Yesterday by The Beatles Acoustic Guitar - Digital Sheet Music

SKU: A0.1617787

Pages: 2
Key: G Major

This is intended to be a standalone version for a solo singer-songwriter or instrumental performance. The melody is intact but I adjusted the harmonies to make them flow better on guitar.

Features:
1. Guitar TAB
2. Chord names
3. Chord diagram
4. Unique chords that take part writing, melody and difficulty into consideration.
5. Lyrics

The song "Yesterday" by The Beatles is one of the most iconic and widely covered songs in the history of popular music. Here's a detailed look at its history:

History:
Written primarily by Paul McCartney, although officially credited to the Lennon–McCartney partnership (as all Beatles songs were).
Composed in a dream: Paul McCartney famously claimed that the melody for Yesterday came to him in a dream. When he woke up, he rushed to a piano to play the tune, fearing it might have been subconsciously borrowed from another source.
Working title: While trying to confirm whether the melody was original, McCartney used placeholder lyrics:
“Scrambled eggs / Oh my baby how I love your legs...”
These humorous lyrics stuck around until he finalized the real lyrics.

Musical Structure:
Instrumentation: It features a solo vocal by McCartney, accompanied by an acoustic guitar and a string quartet (violin, viola, and cello).
Significance: This marked a dramatic shift for The Beatles. It was their first recorded song with a solo Beatle and the first to include classical instrumentation.
Genre: The song leans toward chamber pop or baroque pop, rather than rock and roll.

Recording and Release:
Recorded: June 14, 1965, at EMI Studios (now Abbey Road Studios).
Released:

UK: August 6, 1965, on the album Help!
US: September 13, 1965, as a single with Act Naturally as the B-side.
The song was not initially released as a single in the UK, due to concerns it would overshadow the group effort image of the Beatles.

Cultural Impact:
Cover Versions: Yesterday holds the Guinness World Record for the most covered pop song in history — with over 2,200 versions recorded.
Live Performances: Although the other Beatles didn’t perform on the track, McCartney has played it extensively in his solo tours.
Critical Reception: Praised for its beautiful melody and melancholic lyrics, it’s frequently ranked among the greatest songs of all time.
Legacy: It influenced a wave of introspective ballads and opened the door for more solo work within the Beatles' catalog.

Fun Facts:
Time Magazine called it the “best song of the 20th century.”
Initially, John Lennon and George Harrison were unsure about including it on a Beatles album because it was so different.
The song’s lyrical theme of loss and nostalgia was a stark contrast to the upbeat pop of most of The Beatles' early work.