Sgt. Pepper's/The End
Paul McCartney Lyrics


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It was twenty years ago today,
Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play
They've been going in and out of style
But they're guaranteed to raise a smile.
So may I introduce to you
The act you've known for all these years,
Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.
We're Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band,
We hope you will enjoy the show,
We're Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band,
Sit back and let the evening go.
Sgt. Pepper's lonely, Sgt. Pepper's lonely,
Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.
It's wonderful to be here,
It's certainly a thrill.
You're such a lovely audience,
We'd like to take you home with us,
We'd love to take you home.
I don't really want to stop the show,
But I thought that you might like to know,
That the singer's going to sing a song,
And he wants you all to sing along.
So let me introduce to you
The one and only Billy Shears
And Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.

Oh yeah, all right
Are you going to be in my dreams
Tonight?

And in the end




The love you take
Is equal to the love you make.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band/The End" can be interpreted as a meta-reference to the Beatles themselves as a band, their evolution throughout the years, and their desire to entertain their fans. The title character, Sgt. Pepper, is introduced as an experienced musician who taught the band to play, suggesting a mentorship and growth relationship. The line "They've been going in and out of style" acknowledges the band's varied musical experimentation and changing trends. Regardless, they are guaranteed to make their fans smile, making them beloved by generations of fans.


The band then introduces themselves as the titular "Lonely Hearts Club Band," inviting the audience to enjoy the show and let themselves be entertained. The repeated line "Sgt. Pepper's lonely" seems to suggest that despite the surface-level entertainment and joy provided by the band, there is a lingering sense of isolation and loneliness among its members.


The song then transitions into "The End," which features iconic verses that suggest a sense of finality and closure ("And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make"). These verses can be interpreted as a reflection on the Beatles' long and successful career as a band, suggesting that the impact they've made on their fans is worth as much as the love they've received in return.


Line by Line Meaning

It was twenty years ago today,
It happened exactly twenty years ago today.


Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play
Sgt. Pepper imparted musical knowledge to the band on how to play.


They've been going in and out of style
The band's fashion and popularity has fluctuated over time.


But they're guaranteed to raise a smile.
Their performance is sure to entertain and bring joy to the audience.


So may I introduce to you
I would like to present to you


The act you've known for all these years,
The group you're familiar with over the years,


Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.
A band known as Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.


We're Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band,
Our group is called Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band,


We hope you will enjoy the show,
We wish that you will appreciate the performance,


Sit back and let the evening go.
Relax and enjoy the show.


Sgt. Pepper's lonely, Sgt. Pepper's lonely,
Sgt. Pepper seems lonely, he is in solitude.


Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.
A band known as Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.


It's wonderful to be here,
It feels great to be present in this place,


It's certainly a thrill.
It's definitely thrilling and exciting.


You're such a lovely audience,
The audience is so nice and pleasant,


We'd like to take you home with us,
We wish we could take you with us as you've been very supportive.


We'd love to take you home.
We want to take you with us to continue to enjoy the evening.


I don't really want to stop the show,
I am hesitant to end the entertainment,


But I thought that you might like to know,
But I felt it would be useful for you to know,


That the singer's going to sing a song,
The vocalist will now perform a piece,


And he wants you all to sing along.
And he would like everyone to participate with their singing.


So let me introduce to you
I'd like to formally present to you,


The one and only Billy Shears
I present to you the one and only Billy Shears.


And Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.
And the well-known group called Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.


Oh yeah, all right
An expression of approval or agreement.


Are you going to be in my dreams
Are you going to be present in my dreams,


Tonight?
During the night-time?


And in the end
At the end,


The love you take
The love you receive,


Is equal to the love you make.
Is directly proportional to the love you give back.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JOHN LENNON, PAUL MCCARTNEY

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Del Owusu

Abe kills it. Such energy. Love him and love his dad too. God bless the Laboriel family.

Guillermo Barba Reyes

Abe's uncle was a mexican rockstar named Johnny Laboriel

lester smith

agree ten fold

Jack Michael

Seems like he'd run through a wall for Paul. Love him.

Thomas Porombka

Like the way he tries to get as close as possible to Ringo's drumming. He is a very good drummer in his own right, but he instinctively feels that he should respect the original.

Franklin McMillan

I swear he must take in 30,000 calories a day, because he must burn well over 20,000 per show. Hardest working musician of our day!

3 More Replies...

FOXGEAR92

Paul is legendary, and Abe Laboriel Jr. is a beast on the kit. I salute you both, sirs.

Here Now

Paul has kept the Beatles alive all of these years.
Awesome 🎉

Jordan O

This is definitely the best band Paul's ever had (besides The Beatles, obviously). All his musicians are top notch. With all of those screaming guitar solos on 'The End' with Abe's powerhouse drum sound backing them up, how can you not enjoy this performance? Makes me even more excited to see Paul at the end of this month. :)

mr22ron

I believe we as a people have forgotten the love you take is equal to the love you make. That line is one of the greatest-brilliant!

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