Only a Northern Song by The Beatles Lyrics Meaning – The Quintessential Ode to Artistic Apathy
Lyrics
You may think the chords are going wrong
But they’re not
We just wrote them like that
If you’re listening late at night
You may think the band are not quite right
But they are
The just play it like that
And it doesn’t really matter what chords I play
What words I say
Or time of day it is
As it’s only a Northern song
It doesn’t really matter what clothes I wear
What words I pair
Or if my hair is brown
‘Cause it’s only a Northern song
If you think the harmony
Is a little dull and out of key
You’re correct
‘Cause there’s nobody there
And it’s only there’s no one there
At first glance, ‘Only a Northern Song’ seems like a lighthearted commentary on one of The Beatles’ own tracks. But a closer analysis reveals layers of ironic detachment and a critique of the music industry that The Beatles were becoming increasingly aware of in the psychedelic era. Written by George Harrison for the 1969 soundtrack album ‘Yellow Submarine’, this song turns the magnifying glass on the mechanistic fabric of music production.
The title itself, an apparent reference to Northern Songs Ltd., the publishing company that owned the majority of Lennon-McCartney compositions, sets the stage for a sardonic introspection. As we dissect the lyrics of ‘Only a Northern Song’, we uncover not just an odd piece in the band’s discography, but a meta-commentary on the concept of commercial art and the often overlooked individuality within pop music.
An Absurdly Honest Chorus
Setting the tone of disregard from the get-go, the lyrics ‘It doesn’t really matter what chords I play, what words I say, or time of day it is / As it’s only a Northern song’ reveal a stark, almost nihilistic outlook on the creative process. Harrison’s lyrics appears to chastise the over-importance placed on the technicalities of music over the essence and intention behind it.
In a world where the commercial value of a song often outshone its intrinsic merit, ‘Only a Northern Song’ throws an intellectual jab at the industry’s priorities. It suggests that to the listeners, and maybe even to the industry machinists, the heart of the song is secondary to its brand.
Challenging Musical Perfection
‘You may think the chords are going wrong, but they’re not / We just wrote them like that,’ openly challenges the audience’s expectations of musical structure. Harrison’s artistic choice to include discordant sounds and an off-kilter harmony is a direct rebellion against the sanitized pop formula.
By embracing imperfection, ‘Only a Northern Song’ posits that true music cannot be confined by expectations or rules. Music, like any form of art, is subject to the creators’ whim. Harrison’s lyrics dare to ask: what truly defines musical success if not honesty and personal expression?
A Disenchanted Reflection on Artistic Identity
When Harrison pens ‘It doesn’t really matter what clothes I wear, what words I pair, or if my hair is brown / ‘Cause it’s only a Northern song,’ there is a deeper, more melancholic undercurrent. These lines confront the loss of artistic identity in the shadow of commercial behemoths that tend to homogenize individual expression.
The song becomes a lament for the artist consumed by commercial obligations, losing the battle to maintain the purity of their artistic expression. In this context, ‘Only a Northern Song’ morphs into a bittersweet anthem for the artist striving to maintain authenticity in a monetized industry.
Unveiling the Song’s Hidden Meaning
Beyond the self-referential nature and evident disenchantment with the music business, ‘Only a Northern Song’ embodies George Harrison’s personal struggle with his secondary role within the band. His songwriting was overshadowed by the Lennon-McCartney powerhouse, and this track becomes a meta-critique of his contributions being undervalued.
Harrison’s dig at the setup of Northern Songs Ltd., where his creative output was less financially valued than that of Lennon and McCartney’s, exposes the complexities and injustices within creative partnerships. Acknowledging this layer cements ‘Only a Northern Song’ as a profound statement on the pains of inequity in collaborative artistry.
Memorable Lines That Echo Personal Strife
‘If you think the harmony / Is a little dull and out of key / You’re correct / ‘Cause there’s nobody there’ simultaneously serves as a humorous quip about the song’s quality and an existential cry over the loneliness of being an overshadowed artist. The striking confession turns what could be a simple song about a song into a vessel for relatable human experience.
The lines remark on the indifference of an audience to the nuances of musical detail while also evoking the isolation felt by artists who struggle to be heard. Harrison delivers these lines with a candor that welcomes listeners into the intimate corners of a creator’s mind, making ‘Only a Northern Song’ compelling not just musically, but emotionally.
