, "writing the words of a sermon that no one will hear," represents the loneliness and futility of his role as a clergyman in a society that seems indifferent to his message.
The chorus, with its plaintive repetition of "All the lonely people, where do they all come from?" highlights the theme of loneliness and the existential questions it raises. Despite being surrounded by others, both Eleanor Rigby and Father McKenzie are ultimately alone in their struggles.
The song's narrative takes a poignant turn as Eleanor Rigby dies "in the church and was buried along with her name." The imagery of her funeral underscores the anonymity and insignificance of her existence, despite her presence in the community.
Father McKenzie's role in the song deepens as he "wipes the dirt from his hands as he walks from the grave." His inability to connect with his parishioners and provide solace reflects the broader sense of alienation and disconnection prevalent in modern society.
The song's final verse serves as a powerful reflection on the fleeting nature of life and the inevitability of death. Despite their best efforts to find meaning and companionship, Eleanor Rigby and Father McKenzie are ultimately left with nothing but their own solitude.
"Eleanor Rigby" remains one of The Beatles' most enduring and thought-provoking songs, exploring themes of loneliness, alienation, and the search for meaning in a seemingly indifferent world. Through its evocative lyrics and haunting melody, the song continues to resonate with listeners around the world, offering a poignant reminder of the human condition and the universal need for connection.
Video
Lyrics
Let's sing along with the 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?
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 (ah, look at all the lonely people)
Where do they all come from?
All the lonely people (ah, look at all the lonely people)
Where do they all belong?
