The Story Behind “In My Life” by The Beatles
“Rubber Soul” is one of the groundbreaking albums by the Beatles. Released in 1965, the album features songs like “Norwegian Wood,” ”In My Life”, and “Drive My Car.”
The song “In My Life” is believed to be a very personal composition by John Lennon. As a Beatles fan, you might want to know the story behind this song. As you slip on your favorite the Beatles t-shirt for men, let’s uncover the making of ‘In My Life’.
The Inspiration: Lennon’s Nostalgic Journey Through Liverpool
The Beatles’ founder, co-lead vocalist, and rhythm guitarist began writing the song in 1964 during a moment of reflection. The song begins with “There are places I remember…”
However, the song does not mention any place or person by name. Originally, the song was a long, poetic ode to specific Liverpool landmarks including Penny Lane, Strawberry Field, and the docks where he played as a boy.
Realizing that listeners would not connect with a straightforward travelogue, he transformed the song into a reflection on memory, love, and loss.
Later, Paul McCartney added a lyrical touch with the line:
“Some are dead, and some are living”
He was possibly referencing John’s late mother Julia, and his close friend Stuart Sutcliffe. In John Lennon’s words:
“It was the first song I wrote that was consciously about my life. Before, we were just writing songs a la The Everly Brothers, Buddy Holly – pop songs with no more thought to them than that. The words were almost irrelevant. ‘In My Life’ started out as a bus journey from my house at 250 Menlove Avenue to town, mentioning all the places I could recall. I wrote it all down and it was boring. So I forgot about it and laid back and these lyrics started coming to me about friends and lovers of the past. Paul helped with the middle-eight.”
From Folk Ballad to Baroque Pop Gem
The earliest version of the song was a slow folk tune. However, Lennon and McCartney refined it to match the introspective lyrics. The final form of the melody was a collaborative work of Lennon and McCartney. In the end, the Beatles fans got a perfect marriage of melody and lyrics. It was simple and deeply moving, at the same time.
The instrumental break is one of the most iconic elements of the song. While that instrumental break sounds like a harpsichord, it is actually a piano played at half-speed and then sped up. The producer George Martin composed a Bach-inspired fugue and recorded it on piano. In George’s words:
“John wanted something ‘Baroque-sounding.’ I wrote a little Bach-like fugue, played it on piano at half-speed, then sped it up. It worked beautifully.”
Crafting a Masterpiece
On October 18, 1965, it took just a few takes at Abbey Road to record ‘In My Life’.
The highlights of the session were:
- Lennon’s double-tracked vocals
- McCartney’s Bass Harmonies
- Ringo’s Subtle Drumming
- George Harrison’s Guitar Flourishes
The minimalist yet sophisticated approach allowed lyrics to take center stage.
A Closer Look at Nostalgia and Loss
The deeply personal lyrics of the song are also universally relatable. The key themes include:
Memory and Change
“There are places I remember / All my life, though some have changed”
These opening lines are a reflection on how people and places change with time. The Beatles fans of all ages resonate with this revisit to the past.
Love Beyond Comparison
“But of all these friends and lovers / There is no one compares with you”
The bridge takes listeners from nostalgia to enduring love.
The Weight of Loss
“Some are dead and some are living”
This line carries deep emotional weight. It is believed that Lennon references his mother (Julia Lennon) who died in a car accident when he was 17 and Stuart Sutcliffe (a close friend who died in 1962).
“In My Life” Still Matters Today
This is one of the Beatles’ most enduring songs. The song ranked #23 on Rolling Stone’s “500 Greatest Songs of All Time” in 2004. Decades later, the song still resonates with new generations. From a lifelong fan in a vintage The Beatles t-shirt for men to a teen who has just discovered the band, we all feel this song as fresh as ever.
