Think For Yourself

The Beatles

About Think For Yourself

"Think for Yourself" is a song by the English rock band the Beatles from their 1965 album Rubber Soul. It was written by George Harrison, the band's lead guitarist, and, together with "If I Needed Someone", marked the start of his emergence as a songwriter beside John Lennon and Paul McCartney. The song's lyrics advocate independent thinking and reflect the Beatles' move towards more sophisticated concepts in their writing at this stage of their career. The song has invited interpretation as both a political statement and a love song, as Harrison dismisses a lover or friend in a tone that some commentators liken to Bob Dylan's 1965 single "Positively 4th Street". Among musicologists, the composition has been recognised as adventurous in the degree of tonal ambiguity it employs across parallel major and minor keys and through its suggestion of multiple musical modes. The Beatles recorded "Think for Yourself" in November 1965, towards the end of the sessions for Rubber Soul. In a departure from convention, the track includes two bass guitar parts – one standard and one played through a fuzzbox. Performed by McCartney, this fuzz bass serves as a lead guitar line throughout the song and marked the first time that a bass guitar had been recorded using a fuzzbox device, as opposed to manipulating equipment to achieve a distorted sound. The group overdubbed their harmony vocals during a lighthearted session that was also intended to provide material for their 1965 fan-club Christmas disc. A snippet from this session was used in the Beatles' 1968 animated film Yellow Submarine. The song has also appeared on the 1976 compilation The Best of George Harrison and on the 1999 Yellow Submarine Songtrack album. 


Year:
2006
110 
#3

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I've got a word or two
To say about the things that you do
You're telling all those lies
About the good things that we can have
If we close our eyes

Do what you want to do
And go where you're going to
Think for yourself
'Cause I won't be there with you

I left you far behind
The ruins of the life that you had in mind
And though you still can't see
I know your mind's made up
You're gonna cause more misery

Do what you want to do
And go where you're going to
Think for yourself
'Cause I won't be there with you

Although your mind's opaque
Try thinking more if just for your own sake
The future still looks good
And you've got time to rectify
All the things that you should

Do what you want to do
And go where you're going to
Think for yourself
'Cause I won't be there with you

Do what you want to do
And go where you're going to
Think for yourself
'Cause I won't be there with you
Think for yourself
'Cause I won't be there with you

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The Beatles

The Beatles were an English rock band formed in Liverpool in 1960. They became the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed act in the history of popular music. Their best-known lineup consisted of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr. Rooted in skiffle and 1950s rock and roll, they later utilised several genres, ranging from pop ballads to psychedelic rock, often incorporating classical and other elements in innovative ways. In the early 1960s, their enormous popularity first emerged as "Beatlemania", but as their songwriting grew in sophistication, they came to be perceived by many fans and cultural observers as an embodiment of the ideals shared by the era's sociocultural revolutions. more »

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Written by: George Harrison

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


11 facts about this song

Song Composition
"Think for Yourself" was written by George Harrison, making it one of the few songs by The Beatles not written by the Lennon-McCartney duo.
Album Inclusion
The song was featured on the studio album "Rubber Soul" which was released in 1965. It was the fifth studio album by The Beatles.
Unique Use of Bass
"Think for Yourself" is distinguished by its prominent use of the Fuzz bass. Paul McCartney played the fuzz bass, which was a new addition to The Beatles' music soundscapes.
Song Theme
The song's title reflects its theme - it encourages the listeners to think independently instead of relying simply on what they are told or on mainstream opinions.
Musical Style
"Think for Yourself" is notable for its musical complexity, featuring a syncopation in the chorus and modulating between major and minor keys.
Song Interpretation
Many musicologists interpret the song as a commentary by Harrison on human communication and the taking of personal responsibility.
Shared Vocals
The original recording has shared lead vocals, with Harrison singing lead and both John Lennon and Paul McCartney providing harmonies.
Recording Information
"Think for Yourself" was recorded in one day at Abbey Road Studios in November 1965 with George Martin serving as the producer.
Performance History
The Beatles however never performed this song live.
Song Duration
The song runs for a duration of 2 minutes and 19 seconds.
Song Cover
Several artists have since covered the song, including the rock artist Melissa Etheridge and the band Yellow Matter Custard, a Beatles tribute band.

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