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Thanks to Don from Los Angeles, California, and his membership, under a pseudonym, in Songfacts.com, I was able to retrieve some verbal description of this Beatles waltz one Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. To me, the 38 whole notes per minute tempo was the toughest thing through which to break in terms of identifying the song speed as I do above, with the assistance and demanding supervision of that of a James C.C. Manning.

This song, which is F# minor features heavy use of an E9 chord. A full E9 insofar as the entire harmony of D major id played on top of the E in the bass. That gives it that “ooh” sound. The slow waltz is a surprise, and always a fine pathetic way to know that the Beatles were not afraid of playing in waltz time. Bold!

Songwriter Interviews Lyrical Pursuit Song Fallacies
She’s Leaving Home
by
The Beatles
Album: Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band Released: 1967
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This was based on a newspaper story Paul McCartney read about a runaway girl. On February 27th, 1967 the London Daily Mail’s headline read: “A-level girl dumps car and vanishes.” That girl was 17-year-old Melanie Coe, who had ran away from home leaving everything behind. Her father was quoted as saying, “I cannot imagine why she should run away, she has everything here.” McCartney said in 1000 UK #1 Hits by Jon Kutner and Spencer Leigh, “We’d seen that story and it was my inspiration. There was a lot of these at the time and that was enough to give us the storyline. So I started to get the lyrics: she slips out and leaves a note and the parents wake up, it was rather poignant. I like it as a song and when I showed it to John, he added the Greek chorus and long sustained notes. One of the nice things about the structure of the song is that it stays on those chords endlessly.” (thanks, Edward Pearce - Ashford, Kent, England)
Some of the lyrics were things John Lennon’s Aunt Mimi said to him as a child. She raised John after his parents separated.
No Beatles played instruments on this. John and Paul contributed vocals, which were double-tracked to sound like a quartet, and session musicians played strings. The first female to play on a Beatles album, Sheila Bromberg, played harp. (thanks, Bertrand - Paris, France)
The string section was arranged by Mike Leander because producer George Martin was busy. Leander would later arrange strings for The Rolling Stones on “As Tears Go By.”
In 1988 this was covered by Billy Bragg as part of the children’s charity project album Sgt. Pepper Knew My Father. His version was released as a single in the UK as part of a double A side with Wet Wet Wet’s version of “With A Little Help From My Friends.” The double A sided single topped the UK charts for four weeks. (thanks, Edward Pearce - Ashford, Kent, England)
People who dig this song also like “A Day In The Life” “Let It Be” and “Golden Slumbers“Get Artistfacts for The BeatlesMore songs by The BeatlesMore songs inspired by newspaper or magazine articlesMore songs about events in the newsMore songs featuring a string section
Comments:
Based on the lyrics of the song, I can only conclude that the signer is narrating a 1939-1943 world event. More precisely Civil Losses in London of WWII. As for Sgt. Pepper; A group of four “peppered people”; J. Stalin, W. Churchill, FDR & W.L. Mackenzie King.- Michel, Gatineau, QC
Could it be that suicide was on her mind. Secretive planning, the note, parents who didnt seem to understand her “where did we go wrong” “we sacrificed “, her loneliness, the fatal appointment. - eamonn, Dublin, Ireland
Let me trhow another wild theory: Isn’t the song “Leaving home ain’t easy, from the album Jazz of Queen, a sequel to this song? It apparently describes what happens to the girl right after “Stepping outside she is free”…- Jesus Herrera, MEXICO, –
I think Brian needs to watch “The Davinci Code” really are you serious…. great song though. I love Paul’s voice!- Samantha, Bowie, MD
I don’t like that orchestration. Maybe it’s becouse HARP hurts my ears.- Jose, São Paulo, Brazil
As noted, George Martin did not do the orchestration score for this song. Paul had asked him to work with him on it on a particular night, but Martin already was scheduled to produce a Cilla Black session that evening. Rather than push it back a few days, Paul hired another arrainger to write the score with him. Martin was furious about that, but went ahead and conducted the orchestra using someone else’s arraingment when the track was recorded. - Ken, Louisville, KY
Brian, you disturb me. You must like Charles Manson or something…- Peter Griffin, Quahog, RI
With reference to Brian’s comment. Whatever…- Colin, London, England
The part with the “Greek chorus” is an especially scintillating listen.- Paul, Cincinnati, OH
Hello avid Beatles’ fans!!! The time is nearing that a new view of songs produced by John and Paul will take on a new light and an incredible new power. A relationship between a series of songs on Sgt. Pepper and a series of passages found in the Bible has been established. Out of this relationship comes an understanding of John and Paul’s creative power as never before. She’s Leaving Home is a parable-like rendition of the entire chapter of Revelations 12. Revelations 12 is a story about ‘a woman and a dragon’. By analyzing the works of John and Paul I have been able to conclude that Revelations 12 is really a story about how components of the world will react when the bloodline of Christ begins its reemergence back into our daily lives. To put it quite bluntly, Revelations 12 is a story about how organized religion will react to the finding of the tomb of Mary Magdalene. The finding of her tomb will bring about the eventual end of organized religion. By naming the song She’s Leaving Home what is really being said is that ‘Mary is being dug up and removed from the earth which has been her home for many years’. Well, I’ll leave you now. If you have further interest please contact me at jacobisaiah445@yahoo.com. You see, it is my contention that the location of the tomb of Mary Magdalene can be lifted from the works of John and Paul. Is that a wild ass assertion or what? Well, I assure you that what I have to disclose will leave you speechless and in awe of what John and Paul accomplished. - Brian, Momence, IL
The fact that 50 packs heat is the reason why he’s better than The Beatles? He wasn’t holding said gun to your head at the time was he? That’s the only way to explain those asinine comments of yours. 50 Cent made a CD of 18 songs about 3 different topics. Then he came back a year and change later and made another 20 about 2 topics. Pull your head out of your rectum use your ears (assuming the bass hasn’t rattled them beyond repair) and LISTEN to what The Beatles are saying and tell me you have the same opinion. By the way, for intelligent rap fans everywhere (myself included) I apologize for the Aussie’s comments, though I think this is his sick idea of a joke.- Joe, Fort Meade, MD
“The appointment she made” and “Meeting a man from the motor car trade” probably means she’s going for a job interview and the person she’s being interviewed by is in the automobile business, probably selling cars. Thing is, she’s leaving home and so she’ll need to generate an income, which usually means getting a job.- Chris, Melbourne, Australia
Melanie Coe is currently (March 2007)living in the Cadiz province of Spain with her family of two children. She and her partner of 25 years are working selling property in Olvera. The song was never about a suicide. Melanie first met Paul when she was 14 at a “Ready, Steady, Go” set, where a mime competition was organised, that she won. (currently available at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZ5qSZoyKKE )- Melciber, Tarifa, Spain
I was givena piece of homework. i was given the first stanza nd asked to complete it any way i would like but as a story. im not sure what to say after the mother finds the note. can u lot help me out??? thanks- Jason, London, England
If 50 cent is the subject of as much discussion, serious analysis and comment as The Beatles are forty years after the event, I will eat my own knees. And of course by carrying a gun 50 cent is, ipso facto, more talented than the fabs. Yeah, right!- Eric, Valencia
Another one of those songs they did without rock instruments and the meter in the song is 12/8. Sal, Bardonia, NY- sal, bardonia , NY
A beautiful melody, arrangement, and vocal. It would have been a great single. Speaking of the singles, it’s not all of the number 1 singles The Beatles recorded that makes them so great. It’s all of the great songs that end up being album tracks or B-sides of singles. They were such prolific composers, there just wasn’t enough calendar time in their career as The Beatles to release all of the great songs as singles.- Steve, Fenton, MO
I think I read somewhere that, coincidentally, Paul McCartney gave the girl who inspired this song a prize on a British TV Show in 1964.- Mike, Germantown, MD
I think that the beatles did not have any skill whatsoever, they just simply chilled out and had a bit of LSD every now and then. What the hell is wrong with you people i clearly think that 50 cent is way on top of these guys, the beatles didn’t carry a gun did they? no? well 50 does so i think every one of you should rethink your comments and repost them for the beatles did not have any skill as i have clearly stated. Rip 2pac. Bill Crosembury- Bill, sydney, Australia
LOVE the Beatles. Not a fan of this song.- Jon, Oakridge, OR
I think this song is also about the relationships between teenagers and their parents in the 50s and 60s where parents thought music was corrupting the teenage mind.With the parents trying to have their own way on the teens the teens then left home due to the gaining of freedom and independance adapted from music. - J, Toronto, Canada
This is one of the most beautiful songs the group ever did. The violins are heartbraking, and the melody is haunting. Whatever the inspiration was, the fictitous girl who left home remains vivid in the mind. She represents every girl, who out of manifest desperation, did the ultimate rebellion. She gave up all of the securities, great and small, for the unknown, and with the unknown. Man, that’s sad. - lee, clearwater, FL
A most beautiful song and although not as much as an attack on society as with The Who’s My Generation, a conflict between parents and daughter. So this makes it more personal then My Generation. The mother’s words show her ignorance and how she tried to buy her love by giving her all the things money can buy. You can say that it’s based on more then just ‘one’ true event. Guess we’ve all been there one way or another. - Taike, Lungtan, Taiwan
I agree with Mary of Virginia Beach. It is simply what it states. Sometimes there is an over analyzation with interpretation of their music. Listen to it, and enjoy it–plain and simple. - lee, clearwater, FL
I don’t think you should interperet this song to much. It is about a runaway girl. You’re over complicating things.- Mary, Virginia Beach, VA
Really nice song. I love the lyrics and the tune. Pretty.- Sylvia, London, England
Such a calm and relaxing song. It’s also sad because no matter what they tried, she still ran away. Such great music, great vocals, makes me want to cry…- Mauricio, Hanford, CA
This is one of the most beautiful songs the group ever did. The violins are heartbraking, and the melody is haunting. Whatever the inspiration was, the fictitous girl who left home remains vivid in the mind. She represents every girl, who out of manifest desperation, did the ultimate rebellion. She gave up all of the securities, great and small, for the unknown, and with the unknown. Man, that’s sad.- lee, clearwater, FL
Shirley: how do you know about her, and how do you know she’s that same girl.- Stefanie magura, Rock Hill, SC
This is actually a true story about a girl that just “simply” ran away. She now lives in London and makes and sells jewelry.- Shirley, Ocean, NJ
I just absoulutely LOVE this song!- maureen, London, England
Wow what a sad song. the strings on it are beautiful.- Stefanie magura, Rock Hill, SC
on the back of the record sleeve you can see george harrison pointing to the words five o’clock hinting that that was the time of paul’s “death” - Ross, Atlanta, GA
One of the few Beatles songs (prior to the “Get Back/Let It Be” sessions) not to be recorded at EMI’s Abbey Road Studios. This was recorded at Olympia Studios in London.- Ken, Louisville, KY
I read somewhwre that the man from the motor trade (which by the way means he sells cars) was a real person who was known to The Beatles, pr to Paul anyway. I think you could over-analyse what this man and her appointment with him signifies. If somone were to run away, there would be all sorts of details unique to their situation. I think it makes it more real that the song includes these obscure references. If it was “meeting her boyfriend who had it made” or something, it would be not be as personalised.- Calum, Edinburgh, Scotland
i don’t think it’s about a girl who commited suicide. I think it’s about a girl who ran away. Hence, the title of the song.- Stefanie magura, Rock Hill, SC
Covered by Billy Bragg.- Nessie, Sapporo, Japan
So, a guess; the girl is going to get an abortion. Thats with its such a shock to her parents that she is leaving. Also explains “the appointment she made…” with a doctor? I don’t know what a motor trade is, but maybe its like penny saver.- Brian, LA, CA
It’s always been my interpretation of this song that the girl was leaving home because her parents never let her see her boyfriend. The part where she meets the man from the motor trade is her meeting up with her boyfriend, and then she can have fun again.- Jasper, Berkeley, CA
“Meeting a man from the motor trade” could also mean the funeral car and the gathering usually occurs a couple days after someones death so that could explain why she didnt find a ride as soon as she ran away. Im still in dispute with my self but Im drifting more towards suicide. Then again it can be looked at as runaway to but most suicides have a letter- Ashley, Boonsboro, MD
RJ, I think “living alone” refers to how misunderstood she was by her parents and how alone she felt with them. Teenagers were leaving home in droves in the 1960s, due to the “generation gap” so this song reflected a reality of the times.- Jo, Toronto, Canada
Has anybody ever considered that this song might be an extended metaphor about a girl who committs suicide? Some of the lyrics seem to contradict themselves — for instance, they mention that “she’s leaving home after living alone for so many years,” yet it should be implied that the girl in this song lived with her parents for all of her life to that point. Could this mean that she felt alone all of her life and she couldn’t stand it anymore, so she killed herself? She left her parents a letter…could this be a suicide note? There’s always a letter to go along with suicide. Then again, the whole “meeting a man from the motor trade” thing does sort of debunk this idea. However, that “living alone” line gets me every time. I know I’m reading into this too much, but it just doesn’t make sense! Thanks.- RJ, Rockville Centre, NY
The band Cake has a song called “Jolene” which almost seems to be inspired by “She’s Leaving Home”; or at least has a verse that brings to mind a verse in the latter song. The Cake verse in question: “Jolene heard her father’s uneven snores. Right then she knew there must be something more. Jolene heard the singing in the forest. She opened the door quietly and stepped into the night.” - Paulo, New York, NY
The girl who this song is about was on one of the beatles performences of Ready, Steady, Go! She was also seen in that perfomence. You can see her in the book Hard days write.- greg, little river, SC
Please, Any one let me know where I could Get a version of this song from the back in the US tour- Stykman, little river, SC
On Oct. 18th, 2002, at his Back in the U.S. concert in Portland, OR Paul McCartney and his back-up band played a magical performance of this song for the first time in the tour. That version is not available on any CD or DVD of the concert.- Klasic Rok, Battle Ground, WA