Rankin's best-known composition, "Peaceful," was a major hit for Helen Reddy in 1973. He had a major fan in Johnny Carson, who had Rankin appear on "The Tonight Show" more than two dozen times. Carson wrote the liner notes for Rankin's 1967 debut album, "Mind Dusters."
Rankin died June 7, 2009, in Los Angeles. According to his management company, he was diagnosed with lung cancer three weeks earlier.
With A Little Help From My Friends
Kenny Rankin 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
(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 I 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 I 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
Kenny Rankin's song With A Little Help From My Friends is a song about friendship and how it can help in difficult times. The lyrics begin with a question: what if the singer were to sing out of tune, would his friend walk out on him? However, he hopes that his friend will lend him his ears (listen to him) while he tries to sing his song without singing out of key (in tune).
The song then goes on to ask some more questions about what to do when love is away, and how one feels at the end of the day when alone. The answer is the same: the singer gets by with a little help from his friends. The song ends with the singer expressing his desire to have someone to love, and thanking his friends for their help.
Overall, the song is a tribute to the importance of friendship and how it can make life easier even in hard times. It also reflects the counterculture of the 1960s and 1970s, which emphasized freedom, love, and community.
Line by Line Meaning
What would you think if I sang out of tune
If my singing is not perfect, would you still support me?
Would you stand up and walk out on me?
Would you abandon me when I need you the most?
Lend me your ears and I'll sing you a song
If you lend me your attention, I'll share a musical piece with you
And I'll try not to sing out of key
I'll do my best not to make mistakes while singing
Oh I get by with a little help from my friends
I can overcome difficulties with the assistance of my friends
Mm I get high with a little help from my friends
My friends can elevate my mood and make me feel better
Mm gonna try with a little help from my friends
I will make an effort to fix my problems with my friends' help
What do I do when my love is away?
I feel helpless and lonely when my beloved is absent
(Does it worry you to be alone?)
(Are you afraid of being by yourself?)
How do I feel by the end of the day?
At the conclusion of the day, how am I doing emotionally?
(Are you sad because you're on your own?)
(Is your sadness caused by loneliness?)
No I get by with a little help from my friends
With the assistance of my close ones, I can cope with anything
Mm I get high with a little help from my friends
My friends can make me feel happy and euphoric
Mm gonna try with a little help from my friends
I will endeavor to fix my issues with my friends' help
(Do you need anybody?)
(Are you seeking companionship?)
I need somebody to love
I'm looking for someone to love
(Could it be anybody?)
(Could anyone be that special someone?)
I want somebody to love
I desire to be with someone whom I can love
(Would you believe in a love at first sight?)
(Do you have confidence in love at first sight?)
Yes I'm certain that it happens all the time
I'm convinced that love at first sight is a frequent occurrence
(What do you see when you turn out the light?)
(What do you envision when the lights are turned off?)
I can't tell you, but I know it's mine
I cannot express it, but I'm aware that it belongs to me
Oh I get by with a little help from my friends
With the assistance of my close ones, I can endure anything
Mm I get high with a little help from my friends
My friends can make me feel happy and elated
Oh I'm gonna try with a little help from my friends
With my friends' support, I will make an effort to solve my issues
(Do you need anybody?)
(Are you seeking companionship?)
I just need someone to love
I only require someone to love
(Could it be anybody?)
(Is there anyone who could match my requirements?)
I want somebody to love
I'm searching for someone whom I can love
With a little help from my friends
With the assistance of my close ones
Contributed by Liam G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Paul Amirault
on Through the Eye of the Eagle
Verse three replace "Walking "with the word "Moving" which he sings