Tag Archive | Eleanor Rigby

E is for Eleanor Rigby

Apr7
Statue of Eleanor Rigby in Stanley Street, Liv...

Statue of Eleanor Rigby in Stanley Street, Liverpool, UK (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I don’t remember a time in my life when I didn’t know the song Eleanor Rigby.  The song itself encapsulates the former greatest fear in my life – a deeply human, common fear – the fear of ending up completely alone.  The song itself was largely written by Paul McCartney, with input from several people, both within the Beatles and out.  While Paul McCartney once claimed he created the names Eleanor Rigby and Father McKenzie, an actual headstone for Eleanor Rigby was “discovered” in a cemetery in Woolton.  Those who know the history of the Beatles know that John Lennon and Paul McCartney met at the Woolton church fete in 1957.  In fact, they used to hang out in the church yard in which the headstone for Eleanor Rigby was discovered.  Years later, Paul suggested that he may have subconsciously remembered the name from those early days hanging around the church yard.  There is a headstone for a McKenzie nearby as well.

As for the song itself, it was a definite departure from the band.  They play no instruments on the song.  Instead a string octet played the classical score composed by one of the many 5th Beatles, George Martin.  Paul McCartney sings lead vocals, backed up by George Harrison and John Lennon.  Today there is a memorial to Eleanor Rigby in Liverpool.

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2012 A to Z Blogging Challenge: Beatles Edition

Mar31

Anyone who is anyone is gearing up for the April 2012 A to Z Blogging Challenge.  Originally I hadn’t planned a theme.  I’m not normally a theme person per se.  However, the more I learned about the challenge, and those participating, the more I realized that I did indeed need a theme.  So here it goes.  After originally considering a tropical theme, I realized it was way too broad.  I try to write what I know, so I decided on The Beatles A to Z, including solo works.  Love them or hate them, there is a ton of fun material.  Here is the tentative list.  I’m even going to try to tie it all together à la a concept album, an idea pioneered by the Beatles.  Enjoy!

Photograph of The Beatles as they arrive in Ne...

Photograph of The Beatles as they arrive in New York City in 1964 Français : Photographie de The Beatles, lors de leur arrivée à New York City en 1964 Italiano: Fotografia dei Beatles al loro arrivo a New York City nel 1964 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Oh, and by the way, do check out Nickers And Ink, an online friend who will also be participating this year!

A – Abbey Road, And In The End – April 1 – DONE

B – Beatleology – April 2 – DONE

C – Can’t Buy Me Love – April 3 – DONE

D – Drive My Car/Don’t Let Me Down – April 4 – DONE

E – Eleanor Rigby – April 5 – DONE

F – Fab Four – April 6 – DONE

G – George Harrison – April 7 – DONE

H – A Hard Day’s Night/Help – April 9 – DONE

I – In My Life – April 10 – DONE

J – John Lennon – April 11 – DONE

K – Kansas City/Hey, Hey, Hey – April 12 – DONE

L – La, La, La Lovely Linda – April 13 – DONE

M – McCartney, The Album – April 14 – DONE

N – Nowhere Man – April 16 – DONE

O – Oh! Darling – April 17 – DONE

P – Penney Lane – April 18 – DONE

Q – Quality and Quantity/Her Majesty – April 19 – DONE

R – Ringo Starr – April 20 – DONE

S – Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band/Strawberry Fields Forever – April 21 – DONE

T – The Taxman – April 22 – DONE

U – Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey – April 24 – DONE

V – Vintage Everyday – April 25 – DONE

W – White Album – April 26 – DONE

X – Merry XMas (War Is Over!) – April 27 – DONE

Y – Yesterday – April 28 – DONE

Z – Dizzy Miss Lizzy/The End – April 30 – DONE

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