All around the world, people wish they could go back in time and correct mistakes they made in the past. Whether they want to change a class or fix a relationship with a loved one, the past seems much better. In “Yesterday” by The Beatles, the lyrics portray longingness and sorrow.
The beginning of the song shows how yesterday had no problems and today the problems are weighing him down when he says, “Yesterday / All my troubles seemed so far away / Now it looks as though they’re here to stay” displaying a sense of hopelessness for the present and the future. The background music also exhibits misery to accentuate the listener’s feeling of regret.
Toward the middle of the song, the writer believes his past mistakes had changed himself for the worst when he writes, “Suddenly / I’m not half the man I used to be / There’s a shadow hanging over me / Oh, yesterday came suddenly” communicating the distress he feels after his mistakes in the past.
The regretful song continues with him longing to go back to a better time with love: “Yesterday / Love was such an easy game to play / Now I need a place to hide away.” The lyrics of this song provide the listener a sense of mourning and sorrow, regretting their past mistakes and longing for the past before those mistakes.
“Yesterday” is the 13th track on The Beatles album “Help!” The song was written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney. Released in 1965, “Help!” is The Beatles fifth album. The album features a mix of upbeat songs and downhearted songs through rock and pop sounds.
The Beatles wrote songs with personal lyrics and emotional melodies including songs like “Help!” and “Blackbird” as well as uplifting songs such as “Here Comes The Sun” and “Hey Jude.”
The Beatles have won a total of 13 Grammy awards and have won a total of 52 miscellaneous awards including Academy Awards and American Music Awards.
“Yesterday” is available on all streaming platforms.