How The Beatles Made "Nowhere Man" | The Rubber Soul Sessions

Everything you need to know about John Lennon's "Nowhere Man." |
🗣️ "I'd spent five hours one morning trying to write a song that was meaningful and good, and I finally gave up and lay down, then 'Nowhere Man' came, words and music, the whole damn thing, as I lay down. I thought of myself as 'Nowhere Man' - sitting in this Nowhere Land." - John Lennon
Written by: Lennon-McCartney
Recorded: 21, 22 October 1965
Producer: George Martin
Engineer: Norman Smith
Released: 3 December 1965 (UK), 21 February 1966 (US)
John Lennon: vocals, acoustic rhythm guitar, lead guitar
Paul McCartney: harmony vocals, bass
George Harrison: harmony vocals, lead guitar
Ringo Starr: drums
#thebeatles #johnlennon #paulmccartney #georgeharrison #ringostarr #music

[@DistantLights]

Nowhere Man is a great example of what made John Lennon such a great songwriter. That final line of one of the verses, after describing an aimless and uncertain person, "isn't he a bit like you and me"

[@BeatlesBible1]

Yes

[@robertovalero6186]

​@@BeatlesBible1They should try to do something with that Candlestick bootleg.With AI they can do a lot with sound these days.

[@paulnolan4971]

He encapsulated all of us. Well, the thinkers anyway.

[@mikee6220]

59 years later and we are still interested. It's amazing how timeless The Beatles are.

[@hatman5142]

I love you

[@BeatlesBible1]

For sure! 😃

[@paulnolan4971]

You just reminded this Scouser of the time hehe

[@cactaceous]

Genius from head to toe from chord to chord from letter to word.

[@steveconn]

Just depressing and self-pitying, really. Rich guy blues.

[@BeatlesBible1]

Yes

[@tjcint]

@cactaceous, very nicely put.

[@tjcint]

​@@steveconn So blind, so blind ...

[@lyingechols9066]

Nowhere Man is an absolutely brilliant song. One of the top 20 Beatles songs ever.

[@BeatlesBible1]

I love it

[@ScrewballMcAdams]

Totally agree.

[@lyingechols9066]

@@ivanjulian2532 thanks for your worthless response. Time to get a life. Absolutely!!👍👍

[@montgomery2168]

@@ivanjulian2532 So what all would you consider his best songs, and why isn't Nowhere Man in your grouping?

[@montgomery2168]

@@ivanjulian2532 I just asked you a question? I personally love the song, I just wanted to know which ones you thought were better or why you don't think this one specifically is one of his best. Especially because you made that statement when nobody was claiming it was one Lennons best songs, they said it was among 19 other of some of the best Beatles songs.

[@gchase4073]

Thank you Gus and the entire Beatles Bible crew for the great videos and your stellar website. You are the best source for the Beatles super fans. Much appreciated!!

[@BeatlesBible1]

I only make the videos, but thanks!

[@dennisfarber3708]

Only John Lennon could create such a magical son that the masses could readily identify with

[@lyingechols9066]

And Paul helped him with this and many of his great songs, and had his own with “Michelle” , “Yesterday”, “We Can Work it Out”, “Here There and Everywhere”, etc.

[@jackwegener3484]

John had two sons. So which one are you claiming was the "magical" one that the masses identified with? Julian or Sean?

[@lyingechols9066]

@@jackwegener3484 he means SONG

[@cwilson6990]

John true Leader of the Beatles an Icon 🎶 His Music will live forever 🎶 just as all Beatles Albums ❤

[@BeatlesBible1]

When push came to shove, John actually had to lead.

[@IsaacWale2004]

One of the best songs ever.

[@BeatlesBible1]

Yes

[@akieokuma8868]

Sem dúvida nenhuma!!!❤❤❤

[@grayhawk.music.minneapolis]

Possibly the most musically and lyrically perfect pop song ever written.

[@marcyfan-tz4wj]

a lot of fans rank it lowly which is what an actual nowhere man would do.

[@vernpascal1531]

I thought that was Penny Lane, or Fool On The Hill.

[@plasteredbastard]

then paul wrote here there and everywhere

[@cannotfindmyshoes3]

For YOU maybe. I personaly think The Beatles have done quite a few better "pop songs''.

[@jaelge]

Nowhere Man is another example of Lennon bringing in what is a very good idea and it being elevated to greatness by the contributions from McCartney, George, and Martin.

[@BeatlesBible1]

True

[@jaelge]

@@CB-xr1eg: No. My reference to George = George Harrison, my reference to Martin is George Martin.

[@Gammaknife97]

What about Ringo?

[@jaelge]

@@Gammaknife97: Certainly, Richie deserves as much praise as anyone, he had the talent to be able to shift gears and play in any and all of the many genres that the others wrote and played in, and the patience of Job to be able to put up with all their shenanigans. I love Ringo and his absolutely precision drumming.

[@mccloysong]

I was under the impression "Nowhere Man" was John writing about having writer's block: the irony of writing about not being able to.

[@billdowney1487]

Did you watch the video ? Johns voice says i tried to write for 4 hours ---- and i had nothing. Then i layed down and the words came to me.

[@mccloysong]

@@billdowney1487 Of course I watched. Somehow, hearing him say it, it didn't sound like he wrote about having writer's block (as I had always assumed), as much as writing about feeling like he was in limbo at that point in life.

[@BeatlesBible1]

It could also be about that, maybe. Thank you for commenting.

[@Isotrax]

“Nowhere man” is the “Help!” Of Rubber Soul.

[@BeatlesBible1]

True

[@alonenjersey]

Well said. I wish I came up with that.

[@lucas_laux]

nice video

[@allenf.5907]

Love your line - "And after Nowhere Man, nothing was the same." And you are correct.

[@BeatlesBible1]

Thank you!

[@matcoffidis1135]

A great song. Beautiful harmonies.

[@BeatlesBible1]

Yes 😃

[@MichaelLantz]

I can't wait for the Beatles come out With "Rubber soul Deluxe " with outtakes

[@elmolewis9123]

Rubber Soul has always been my favourite, with Nowhere Man near the top of their catalogue. Nice work on the video.

[@BeatlesBible1]

Me too, and thank you!

[@rednezke7646]

Props for sticking with the “high register” bit

[@BeatlesBible1]

🤣 My sense of humor always finds a way in.

[@JohnLennonReturns]

Couldn't you have chosen a more flattering photo of John as the last thing we see in your presentation over the 1980 interview? Wow. Just food for thought.

[@mumbles215]

He was a beat man by then. He looked in his 60s and he was barley 40

[@BeatlesBible1]

That's just how he looked in 1980. He looks cool in shades to me.

[@JohnLennonReturns]

​@@BeatlesBible1​There are many other photos with John in glasses from various eras, including 1980 - too numerous to even mention here- where he looked healthy and COOL. You chose a photo where he looked frail and sick; are you not aware of this? No criticism, just mild bewilderment as I call something to your attention that most true Lennon fans would see in an instant.

[@amandajingleheimerschmidt3050]

“Nowhere Man” is one of my favorite songs - it’s definitely because of the harmonies ❤

[@BeatlesBible1]

The harmonies are complex and beautiful

[@karaamundson3964]

A song I've long identified by...so lovely and such excellent advice to one'sself

[@BeatlesBible1]

True

[@toucan221]

Got to say Never bothered with the Beatles Bible before, this is my second view- listen to your work an, I am enjoying them, nice put together and you make them everyday relatable, thanks

[@kingdicelille]

Fantastic song, fantastic recording.

[@BeatlesBible1]

True

[@IsaacWale2004]

I want to hear the other takes and the other ideas. I hope we get a deluxe edition this year.

[@allenf.5907]

Agree - come on Rubber Soul box set - PLEASE.

[@BeatlesBible1]

Me too

[@tjcint]

Nowhere Man is brilliant social commentary, whether witting or not. How many people do these words apply to, in part or in full ? Only Lennon could have written this.

[@97GibsonsgOhyeah]

The beginning of the lads creating music of true substance. The song has deeper meaning, and the melody in the pre-chorus is wonderful!

[@BeatlesBible1]

I agree

[@tonygatos1]

I really enjoyed this video. Thanks for posting!

[@BeatlesBible1]

Thank you!

[@user-jl9kw9gn3m]

Paul's melodic bass here is what opened my awareness to hearing melodic bass for the 1st time and becoming a bass player...many more awarenesses came later. Another stupid comment I'd make is that I believe Paul's *best* bass riffs came to him when it was another Beatle's ,more or less, penned song.

[@aminahmed2220]

What a fantastic video have a wonderful weekend also Monday is my friends birthday also my birthday ❤❤❤❤❤❤😊😊😊😊😊😊

[@BeatlesBible1]

Thank you, Aminah 😃 HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

[@judycarrier1790]

The beautiful melodic harmony blended with the poignant words and meaning ALWAYS gives me goosebumps. "For nobdy......" ❤❤❤❤ Well done lads, well done. And THANK YOU. a thousand times over, THANK YOU for blessing us with that harmony and beautiful music.

[@BeatlesBible1]

🙏

[@ScrewballMcAdams]

Great video. Nicely done, sir.

[@BeatlesBible1]

Thank you, sir

[@edggullion5348]

John's songs during the early Beatle era are my favorites.

[@brentmcwilliams4332]

I really relate to the lyrics.

[@jamesdrynan]

I was fifteen when Rubber Soul was released in December, 1965. The sound of the Fender Strats on Nowhere Man blew me away.

[@BeatlesBible1]

Wow, it must've been great to live at that time.

[@billdowney1487]

Nice Job putting it together

[@BeatlesBible1]

Thanks

[@bruceericson4730]

Nowhere Man inspired me to play the guitar. I love that song.

[@thiagopottes4860]

Love from Recife - Brazil

[@BeatlesBible1]

Love from Ceará - Brasil ✌

[@mauroluiz420]

Love from RJ -Brazil

[@davidapatrickmoore]

Fascinating stuff.

[@BeatlesBible1]

Thanks!

[@davidaston5773]

I LOVE your videos Beatle Bible. The Beatles, as men and artissts, were always EVOLVING/Growing up. And Rubber Soul is the point when they decided their power was in the studio. David

[@BeatlesBible1]

Thank you!

[@davidaston5773]

No@@BeatlesBible1the thanks is to you. Pace and love, David

[@tjcint]

​@@davidaston5773​​ Very gracious of you to say this (the thanks is to you) ...

[@davidaston5773]

You're very welcome@@tjcint. I prefer love and fixing a hole 🤩✌

[@abradfordajb]

That was a very interesting last comment from John about song writing - " ... if you look below the surface, what is being said ...". This reminder about the nature of art, makes one want to re-examine a lot of material that one may have previously been exposed to, and then moved on to something else.

[@sdgakatbk]

That is such a great song. I think it's one that a lot of people can relate to.

[@BeatlesBible1]

True

[@mariannemaloneywitherspoon6335]

I would also add ‘Paperback Writer’ as another of John’s great songs. ❤

[@edwardelliott194]

Paperback writer was primarily Pauls

[@robcoleman6268]

Entirely Paul's song, but the great B side "Rain" was John's.

[@deargdoom8743]

I hear he also wrote Mull of Kintyre.......

[@marilynwoolford-chandler1161]

Very interesting

[@JohnnyManThan]

Completely off topic but your voice is perfectly fine when it comes to your videos and I have no problem listening to it. Just another reminder since people feel the need to be unnecessarily hateful. Keep doing what you’re doing man you’re doing good!

[@BeatlesBible1]

Thank you for the compliment; it means a lot to me. Also, nice Brian Wilson pic!

[@aasja7739]

What a great song.

[@BeatlesBible1]

I love it

[@TheJayson8899]

Eye of Horus

[@cesarluisvicente7957]

SPLENDID DOCUMENT !!!

[@BeatlesBible1]

Thanks!

[@Meneervdberg]

Paul's bassline and lalala's made this song a masterpiece

[@mskisimms]

George also did the la la la la las.

[@BeatlesBible1]

I love the harmonies

[@lanatrzczka]

Good, but why all the video tricks with you in the foreground?

[@BeatlesBible1]

I just like it.

[@steveco360]

It was always one of my favorites from the first time I heard it. I just felt it in a way that I couldn't explain at the time, but I grew to understand.

[@sunshinecoolwater9528]

I've always preferred Paul McCartney's songwriting, but Lennon's "Nowhere Man," is one of the best songs recorded by the Beatles.

[@allenf.5907]

Over the past five or so years, I've gravitated back to John's songs. BOTH were brilliant writers, but they go can go deep in any direction that they wanted to. Case in point here.

[@roywatson8133]

john liked to write about himself he never liked third person songs unlike some of pauls @@allenf.5907

[@paulneeds]

There’s also distancing in the line “Nowhere Man, can you see me at all”…

[@ShortFuseFighting]

does anybody know? there used to be a beatles channel ran by an indian kid. what happened to him?seems to be gone.

[@cannotfindmyshoes3]

I thought you were British, Mr BeatlesBible. Don't know WHY I thought that, but I did. I also imagined you as someone much older, someone who was a fan when The Beatles still existed as a band.

[@BeatlesBible1]

No, I'm actually Brazilian. I'm in my mid 20s, but I love the Beatles very much.

[@steffanmaximum]

Oh dear, John in the thumbnail is signalling that he is a member of the big club that most of us aren't in [covering one eye as in the "eye of horus"].

[@steffanmaximum]

@@CB-xr1eg You have no idea how the music industry works.

[@steffanmaximum]

@@CB-xr1eg Stay in your fairy tale ffs.

[@Mick_Ts_Chick]

Wish I could get some things by divine inspiration. 😂My ex-husband's deceased father used to send him advice to his dreams on occasion. I like the song. I think everyone goes through a phase where they feel like they're going nowhere. Pretty universal feeling.

[@thiswan1]

I wonder if John remembered a. Song from school I remember a song called Towser about a small child’s dog like: Towser is my little friend. : He’s a real nowhere man. Etc. eat. The tune I mean.

[@dominicschaeffer909]

Where did you get all these photos I never seen before???

[@BeatlesBible1]

Google :)

[@sureshmukhi2316]

For some reason I always thought Nowhere Man was about Lyndon Johnson because of his plans to send more troops to Vietnam.

[@JohnnyHurbonConnections]

Everyone seemed to look up to Brian Jones and I think he was the nowhere man.

[@paulneeds]

Why is Mr Tambourine Man in the background at the start?!

[@BeatlesBible1]

Because I like it.

[@JohnLW100]

One mystery about Nowhere Man that I have found no one address is the TV Tone in the middle of the song. That tone is what one heard when the TV stations had shut down for the night. It is brilliantly located in the song and acts also as a kind of bridge. Be that as it may, the tone is unforgettable. Any thoughts?

[@TRICK-OR-TREAT236]

I THINK THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME UNDERDUBBING WAS USED ON A RECORDING AS WELL.

[@michaelvaladez6570]

It's one of my favorite songs in melody and lyrics.. John Lennon voice is golden, and he did not like it.. He was very hard on himself all around .. too bad.

[@BeatlesBible1]

He was; they did so much great stuff.

[@akieokuma8868]

Seu comentário perfeito !!! ❤❤❤

[@DrMark1981]

Dude, the videos are great and I’m really enjoying listening to the clips, looking at the great photos of the Beatles… then you pop up - why? STOP IT! YOU’RE RUINING YOUR OWN VIDS, MAN!

[@BeatlesBible1]

It's my videos, and I want to appear on them. I'm not "ruining" them.

[@robcoleman6268]

I love the video except for seeing you. Do you think you're Alfred Hitchcock making a cameo appearance in every film?

[@BeatlesBible1]

🤣 I'm more like Martin Scorsese, thank you very much!

[@hudahekizzy8402]

Wow, what a song eh?

[@ArchieThomas3seesea]

Chuck Brow3n sang follow your orders and use your recorders.

[@rickhenry8760]

Why is there a "Byrd's Tune p "Tambouring Man" playing in the background of a Beatles Rockumentary ? like WTH Mate...

[@BeatlesBible1]

Because that's what was playing around 1965.

[@rickhenry8760]

@@BeatlesBible1 I understand they were playing that. I was thinking you would have incorporated "Nowhere Man" in the background instead of the Byrds. That's your channel mate and your prerogative. Thanks

[@alecsanderharrison2691]

cara, você fala português né? eu sei que em português tem bem menos alcance, mas porque não faz uns videos em português? Tem muito brasileiro que não fala inglês e no Brasil não tem nenhum canal com esse seu foco.

[@BeatlesBible1]

Hmm, posso pensar em fazer em português também. Obrigado pela dica!

[@user-fu2mi1nd5l]

funny how yer site bout PID no longer up, could it be cause you were wrong

[@BeatlesBible1]

😂

[@Fuzcapp]

Help and Nowhere Man are basically the same song. Especially lyrically. Nowhere Man is basically part 2 of the lyric John started in Help.

[@BeatlesBible1]

It's kind of a sequel, yes.

[@lunkanx7804]

😎👍

[@therealfronzilla]

Nowhere man you dont know what your missing (Rawhide TV show theme song, good vittles love and kissin) thats hilarious and very Lennon.

[@therealfronzilla]

@@CB-xr1eg good vittles

[@guszea67]

Poor Nowhere man 😢

[@BeatlesBible1]

Can you see me at all?

[@user-il5oq5df6l]

I wish The Beatles had never poisoned themselves with drugs.

[@BeatlesBible1]

Well, it was a win-lose situation.

[@SeltaebEht]

Apparently, Brian Epstein wasn't very happy to see Tony Barrow recording the show.

[@BeatlesBible1]

Really? Why? 🤔

[@gavrilopricip11]

seems Marc David Chapman found the nowhere man somewhere

[@BeatlesBible1]

Mean

[@areareare9953]

Oh. Aren't you edgy. 43 years later.

[@gavrilopricip11]

indeed!(made you comment bacK)@@CB-xr1eg

[@kencory2476]

Wasn't this about Brian Epstein?

[@BeatlesBible1]

Not that I know of. "You've Got To Hide Your Love Away" is, though.

[@TonyLovell]

at 2:29, for example: get out of the video, sir

[@BeatlesBible1]

Excuse me, it's my video, sir. I'll do whatever I please with my video, sir.

[@pm3203]

This video is bogus. Other sources have indicated this song was about Pete Best, constantly trying to sue them.

[@BeatlesBible1]

Not that I know of, no.

[@Ikirupp9994]

Stop putting a screenshot of yourself no wants to see that.

[@BeatlesBible1]

It's my video and I wanna be a part of it.

[@pizza2437]

Could really go without the movie/show clips.

[@cannotfindmyshoes3]

I could really go for a... Hang on, got to word this correctly. Oh bollocks. Do you fancy going out for a drink sometime ? 😉

[@pizza2437]

@@cannotfindmyshoes3 Semen ass

[@BeatlesBible1]

@@cannotfindmyshoes3 😂 Guy doesn't waste a chance.

[@JebidiahKrackedyetagain-xv9hc]

"🎶Ahhhh...Look at all the lonely assholes, where DO they all come from? All the lonely assholes...Where DO they all belong...??"🎶 Oops! (Wrong song!)

[@JohnFoxx108]

This is one time I wish the uploader used AI voice...its unlistenable, the accent the meter is incomprensible

[@TheJayson8899]

lol what? He’s not even remotely difficult to understand in the slightest and his voice is far more emotive than AI garbage. You sound American.

[@BeatlesBible1]

Thanks @@TheJayson8899

[@steveconn]

A nice depressive winter song from increasingly lazy, dissociated John ❤

[@BeatlesBible1]

Yes

[@marvymarier8988]

"Introspective" that is ! Better than "silly little love songs" by Paul .

[@steveconn]

@@marvymarier8988 At least Silly Love Songs is upbeat.

[@hw343434]

So lazy he was writing “In My Life”, “Norwegian Wood”, “Girl” and “Nowhere Man” all for just this album. The greatest songwriter of all time at work

[@steveconn]

@@hw343434 They're nice songs but not exactly I Am The Walrus. Mostly verse-chorus-verse, sighing sad songs. Except for In My Life probably took him two or three days to knock off at most. Mother's Little Helper, Nineteenth Nervous Breakdown, Dylan and soon Paul Simon all wrote rings around this stuff.

[@jacekfolega5186]

I used to think it was a song about a man from nowhere. But then it occured to me that this isn't a song about someone who lives in an isolation, outside of society, coming from nowhere. If we treat the word "nowhere" not as an adverb of place, but as an adjective that means "mediocre", "average", "banal", "futile" or "mundane", then the meaning of the song is completely different and in such a case it is not about John. He surely was not an average guy "making nowhere planes for nobody". Think about it.

[@jfk65]

@@CB-xr1eg "Planes" was just a typo. "Nowhere Man" is about an archetypal member of 'straight' society whose life has no purpose. It's John's comment on the erosion of belief in modern society ("A Hard Days Write" by Steve Turner). And though John admits that nowhere man is "a bit like you and me", there is nothing about his marriage in the lyrics. It was only McCartney's speculation expressed in one of the interviews.

[@davedee4382]

Nowhere Man is great. Fool on the Hill is not!!!

[@TheJayson8899]

What does The Fool on the Hill have to do with anything? So random. Also it’s a fucking great song.

[@Walk-on-Wildcat]

Kinda cool clips. But not entirely the way things had happened.

[@BeatlesBible1]

How did things happen?

[@arthurmoore8521]

Pity you couldn't play the song, but I guess you like the sound of your own voice too much. I thought then, and do now, that this was a great song. Can't give this video a like though.

[@BeatlesBible1]

I don't play it because of copyright issues, and I do like my voice. 😄

[@arthurmoore8521]

@@BeatlesBible1 In that case, please accept my humble apologies. I do feel chastened. Sorry.

[@jamesfetherston1190]

Lennon, who had a reputation for arrogance, was often self-critical in his songs. Contrast with George who had a habit of putting everyone else down from a more self - righteous position.

[@BeatlesBible1]

True

[@user-mi1oh1bf2o]

Like you were there. Give me a break. Even born?

[@BeatlesBible1]

Excuse me, sir, I'm a vampire from 1900 even though I may look 18!! 😠😠

[@josephblue4135]

It was not divinely inspired as you mentioned. It was all John Lennon.

[@michaeldavid6284]

The comment here that "Yesterday" and "Nowhere Man" were both divinely inspired is both lame and ridiculous. Paul has said many times over the years that he had the music for the song for months and asked the others if it wasn't some other previously recorded tune. He would play it on guitar and sing non-sensical lyrics, such as using "scrambled egg" before hitting on "yesterday". Here John states he tried for 5 hours to write a song, gave up, laid down, and it all came to him, music and lyrics. The comparison is clueless.

[@BeatlesBible1]

"Divinely inspired" as in both songs came _complete_ while both John and Paul were in their sleep.

[@brycenuttall6144]

For a drug addict he wrote some great songs

[@ohblimey21]

Too much talk and not enough Beatles music!

[@BeatlesBible1]

I'm talking about the music, I can't play it, sir. 🤣

[@MusicMan73790]

Please stop with the silly unnecessary crap you throw in this video. Just get to the points, please.

[@BeatlesBible1]

Don't know what you're on about, mate.

[@martinstubs6203]

Attributing a song to its writer's personal situation is stupid nonsense most of the time. I certainly wouldn't recommend in the case of someone like John Lennon.

[@terryboudreau1623]

Boring song. Sorry.

[@BeatlesBible1]

I like it.

[@dontgoout1434]

More rubbish didnt even like the song

[@BeatlesBible1]

Nowhere man, please listen, you don't know what you're missing.