The Beatles – Only a Northern Song: A Lighthearted Look at Publishing Woes
Delving into the vast and multifaceted catalogue of The Beatles, one encounters a treasure trove of musical styles and lyrical themes. While the band tackled weighty topics like social change and existential angst, they also possessed a knack for crafting playful and humorous narratives.
Only a Northern Song, nestled within their 1969 album Yellow Submarine, exemplifies this playful side, offering a lighthearted look at the complexities of music publishing.
Background
Composed primarily in February 1967 during the recording sessions for Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, Only a Northern Song was ultimately excluded from that landmark album.
The song was later revisited and completed in April 1967, fulfilling The Beatles’ contractual obligation to provide four songs for the animated film Yellow Submarine.
The title itself serves as a clever double entendre. First, it references the band’s hometown, Liverpool, affectionately known as the “Holy City in the North of England.”
Secondly, it alludes to Northern Songs, the music publishing company established in 1963 by The Beatles, their manager Brian Epstein, and music publisher Dick James.
The company held the rights to most of John Lennon and Paul McCartney’s compositions during the early years of The Beatles’ career.
The song’s lyrics, penned by George Harrison, offer a tongue-in-cheek commentary on the realities of music publishing deals, particularly for songwriters like himself and Ringo Starr.
At the time, Lennon and McCartney were the dominant songwriting force within The Beatles, receiving the lion’s share of songwriting credits and royalties. Harrison and Starr, while contributing their own compositions, found themselves somewhat overshadowed.
Video
Lyrics
🎵 Let’s sing along with the lyrics! 🎤
If you’re listening to this songYou may think the chords are going wrongBut they’re notWe just wrote it like thatWhen you’re listening late at nightYou may think the band are not quite rightBut they areThey just play it like thatIt doesn’t really matter what chords I playWhat words I sayOr time of day it isAs it’s only a Northern songIt doesn’t really matter what clothes I wearOr how I fair, or if my hair Is brown‘Cause it’s only a Northern songIf you think the harmonyIs a little dull and out of keyYou’re correctThere’s nobody thereAnd it’s only there’s no one there