Repetition of the same word(s) at the END of successive lines or clauses. The mirror of anaphora – e.g. 'I love you, I love you, I love you' closing successive phrases.
'I Feel Fine' (1964) is the earliest Beatles song to use Epistrophe, which goes on to appear on 7 in all.
Song count per year
% of each member's catalogue with this tag (by writing credit)
| # | Title | Year | Album | Lead Vocal(s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | I Feel Fine | 1964 | Past Masters | John | 'You know' ends successive lines |
| 2 | What You're Doing | 1964 | Beatles For Sale | Paul | Verses end on 'what you're doing to me?' |
| 3 | Michelle | 1965 | Rubber Soul | Paul | Bridges end on 'understand' / 'mean' |
| 4 | Run for Your Life | 1965 | Rubber Soul | John | Successive chorus lines end 'little girl' |
| 5 | And Your Bird Can Sing | 1966 | Revolver | John | Verses end with paired '…me / …me' lines |
| 6 | Good Morning Good Morning | 1967 | Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band | John | 'But it's okay' closes verses |
| 7 | Martha My Dear | 1968 | The Beatles (The White Album) | Paul | Two chorus lines end 'silly girl' |
'You know' ends successive lines
Verses end on 'what you're doing to me?'
Bridges end on 'understand' / 'mean'
Successive chorus lines end 'little girl'
Verses end with paired '…me / …me' lines
'But it's okay' closes verses
Two chorus lines end 'silly girl'
Updated
Book
Revolution in the Head
Ian MacDonald
Book
The Beatles Illustrated Lyrics
Alan Aldridge
Album
Please Please Me
CD
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