About
Background
- The Quiet Beatle Steps Up: “Something” stands out in The Beatles’ catalog as George Harrison’s masterpiece. It marked a turning point in the band’s dynamic, showcasing his growth as a songwriter finally getting the recognition he deserved alongside Lennon and McCartney.
- Love, Inspiration, and a Little Uncertainty: While it’s commonly believed Harrison wrote the song about his then-wife, Pattie Boyd, he later suggested a broader inspiration, including perhaps a divine source. The opening line, “Something in the way she moves” was indeed borrowed from James Taylor’s song of the same title.
- Critical Acclaim: Frank Sinatra famously called “Something” the greatest love song ever written. It’s the second-most covered Beatles song after “Yesterday”.
Themes
- The Mystery of Love: The song’s power lies in its exploration of love’s elusive nature. Harrison expresses the difficulty of putting into words that profound attraction and deep affection towards someone – a feeling many of us struggle to articulate.
- Ambiguity and Universality: The vagueness of who the “something” refers to broadens its appeal. Listeners project their own experiences of love onto the song, making it intensely personal for each individual.
- Longing and Uncertainty: Even within the context of deep love, there’s a touch of yearning. The lines “I don’t want to leave her now/ You know I believe and how” hint at a lingering doubt, a fear that this precious love could be fleeting.
Lyrics
- Simple Yet Profound: The lyrics are deceptively simple, yet resonate with their honesty and directness. They avoid flowery metaphors, focusing on tangible images and heartfelt declarations.
- The Power of Suggestion: Phrases like “the way she moves” and “attracts me like no other lover” paint a vivid picture without explicitly defining why this love is so potent. This leaves room for the listener’s own imagination.
- Memorable Lines: Specific lines stand out, like “Somewhere in her smile she knows/That I don’t need no other lover.” This confidence within the love gives the song a touch of sweetness in the midst of uncertainty.
Video
Lyric
Something in the way she movesAttracts me like no other loverSomething in the way she woos meI don’t want to leave her nowYou know I believe and how
Somewhere in her smile she knowsThat I don’t need no other loverSomething in her style that shows meI don’t want to leave her nowYou know I believe and how
You’re asking me will my love growI don’t know, I don’t knowYou stick around, now it may showI don’t know, I don’t know
Something in the way she knowsAnd all I have to do is think of herSomething in the things she shows meI don’t want to leave her nowYou know I believe and how