Nowhere Man

The Beatles

About Nowhere Man

"Nowhere Man" is a song by the English rock band the Beatles. It was released in December 1965 on their album Rubber Soul, except in the United States and Canada, where it was first issued as a single A-side in February 1966 before appearing on the album Yesterday and Today. The song was written by John Lennon and credited to Lennon–McCartney. In the US, the single peaked at number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 1 on the chart compiled by Record World magazine, as it did the RPM 100 chart in Canada. The song was also released as a single in some countries where it had been included on Rubber Soul, including Australia, where it topped the singles chart. Recorded on 21 and 22 October 1965, "Nowhere Man" is one of the first Beatles songs to be entirely unrelated to romance or love, and marks a notable example of Lennon's philosophically oriented songwriting. Lennon, Paul McCartney and George Harrison sing the song in three-part harmony. The lead guitar solo was performed in unison by Harrison and Lennon. The pair played identical "sonic blue"-coloured Fender Stratocasters on the track. The song appears in the film Yellow Submarine, where the Beatles sing it about the character Jeremy Hillary Boob after meeting him in the "nowhere land". 


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He's a real nowhere man
Sitting in his nowhere land
Making all his nowhere plans for nobody

Doesn't have a point of view
Knows not where he's going to
Isn't he a bit like you and me?
Nowhere man please listen
You don't know what you're missing
Nowhere man, The world is at your command

He's as blind as he can be
Just sees what he wants to see
Nowhere man, can you see me at all
Nowhere man don't worry
Take your time, don't hurry
Leave it all till somebody else
Lends you a hand
Ah, la, la, la, la

Doesn't have a point of view
Knows not where he's going to
Isn't he a bit like you and me?
Nowhere man please listen
You don't know what you're missing
Nowhere man, The world is at your command
Ah, la, la, la, la

He's a real nowhere man
Sitting in his nowhere land
Making all his nowhere plans for nobody
Making all his nowhere plans for nobody
Making all his nowhere plans for nobody

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The Beatles

The Beatles were an English rock band formed in Liverpool in 1960. They became the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed act in the history of popular music. Their best-known lineup consisted of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr. Rooted in skiffle and 1950s rock and roll, they later utilised several genres, ranging from pop ballads to psychedelic rock, often incorporating classical and other elements in innovative ways. In the early 1960s, their enormous popularity first emerged as "Beatlemania", but as their songwriting grew in sophistication, they came to be perceived by many fans and cultural observers as an embodiment of the ideals shared by the era's sociocultural revolutions. more »

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Written by: John Lennon, Paul McCartney

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Composition and Lyrics
"Nowhere Man" was primarily written by John Lennon with contributions from Paul McCartney and included in the Beatles’ album "Rubber Soul". The song was notable because it was one of the first Beatles songs that departed from their usual romantic theme and focused instead on character description.
Production
The song was recorded in the October of 1965 in the Abbey Road Studios in London. The arrangement is quite typical for the Beatles with harmony vocals and a two-part guitar solo played in unison by John Lennon and George Harrison.
Release and Reception
"Nowhere Man" was released on 3rd December 1965 as part of the UK version of Rubber Soul. It was also the lead single of the US version of the album, which came out on 21st February 1966 and reached number three on the Billboard Hot 100.
Lennon’s Inspiration
John Lennon, unable to come up with a song despite spending hours working, saw himself as a "Nowhere Man" sitting there making nowhere plans. This personal reflection inspired him to write the song, offering a glimpse into his state of mind at the time.
Cover Versions
Several artists have produced their own renditions of "Nowhere Man". One of the most famous covers is by The Carpenters, who included the song in their album "Now & Then", released in 1973.
In Popular Culture
The song appeared in the Beatles' animated movie "Yellow Submarine". In the film, the song is used to introduce the character ‘Jeremy Hillary Boob Ph.D.’, when he begins to sing it to himself, as he too, is a 'Nowhere man'.
Receptivity
Despite its departure from the Beatles' usual romantic themes, the song was still well received. It has been praised for its harmonizing vocals, persuasive melody, and the social commentary inherent in the lyrics.
Musical Impact
The song marked a significant shift in the Beatles' musical approach, representing their transition from pop stars to serious musicians. It contributed to the evolution of their sound and their image, which would reach its peak with their subsequent album, "Revolver".
Beatles’ Performance
Interestingly, The Beatles never performed this song live at any of their concerts. However, it is still one of their top hits and much loved by fans around the world.
Song Meaning
Critics have interpreted the song as a reflection of Lennon's feelings of alienation from the Beatles’ fame. Others view it as a broader commentary on society's outsiders and lost souls. It illustrates the band's increasing willingness to engage with deeper, more philosophical themes.

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    Nowhere Man

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    36,869     1,146

    Top Hot 100 Songs 1966

    Billboard #3


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