The Beatles – Getting Better

Paul McCartney's given name is not "Paul James McCartney". It is "James Paul McCartney."...
Send "Getting Better" Ringtone to Cell

It's getting better all the time
I used to get mad at my school
The teacher's that taught me weren't cool
You're holding me down
Filling me up with your rules

I've got to admit it's getting better
A little better all the time
I have to admit it's getting better
It's getting better since you've been mine

Me used to be angry young man
Me hiding me head in the sand
You gave me the word
I finally heard
I'm doing the best that I can
I've got to admit it's getting better

I used to be cruel to my woman
I beat her and kept apart from the things that she loved
Man I was mean but I'm changing my scene
And I'm doing the best that I can

I admit it's getting better
A little better all the time
Yes I admit it's getting better
It's getting better since you've been mine...

Send "Getting Better" Ringtone to Cell


Lyrics submitted by Ice, edited by mcwall

Track duration: 02:49

"Getting Better" as written by John Winston Lennon, Paul James Mccartney

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics powered by LyricFind


Getting Better song meanings
Add your thoughts

31 Comments

sort form View by:
  • 0
    General Comment:I love the bassline laid down by Paul McCartney in this song - also in "Fixing a Hole"
    Paul is an incredible bass player. It's fun to just listen to his notes sometimes...
    Flag NomadMonadon March 30, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I heard somewhere that John was abusive so the line, "I used to be cruel to my woman," makes since. I think when they got the divorce it was getting better, he was getting better, because it couldn't get no worse.
    Flag HeyJude11on January 24, 2012   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:WhatIsMeaning: "Made a deal with the devil", ha ha, I think you're joking but, like you, I am seeing a spiritual dimension.

    Paul changes pronouns between "I used to be cruel to my woman" and "It's getting better since you've been mine", so he can't be addressing the same woman in both lines, that doesn't make sense. I think he found Jesus.

    Also check "You (Jesus) gave me the word (the Word of God), I finally heard, and I'm doing the best that I can (what people do when they get religion, usually)."

    Laugh at me, you're right, they did drugs. But consider Paul in "Let It Be," "Mother Mary comes to me, speaking words of wisdom." He must have some kind of Christian faith, most likely Anglican, being British.

    Also, the lyrics need a correction, "I beat her and kept her APART from the things that she loved."

    Beatles Rock Band is such a fun game.
    Flag TasmanianJedion February 17, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:3 words
    its getting better.
    as in, this song gets better the more i lisen to it!!!
    HELL YEAH
    Flag zombiesFTWon December 09, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:WhatIsMeaning: "Made a deal with the devil"? Care to explain that one, then?

    I've always wondered about the part where he sings, "me used to be angry young man, me hiding me head in the sand."
    Why does he sing 'me' instead of 'I'?

    I kind of have an idea of what it's meaning, but I'm not sure, so.
    Flag middleofthecabinson November 01, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I think this song is about things getting better for the Beatles since they made a deal with the devil. Imagine the song as if they are singing it to the devil.
    Flag WhatIsMeaningon October 07, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:this song is about how even on your worst days, things can get better if you want them to, which just makes ya feel good! its just such a sweet song, it makes me smile :)
    Flag happythoughtson June 16, 2009   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:Yeah I think the song is in the view of someone in denial, trying a bit too hard to convince himself.
    Flag wasp2020on April 23, 2009   Link
  • +2
    My Interpretation:Someone once told me that John in an interview (I never read it) that the song is actually supposed to be kind of negative, and trying to convince yourself that sings are getting better but in reality they arent; in fact you only think it has to be getting better because it seems like "things cant get much worse" but they also seem to. Maybe a reflection on society trying to pretend bad things arent happening and by not addressing them it keeps getting worse.
    Flag jasonveraSCon November 23, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:this song makes me so happy no matter what. it reminds me of good times in my life and its one of my fave beatles songs probably even though i like many many of their songs. amazing (:
    Flag katemsdfyon August 01, 2008   Link

Add your thoughts

Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.

Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!

Back to top
explain