Did you know the name “Eleanor” came from Eleanor Bron, an actress from Help!, and “Rigby”? A store called Rigby & Evens in Bristol. Paul also said that the name felt natural and fit the character he had in mind.
“Eleanor Rigby” was a radical shift. No guitars. No drums. Just a string octet arranged by George Martin, inspired by classical composer Bernard Herrmann — think Psycho.
But the song’s story — a lonely woman and a forgotten priest — was pure fiction. Paul originally wrote “Father McCartney”, but changed it to avoid confusion with his real dad.
Session players said they were shocked: “This is a pop song?!”
It was released as a double A-side with Yellow Submarine in 1966 — and reached #1 in the UK.
Paul once said: “It’s a song about the forgotten — the lonely people that nobody sees.”
Though Paul wrote most of it, John and George contributed lines, and even Ringo is credited.
Ever felt like Eleanor or Father McKenzie?
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