This comment from rawgod inspired me to play this song tonight:
“I had the opportunity as a teenager and young adult to hear a lot of very great music. Not every song, but a lot of them have special memories tied to them. This is why a lot of your posts take me on musical journeys. In my life a lot of songs were tied together for reasons I cannot remember anymore, but when I hear one I need to hear others.”
I was not quite 13 years old when The Beatles made their U.S. debut on The Ed Sullivan Show on 23 February 1964.
Frankly, I was not all that impressed. BUT … my parents hated them on sight, so that was good enough reason for me to become an instant fan! (Yes, I was a brat even back then!) Though not a huge fan, they had a number of songs that definitely ranked among my favourites. Probably my #1 favourite is Blackbird, both for the tune and the meaning behind the lyrics. So, tonight I decided on another that was among my faves, In My Life.
Released on the 1965 album Rubber Soul, this song is an autobiographical song about John Lennon’s life. He wrote most of the lyrics after being asked why a book he wrote, In His Own Write, revealed more about him than his songs did.
The lyrics about friends refer to Stu Sutcliffe, an early Beatle and great friend of John’s who died in 1962, and another friend named Pete Shotton. Lennon also thought of his Aunt Mimi and wife Cynthia, as well as other friends. One of the most beautiful Beatles songs, John called it “A little piece of art work.”
There is controversy over how involved McCartney was in writing this song. Lennon claimed in later interviews that he wrote the whole thing, while McCartney claimed it was an equal collaboration. In 2018, a Harvard statistician pegged it as a Lennon composition.
This was voted the best song of all time by a panel of songwriters in a 2000 Mojo magazine poll. The panelists included McCartney, Brian Wilson, Lamont Dozier, and Carole King.
In My Life
The Beatles
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
But of all these friends and lovers
There is no one compares with you
And these memories lose their meaning
When I think of love as something new
Though I know I’ll never lose affection
For people and things that went before
I know I’ll often stop and think about them
In my life, I love you more
Though I know I’ll never lose affection
For people and things that went before
I know I’ll often stop and think about them
In my life, I love you more
In my life– I love you more
Songwriters: John Lennon / Paul Mccartney
In My Life lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Filosofa's Word 
I still find it remarkable that Lennon wrote this in his twenties; it sounds like the recollections of a much older person. He was definitely one of a kind.
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I hadn’t thought about that, but yeah — you’re right! He was one of a kind and talent like his comes rarely. I’m so glad you enjoyed the music!
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Pingback: IN MY LIFE. ( Redux ) |jilldennison.com | Ramblings of an Occupy Liberal
One of my favourite Beatles songs – which is saying a lot! They didn’t need to get a Harvard statistician to tell them it was John’s song: he took lead vocal, which was always the clue.
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Wow! I was hoping you’d like it, thought you would, but I never dreamed it would be your favourite! Hmmm … I didn’t know that. I know that several I’ve posted in the past seem to have come under speculation as to who wrote it or contributed to the writing. Apparently there was a bit of a power struggle between John & Paul?
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It’s one of many favourites I have of theirs. We Can Work It Out is right up there for me too.
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Stay tuned, Amigo!
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Jill, great tune and example of their terrific harmony. Keith
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I’m glad you liked it! Yes, I think this is one of their better ones.
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Pingback: ♫ In My Life ♫ (Redux) | Filosofa’s Word | Ned Hamson's Second Line View of the News
Thanks, Ned!!!
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One of the Beatles’ greatest songs, off what I believe is their greatest album. For me it was the climax of their career, though like a good piece of literature the “falling action” was still important to the entire story, which in the end became a tragedy.
Thank you for ssying I inspired you, but really it is still you inspiring us. Thank you!
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I wasn’t sure if you’d like this one or not, but when I read your comment, it just popped right into my head! And thanks for saying I inspire you! That makes what I do seem … worthy, somehow.
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Oh my Jill. The Beatles. I had two older sisters and I was just as enthralled as they were. And the Monkees and Herman’s Hermits. I actually saw Peter Noone perform at a Casino in Baton Rouge some years back. He us a gentle sweet soul. The Angels Are Crying in Heaven has become a mantra so g for me in these times. The versions with his daughter are very lovely. They perform at children’s benefits. Anyway, I love this song so much. Bette Midler dies a beautiful rendition that I think I prefer to the Beatles’ own recording. Shhhh.. don’t tell them I said that. 😉
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Oh wow! You’ve brought back old memories for me! I haven’t thought of the Monkees or Herman’s Hermits in AGES! I’m Henry the 8th I am, Hennery the 8th I am I am. 😁 I don’t recall “The Angels Are Crying In Heaven” … I’ll check that one out in a bit — I’m sure I’ll recognize it when I hear it. I’m glad you enjoyed it!!! And no, I shan’t tell them 😉
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