Music Blog

Regrets, I’ve Had A Few

Nancy's Notes 🖊️♬

Today in Jim Adams’ Song Lyric Sunday post
entitled ‘Groundhog Day’ he has asked us to
write about a song(s) about being stuck, feeling
trapped, or about regret. Written for
Song Lyric Sunday, here are my songs.

Image Courtesy YouTube
George Harrison was quite the fashion plate;
we all wanted those pants!

Oh, I’m sorry. Were you expecting Sinatra? My bad!

A while back, one of my readers left me this comment: “Hi Nancy. I’m curious. Why do you play so much Beatles? We don’t all love the Beatles, you know.”  I replied with this: “If you take a look at my other posts, you’ll see I feature a lot of other music besides the Beatles. Perhaps it looks like a lot to you because you’re not a fan. The truth is I’ve loved the Beatles even before I saw them perform at Shea Stadium; I love their music ….. the gorgeous harmonies and the message of their lyrics; I enjoy listening and sharing their songs with my readers and friends. I’m not on a mission to convert my anyone into Beatlemaniacs. No Kool-Aid here. Thanks for your comment.”

What I really felt like saying was “Look, you pain in the ass. Who asked you? It’s my blog and I can do whatever I want. Now go away; you’re bringing me down!” but that wouldn’t be in keeping with the Beatles philosophy of peace and love, now would it?

Well, now you know I’m featuring the Beatles today and not Frank Sinatra for Jim’s Song Lyric Sunday theme, ‘Groundhog Day‘. I’ve chosen three songs which I believe deal very nicely with the prompts of being stuck, feeling trapped and expressing regret all rolled into one great big ball of seething angst and desperation. Once again, there’s no reason to talk about the group, is there? Let’s just cut to the chase and play some Beatles.

My first song is “Don’t Bother Me”  from the Beatles’ 1963 UK album, With the Beatles. It was the first song written entirely by George Harrison to appear on one of the Beatles’ albums. George was feeling ill and the doctor ordered one day of bed rest away from the band. Filled with regret over a breakup and feeling downright sorry for himself, George started fiddling with his guitar and a new song was born. In his 1980 autobiography, “I, Me, Mine”, George Harrison describes the song “as an exercise to see if I could write a song. Being stuck in bed – maybe that’s why it turned out to be Don’t Bother Me.”

Here is George Harrison’s song of feeling trapped in a sickbed, regretting the loss of his girl and being away from his bandmates. This is “Don’t Bother Me”.


LYRICS

Since she’s been gone
I want no one
To talk to me
It’s not the same
But I’m to blame
It’s plain to see

So go away, leave me alone
Don’t bother me

I can’t believe
That she would leave
Me on my own
It’s just not right
When every night
I’m all alone

I’ve got no time for you right now
Don’t bother me

I know I’ll never be the same
If I don’t get her back again
Because I know she’ll always be
The only girl for me

But ’til she’s here
Please don’t come near
Just stay away
I’ll let you know
When she’s come home
Until that day

Don’t come around, leave me alone
Don’t bother me

I’ve got no time for you right now
Don’t bother me

I know I’ll never be the same
If I don’t get her back again
Because I know she’ll always be
The only girl for me

But ’til she’s here
Please don’t come near
Just stay away
I’ll let you know
When she’s come home
Until that day

Don’t come around, leave me alone
Don’t bother me
Don’t bother me
Don’t bother me
Don’t bother me
Don’t bother me

Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: George Harrison
Don’t Bother Me lyrics © Jaep Music Ltd. – Dick James Music Ltd.


Today’s second song is one from the Beatles album, Abbey Road, released in 1969. It’s a song of incredible dread and self-pity as Paul McCartney begs his darling not to leave him. I swear he’d belly crawl through broken glass to get her to stay. The devastation and regret expressed in these lyrics is profound: “When you told me you didn’t need me anymore well, you know I nearly fell down and died”. Beatles engineer Geoff Emerick had this to say about the recording sessions for the song “Oh! Darling”: “Every day we’d be treated to a hell of a performance as McCartney put his all into singing the song ..… with 50s-style tape echo ….. once and once only, nearly ripping his vocal cords to shreds in the process.” Paul McCartney wanted the rough, raspy voice of a man who had been screaming for his girl not to leave; he achieved his goal brilliantly.

This is Paul’s song of not-so-quiet desperation ….. “Oh! Darling”. You’ll want to turn up the volume for this one, kids.


LYRICS

Oh darling, please believe me
I’ll never do you no harm
Believe me when I tell you
I’ll never do you no harm

Oh darling, if you leave me
I’ll never make it alone
Believe me when I beg you
Don’t ever leave me alone

When you told me you didn’t need me anymore
Well, you know I nearly broke down and cried
When you told me you didn’t need me anymore
Well, you know I nearly fell down and died

Oh darling, if you leave me
I’ll never make it alone
Believe me when I tell you
I’ll never do you no harm
Believe me, darlin’

When you told me, woo, you didn’t need me anymore
Well, you know I nearly broke down and cried
When you told me you didn’t need me anymore
Well, you know I nearly fell down and died

Oh darling, please believe me
I’ll never let you down
Oh, believe me, darlin’
Believe me when I tell you
I’ll never do you no harm

Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: John Lennon/Paul McCartney
Oh! Darling lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Tratore

My final song is from 1965’s Rubber Soul ….. the first song recorded for the album. It’s “Run For Your Life” ….. a song which has been criticized for its potentially dangerous/deadly lyrics, with good reason. This guy is royally pissed off because his girl cheated on him. He minces no words, coming straight to the point saying “I’d rather see you dead, little girl, than to be with another man“. In other words, the typical manic message of every sicko jilted lover ….. “If I can’t have you, no one can!” Cue “Psycho” music. That’s a pretty scary statement and he says it more than once; I’d get a restraining order if I were her. I was very relieved to learn that those few uncharacteristically misogynistic lyrics were not written by any of the Beatles but were lifted from an Elvis Presley song called “Baby, Let’s Play House” with lyrics by some dude named Arthur Gunter (I don’t want to know what his story is). HERE’S a link to Elvis’ song, if you’re interested; listen for the infamous lyrics at the 1:50 mark. There’s also a little chuckle by Elvis near the end which is rather endearing.

This is “Run For Your Life”, lead vocals by John Lennon ….. dripping with tension, regret and death threats. Go, Johnny, Go!

LYRICS

Well, I’d rather see you dead, little girl
Than to be with another man
You better keep your head, little girl
Or I won’t know where I am

You better run for your life if you can, little girl
Hide your head in the sand, little girl
Catch you with another man
That’s the end, little girl

Well, you know that I’m a wicked guy
And I was born with a jealous mind
And I can’t spend my whole life
Trying just to make you toe the line

You better run for your life if you can, little girl
Hide your head in the sand, little girl
Catch you with another man
That’s the end, little girl

Let this be a sermon
I mean everything I’ve said
Baby, I’m determined
And I’d rather see you dead

You better run for your life if you can, little girl
Hide your head in the sand, little girl
Catch you with another man
That’s the end, little girl

I’d rather see you dead, little girl
Than to be with another man
You better keep your head, little girl
Or you won’t know where I am

You better run for your life if you can, little girl
Hide your head in the sand, little girl
Catch you with another man
That’s the end, little girl

Na, na, na
Na, na, na
Na, na, na
Na, na, na

Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: John Lennon/Paul McCartney
Run for Your Life lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Royalty Network, Sentric Music, Songtrust Ave, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group

Groundhog Day

Big thanks to Jim Adams for hosting another great Song Lyric Sunday this week and every week. Be sure to follow the link and check out Jim’s site.

Thanks for stopping by and listening to some tunes.

See you on the flip side. 😎

NAR©2025

All text, graphics and videos are copyright for Nancy ~ The Sicilian Storyteller, Nancy (The Sicilian Storyteller), The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephant’s Trunk, and The Rhythm Section, and are not for use by anyone without permission. NAR©2017-present.

67 thoughts on “Regrets, I’ve Had A Few”

      1. I was just watching a clip from YT of them performing Twist and Shout at Shea Stadium (see below..oh and was this the concert you went to?) I was looking for you in the crowd and there was a girl at 32 sec (in the centre) who looked like you or at least someone I could imagine looking like then Haha.

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              1. Your ‘mister’. That sounds funny. I love that post you linked. ‘The details of that day are a little sketchy’ Haha. It seems like blue jeans were ‘the thing’ and your backsides look great lol That photo was taken 4 months before I was born!

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  4. I am always curious as to what is behind comments like the one you received. Yo, Dude, it’s her blog; ya don’t gotta read nor listen, eh?

    So, that said, what? Beatles to answer this challenge? Of course. Nicely done, cara!

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  6. Classic choices and all with memories attached! 😀 “Oh Darling” especially conjures up a birthday party scene: dark basement, silver lamé pantsuit, dancing with my then boyfriend. (We broke up a few months later. 😆) I’m jealous that you got to see The Beatles live, Nancy. That must have been a mind-blowing experience! 😎 Thanks for the tunes today. Can’t go wrong with The Beatles! 💖

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      1. I wasn’t a fan of Cliff Richard, The Stones or The Osmonds either (preferred the Jackson 5). I enjoyed some of their music but didn’t really follow anyone in my youth. I had the two Beatles Best Of albums though in my twenties, but then I think everybody did!

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  8. While Sinatra is pretty cool (yes, I sincerely mean that), of course, nothing can beat The Beatles, except the four lads from Liverpool themselves, says this 40-plus-year Beatles fan in his completely unbiased opinion! 🙂

    I also like your picks. I didn’t know you saw them at Shea Stadium – wow!!

    A dear music friend, who I guess was 12 years or so at the time, was offered a free ticket for this very show by his schoolmate Maureen Santoro (and, yep, that would be Steven Van Zandt’s wife!). But his parents felt he was too young to attend a concert of that scale, so he couldn’t go!

    As a father, I understand their concern. Still, can you believe that? He was so close to witnessing a historical concert!

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    1. Yes, I was there ….. along with my older sister and our mother! Mom surprised us with the tix but the only way we were going to the concert was if she went with us. I remember running down to the chain link fence at the bottom of our section to get a closer look at the Fabs and when I glanced back, my mother was dancing in the aisle. It was Beatlemania, baby!

      Growing up, there was music in our house all the time ….. from Giuseppe Verdi to Bobby Vinton and everyone in between. And that included Frank Sinatra, who I also saw in concert and got to meet backstage. Talk about a thrill! He was the cream that floated to the top, the very best at what he did and I’ve featured him on my site a few times.

      Sure! Maureen Santoro Van Zandt ….. Silvio’s wife in The Sopranos! Badda Bing!

      Thanks so much, Christian. Oh ….. I’m digging your site!

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      1. Sounds like you grew up exposed to plenty of music – love it!

        Something also tells me that in addition to meeting Sinatra back stage and experiencing The Beatles at Shea Stadium, you probably have some other fascinating music anecdotes! 🙂

        My love of the ’60s hasn’t gone unnoticed by my dear wife. She’s told me more than once I should have grown up during that decade. To which I cheerfully responded in that case we never would have met!

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        1. My life has been one of being in the right place at the right time. I have met quite a few celebrities either through family, my husband’s work or just by happenstance. The most notable (only because the relationship lasted about 3 years) was being teenage friends with Steven Tallarico …. AKA Steven Tyler. My parens and his dear Aunt Phyllis and Uncle Ernie were friends through a group from church. They would often get together and Steven would be there visiting his aunt & uncle. He and I were part of the same group of teens who hung out together in the rec room of his aunt & uncle’s house. Steven is a couple of years older than me. I haven’t seen him since the mid/late 60s and I doubt he has any recollection of me. I’ve tried several times to contact him, with no luck. C’est la vie!

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  9. Your commenter should scroll on by while the rest of us enjoy the Beatles in all their glory!! I never heard Run For Your Life until today. The link to the King is fascinating. A trifecta today, thanks for sharing.

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  11. Great hearing these! I’d not heard the first one from George – but it is really good! I’d heard the others but not for awhile. We still have Rubber Soul vinyl album. Loved reading what you wrote about the songs. I did go listen to the Elvis one, and I’d not heard that one either. Nice connection to the lyrics. 🙂

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    1. Thank you, Barbara! I’ve been looking forward to today’s theme all week and had a blast putting it together. I’m thrilled to know you enjoyed it; that’s very gratifying.

      Good to know you listened to the Elvis recording. Only The King can sing
      b-b-b-b-b-b-b-baby without tripping over his tongue. Fun stuff!

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  13. Post whatever music and whatever the heck you want, Nancy! Nothing riles me up more than when people feel they have to make judgments on the content you post, it’s your blog, you do what you want. People will always have something to say, I swear. I love all your writing ✍️ songs 🎶 and content, but if someone doesn’t all they have to do is…keep scrolling 🙄😒 how freaking hard is that?!
    Sorry, a little rant there 🤣 😆
    Hope you’re having a peaceful Sunday otherwise! ✨💛

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    1. Love this rant, Laura! Rant all you want. I may just hire you as my professional ranter! 🤬
      I really don’t (usually) care what people say; it’s the incredibly stupid, nasty or condescending comments that burn my biscotti! That comment was like an annoying mosquito; I just swatted it away but filed it under “A” for asshole knowing I’d use it some day ….. and today’s the day! 🦟
      I Feel Fine, to quote another great Beatles song. Hope you do, too. ❤︎🎶
      Thanks again, Laura. I love your burning heart, woman! ❤️‍🔥

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      1. Hahaha thank you! Sign me up! 🤣
        Yeah, I hear you. Sometimes you have to just brush it off, but other times you pull it out when it’s needed. It fit in this instance! I love that 🤣 “A” for asshole, I’d love to see your filing system haha
        Feeling pretty good, thank you – nights going OK so far 🤞 😁

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    1. My feelings about George exactly, Jim. If you watched the Get Back documentary, it was difficult to miss how John and Paul continuously pushed George aside. I both loved and hated that documentary because of that. It makes me sad that George died when he did; I wonder if he knew the tremendous impact his music has had on the world. He was such a peaceful and accepting man, he probably wouldn’t care.

      Thanks, my friend. Another excellent theme this week.

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  15. Three great choices for the theme, from the best band ever. I hope that previous commenter sees this and repents his stupid ways – what we over here would call a ‘wanker.’ 🤣

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    1. Oh, you mean a real dick. Yeah, I agree! 🤣

      You’re right, Clive; they’re the best band ever which is why I’ll never stop writing about them. It was great having these songs playing in the background as I wrote this post. Excellent inspiration!

      Thank you. I’m glad you enjoyed the read and the listen. 😊

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      1. yes indeed it is and so many mistakenly use it as a wedding song 😔

        Here is another stalker song from a female stalkers point of view!

        cant get rid of second video ….it’s a mistake but a beautiful one enjoy 💜💜💜💜

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  17. Whereas I will admit to being a Stone’s kinda girl, I enjoyed your picks. The first, Don’t Bother me I had actually never heard. Oh, Darling is a classic and I hadn’t heard it in quite a while, so that was a nice blast from the past. And your third choice had me thinking of how such a song would be received today.

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    1. Growing up for me it was strictly the Beatles. In the early 70s I embraced the Stones and never let go. There’s plenty of room in my music loving heart for both.

      I don’t know how Run For Your Life would be perceived if it was released today (I was happy the Beatles didn’t write that one awful line!) but when compared to many lyrics we hear today about violence, abuse and sex and sometimes violent, abusive sex (lol), that Beatles song would likely pale in comparison.

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