4 Modern Covers of “Yesterday” That Reveal New Musical Mysteries in The Beatles’ Most Enduring Song

Nearly every Beatles song has been explored in every way imaginable, but “Yesterday” takes the cake. The emotional ballad, which first appeared on the 1965 album <em>Help!</em>, is often listed as one of the most covered pop songs of all time. Something about the wistful lyrics and simple melody has made it a timeless classic.

Beatles bassist and songwriter Paul McCartney viewed it as a change in tone for the band, which had begun its career with more light-hearted songs. It came to him in a dream in a nearly perfect form.

“I woke up with a lovely tune in my head. I thought, ‘That’s great, I wonder what that is?’ There was an upright piano next to me, to the right of the bed by the window,” he said in the 1997 book “Many Years From Now.” “I got out of bed, sat at the piano, found G, found F sharp minor 7th – and that leads you through then to B to E minor, and finally back to E. It all leads forward logically. I liked the melody a lot but because I’d dreamed it I couldn’t believe I’d written it. I thought, ‘No, I’ve never written like this before.’ But I had the tune, which was the most magic thing. And you have to ask yourself, ‘Where did it come from?’ But you don’t ask yourself too much or it might go away…There are certain times when you get the essence, it’s all there. It’s like an egg being laid – not a crack or flaw in it.”

McCartney named some of his favorite versions through the years, including astounding performances by Frank Sinatra, Elvis, Ray Charles, and Marvin Gaye. But today, we’re checking out some more contemporary versions of the song that prove that good music has no time limit.

Cory Henry: A Gospel-Infused Piano Take on “Yesterday”

Grammy-winning pianist Cory Henry got his start playing music in church. That soulful gospel feeling is translated into everything he plays, including “Yesterday.”

The original begins on guitar and grows the arrangement with a string quartet to add depth. In his version for KCRW, Henry gives it a gospel bend in a solo piano and vocal version. His intimate cover captures the poignancy of the lyrics before he takes the progression around for an unbelievable solo. Be sure to listen for his chord substitutions that give extra meaning to chord movement.

Lewis Capaldi: Expanding “Yesterday” with a Full Symphony

Capaldi, who is known for his hit “Someone You Loved,” keeps the original format of a solo singer with strings, but expands the orchestration on Radio 1’s Live Lounge with a full symphony. Even with nearly 100 musicians joining him, the singer is the main focal point.

Cesar Espinoza: Breathing New Life into “Yesterday” on Pan Flute

Many people connect with the lyrics of “Yesterday,” but the music alone stands as a testament to the song’s power.

Here, Cesar Espinoza brings a new element to the mix on the pan flute. He gets all the expression he needs out of his instrument by sliding into notes and getting vibrato by shaking the flute.

7th Avenue: Reimagining “Yesterday” Through A Cappella Harmony

On the opposite side of the spectrum, 7th Avenue uses only voices in this a cappella exploration of the song. Their rich harmonies set the tone for the song before Tristin Rupp takes the lead on the melody.