Paul McCartney came up with the idea for the lyrics to the Beatles song Getting Better. The song is based upon a phrase often used by Jimmy Nicol who had joined the Beatles as a replacement for Ringo Starr on drums on the Beatles 1964 tour; due to Ringo being ill. Jimmy Nicol had to learn all the Beatles songs in one day, and played the next day at a concert in Copenhagen . They could not get Jimmy to talk much, but when ever asked how he was or if he was learning the Beatles music ok he would reply that ‘it’s getting better’.

Paul started playing about with the phrase getting better on the guitar and was then joined by John Lennon who helped him complete the song. The lyrics of getting better provide a great example of the optimism of McCartney and the Pessimism of John. Lennon coming up with ‘I once was an angry young man’ and ‘had my head in the clouds” to counterbalance Paul’s idea of everything getting better. John is quoted as saying that the song has many references to his aggressive tendencies and said that “though I believe in peace and love, I am a violent man; who has learned not to be violent’.

Paul does the lead vocals on it’s getting better and George Harrison introduces another Indian instrument, the Tempura to his repertoire. To add to the musical experimentation George martin bashes the strings of his piano.

Individual Beatles role on Getting Better

John Lennon: Lead guitar, backing vocals

Paul McCartney: Lead Vocals, Bass guitar, backing vocals

George Harrison: Lead guitar, backing vocals, tampura

Ringo Starr: Drums, Bongos

George Martin: Piano

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