Text · Motif
Work
The working life - jobs, labor, commuting, the Monday-to-Friday grind - appears as subject matter
18
songs
For nearly the whole run, 1963 to 1969, eighteen songs use it. 'Twist and Shout' is the earliest, from 1963, and 'Mean Mr. Mustard' the last, from 1969. Every one of those years has some. Paul sings lead on seven of them, John on six and George on one. On 'Penny Lane': barber, banker, fireman, nurse trades. On 'Eleanor Rigby', writing sermons and darning socks. Of the eighteen, 'Money (That's What I Want)' has Baldwin Satin Ebony Grand on it, one of only three of their recordings that do.
See alsoRecurring words:workRecurring words:payRecurring words:moneyRecurring words:workingChord literal:A → D7Recurring words:working forLyric shape:a [ADJ] [NOUN] [WORD]Song family:Character song
Analysis
By Year
Song count per year
By Songwriter
% of each member's catalogue with this tag (by writing credit)
By Era
Early2 · 13%
Mid-period10 · 63%
Late4 · 25%
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Songs(16 of 18)
Year
Album
Writer
Lead vocal(s)
Can't Buy Me Love
1964·A Hard Day's Night·Paul
Money
A Hard Day's Night
1964·A Hard Day's Night·John
'I've been working like a dog'
Drive My Car
1965·Rubber Soul·Paul
'Working for peanuts'
We Can Work It Out
1965·Past Masters·Paul
Paperback Writer
1966·Past Masters·Paul
Aspiring writer seeking a job
Doctor Robert
1966·Revolver·John
Pay, money
Eleanor Rigby
1966·Revolver·Paul
Writing sermons; darning socks
Taxman
1966·Revolver·George
Taxman, tax, pay, working
Penny Lane
1967·Magical Mystery Tour·Paul
Barber, banker, fireman, nurse trades
Good Morning Good Morning
1967·Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band·John
'Going to work, don't want to go'
Lovely Rita
1967·Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band·Paul
Traffic warden on duty
Baby, You're a Rich Man
1967·Magical Mystery Tour·John
Money
Lady Madonna
1968·Past Masters·Paul
'Manage to make ends meet'
Revolution 9
1968·The Beatles (The White Album)
Factory, work, pay, business
You Never Give Me Your Money
1969·Abbey Road·Paul
'Any jobber got the sack'
Mean Mr. Mustard
1969·Abbey Road·John
'Works in a shop'
Updated