Only a Northern Song
The Beatles
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If you're listening to this song You may think the chords are going wrong But they're not We just wrote them like that If you're listening late at night You may think the band are not quite right But they are The just play it like that And it doesn't really matter what chords I play What words I say Or time of day it is As it's only a Northern song It doesn't really matter what clothes I wear What words I pair Or if my hair is brown 'Cause it's only a Northern song If you think the harmony Is a little dull and out of key You're correct 'Cause there's nobody there And it's only there's no one there
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Written by: GEORGE HARRISON
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
12 facts about this song
Band Creation"Only a Northern Song" is a song by the groundbreaking English rock band, The Beatles. The Beatles is considered one of the most influential bands in the history of pop music.
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SongwriterGeorge Harrison, the lead guitarist of The Beatles, wrote the song. Harrison was known as the “quiet Beatle”, but his contributions as a songwriter had a significant impact on the band's music.
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Named for a Publishing CompanyThe title of the song is a direct reference to Northern Songs Ltd, the publishing company that managed The Beatles' music and songwriting copyrights.
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Release DateThe song was first released on the "Yellow Submarine" album in 1969, although it was recorded two years earlier in 1967 during the sessions for "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" album.
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Lyrics ContentThe lyrics of the song reflect Harrison's dissatisfaction with the publishing deal that The Beatles had with Northern Songs Ltd, addressing feelings of being underappreciated and undervalued as a songwriter.
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Complex Sound DesignHarrison used different musical techniques to add complexity to the song, including unconventional harmony and dissonance, tape loops, and overdubbed trumpet parts.
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Overshadowed CreationDespite its interesting construction and deeply personal lyrics, "Only a Northern Song" has often been overshadowed by more popular and commercially successful songs by The Beatles.
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Limited Live PerformancesThe song was never performed live by The Beatles since it required complex studio techniques to execute, a common issue for many of The Beatles' later works.
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Psychedelic Elements"Only a Northern Song" is often noted for its psychedelic elements, illustrating The Beatles' interest in expanding the traditional boundaries of pop music.
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Contribution to Animation"Only a Northern Song" was prominently featured in The Beatles' psychedelic animated film, "Yellow Submarine". Its usage in the film helped heighten its psychedelic and surreal atmosphere.
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Reissued VersionAn outtake of "Only a Northern Song" was included on the band's "Anthology 2" release in 1996, giving fans a glimpse into The Beatles' recording process.
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Varied ReceptionWhile some fans and critics applaud "Only a Northern Song" for its bold and innovative sound, others criticize it as one of The Beatles' weaker tracks, often citing its relatively negative and downbeat subject matter.
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Citation
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"Only a Northern Song Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 10 Jun 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/1914474/The+Beatles/Only+a+Northern+Song>.
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