-The lyrics were brainstormed among The Beatles.
there are so many conflicting stories about the origins of eleanor rigby's lyrics . .
paul has said he was inspired by visiting old age homes as a child and seeing lonely elderly people....
john had claimed to write 70% of the lyrics.... paul and john's friend pete shotton refuted that... then there are accounts that george and ringo had a part in the lyrics....
ringo is accredited with "sermon that no one will hear" and "darning his socks"
george is accredited with "all the lonely people"
- the idea of the priest and eleanor both being in the last verse at eleanor's funeral was suggested by pete shotton, (according to paul)
supposedly paul's original concept had eleanor and the preist linking up romantically in the last verse
awesome song
Therefore, I think the song should be credited to ALL the members of the band, so:
E. R. written by Paul McCartney, John Lennon, George Harrison & Ringo Starr, arranged & produced by George Martin. Joint effort - rather than Paul's 'solo' work.
But, the song is mainly known as Paul's (which it is - but the other band's members added their contribution).
Ringo & George each suggested a line to a song, so they have a credit for making the song so great.
(
Yesterday was fully written by Paul BUT that one should be credited Martin - McCartney 'cause strings were G. M.'s idea.)