“Something” by The Beatles is a universally acclaimed and masterful love song that expresses a deep, reverent, and almost indescribable captivation with a lover’s very essence. Written by George Harrison, the song is a timeless celebration of a love so profound that it defies easy explanation, focusing not on a list of reasons for affection, but on the ineffable and magical effect a person can have on you.
Blending sincere, heartfelt devotion with a famously humble and honest bridge about the unpredictable nature of love, it stands as one of the most beautiful and sophisticated romantic ballads ever recorded. In this article, we explore the meaning of this song, breaking down its metaphors and emotions.
Introduction to the Song
Released on September 26, 1969, as a cornerstone of The Beatles’ legendary final recorded album, Abbey Road, “Something” is widely regarded as George Harrison’s single greatest songwriting achievement. The track was a monumental moment, marking Harrison’s full emergence as a composer on equal footing with the iconic partnership of John Lennon and Paul McCartney. The song was so undeniably brilliant that it was chosen to be the A-side of a Beatles single—a first for a Harrison composition in the UK—and was immediately hailed as a masterpiece by his own bandmates, music critics, and legendary figures like Frank Sinatra.
Musically, “Something” is a grand and sophisticated orchestral rock ballad. It features one of Harrison’s most lyrical and perfectly constructed guitar solos, an incredibly melodic and intricate bass line from Paul McCartney, and a lush string arrangement by producer George Martin that elevates the song to a level of cinematic grandeur.
With its complex web of inspirations—drawing from Harrison’s marriage, the music of his contemporaries, and his own imagination—”Something” is a rich and layered work of art. It is a song that has transcended its era to become a global standard, a testament to the universal power of a perfectly crafted love song.
Central Theme & Message
The central theme of “Something” is the ineffable and completely captivating nature of true love. The song is not a logical argument for why the narrator loves his partner; it is a profound and awe-struck description of the almost magical effect she has on his entire being. The genius of the song lies in its focus on an indescribable “something”—an un-nameable quality in the way she moves, smiles, and carries herself that attracts him like nothing else he has ever known.
The song’s primary message is a celebration of love in its purest and most mysterious form. It argues that the most profound connections are often based on an intuitive, almost spiritual recognition rather than a rational checklist of admirable qualities. The narrator is not in control of his feelings; he is a willing and grateful captive of her charm. His simple, repeated declaration of belief in their connection serves as a powerful statement of faith in the face of this beautiful mystery.
Furthermore, the song’s famous bridge delivers a secondary, more mature message about the nature of love itself. By responding to a question about the future with a humble admission of not knowing, the narrator offers a profoundly honest and realistic perspective. The song suggests that true love is not about making grand, unrealistic promises about the future, but about a commitment to being present and allowing the relationship to grow organically. It is a message that champions humility and honesty as the cornerstones of a lasting and authentic bond.
Verse-by-Verse Meaning
Verse 1
The song opens with a simple, direct, and deeply romantic observation. The narrator begins by trying to pinpoint the source of his profound attraction, focusing on a specific, yet ultimately indescribable, quality in the way his partner moves. This is not a description of a physical action, but of an essential grace in her very presence that he finds completely captivating.
He then immediately elevates the significance of this connection by stating that this attraction is entirely unique; it affects him in a way that no other lover ever has. This line is crucial as it establishes the singularity and supreme importance of this relationship in his life. It is not just another romance; it is an experience that has completely redefined his understanding of attraction and connection.
The verse concludes by adding another layer to her charm, noting a certain quality in the way she woos him. This suggests a gentle, perhaps even unconscious, power of seduction that he finds utterly irresistible. The opening verse perfectly sets the stage for the entire song: it is a humble and awe-struck attempt to put words to a feeling that is ultimately beyond description.
The Chorus
The chorus of the song is a simple, direct, and powerful statement of the narrator’s present-moment commitment. Following the verses where he attempts to describe the source of his attraction, the chorus states the emotional result of that attraction. His immediate and most pressing feeling is an overwhelming unwillingness to leave his partner’s side. This is not a grand promise about the future, but a declaration of his current, undeniable state of being.
The second part of the chorus is a profound affirmation of his belief in their connection. It is a simple but deeply sincere expression of his faith in what they have. The slightly informal and emphatic way he phrases this belief suggests a deep, heartfelt conviction. The chorus functions as the song’s emotional anchor, a recurring and unwavering statement of devotion that is born from the beautiful and mysterious feelings described in the verses.
Verse 2
In the second verse, the narrator continues his attempt to articulate the source of his partner’s unique charm, this time focusing on her smile. He senses an intuitive knowledge within her expression, a quiet confidence that lets him know she is aware of her profound effect on him. He believes that she knows, just as he does, that he does not need any other lover. This suggests a deep, non-verbal understanding between them, a connection so strong that major emotional truths can be communicated through a simple smile.
He then broadens his focus from her smile to her overall “style,” another intangible quality that he finds deeply revealing. He feels that her very way of being—her grace, her confidence, her unique essence—communicates something essential to him. This reinforces the song’s central theme that his love is based on an appreciation for these ineffable, hard-to-define qualities. Her style is not just about her clothes or appearance; it is a reflection of her inner self, and it is this authentic self that he is so deeply in love with.
The Bridge
The bridge is the most lyrically complex and psychologically insightful section of the entire song. The narrative shifts as the narrator imagines his partner asking him a direct and common question about the future of their relationship: will his love for her continue to grow? His response is a moment of radical and surprising honesty. He repeatedly and humbly admits that he does not know the answer.
This admission of uncertainty is not, as it might first appear, a sign of weak commitment or a lack of love. On the contrary, it is a statement of profound humility and a deep respect for the unpredictable nature of life and love. The narrator is so completely immersed in the perfect, all-consuming love he feels in the present moment that he finds it impossible, and perhaps even arrogant, to try and quantify or predict its future. He is so full of love right now that he cannot even conceive of it growing larger.
He then follows this honest admission with a gentle and deeply romantic invitation. He suggests that if she stays with him and they continue their journey together, the answer to her question may reveal itself over time. This is a quiet but powerful commitment to their shared present and future. He is not offering a grand, empty promise; he is offering a sincere and humble invitation to discover the future together, a gesture that is arguably more romantic and meaningful.
Emotional Tone & Mood
The emotional tone of “Something” is one of deep romance, profound sincerity, reverence, and a graceful, confident understatement. The song is a declaration of immense love, but it is delivered with a sense of awe and humility, rather than boastful passion. George Harrison’s lead vocal is smooth, warm, and deeply heartfelt, conveying a sense of gentle wonder as he attempts to describe the indescribable qualities of his lover.
The mood of the song is one of warm, sweeping, and majestic romance. It feels both grand and deeply intimate at the same time. The lush, swelling string arrangement, composed by George Martin, gives the track a timeless and cinematic quality. Paul McCartney’s famously melodic and intricate bass line acts almost as a second voice, weaving a beautiful counter-melody that adds to the song’s emotional complexity. The overall mood is one of profound, contented love, a feeling as beautiful, sophisticated, and gracefully constructed as the song itself.
Artist’s Perspective / Backstory
The creation of “Something” is a fascinating story that involves a complex web of inspirations, culminating in George Harrison’s undisputed masterpiece. The song was primarily inspired by his then-wife, the model Pattie Boyd. He began writing it in 1968, during a period when their relationship was strong, and the lyrics are a direct reflection of the deep captivation he felt for her.
However, the song’s inspirations are more layered than that. Harrison himself stated that the opening lyrical idea was borrowed directly from the title of a song by the American singer-songwriter James Taylor, “Something in the Way She Moves.” Taylor was a new and relatively unknown artist at the time, who had just been signed to The Beatles’ own Apple Records. Harrison heard his song and used the opening line as a temporary placeholder while he worked on the melody, but it stuck, and he later acknowledged the direct influence.
Furthermore, Harrison revealed that while composing the melody, he imagined the legendary soul singer Ray Charles performing it. This musical muse influenced the song’s grand, soulful, and R&B-inflected feel, and Harrison later expressed his great satisfaction when Ray Charles did, in fact, record a cover of the song. For Harrison, “Something” was a personal breakthrough, the moment when his songwriting abilities finally received the full and enthusiastic respect of his bandmates.
Real-Life Events or Facts Related to the Song
“Something” is a song whose real-life history is as impressive as its musical content, marked by moments of profound validation, commercial success, and legendary musical performances.
The Ultimate Compliment: Praise from Lennon and McCartney For years, George Harrison had struggled to get his compositions the same level of attention and respect as those of the dominant Lennon-McCartney partnership. “Something” changed everything. The song was so undeniably brilliant that both John Lennon and Paul McCartney immediately recognized it as a masterpiece. Lennon stated in interviews that he believed it was the best song on Abbey Road, and McCartney has frequently referred to it as the best song Harrison ever wrote. This validation from his peers was a hugely significant moment for Harrison.
The Sinatra Seal of Approval The song quickly found an admirer in one of the 20th century’s greatest vocalists, Frank Sinatra. He famously and repeatedly declared “Something” to be “the greatest love song of the past 50 years.” He performed the song frequently in his live shows and recorded his own version, which helped to cement its status as a timeless standard. In a famous and often-repeated gaffe, Sinatra would often mistakenly introduce the song on stage as his favorite “Lennon and McCartney composition,” a testament to how seamlessly Harrison’s work now stood alongside that of his more famous bandmates.
A Harrison A-Side at Last The song’s undeniable quality led to a significant and long-overdue milestone for George Harrison. In October 1969, “Something” was released as a double A-side single with “Come Together.” This was the very first time that a Harrison composition had been chosen for the A-side of a Beatles single in their home country of the United Kingdom. This was a powerful symbolic and commercial acknowledgment of his arrival as a premier songwriter.
The Masterful Recording The recording of “Something” is a showcase of The Beatles and their team at the absolute peak of their musical powers. The track is renowned for its brilliant individual performances. George Harrison’s melodic and perfectly structured guitar solo is widely regarded as his finest, a masterclass in lyrical, understated playing. Paul McCartney’s bass line is famously intricate and melodic, a complex counter-melody that adds incredible depth and movement to the song, and is often cited as one of his best-ever bass performances.
Metaphors & Symbolism
“Something” uses a handful of beautiful and subtle metaphors and symbols to convey its message of ineffable love.
“Something” The song’s title is its central and most profound symbol. The word “something” represents the ineffable, indescribable, and almost magical quality that makes a person uniquely captivating. It is a symbol for a love that defies logic, categorization, and easy definition. The narrator is not in love with a list of attributes, but with this mysterious and powerful essence that he can only refer to as “something.”
The Bridge’s “I Don’t Know” The narrator’s repeated admission of not knowing in the bridge is a powerful symbol of profound humility and a deep commitment to the present moment. In a world of grand romantic promises, this honest uncertainty is a radical statement. It is a rejection of the idea that love’s future can be predicted or guaranteed, and instead presents love as a living, evolving journey that must be experienced day by day. It is a symbol of a love that is grounded in reality, not fantasy.
The Guitar Solo George Harrison’s famous guitar solo functions as a powerful symbol of non-verbal, emotional communication. The solo does not feature fast or flashy playing; instead, it “sings” the melody with a voice that is as expressive and emotional as a human one. It serves as a wordless expression of the same deep, romantic, and awe-struck feeling that is conveyed in the verses, a pure and lyrical outpouring of the love that the narrator finds so hard to put into words.
FAQs
Question 1: Who is the song “Something” about? Answer 1: The song was primarily inspired by George Harrison’s then-wife, Pattie Boyd. However, Harrison also drew inspiration from the music of James Taylor and imagined the voice of Ray Charles while composing it.
Question 2: Is it true that George Harrison took the first line from another song? Answer 2: Yes, George Harrison has openly acknowledged that the opening lyrical idea was borrowed from the title of a James Taylor song, “Something in the Way She Moves.” Taylor was an artist signed to The Beatles’ Apple Records at the time.
Question 3: What did Frank Sinatra famously say about “Something”? Answer 3: Frank Sinatra called it “the greatest love song of the past 50 years.” He frequently performed it live, though he often mistakenly credited it to Lennon and McCartney.
Question 4: Why did John Lennon and Paul McCartney praise the song so highly? Answer 4: They immediately recognized the song’s incredible quality, both melodically and lyrically. They both considered it to be the best song on the Abbey Road album and a clear sign that George Harrison had blossomed into a songwriter on their level.
Question 5: What is the meaning of the humble “I don’t know” in the bridge? Answer 5: The admission of not knowing is not a sign of weak commitment, but of profound humility. The narrator is so completely in awe of his present love that he finds it impossible and even arrogant to make grand predictions about its future. It’s a commitment to the journey, not a guarantee of the destination.
Question 6: Why was it so significant that “Something” was released as an A-side single? Answer 6: It was significant because it was the first time a George Harrison composition was chosen as the A-side of a Beatles single in the UK. This was a major symbolic and commercial acknowledgment of his arrival as a premier songwriter for the band.
Question 7: What makes Paul McCartney’s bass line on the track so famous? Answer 7: His bass line is famous for being incredibly melodic, complex, and inventive. Instead of just holding down the rhythm, he plays a fluid and beautiful counter-melody that acts almost as a second voice in the song, adding immense musical depth.
Question 8: Is the song considered George Harrison’s best? Answer 8: Yes, “Something” is almost universally regarded as George Harrison’s masterpiece and his greatest contribution to The Beatles’ catalogue, alongside other classics like “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” and “Here Comes the Sun.”
Question 9: What is the overall mood of the song? Answer 9: The mood is one of warm, majestic, and deeply sincere romance. The lush orchestration and Harrison’s gentle, heartfelt vocal create an atmosphere that is both grand and incredibly intimate.
Question 10: What does the narrator mean by her “style that shows me”? Answer 10: This refers to the idea that her very way of being—her personality, her grace, her essence—communicates everything he needs to know. It is a form of deep, non-verbal understanding that transcends the need for spoken words.
Question 11: How does the song define love? Answer 11: The song defines love as a mysterious, ineffable, and captivating force. It suggests that true love is not a rational choice based on a person’s qualities, but an intuitive and almost magical connection to their unique essence.
Question 12: What album is “Something” on? Answer 12: “Something” is a key track on The Beatles’ iconic 1969 album, Abbey Road, which was the final album the band recorded together.
Question 13: What makes George Harrison’s guitar solo so special? Answer 13: His solo is special because of its perfect melodic construction and its lyrical quality. It does not rely on speed or technical flash, but instead “sings” a beautiful and emotive melody that perfectly complements the song’s romantic mood.
Question 14: How did Ray Charles influence the song? Answer 14: George Harrison stated that while he was writing the song, he imagined the legendary soul singer Ray Charles singing it. This mental image influenced the song’s soulful phrasing, its grand feel, and its R&B-inflected melody.
Question 15: Is the song’s message universal? Answer 15: Absolutely. Its focus on an indescribable attraction and its humble, honest perspective on love are universal themes that have allowed it to resonate deeply with listeners across all cultures and generations for over 50 years.
Question 16: What is the role of the orchestral strings in the song? Answer 16: The lush string arrangement, written by producer George Martin, adds a layer of grandeur, sophistication, and cinematic romance to the track, elevating it from a simple ballad to an epic and timeless standard.
Question 17: How does this song compare to Harrison’s earlier work? Answer 17: It represents a monumental leap forward in his songwriting. While his earlier songs were often excellent, “Something” displayed a new level of melodic sophistication, lyrical grace, and universal appeal that placed it in the highest tier of The Beatles’ work.
Question 18: What does the narrator mean by “you know I believe and how”? Answer 18: This is an emphatic and slightly colloquial way of saying he has a deep and unwavering faith in their relationship. The addition of “and how” at the end is a form of verbal underlining, stressing the immense depth of his belief.
Question 19: Why did Frank Sinatra mistakenly credit the song to Lennon and McCartney? Answer 19: For most of The Beatles’ career, the Lennon-McCartney songwriting partnership was so dominant and famous that it was simply assumed that they wrote all of the band’s major hits. Sinatra’s mistake was a common one at the time.
Question 20: What is the ultimate feeling the song leaves the listener with? Answer 20: The ultimate feeling is one of profound, awe-struck romance. It is a song that perfectly captures the quiet wonder of being completely captivated by another person, leaving the listener with a sense of warmth, peace, and a deep appreciation for the beautiful mystery of love.