Eleanor Rigby (Lennon/McCartney)
Years of speculation lead to many theories as to where Paul came up with the name Eleanor Rigby, including one by Paul in which he theorizes that it was influenced by Eleanor Bron, who costarred in the film Help!. But amazingly, in the 1980s, a grave was found in the cemetery at St. Peter’s Parish Church, literally yards from the very spot that Paul was introduced to John. The original lyric featured a subject named Miss Daisy Hawkins as well as a Father McCartney.
Stereo ADT error
An anomaly occurs at the beginning of the first verse which is believed to have been caused by an error with the double tracking machine. The error was not fixed in the 2009 remaster but corrected versions are found on remixes of the song appearing on Love and Yellow Submarine Songtrack.
Quotes
“I was sitting at the piano when I thought of it. The first few bars just came to me, and I got this name in my head … ‘Daisy Hawkins picks up the rice in the church.’ I don’t know why. I wouldn’t think of much more so I put it away for a day.” – Paul McCartney
Personnel
- Paul McCartney – lead and harmony vocals
- John Lennon – harmony vocal
- George Harrison – harmony vocal
- Tony Gilbert – violin
- Sidney Sax – violin
- John Sharpe – violin
- Juergen Hess – violin
- Stephen Shingles – viola
- John Underwood – viola
- Derek Simpson – cello
- Stephen Lansberry – cello
Release history
- Yellow Submarine / Eleanor Rigby (single) (1966)
- Revolver (1966)
- A Collection Of Beatles Oldies (1966)
- 1962-1966 (1973)
- 20 Greatest Hits (1982)
- Anthology 2 (1996) [take 14, strings only]
- Yellow Submarine Songtrack (1999)
- 1 (2000)
- Love (2006) [LOVE mix]
Chart performance
- #1, August 8 – September 14 (4 weeks), Record Retailer (UK)
Awards
- Awarded the 1966 Grammy for Best Contemporary Pop Vocal Performance, Male
- Nominated for Best Vocal Performance; Male
- Nominated for Best Contemporary (R&R) Recording
- Nominated for Best Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist Or Instrumental
