Yesterday

Yesterday is the title of a song recorded and released by The Beatles in 1965. Like almost all their releases, writing credits are attributed to Lennon-McCartney although the song was written by Paul McCartney only with additional string arrangements by George Martin. McCartney is the only group member to perform on the recording providing vocals and guitar.

The song first appeared on the album Help! in the United Kingdom in August 1965. Beatles biographer Barry Miles puts the date of composition at May 1965, during the filming of the Help! movie.

Single release
Although Yesterday remained only as an album track in the UK, it was released as a single in the US and other overseas territories. It became the fifth of six number one singles in a row on the American charts, a record at the time. The track was eventually released as an EP in the UK on 04 March 1966.

It was released as a single for the first time in the UK in 1976 as part of the complete 7" re-releases by EMI in March 1976. Yesterday b/w I Should Have Known Better became the highest new entry in the UK singles charts the following week.

Live versions
The song became part of The Beatles' live set in 1965, performed exclusively by McCartney on electric guitar and vocals. The song has also been performed live several times by Paul McCartney.

Cover versions
Yesterday holds the record as the most covered song in history, according to the Guinness Book of Records. The song has been a Top 10 hit for Matt Monro (1965) and Wet Wet Wet (1997).