One of the best known American power pop bands, the group's biggest hits over the years include "I Want You to Want Me", "Surrender", "Dream Police", "Don't Be Cruel" (a cover of Elvis Presley's hit), and "The Flame". Their most recent release, The Latest, has gained critical acclaim. They also wrote and performed the theme song for "The Colbert Report" as well as "That 70s Show", both tunes being fan favorites.
Nielsen and Petersson originally formed the group as Fuse in 1967, with Carlos joining the group several years later; however, when Zander joined as vocalist in 1972, the group was renamed Cheap Trick. Zander is considered one of the best hard rock vocalists of his era. For their part, Tom Petersson has been known for playing custom made 8, 12, and even a 18 string custom bass made by Modulus for Tom in 1981 and Rick Nielsen also has a penchant for unusual instruments. He owns and plays a five-necked solidbody electric guitar (it can be seen in the video for the song "She's Tight" among others).
Studio Albums
(1977) Cheap Trick [a.k.a Cheap Trick (1997)]
(1977) In Color
(1978) Heaven Tonight
(1979) Dream Police
(1980) All Shook Up
(1980) Found All The Parts
(1982) One on One
(1983) Next Position Please
(1985) Standing on the Edge
(1986) The Doctor
(1988) Lap of Luxury
(1990) Busted
(1994) Woke Up With A Monster
(1997) Cheap Trick [a.k.a Cheap Trick (1997)]
(2003) Special One
(2006) Rockford
(2009) The Latest
(2016) Bang, Zoom, Crazy...Hello
(2017) We're All Alright!
(2021) In Another World
[Live Albums]
(1978) At Budokan
(1978) Budokan II
(1998) At Budokan: the Complete Concert
(1999) Music for Hangovers
(2001) Silver
With A Little Help From My Friends
Cheap Trick Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Would you stand up and walk out on me?
Lend me your ears and I'll sing you a song
And I'll try not to sing out of key
Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends
Mm, I get high with a little help from my friends
Mm, gonna try with a little help from my friends
What do I do when my love is away?
Does it worry you to be alone?
How do I feel by the end of the day?
Are you sad because you're on your own?
No, I get by with a little help from my friends
Mm, get high with a little help from my friends
Mm, gonna try with a little help from my friends
Do you need anybody?
I need somebody to love
Could it be anybody?
I want somebody to love
Would you believe in a love at first sight?
Yes, I'm certain that it happens all the time
What do you see when you turn out the light?
I can't tell you, but I know it's mine
Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends
Mm, get high with a little help from my friends
Oh, I'm gonna try with a little help from my friends
Do you need anybody?
I just need someone to love
Could it be anybody?
I want somebody to love
Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends
Mm, gonna try with a little help from my friends
Oh, I get high with a little help from my friends
Yes, I get by with a little help from my friends
With a little help from my friends
The lyrics to Cheap Trick’s song, “With A Little Help From My Friends,” contain a message of interdependence and reliance on friends for support. The opening lines invite the listener to imagine the singer’s vulnerability in singing out of tune and asks whether they would still support him. However, the line “Lend me your ears” showcases the willingness to trust and the singer’s desire to open up through song.
The chorus offers a glimpse into how the singer copes with life’s challenges with a little help from his friends. The assertion that he gets high with their help could be taken literally to indicate substance use, or metaphorically as a way of saying that spending time with friends elevates his mood. The line “Gonna try with a little help from my friends” shows a determination to overcome obstacles even when they seem insurmountable.
The third and final verse adds a new element reflecting the desire for romantic love. The singer expresses the belief in love occurring at first sight and the comfort of knowing what is theirs, revealing the vulnerability of their emotions. The song concludes with a reiteration of the chorus, and the line “with a little help from my friends” is sung with a sense of gratitude, suggesting that the support of friends is essential for navigating life’s ups and downs.
Line by Line Meaning
What would you think if I sang out of tune?
How would you react if my singing wasn't perfect?
Would you stand up and walk out on me?
Would you abandon me if my singing was bad?
Lend me your ears and I'll sing you a song
Listen to me and I'll sing you a melodious song.
And I'll try not to sing out of key
I'll make an effort to sing in tune.
Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends
I manage to cope with life with some assistance from my pals.
Mm, I get high with a little help from my friends
I become elated with some help from my buddies.
Mm, gonna try with a little help from my friends
I'll attempt to achieve something with the aid of my companions.
What do I do when my love is away?
How to live when my lover is absent?
Does it worry you to be alone?
Are you anxious about being alone?
How do I feel by the end of the day?
What are my emotions like at the end of the day?
Are you sad because you're on your own?
Are you unhappy because you don't have anyone?
No, I get by with a little help from my friends
I cope with life with some aid from my amigos.
Mm, get high with a little help from my friends
I become elated with some help from my buddies.
Mm, gonna try with a little help from my friends
I'll make an effort to accomplish something with my companions' assistance.
Do you need anybody?
Are you looking for someone?
I need somebody to love
I'm in need of someone to care for.
Could it be anybody?
Can it be anyone?
I want somebody to love
I desire someone to adore.
Would you believe in a love at first sight?
Do you have faith in love at first sight?
Yes, I'm certain that it happens all the time
Yes, I'm convinced it occurs frequently.
What do you see when you turn out the light?
What do you observe when you switch off the light?
I can't tell you, but I know it's mine
I'm unable to explain, but I'm aware it belongs to me.
Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends
I cope with life with some support from my pals.
Mm, get high with a little help from my friends
I become elated with some help from my buddies.
Oh, I'm gonna try with a little help from my friends
I'll attempt to accomplish something with some assistance from my amigos.
Do you need anybody?
Do you require someone?
I just need someone to love
I simply require someone to care for.
Mm, gonna try with a little help from my friends
I'll work hard with my buddies' help.
Oh, I get high with a little help from my friends
I become elated with some help from my buddies.
Yes, I get by with a little help from my friends
I manage with life with some assistance from my pals.
With a little help from my friends
With some support from my companions.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: John Lennon, Paul McCartney
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind