A little help from my friends
What would you think if I sang out of tune,
Would you stand up and walk out on me.
Lend me your ears and I'll sing you a song,
And I'll try not to sing out of key.

I get by with a little help from my friends,
I get high with a little help from my friends,
Going to try with a little help from my friends.

What do I do when my love is away.
(Does it worry you to be alone)
How do I feel by the end of the day
(Are you sad because you're on your own)

No I get by with a little help from my friends,
Do you need anybody,
I need somebody to love.
Could it be anybody
I want somebody to love.

Would you believe in a love at first sight,
Yes I'm certain that it happens all the time.
What do you see when you turn out the light,
I can't tell you, but I know it's mine.

Oh I get by with a little help from my friends,
Do you need anybody,
I just need somebody to love,
Could it be anybody,
I want somebody to love.

I get by with a little help from my friends,
Yes I get by with a little help from my friends,
With a little help from my friends.



Lyrics submitted by Ice, edited by Mellow_Harsher

Track duration: 02:38

"With a Little Help from My Friends" as written by John Winston Lennon, Paul James Mccartney

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

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With a Little Help from My Friends song meanings
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70 Comments

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  • +1
    General Comment:I always thought the song had many meanings as most great songs do. The Beatles we believers in "free love" as were most musicians and hippie types at the time. To me the most obvious interpretation is the one at face level. It's about sex. Free love sex with anyone - even a man. I get bi with a little help from my friends. If you look at the lyrics as bisexual or free love it makes sense that way.

    It could also be about prostitution or masturbation. You can see it like that as well. Friends could also be a euphemism for drugs. Or it could just be friends helping each other out.

    It's the Beatles. Nothing was ever just one way to look at the song - that would be boring. But if you put yourself back in the 60's and remember what the counter-culture was all about, most likely this song is about drugs, sex and rock
    Flag Danwitchon August 25, 2012   Link
  • -2
    General Comment:does anyone else feel like this is more than a bunch of coincidences? bi-lly shears? billys here? people have said paul is dead, but in this song it makes sense billys here and the first lines add up to it "what would you think if i sang out of tune" could mean its a different person acting as him.."il try not to sing out of tune" inferring its really not him and "i get by with a little help from my friends" aka he gets by with the help of the band.. a lot of the lyrics make sense for this whole conspiracy to add up, but then again thats what makes it a conspiracy
    Flag anthony12on May 05, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:i think the message is something like:

    Friends can help you to achieve higher things (like Ringo used vocals in this song for Beatles; the greatest band of all time). They can help you from going in depression - they shatter away the feelings of being lonely (The singer need some lover desperately but he is still happy cuz he has got true friends)

    Flag ishtiaqahmedzon October 12, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Just a theory.
    If Richie Edwards had written the line "What do you see when you turn out the light? I can't tell you but I know it's mine" people might be comparing it favourably with the Manics line " I know I believe in nothing, but it is my nothing."
    He can't tell you what he sees, he daren't, because he sees only a void, nothing. And why? Because "it's mine" ie; it is all his own doing, he has created this situation, he deserves it and he knows he does.

    Then again, it could just be about whacking off, I suppose.
    Flag badgerboyon April 19, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:life<3
    Flag steve3bzon November 12, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I refuse to believe that this song is about any of those interpretations, this song to me means, he is sad that his love is away and he just gets by with a little help from his friends. When he turns out the lights it could be about his dreams, maybe even about his girl, he knows its his. He just wants someone to love :D Not any of those horrid ideas. Why would someone wants to try to ruin this beautiful song?
    Flag Brandonareion September 16, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:i understand the drug thing, and i guess it is about drugs.. but i like to think it's about actual friends. i love my friends.. this song is lovely
    Flag alexandraqwertyon April 14, 2009   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:Maybe this song isn't about drugs
    or prostitues
    or ringo being crap (which he wasn't)

    Maybe... Just maybe...its about GETTING BY WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM YOUR FRIENDS?

    just a thought like. :)

    and Ringo, Btw happens to rock.
    anyone saying he dosn't should consider their situation next to his


    He was a groundbreaking drummer fo one of the best & most imprtant bands in history.

    None of us are.

    I don't think any of us are in any position to judge ringo :)


    no offence meant to anyone by the way. :D
    Flag x-under-pressure-xon October 18, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:This song means friends are always there. No matter what. And it means friends can HELP you.
    Flag Claireeepalon July 22, 2008   Link
  • -1
    General Comment:and this song is about doing drugs
    Flag ckdesion July 19, 2008   Link

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