Yesterday
Ray Charles Lyrics
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Now it looks as though they're here to stay.
Oh, I believe in yesterday.
Suddenly, I'm not half the man I used to be.
There's a shadow hanging over me.
Oh, yesterday came suddenly.
Why she had to go, I don't know,
I said something wrong,
Now I long for yesterday.
Yesterday love was such an easy game to play.
Now I need a place to hide away.
Oh, I believe in yesterday.
Why she had to go, I don't know,
She wouldn't say.
I said something wrong,
Now I long for yesterday.
Yesterday love was such an easy game to play.
Now I need a place to hide away.
Oh, I believe in yesterday.
The lyrics to Ray Charles's song "Yesterday" tell a story of regret and longing for the past. The singer is reflecting on a time when his troubles seemed far away, but now they're present and looming. He believes in yesterday, meaning he longs for a time when things were simpler and easier. He also notes how he's not the man he used to be and there's a shadow hanging over him, emphasizing his feelings of inadequacy and despair.
The chorus repeats the phrase "Why she had to go, I don't know, she wouldn't say," which suggests the singer has experienced a recent loss or breakup. He admits that he said something wrong, which implies that he may have been the cause of the separation. He longs for yesterday, the time when love was easy and uncomplicated, and now seeks a place to hide away.
Overall, the lyrics of Charles's "Yesterday" speak to the universal experience of loss, heartbreak, and regret. The singer's reflection on past mistakes and the yearning for a simpler time resonates with many listeners who have experienced similar emotions. The use of repetition and simple language helps convey the singer's feelings in a direct and relatable way.
Line by Line Meaning
Yesterday all my troubles seemed so far away.
In the past, all my problems appeared to be distant and not worrisome.
Now it looks as though they're here to stay.
Presently, it seems that my difficulties will remain with me permanently.
Oh, I believe in yesterday.
I trust in the past and wish to relive it again.
Suddenly, I'm not half the man I used to be.
Abruptly, I am not as capable or confident as I previously was.
There's a shadow hanging over me.
There is a dark cloud of sorrow or anxiety that is following me around.
Oh, yesterday came suddenly.
Yesterday arrived unexpectedly or without warning.
Why she had to go, I don't know,
She wouldn't say.
I am unsure why she left, and she did not provide an explanation.
I said something wrong,
Now I long for yesterday.
I regret having said or done something that caused her to leave, and I yearn for the past.
Yesterday love was such an easy game to play.
In the past, romance seemed effortless and simple to manage.
Now I need a place to hide away.
Presently, I require a secluded location to withdraw from the world and wallow in my sorrow.
Oh, I believe in yesterday.
I still have faith in the past and its ability to bring me comfort or happiness.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: John Lennon, Paul McCartney
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
charlie pickard
Paul McCartney said in an interview that he is honored every time someone covers one of his songs. He said this cover was one of the best
Tysons Accosta
+charlie pickard Paul is already on record as having said favorite Beatles cover is Ray's version of Eleanor Rigby.
TheAudivisioner
This is the best remake of this song.
Fotios Katsoulis
Great version of this song, as well as Eleanor Rigby, done by the legendary. I recall in my music class at school, one of my classmates, asked me to play on piano, Eleanor Rigby, since he was familiar with our choir piece but instead I played Yesterday and our teacher, sang along to it, " what a gorgeous piece, this is." She said.
Manal Ahmed Gamal
This is John Lennon’s song!
Itamar Bushari
charlie pickard hear “Kobi Marimi-let it be”
Amazing
Marcelo BR
Que voz, meus amigos! Que sentimento, que interpretação apaixonada de um grande clássico por um dos maiores artistas deste mundo!
Alexandre Alencar
Fato
Jailson Avelino
Ray Charles cantando Yesterday.
Ouvi muito essa música com José Augusto. Ontem.
Álbum Doce Engano de 1978.
joe jones
There are literally over 600 different versions of this song, as it is the most covered song in the history of popular music. But this has always been my favorite.