Antithesis
Contrasting ideas set in parallel for effect (e.g. 'love is old, love is new').
'We Can Work It Out' (1965) is the earliest Beatles song to use antithesis as a lyrical device.
Analysis
By Year
Song count per year
By Songwriter
% of each member's catalogue with this tag (by writing credit)
By Era
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Songs(7)
| # | Title | Year | Album | Lead Vocal(s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | We Can Work It Out | 1965 | Past Masters | Paul, John | Verse pessimism ('life is very short') set against the chorus optimism ('we can work it out') |
| 2 | Getting Better | 1967 | Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band | Paul | Paul's 'it's getting better all the time' answered by John's 'it couldn't get no worse' |
| 3 | Within You Without You | 1967 | Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band | George | 'Within you and without you'; 'gain the world and lose their soul' |
| 4 | Hello, Goodbye | 1967 | Magical Mystery Tour | Paul | Paired opposites: yes/no, stop/go, high/low, hello/goodbye |
| 5 | Helter Skelter | 1968 | The Beatles (The White Album) | Paul | - |
| 6 | Old Brown Shoe | 1969 | Past Masters | George | - |
| 7 | Because | 1969 | Abbey Road | John, Paul, George | Bridge paired opposites: 'Love is old, love is new / Love is all, love is you' |
We Can Work It Out
Verse pessimism ('life is very short') set against the chorus optimism ('we can work it out')
Getting Better
Paul's 'it's getting better all the time' answered by John's 'it couldn't get no worse'
Within You Without You
'Within you and without you'; 'gain the world and lose their soul'
Hello, Goodbye
Paired opposites: yes/no, stop/go, high/low, hello/goodbye
Helter Skelter
Old Brown Shoe
Because
Bridge paired opposites: 'Love is old, love is new / Love is all, love is you'
Updated