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With A Little Help From My Friends
Joe Cocker Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

What would you do if I sang out of tune?
Would you stand up and walk out on me?
Lend me your ears and I'll sing you a song
I will try not to sing out of key

Oh, baby I get by (Ah, with a little help from my friends)
All I need is my buddies (Ah, with a little help from my friends)
I say I'm gonna get high (Ah, with a little help from my friends)
Oh yeah (Ooh)

What do I do when my love is away?
(Does it worry you to be alone?)
No no
How do I feel at the end of the day?
(Are you sad because you're on your own?)
I tell ya I don't get sad no more

(Ah, with a little help from my friends)
Gonna get by with my friends (Ah, with a little help from my friends)
Yeah yeah, I'm gonna try (Ah, with a little help from my friends)
Keep on getting high, oh Lord (Ooh)

(Do you need anybody?)
I need somebody to love
(Could it be anybody?)
All I need is someone
That's just where I'm going, yeah
Somebody knows that's where I'm showing
Baby

(Ah, with a little help from my friends)
Said I'm gonna make it with my friends (Ah, with a little help from my friends)
Oh, I'm gonna keep on trying (Ah, with a little help from my friends)
I'm gonna keep on trying (Ooh)

(Would you believe in a love at first sight?)
I'm certain it happens all the time, yeah
(What do you see when you turn out the light?)
I can't tell you but it sure feels like mine

(Ah, with a little help from my friends)
Don't you know I'm gonna make it with my friends? (Ah, with a little help from my friends)
I promised myself I'd get by (Ah, with a little help from my friends)
Said I'm gonna try and not work too hard (Ooh)

(Do you need anybody?)
Well I, yeah yeah yeah
(Could it be anybody?)
Oh there's gotta be somebody
Don't treat me wrong Lord
Oh yeah yeah

(Ah, with a little help from my friends)
Said I'm gonna get by with my friends, yeah (Ah, with a little help from my friends)
Oh, yes I'm gonna keep trying, now (Ah, with a little help from my friends)
Keep on trying with my friends (Ah, with a little help from my friends)
Oh, I'm never gonna stop there, oh (Ah, with a little help from my friends)
I'm gonna keep on trying, yeah yeah (Ah, with a little help from my friends)
I'm getting high, I'm gonna make time, oh Lord (Ooh)
Gonna get by with my friends
Oh, I'm gonna get on by, yes I'm gonna get on by, my Lord
I'm gonna tell them all about it, I'm gonna tell them all, yeah yeah

Overall Meaning

The song "With A Little Help From My Friends" by Joe Cocker was originally written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney of The Beatles. Joe's cover version was released in 1968 and it became a huge hit. The song starts with a question - "What would you do if I sang out of tune? Would you stand up and walk out on me?" which reflects the insecurities and doubts that the singer may have about himself or their talents. However, he expresses his confidence in that he can get by in life and keep trying with the help of his friends.


The chorus of the song features the lines "Ah, with a little help from my friends" which is repeated several times throughout the song. This repetition, along with the upbeat tune, gives the song a positive and uplifting message that resonates with listeners. The song is about the importance of having friends in life and how they can help you get through difficult times.


As the song progresses, the singer talks about the struggles of being alone and the importance of having someone to love. He believes that love at first sight can happen and it gives him hope that he will find someone to share his life with. The song ends on a positive note with the singer promising to keep trying and that he will get by with a little help from his friends.


Line by Line Meaning

What would you do if I sang out of tune?
If I sang poorly would you abandon me?


Would you stand up and walk out on me?
Would you leave me alone if I can't perform well?


Lend me your ears and I'll sing you a song
Pay attention to me and I'll sing for you


I will try not to sing out of key
I will make an effort to sing in tune


Oh, baby I get by (Ah, with a little help from my friends)
I survive only with the assistance of my friends


All I need is my buddies (Ah, with a little help from my friends)
I have everything I need when I am with my friends


I say I'm gonna get high (Ah, with a little help from my friends)
I intend to feel good with my friends' support


Oh yeah (Ooh)
Expression of agreement or excitement


What do I do when my love is away?
How should I act when my significant other is absent?


(Does it worry you to be alone?)
Does loneliness concern you?


No no
Negation of the previous question


How do I feel at the end of the day?
What is my sentiment at the end of the day?


(Are you sad because you're on your own?)
Is your loneliness making you unhappy?


I tell ya I don't get sad no more
I am not sad anymore


Gonna get by with my friends (Ah, with a little help from my friends)
I will survive because of my friends


Yeah yeah, I'm gonna try (Ah, with a little help from my friends)
I will give it my best shot with the help of my friends


Keep on getting high, oh Lord (Ooh)
I will continue feeling ecstatic and elated


(Do you need anybody?)
Do you require someone?


I need somebody to love
I'm looking for someone to love


(Could it be anybody?)
Is anyone suitable for the role?


All I need is someone
All it takes is just one person


That's just where I'm going, yeah
That is exactly where I'm heading


Somebody knows that's where I'm showing
Someone knows that is where I'm headed


Don't you know I'm gonna make it with my friends? (Ah, with a little help from my friends)
Do you realize that my friends will assist me in succeeding?


I promised myself I'd get by (Ah, with a little help from my friends)
I promised myself that my friends would help me survive


Said I'm gonna try and not work too hard (Ooh)
I will endeavor to avoid excessive work


Well I, yeah yeah yeah
I am in need, oh yes


Oh there's gotta be somebody
There is certainly someone out there for me


Don't treat me wrong Lord
Please be kind to me


Oh, yes I'm gonna keep trying, now (Ah, with a little help from my friends)
I will persist with the help of my friends


Keep on trying with my friends (Ah, with a little help from my friends)
I will persevere along with my friends


Oh, I'm never gonna stop there, oh (Ah, with a little help from my friends)
I will never give up, not with my friends by my side


I'm gonna keep on trying, yeah yeah (Ah, with a little help from my friends)
I will keep striving with my friends' assistance


I'm getting high, I'm gonna make time, oh Lord (Ooh)
I am feeling elated and will continue to find time


Gonna get by with my friends
I will survive thanks to my friends


Oh, I'm gonna get on by, yes I'm gonna get on by, my Lord
I will overcome, trust me, I will overcome


I'm gonna tell them all about it, I'm gonna tell them all, yeah yeah
I will share my story, I will tell everyone about it




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: John Lennon, Paul McCartney

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@joeydislex

The year is 2023, and this song still give me goosebumps… how about you guys?!

@Kottt14

re-listening to it from time to time. Joe was incredible.

@JohnMoore-xf5wy

Always.🔥💕

@carolefarabell1745

All the time!!!!!

@timmellor2599

Maybe down to experimenting when younger, but my brain was fused to a time before my birth! I love the Woodstock-era music and I'm a massive Deadhead (they WERE there but their sound system didn't work, imagine the film with a proper Dead set!)

@rhondalong942

Joe was an amazing artist. He could sing anything and was amazing!

64 More Replies...

@danicegewiss862

He just stood there and sang. No antics. He put his all into every song. Normal looking, no makeup. Just sang his heart out every time.

@MrTomd58

Proper old school.

@mariebrown5211

Yep

@guillaumecasarin881

Oui

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