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Read the original blog post1.51pm
31 March 2008
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Written by: Harrison
Recorded: 17 February 1965
Producer: George Martin
Engineer: Norman Smith
Released: 6 August 1965 (UK), 14 June 1965 (US)
George Harrison: vocals, lead guitar
John Lennon: acoustic rhythm guitar, electric piano
Paul McCartney: bass, piano
Ringo Starr: drums, tambourine
George Martin: piano
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11.22pm
8 January 2015
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OK, this song is a pretty good second effort by George. I like the strong 7ths and the clever major-minor changes. But the lyrics are frankly creepy. On the surface it seems just a clever way of saying “we fight but we’re still too attracted to actually split”.
Though you’re gone away this morning
You’ll be back again tonight
Telling me there’ll be no next time
If I just don’t treat you right
You’ll never leave me and you know it’s true
‘Cause You Like Me Too Much and I like you
The first verse suggests this, but what made her leave and why is the singer so sure?
You’ve tried before to leave me
But you haven’t got the nerve
To walk out and make me lonely
Which is all that I deserve
You’ll never leave me and you know it’s true
‘Cause You Like Me Too Much and I like you
Now he openly challenges her to go, and drops in some self-pity, but firmly restates that she won’t.
If you leave me
I will follow you and bring
You back where you belong
‘Cause I couldn’t really stand it
I admit that I was wrong
I wouldn’t let you leave me ’cause it’s true
‘Cause You Like Me Too Much and I like you
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but I may have to get more specific in the future.
11.54pm
Reviewers
17 December 2012
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You could actually read it even darker, as the cycle of abuse and interdependency that exist within many relationships that involve domestic violence. It could be said to be darker than many of John’s lyrics.
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The Beatles Bible 2020 non-Canon Poll Part One: 1958-1963 and Part Two: 1964-August 1966
11.56pm
8 January 2015
Offline Yeah I can see that, but I stopped at the syndrome not so much the effects.
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3.16am
Reviewers
Moderators
1 May 2011
Offline Highly uncomfortable, another disturbing Beatles lyric.
If you leave me
I will follow you and bring
You back where you belong
should have everyone questioning what is happening here as clearly she’s getting little say in the matter for whatever reason.
But it’s highly cheerful musically and it doesn’t mention preferring her dead so hey ho.
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4.53am
6 July 2016
Offline I never really thought of the lyrics as dark. I heard it as a couple who’s relationship is so intense that they go from falling out one minute to the other extreme. “You’ll never leave me and you know it’s true” could be said in a playful way like when people make up after a row rather than in a sinister way. I wonder if George meant it like that?
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5.27am
8 January 2015
Offline Leppo said
“You’ll never leave me and you know it’s true” could be said in a playful way like when people make up after a row rather than in a sinister way. I wonder if George meant it like that?
I have a feeling George didn’t think too much about it or if he did, it was more an emulation of John’s style than anything. But they were boys from the North, and they were no feminists, at least not initially.
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7.33am
26 January 2017
Offline You’ve tried before to leave me
But you haven’t got the nerve
To walk out and make me lonely
Which is all that I deserve
This line has a little modesty in it, as well as a lot of relatability. Although the music is cheerful, I think the song is about over reliance, and it is kind of sad, not creepy.
Maybe assuming domestic abuse is a stretch, but for those in that kind of relationship, this song probably hits the bullseye on how they feel. I do feel No Reply and Run For Your Life are darker.
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11.27am
Reviewers
Moderators
1 May 2011
Offline sir walter raleigh said
You’ve tried before to leave me
But you haven’t got the nerve
To walk out and make me lonely
Which is all that I deserveThis line has a little modesty in it, as well as a lot of relatability. Although the music is cheerful, I think the song is about over reliance, and it is kind of sad, not creepy.
Maybe assuming domestic abuse is a stretch, but for those in that kind of relationship, this song probably hits the bullseye on how they feel. I do feel No Reply and Run For Your Life are darker.
I think the music helps the mind not go to the darker places, there aren’t many more upbeat Beatles solos. ‘No Reply ‘ only picks up in mood during
“If I were you, I’d realise that I
Love you more than any other guy
And I’ll forgive the lies that I
Heard before, when you gave me no reply”
and even then it’s quite forceful in it’s delivery and sounds more like a threat. ‘Run For Your Life ‘ is just outright phone the police and get 24/7 protection until the guy is either in prison or has a 45 mile restraining order.
Even when young I felt that ‘YLMTM’ was an over-obsessive lover having too much control over his partner. There is a clear John influence in the lyrics judging by what had been previously written. However even Paul and Ringo had that standard of the girl should be there for them whenever required as it was a prevalent attitude during their 20+ years of living.
No idea what it says about me when I love all three of the mentioned songs.
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6.00pm
23 July 2016
Offline I thought you guys might like to know that John didn’t play any guitar part on this song, as George played both rhythm guitar (Gibson J-160E) and lead guitar (Gretsch).
Maybe you should try posting more.
6.52pm
6 July 2016
Offline HMBeatlesfan said
I thought you guys might like to know that John didn’t play any guitar part on this song, as George played both rhythm guitar (Gibson J-160E) and lead guitar (Gretsch).
I didn’t realise it so early. It’s a pattern that would repeat
Pivotal Moments in Beatles History No.118: Yoko helps herself to one of George's digestives.
6.54pm
26 January 2017
Offline The rhythm guitar sounds a tad off rhythm during this song, but I don’t think it was intentional like in I Need You .
"The pump don't work cause the vandals took the handles!"
-Bob Dylan, Subterranean Homesick Blues
"We could ride and surf together while our love would grow"
-Brian Wilson, Surfer Girl
9.53pm
8 January 2015
Offline sir walter raleigh said
This line has a little modesty in it, as well as a lot of relatability. Although the music is cheerful, I think the song is about over reliance, and it is kind of sad, not creepy.
I had previously thought of it this way and if it was left at that level, I’d agree. But it doesn’t stop there.
Maybe assuming domestic abuse is a stretch, but for those in that kind of relationship, this song probably hits the bullseye on how they feel. I do feel No Reply and Run For Your Life are darker.
I wouldn’t let you leave me cause it’s true
Cause You Like Me Too Much and I like you
He’s putting this in the chorus, as the last word. Open threats of violence in other songs are one thing, this is a statement of intent.
It shows how much times change that we even pick up on the intentions here. So at odds with our picture of George it didn’t make the Concert For George tracklist.
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4.44am
6 July 2016
Offline @ewe2 I think you’re reading too much into it. “I wouldn’t let you leave me …..” could just mean “I’ll do everything in my power to make it up to you so you’ll want to stay with me”. It doesn’t really mean he’ll physically restrain her with threats of violence.
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8.02am
26 January 2017
Offline I agree with Leppo. That type of language appears in multiple other songs. One example is You Can’t Do That . It isn’t “you can’t do that or else I will beat you,” just like its not “I wouldn’t let you leave me, so if you try I will beat you.”
If you read into it too literally you can find all sorts of dark stuff. That’s how Paul died.
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-Brian Wilson, Surfer Girl
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