Eleanor Rigby – The Beatles

ENGL 7: Song Interpretation

Introduction

"Eleanor Rigby" is a song by the English rock band the Beatles, released on their 1966 album Revolver
and as a single with "Yellow Submarine". It was credited to John Lennon and Paul McCartney but Paul
McCartney wrote most of this song. He got the name "Eleanor" from actress Eleanor Bron, who
appeared in the 1965 Beatles film Help!. "Rigby" came to him when he was in Bristol, England and
spotted a store: Rigby and Evens Ltd Wine and Spirit Shippers. He liked the name "Eleanor Rigby"
because it sounded natural and matched the rhythm he wrote.

McCartney explained at the time that his songs came mostly from his imagination. Regarding this song,
he said, "It just came. When I started doing the melody I developed the lyric. It all came from the first
line. I wonder if there are girls called Eleanor Rigby?"

McCartney wasn't sure what the song was going to be about until he came up with the line, "Picks up
the rice in a church where a wedding has been." That's when he came up with the story of an old, lonely
woman. Eventually came in the picture the pastor of the church. Thus, the song tells the story of two
lonely people.

[MV-Verse 1]
Ah, look at all the lonely people
Ah, look at all the lonely people

Eleanor Rigby
Picks up the rice in the church where a wedding has been
Lives in a dream
Waits at the window
Wearing the face that she keeps in a jar by the door
Who is it for?

All the lonely people

Where do they all come from?
All the lonely people
Where do they all belong?

First, we meet a churchgoing woman named Eleanor Rigby, who is seen cleaning up rice after a wedding.
“Lives in a dream, waits at the window,” as if she’s still yearning for something, or someone to arrive.
The lyrics, "Wearing the face that she keeps in a jar by the door" is a reference to the cold-cream she
wears in an effort to look younger. Or, it may also represent her facade; she smiles to hide her misery.
It’s quite obvious to us that this woman is lonely, with a lot of time to spare, so she fervently goes to
church, even helping out in cleaning up after a wedding, but seems to not have her focus fixed on that,
but also is very concern of her appearance, putting effort in looking younger, and “waits at the window”
as if she’s waiting for an opportunity; an opportunity for friendship, or even love. It’s even ironic that
McCartney decided to make Eleanor clean up after a wedding. A wedding… So much for Eleanor’s
loneliness.
[MV-Verse 2]
Father McKenzie
Writing the words of a sermon that no one will hear
No one comes near
Look at him working
Darning his socks in the night when there's nobody there
What does he care?

All the lonely people

Where do they all come from?
All the lonely people
Where do they all belong?

The second verse introduces the pastor, Father McKenzie, whose sermons "no one will hear." Father
McKenzie, an older gentleman, is also lonely. His parish doesn't frequent his sermons as much lately, or
he just doesn't feel the same comfort he used to, in the line "writing the words of a sermon that no one
will hear." "No one comes near," to me, refers to his correct thought that his sermon goes mainly
unheard. Or, and I just thought of this, it could refer to changing times, and how not as many people are
dedicated to the church and God as in years past, which saddens him. He is sewing up ("darning") his
socks, but he knows no one will really pay attention to him anyway, so "what does he care" if his socks
are holy?