The Beatles recorded "I'll Be Back" in 16 takes on 1 June 1964. The first nine were of the rhythm track, and the last seven were overdubs of the lead and harmony vocals, and an acoustic guitar overdub.
I'll Be Back
Beatles Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But I'll be back again
'Cause I told you once before goodbye
But I came back again
I love you so, oh
I'm the one who wants you
Yes I'm the one who wants you
You could find better things to do
Than to break my heart again
This time I will try to show that I'm
Not trying to pretend
I thought that you would realize
That if I run away from you
That you would want me to
But I got a big surprise
Oh, ho, oh, ho, oh
You could find better things to do
Than to break my heart again
This time I will try to show that I'm
Not trying to pretend
I want to go,
But I hate to leave you
You know I hate to leave you
Oh, ho, oh, ho
You, if you break my heart I'll go
But I'll be back again
The lyrics of "I'll Be Back" by Beatles is a song about a complicated relationship. The singer tells his lover that if she breaks his heart, he will leave her. But despite leaving, the singer assures that he will return to her. He admits that he loves her and she is the one he wants. He pleads with her to find something better to do than to break his heart again. This time he would try to show that he is not pretending, and he wants her to realize that if he runs away from her, she would want him back.
The song is sung in a melancholic and wistful tone, expressing the emotional rollercoaster that the singer is going through. The lyrics show the complexities of relationships, the push and pull that comes with loving someone, and the desperation to make things work. The chorus of the song which says “I’ll be back again” is a reflection of this desperation, that despite the pain, the singer still believes in hope and reconciliation.
Overall, "I'll Be Back" is a brilliant and timeless song that captures the realities of relationships. It's a song about heartbreak, hope, and the complexities of love.
Line by Line Meaning
You know, if you break my heart I'll go
If you break my heart, I'll leave
But I'll be back again
However, I will return
'Cause I told you once before goodbye
I've told you I'm leaving before
But I came back again
But I ended up returning
I love you so, oh
I have great love for you
I'm the one who wants you
I am the one who desires you
Yes I'm the one who wants you
Yes, I truly am the one who desires you
You could find better things to do
There are many better things you could be doing
Than to break my heart again
Rather than hurting me once more
This time I will try to show that I'm
I will attempt to demonstrate that I am
Not trying to pretend
Not falsely portraying myself
I thought that you would realize
I believed you would understand
That if I run away from you
That if I leave you behind
That you would want me to
That you would then want me around
But I got a big surprise
However, I was completely surprised
Oh, ho, oh, ho, oh
I want to go,
I have the desire to leave
But I hate to leave you
But I hate the idea of leaving you
You know I hate to leave you
You know how much I hate leaving you
You, if you break my heart I'll go
If you break my heart, I'll leave
But I'll be back again
But I will eventually return
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JOHN LENNON, JOHN WINSTON LENNON, PAUL MCCARTNEY, PAUL JAMES MCCARTNEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind