One of the recording sessions for "Getting Better" is infamous for an incident involving Lennon. During the 21 March 1967 session in which producer George Martin added a piano solo to "Lovely Rita", Lennon complained that he did not feel well and could not focus. He had accidentally taken LSD when he meant to take an upper. Unaware of the mistake, Martin took him up to the roof of EMI Studios for some fresh air, and returned to Studio Two where McCartney and Harrison were waiting. They knew why Lennon was not well, and upon hearing where Lennon was, rushed to the roof to retrieve him and prevent a possible accident.
Getting Better
The Beatles Lyrics
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I used to get mad at my school (no, I can't complain)
The teachers who taught me weren't cool (no, I can't complain)
You're holding me down (ah-ah)
Turning me 'round (oh-oh)
Filling me up with your rules (fool, you fool)
A little better all the time (it can't get no worse)
I have to admit it's getting better (better)
It's getting better
Since you've been mine
Me used to be angry young man
Me hiding me head in the sand
You gave me the word, I finally heard
I'm doing the best that I can
I've got to admit it's getting better (better)
A little better all the time (it can't get no worse)
I have to admit it's getting better (better)
It's getting better
Since you've been mine
Getting so much better all the time
It's getting better all the time
Better, better, better
It's getting better all the time
Better, better, better
I used to be cruel to my woman
I beat her and kept her apart from the things that she loved
Man, I was mean but I'm changing my scene
And I'm doing the best that I can (fool, you fool)
I admit it's getting better (better)
A little better all the time (it can't get no worse)
Yes, I admit it's getting better (better)
It's getting better
Since you've been mine
Getting so much better all the time
It's getting better all the time
Better, better, better
It's getting better all the time
Better, better, better
Getting so much better all the time
The lyrics to The Beatles' song Getting Better explore themes of growth, maturation, and personal development. At the beginning of the song, the singer expresses his frustration with his experiences in school and the oppressive rules and expectations he was forced to follow. However, the chorus of the song reveals that things have been improving for him recently, and that he can admit it's getting better all the time. The second verse of the song reveals that the singer used to be a cruel and abusive partner to his girlfriend, but since being with her, he has changed his ways and is doing the best that he can.
The song is ultimately a celebration of progress and personal growth, as the singer acknowledges his past mistakes but also recognizes the positive changes that have come since then. The repeated refrain of "It's getting better all the time" reinforces this message of positive development and suggests that growth and progress are ongoing processes.
Line by Line Meaning
It's getting better all the time
Things are improving constantly
I used to get mad at my school (no, I can't complain)
I used to get upset with my school, but I have no reason to complain
The teachers who taught me weren't cool (no, I can't complain)
My teachers were not great, but I can't complain
You're holding me down (ah-ah)
You're limiting my potential
Turning me 'round (oh-oh)
You're changing my opinions or actions
Filling me up with your rules (fool, you fool)
You're forcing me to follow your rules, and I'm a fool for doing so
I've got to admit it's getting better (better)
I have to confess that things are improving
A little better all the time (it can't get no worse)
Things are slowly improving and can't get any worse
I have to admit it's getting better (better)
I need to acknowledge that things are improving
It's getting better
Since you've been mine
Things have been improving since you came into my life
Me used to be angry young man
I used to be an angry young man
Me hiding me head in the sand
I was avoiding reality
You gave me the word, I finally heard
You gave me advice, and I finally listened to it
I'm doing the best that I can
I'm trying my hardest
I used to be cruel to my woman
I used to treat my woman horribly
I beat her and kept her apart from the things that she loved
I physically abused her and kept her from doing things she enjoyed
Man, I was mean but I'm changing my scene
I used to be terrible, but I'm turning my life around
And I'm doing the best that I can (fool, you fool)
I'm trying my hardest, even though I may have been foolish before
Getting so much better all the time
Things continue to improve constantly
Better, better, better
Things are getting better each day
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: John Lennon, Paul McCartney
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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