For No One

Album: Revolver (1966)
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  • Your day breaks, your mind aches
    You find that all her words of kindness linger on
    When she no longer needs you
    She wakes up, she makes up
    She takes her time and doesn't feel she has to hurry
    She no longer needs you

    And in her eyes, you see nothing
    No sign of love behind the tears
    Cried for no one
    A love that should have lasted years

    You want her, you need her
    And yet you don't believe her
    When she says her love is dead
    You think she needs you

    And in her eyes, you see nothing
    No sign of love behind the tears
    Cried for no one
    A love that should have lasted years

    You stay home, she goes out
    She says that long ago she knew someone
    But now he's gone, she doesn't need him
    Your day breaks, your mind aches
    There will be times when all the things she said will fill your head
    You won't forget her

    And in her eyes, you see nothing
    No sign of love behind the tears
    Cried for no one
    A love that should have lasted years Writer/s: John Lennon, Paul McCartney
    Publisher: Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Royalty Network, Songtrust Ave, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc., Word Collections Publishing
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 61

  • Brad from FlFairly simple chord progressions on piano, like many of PM’s compositions (Hey Jude, Maybe I’m Amazed, etc.). But an incredibly poignant lyric makes the song the classic it is.
  • Trebor from TexasJohan-Thank you for your pro-John Lennon list. It's a very appropriate addition to this column about this song (NOT).
  • Pierre from Pierre_colleu@hotmail.com, FranceMY song! I've always loved it, especially because it was not a smash hit, at least in France, and so you don't get bored with it as it can be the case with other wonderful songs such as Hey Jude and so many others. The most underrated Beatles song probably. Paul "en état de grâce" as we say in French, in a state of grace ? Not sure of the translation.
  • Johan from Stockholm, SwedenThese are the top fourteen songs voted 2012 by MOJO readers and Beatles fans. For No One is no 6 :
    1. Tomorrow Never Knows
    2 Hey Bulldog
    3. Rain
    4. Happiness Is a Warm Gun
    5. And Your Bird Can Sing
    6. For No One
    7. Dear Prudence
    8. It´s All Too Much
    9. Long Long Long
    10.I´m Only Sleeping
    11.You Know My Name
    12.Helter Skelter
    13.I Want You
    14.She Said She Said

    That is 10 Lennon, 2 Harrison! and only 2 McCartney!
  • Rick from Iowa City, IaIf you are a fan of reincarnation, I read that Paul was Antonio Vivaldi, the 18th century baroque composer. So I googled some of Vivaldi's youtube's and I kinda remember his stuff playing cello in highschool. I would say, yes it could be true, there's lots of experimental stuff going on with Vivaldi, if you could transport yourself back to his time. But what really came to mind was "For No One" as I did like baroque and The Beatles as a kid. The horn solo is definitely baroque as some of the piano. Also in most of Paul's/Beatle music he has some crazy stuff going on with the bass where it takes off on its melody unlike most rock in the 60s. Classical music is very sophisticated where as it's not strictly formated with same old bass lines in most rock. I think Vivaldi came through in Paul which gave him the freedom to break the rules and escalate the evolution of rock. OK, that is, if you believe in this stuff!
  • Joe from Grants Pass, OrDid George Martin play piano ??
  • Marty from Milwaukee, WiI love the french horn in this song, that instrument epitomizes the wistful mood of the song, and ultimately the regret of a failed relationship. a masterful song.
  • George from Belleville, NjI agree with Jeff from Austin Texas.You said it,right on.The Beatles were far ahead of the other bands.
  • Jeff from Austin, TxThis song probably isn't even in my top 20 favorite Beatles songs, but is still better than any other band's best song. That's how good the Beatles were.
  • Bob from Berkeley, Ca"You stay home...she goes out..."
  • George from Belleville, NjFor No One is such a beautiful song with a touch of a meloncholy lonely feel to it.his is a brilliant example of true ballad writing.The thing that makes it so unique is that the style and melody sounds so distinct like it was penned by Beethoven or Bach or Mozart,something classical but with a modern sound.They were incredibly gifted in songwriting ability.Areal listening experience.
  • Nick from Seattle, AlbaniaThis is why the Beatles are the best...they have songs every type of person can listen to and like! this isnt my favorite, but it works 4 most people.
  • Michael from Gloucester, Vai love the bass line that follows the vocals!! listen when paul sings "no sign of love behind the tears." its also amazing how paul made a harpsichord work in a psychadelic ballad =)
  • Brad from Lexington, KyOne of my favorite Beatles songs, and definitely my favorite Paul composition. Very heartfelt and meaningful. COMPLETELY underrated. This is one of those songs called hidden gems that is better than most singles put out by the band, but was never a single itself and therefore wasn't a hit, despite deserving to be.
  • Chloe from St. Louis, Mosam from nj, im not sure exactly which generation you're referring to. im thirteen, and thats what gets me through the day! what else is there to say? a brillaint song.
  • Rachita from Delhi, IndiaFor No One is such a soothing song..McCartney's voice is just perfect..
  • Tay from San Diego, Cai've always loved this song. i talks about love & lose.
  • Eric from Buffalo, NyOne of Paul's best. I love how so many different instruments in Beatles song can catch your ear even after hundreds of listenings. The bass throughout the whole song and particularly toward the end is awesome.
  • Jason from State Of Fitz, Njgreat song one of mccartney's best. Revolver was Paul's peak lyrically.
  • Chris from Charleston, ScJohn Lennon at one point said this was his favorite McCartney song
  • Regis from Sao Paulo, BrazilFirst time I heard this song I just had lost my girl. Needless to say it touched me deep. Nice song.
  • Ryan from Penticton, CanadaThis song kind of reminds me of Ringo's relationship with the band in later years. It isn't about it, but it sounds like it. 'Words of kindness linger on when she no longer needs you...." the she is the Beatles. Ringo left the band for awhile during the White Album, feeling unimportant. THe other boy that "she" knew, kind of like Pete Best, but they don't need him anymore. He's feeling confused and stuff

    Just throwing it out there

    BYW, i know this was wrtiten like 2-3 years before the White Album, just REMINDS me of it.
  • Doug from Vernon, CanadaGeorge Martin was credited with playing piano on one of the Help! album tracks (Tell me what you see?). He was the earliest 'non Beatle' to be credited. The most famous non-Beatles to NOT be credited, were Eric Clapton and members of the Stones from the 66-68 period.
  • Elle from Montreal, United StatesA very Sad and Sublime song...: it moved me and touched my soul.
  • Marie from Fresno, Ca"For No One" is on Ava Victoria's CD KICKIN' UP LIFE. It's so simple, nylon string guitar, voice and harmonica. I bought it on CDBABY.COM
  • Ryan from Middlesex, NjThis song is something else. i cannot beging to explain how much this song reminds me of my long term relationship w my now X. this song is incredibe and as said i believe once or twice b4 lol, this song is extremly extremly underrated. briliant and perfect masterpiece preformed by paul. thank you paul!
  • John from Gainesville, FlThis is not simply one of the Beatles' most underrated songs, it is one the most underrated songs of any artist. The lyrics are among McCartney's best, the vocal work is incredible, and yes, Civil's horn adds a great touch. I love the last verse line--"You won't forget her." Says it all...
  • Paul Isn't Dead from Irvine, CaThis is one of the most underrated songs in the Beatles' entire career. Exquisite and tragic in meaning, simple in melody, "For No One" is one of Macca's greatest pieces.
  • David from Youngstown, OhI add my name to many who've already said this is one of the most underrated Beatles songs of all-time. A masterpiece by Paul both lyrically and musically. What more can be said?
  • Tyler Jonathan from Toronto, CanadaOne of the best songs ever !!!
    From the lyrics,and all the way to that great french horn solo. This song is absolutely amazing.
  • Sam from Gloucester Twp., NjThis may be my favorite song by my favorite group!
    (And I'm from the generation which, at the end of a day, would look forward to getting home to "play some Beatles".)

    I LOVE the french horn solo!

    What else is there to say? The song speaks for itself.
  • Ste from Manchester, Englandthis is a song my grandmother would listen to
    this is the weakest song on REVOLVER
    along with doctor robert... this is just weak
  • Addison from Versailles, KyI think this is definately one of my favorite Beatles songs. The genius that is Paul McCartney is shown at it's full in this song.
  • Monica from San Francisco, CaThis is such a sad song, if you like this song, YOU MUST MUST MUST listen to "In my life", "If i needed someone" and pretty much everything on the Rubber Soul album...lol!
  • Claire from Chicago, IlNeat. Any average Beatles fan knows those things. But I think that this is indeed one of Macca's best efforts. It's a very sad tune if you listen to the words, and the music goes with that. Another perfect pop song from the fabulous Paul McCartney.
  • Jon from Tucson, AzPerfection.
  • Jonathan from Johnstown, PaThe horn solo is amazing!!!!!
  • Robert from Los Angeles, CaThis is currently my favorite Paul McCartney song. The lyrics are very touching and, like others have said, this is a very underrated song.
  • Sam from Provo, Utthis song is sooo good! i love the horns. paul is such a good songwriter!
    sam, provo, ut
  • Mike from Newark, NdBeautiful song. If you have ever lost a love, this song really hits home...especially the line "There will be times when all the things she said will fill your head, you won't forget her." One of my favorites.
  • Dan from Lee, NhSuch a great melody. It feels so good to listen to. It doesn't sound strained one bit, it's great.
  • Ryan from Lakewood, OhSuch a great song. Paul did some amazing work on Revolver as well with 'Here, There, and Everywhere'.
  • Laura from Lakeville, MnThis song is amazing. By far the best one on revolver, and in my top five favorite beatles songs. One of my two favorite Paul songs. It's so beautiful.
  • Nader from Durham, NcPerfection pretty much sums it up, as this song excells in almost every way a song can.

    Another great thing about this is how it abruptly ends, just like the relationship it describes.
  • Sophia from Mesquite, TxThis song is just... the most underrated Beatles song indeed. It's just too beautiful. This is by far one of my favorite songs EVER.

    The melody, the words, the chords, it's just perfect.
  • Brian from Hopewell Junction, NyThere's more to a song than just lyrics and a chord progression. I think the melody is what makes this song great.
  • Nessie from Sapporo, Japan"I heard that John Lennon thought that, "For No One" was one of McCartney's best songs." Must've been for the lyrics, since the chord progression is pretty tedious and unoriginal. Ditto for the sus4 chord at the end of the refrain. It does have a certain mood, though.
  • Benjamin from Cheverly, MdPlay the horn backwards, it sounds really good. Yes, I am the same person as Ben from Cheverly, MD
  • Jack from St. Paul, Mni dont know wat you people are talking about. the horn is the best part. they lyrics are fab too. this is one of their best songs.
  • Calum from Edinburgh, ScotlandWhat would you have had in the horn's place?
  • Steve from New York City, Nyreally an amazing song. one of the, if not the, best on revolver. it's just so moving and always has a profound effect on me
  • Dwight from Calgary, CanadaThis is nice. Mr. McCartney coming out as a lyrist. He did this on occation, too bad he couldn't hold onto it.
  • Mike from New Point, VaWhen I was in graduate school, I was allowed to research the actual original manuscript for this tune. The original title, "Why Did It Die" was the original chorus and the final chorus "and in her eyes you see nothing", etc., does not appear in the original manuscript. The verses are the same as the final, but there is an additional verse on the manuscript that did not make it to the final version.
  • Alan from New Baltimore, Mi"Alan Civil" is credited in the Revolver liner notes, probably the first non-Beatle to receive an album credit. Other people had played before on Beatles albums but not fully credited. For instance, Brian Jones played on a few Beatle tracks, the string quartet on Yesterday, and the orchestras on Day in the Life and I Am a Walrus. Also, George Martin played piano on some tracks.
  • Euan from Glasgow, Scotlandmy favourite beatles song, definately the most under rated!
  • Brittanie from Liverpool, EnglandI love this song. I think it's my favourite song on the Revolver Album. But that's a rash statement.
  • Mike from Jackson, NjI heard that John Lennon thought that, "For No One" was one of McCartney's best songs.
  • Jeff from Barrington, IlJohn Lennon and Paul McCartney have said that this is probably the most underrated Beatles song.
  • Jesse from London, EnglandSimply put. One of the top ten songs of the 20th Century.Heartfelt, visual, clean sounding, and to the point. I guess the best way to really feel the song is if you can connect to every lyric. The descention of chords almost gives a subliminal message of a soul falling, complimented by the haunting words. Very underated to say the least.
  • Annabelle from Alliston, CanadaGenerally, one of the finest, most touching and exquisite songs in the Beatles catalogue both lyrically and musically. Specifically, one of Paul McCartney's best vocal performances and classic, heartfelt melodies: a perfect example of his extraordinary talent. No less inspired is Alan Civil's timely horn solo.
  • Tavers from Mesa, AzThis song is absolutely beautiful. The lyrics are perfect.I think every guy can relate to the lyrics of the song. Paul McCartneys brilliance as a song writer really shines in this one.
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