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Yesterday

 

About the 'Yesterday' Song

Folk legend has it that Paul McCartney dreamt the entire melody of "Yesterday", and then scurried down stairs on waking and recorded it on the piano in case he should forget it. "Yesterday" is the most covered song in musical history (there are at least 3000 different versions in existence!) and is one of the best known songs of all time. However, the song was not without controversey for the Beatles. Although attributed to "Lennon/McCartney", the music and lyrics were entirely McCartney's own work. When the work was originally first recorded and performed, Paul was the only band member singing and performing the song (accompanied by a string quartet). Such was the other band members disquiet that they vetoed it's release as a single in the UK. (The work was later released in 1976, 6 years after the break-up of the band).

How to play 'Yesterday' on the piano or guitar

Whilst the melody to "Yesterday" may have a simple and nursery-like quality to it, the chord structure is quite the opposite. In the space of two lines of melody, there are seven different chords. A challenge for both keyboard player and guitarist alike! If you are playing Yesterday on the piano, look for common notes between the chords and attempt the chords with as little movement (up or down the keyboard) as possible. For example, when you reach the forth chord of 'Yesterday', play Dm chord in the first inversion (F-A-D), and then the transition to Bb is very easy if this is also inverted (played F-Bb-D). Only one note moves! If we play the next chord (C7) in its second inversion (G-Bb-C-E), then we can use the Bb as anchor point and pivot between the chords. Try moving repeatedly between these two chords (Bb to C7) as a way of practising this transition.

 

Yesterday song with chords and lyrics in the key of F major

                             
Yesterday
(The Beatles)
                             
  Verse 1                      
    F   Em7   A         Dm   Dm/C  
    Yesterday all my troubles seemed so far away
  Bb     C7       F   C Dm G7 Bb F
    Now I need a place to hide away oh I believe in yesterday
                             
  Verse 2                      
                             
    Suddenly I'm not half the man I used to be
    There's a shadow hanging over me oh I believe in yesterday
                             
  Middle 8                      
    Em A7 Dm   Bb     Gm     C7 F  
    Why she had to go I don't know she wouldn't say
    Em A7 Dm   Bb     Gm     C7 F  
    I said some thing wrong now I long for yesterday
                             
  Verse 3                      
                             
    Yesterday love was such an easy game to play
    Now I need a place to hide away oh I believe in yesterday
                             
  (repeat middle 8 then verse 3)
                             
  (finish by repeating the last line: "I believe in yesterday" to "mm"
                             

 

 
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Titanic Song Chords ("My Heart Will Go On") Candle In The Wind Chords (Elton John & Bernie Taupin) Happy Birthday Piano Chords (for those party occasions!) Knocking On Heavens Door Chords (Bob Dylan) Fields of Gold Chords (Sting) Amazing Grace Piano Chords (Hymn by John Newton) Run (Light Up, Light Up) (Snow Patrol)
 
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