In My Life

Album at Rhino.com

Written by: John Lennon, Paul McCartney
Produced by: George Martin
Released: Dec. '65 on Capitol
Charts: Non-single

" 'In My Life' was, I think, my first real, major piece of work," Lennon said. "Up until then it had all been glib and throwaway." The ballad reflects the serious turn the Beatles took with Rubber Soul, but it specifically arose from a journalist's challenge: Why don't you write songs about your life? The original lyrics put Lennon on a bus in Liverpool, "and it was the most boring sort of 'What I Did on My Holidays Bus Trip' song," he said. So he just lay back, and out came an ode to his life before the Beatles. The distinctive "harpsichord" is actually an electric piano played by Martin and sped up on tape.

Appears on: Rubber Soul (Capitol)

Next: People Get Ready

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