Article image

26 Moving Lyrics From Beatles Songs

When Paul McCartney, John Lennon, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr played their first gig together in Liverpool in 1962, they never could have guessed their legacy would be imprinted in the brains of millions of people.

The Beatles have had an immeasurable impact on music, thanks to their catchy melodies and universally relatable lyrics. Their songs have influenced countless pop singers, rock bands, and experimental artists, and they continue to be covered and sampled by musicians to this day.

Although many of the early Beatles songs were incredibly simple, the writing duo of Lennon and McCartney hit on all-encompassing truths about love and life. Their later albums, which increasingly included the songwriting of George and Ringo, added a fresh perspective to the beloved band’s repertoire.

When the Beatles moved into concept albums with Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band in 1967, their songs took on a psychedelic tone, but they didn’t lose any of the heart and vulnerability that attracted so many fans to their music. In fact, their ability to incorporate more experimental music styles gave them the space to explore more complex lyrical themes, and these later albums have a depth that makes them even more moving.

These 26 Beatles lyrics are a small sample of the emotional wisdom the musical icons brought to every album throughout their legendary career.

I found that love was more / Than just holding hands.
“If I Fell,” 1964

Share Quote

I don't care too much for money / Money can't buy me love.
“Can’t Buy Me Love,” 1964

Share Quote

For tomorrow may rain, so / I'll follow the sun.
“I’ll Follow the Sun,” 1964

Share Quote

When I was younger, so much younger than today / I never needed anybody's help in any way / But now these days are gone, I'm not so self-assured / Now I find I've changed my mind and opened up the doors.
“Help!,” 1965

Share Quote

Life is very short and there's no time / For fussing and fighting, my friend.
“We Can Work It Out,” 1965

Share Quote

There are places I'll remember / All my life, though some have changed / Some forever, not for better / Some have gone and some remain / All these places have their moments / With lovers and friends I still can recall / Some are dead and some are living / In my life, I've loved them all.
“In My Life,” 1965

Share Quote

All the lonely people / Where do they all come from? / All the lonely people / Where do they all belong?
“Eleanor Rigby,” 1966

Share Quote

Keeping an eye on the world going by my window / Taking my time.
“I’m Only Sleeping,” 1966

Share Quote

I get by with a little help from my friends.
“With a Little Help From My Friends,” 1967

Share Quote

I've got to admit it's getting better / A little better all the time.
“Getting Better,” 1967

Share Quote

And the time will come when you see we're all one / And life flows on within you and without you.
“Within You Without You," 1967

Share Quote

There's nothing you can do that can't be done / Nothing you can sing that can't be sung.
“All You Need Is Love,” 1967

Share Quote

Nothing you can do, but you can learn how to be you in time / It's easy / All you need is love.
“All You Need Is Love,” 1967

Share Quote

Living is easy with eyes closed / Misunderstanding all you see / It's getting hard to be someone, but it all works out.
“Strawberry Fields Forever,” 1967

Share Quote

I don't know why nobody told you / How to unfold your love.
“While My Guitar Gently Weeps,” 1968

Share Quote

All your life / You were only waiting for this moment to arise.
“Blackbird,” 1968

Share Quote

The sun is up, the sky is blue / It's beautiful, and so are you.
“Dear Prudence,” 1968

Share Quote

Remember to let her into your heart / Then you can start to make it better.
“Hey Jude,” 1968

Share Quote

For well you know that it's a fool who plays it cool / By making his world a little colder.
“Hey Jude,” 1968

Share Quote

Here comes the sun / And I say, "It's alright."
“Here Comes the Sun,” 1969

Share Quote

And in the end / The love you take / Is equal to the love you make.
“The End,” 1969

Share Quote

One thing I can tell you is you got to be free.
“Come Together,” 1969

Share Quote

You and I have memories / Longer than the road that stretches out ahead.
“Two of Us,” 1970

Share Quote

And when the night is cloudy / There is still a light that shines on me / Shine until tomorrow / Let it be.
“Let It Be,” 1970

Share Quote

Limitless undying love which shines around me like a million suns / It calls me on and on across the universe.
“Across the Universe,” 1970

Share Quote

The long and winding road that leads to your door / Will never disappear.
“The Long and Winding Road,” 1970

Share Quote

Featured image credit: MoreISO/ iStock

Author image
About the Author
Julia Rittenberg
Julia is a writer, theater and comics lover, and lifelong nerd in Brooklyn, NY.
Play more header background
Play more icon
Daily Question
Who said, "If you don't know where you are going, any road will get you there"?

More Inspiration

happiness theme icon

In every conceivable manner, the family is link to our past, bridge to our future.

separator icon
Alex Haley
motivation theme icon

Risk something or forever sit with your dreams.

separator icon
Herb Brooks
hope theme icon

I never practice, I always play.

separator icon
Wanda Landowska
love theme icon

Being successful doesn't mean anything in and of itself. It just means that you're successful.

separator icon
Greta Gerwig
wisdom theme icon

Healing begins where the wound was made.

separator icon
Alice Walker
happiness theme icon

Vision is the art of seeing things invisible.

separator icon
Jonathan Swift
motivation theme icon

All mistakes teach us something, so there are, in reality, no mistakes.

separator icon
Nikki Giovanni
hope theme icon

I'd rather live with a tender heart, because that is the key to feeling the beat of all of the other hearts.

separator icon
Jenny Slate
love theme icon

Mistakes are almost always of a sacred nature.

separator icon
Salvador Dalí
wisdom theme icon

Once you realize that you can do something, it would be difficult to live with yourself if you didn’t do it.

separator icon
James Baldwin
happiness theme icon

Optimism is a happiness magnet.

separator icon
Mary Lou Retton