For No One (The Beatles)

“For No One” is a song written by Paul McCartney (though it is attributed to Lennon/McCartney) that originally appeared on The Beatles seventh album, Revolver. It was inspired by McCartney’s failing relationship with Jane Asher. The song ends abruptly, just like the relationship it describes. The original title of the song was “Why Did It Die?”, obviously referring to the relationship with Asher.

Paul McCartney recalls writing “For No One” in the bathroom of a ski resort in the Swiss Alps. The song was recorded on May 9, 16 and 19, 1966. Paul sang, played clavichord, (that George Martin had brought in from his home), piano, and bass, while Ringo played drums and tambourine. The French-horn solo was by Alan Civil, a British horn player. John Lennon and George Harrison did not contribute to the recording.

When Alan Civil was invited into the studio, he thought he was playing for a classical album, mistaking the words “For No One” on a lead sheet as “For No. One” — an abbreviation for “Symphony Number One”.