John Lennon said of the song, "One of my favourites of his - a nice piece of work."
McCartney recalls writing "For No One" in the bathroom of a ski resort in the Swiss Alps. He said, "I suspect it was about another argument." The song's working title was "Why Did It Die".
The song was recorded on May 9, 16 and 19, 1966. McCartney sang, played clavichord (rented from George Martin's AIR company), piano, and bass, while Ringo Starr played drums and tambourine. Lennon and George Harrison did not contribute to the recording.
The French-horn solo was by Alan Civil, a British horn player. Prior to the session, Civil thought he was playing for a classical album, mistaking the words "For No One" on a lead sheet as "For No. One", an abbreviation for "Symphony Number One". During the session, McCartney pushed Civil to play a note that was beyond the usual range of the instrument (pitched on an F horn, it is a Super-D sharp, that is, an octave above the standard 'high D#'). The result was the "performance of his life," high praise for someone who was known as the best French horn player in London at the time.
For No One
Beatles Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You find that all the 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
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 said 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 time when all the things she said will fil 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!
In “For No One,” a melancholic melody captures the feelings of a protagonist who has just experienced the end of a relationship. He finds himself at odds with his former partner, who has suffered through the breakup, while he feels nothing but emptiness in her absence. The first verse sets the tone for his state of mind after the breakup. The day is breaking, and his mind is tormented by thoughts of the relationship that has ended. However, he notes that all the words of kindness spoken during the time they were together remain stuck in his head, refusing to let go.
The second verse describes his former partner moving on. She wakes up, takes her time getting ready, and no longer feels the need to hurry since she doesn't require him anymore. The singer recognizes the change in her demeanor, and what he sees upsets him as there is no sign of love in her eyes, only tears. She is crying, not for him, but for the love that he could not give her.
The third verse is a reflection of his current state, which is in opposition to hers. He admits to wanting and needing her, but he cannot believe that his love is dead. He thinks she still needs him, but in reality, she has moved on. The last two lines of the verse are a lyrical and emotional expression of the shocking realization of the loss of love that has happened between them.
Overall, “For No One” is a sad song about heartbreak and the painful distance that grows between people in a failed romantic relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
Your day breaks, your mind aches
You wake up engulfed with thoughts of pain, sorrow, and unease.
You find that all the words of kindness linger on
Memories of the kind words she once said to you stay in your mind.
When she no longer needs you
You realize that she has moved on and no longer wants you in her life.
She wakes up, she makes up
She opens her eyes and starts to create a new image of herself, without you.
She takes her time and doesn't feel she has to hurry
She enjoys taking time for herself and doesn't feel rushed to do anything.
She no longer needs you
She has come to the conclusion that she can live without you and no longer needs you in her life.
And in her eyes you see nothing
You look into her eyes but no longer find any love or affection.
No sign of love behind the tears
Even when she cries, you no longer see the love and emotion that used to be there.
Cried for no one
She cries for no one, not even you, the person who used to be the center of her world.
A love that should have lasted years!
You realize that the love you thought would last for years has come to an abrupt end.
You want her, you need her
You still have strong feelings for her and desperately need her in your life.
And yet you don't believe her when she said her love is dead
You refuse to accept that her love for you has died despite her telling you otherwise.
You think she needs you
You cling onto the hope that she still needs you despite all the signs pointing to the contrary.
You stay home, she goes out
You choose to stay behind while she goes out and continues to live her life without you.
She says that long ago she knew someone but now he's gone
She tells you about a person from her past that she used to know but has now moved on from.
She doesn't need him
She makes it clear that she has no need for that person from her past or the memories associated with him.
There will be time when all the things she said will fil your head
As time passes, the things she said and did will continue to occupy your thoughts.
You won't forget her
Despite the pain and heartbreak, you know that you will never be able to forget her.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JOHN LENNON, JOHN WINSTON LENNON, PAUL MCCARTNEY, PAUL JAMES MCCARTNEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind