Brianna Green

Professor Adam Diehl

HUMN 2010 A
26 January 2022

Analog Project #1: Analysis of “Things We Said Today” by The Beatles

Love is a concept that has been explained through music by various artists over many

millennia. One of the artists that have successfully captured the concept of love through fantastic

songwriting and musicality is The Beatles. Within most of their songs, The Beatles have

expressed many different types of love such as Philia, Philautia, Ludus, Eros, Storge, Pragma,

and Agape. One of the songs where they do an amazing job at portraying Ludus and Eros types

of love is “Things We Said Today”. “Things We Said Today” is a song full of musical elements,

connections, and lyrics that expresses the theme of love, which will be analyzed throughout this

body of work.

The themes of love that are evident throughout “Things We Said Today”, are Ludus and

Eros. Ludus love is present in the beginning of the song through the lyrics, “someday when

we’re dreaming, deep in love” and “you say you will love me”. These lyrics symbolize the idea

that the two individuals have not reached the stage of Eros, and are in the beginning of stages of

love. The love stage of Eros occurs in the third verse through the lyric “love is here to stay, and

that’s enough”. In this lyric, the singer is realizing that there is a romantic love and the love that

is shared is enough. Other lyrics such as “to make you mine”, “be the only one”, and “love me all

the time” also contribute to the themes of Eros and the realization the singer has about their

lover. The incorporation of these two themes of love within this song is significant because it

highlights the natural sequence of love and how it can develop.

 An important component of love themes, are love languages. Within this song, John

Lennon and Paul McCartney incorporate two love languages: words of affirmation and quality

time. The love language of words of affirmation can be experienced through lyrics such as “you

say you will love me”, “you say you will be mine”, “things we said today”, and “love to hear you

say”. These phrases encompass the need for love to be expressed through words. The need for

quality time is expressed in the lyrics “someday when I’m lonely” and “wishing you weren’t so

far away”. The lyrics express the need for companionship on behalf of the singer. These lyrics

play a significant role in The Beatles engaging with their female fans, while relating to their male

audience.

When this song first begins, it starts off with the strumming of the acoustic guitar by John

Lennon. The strum of the guitar initiates a feeling of tension before the song even commences,

which could introduce the sensation of turmoil and uncertainty throughout the love stage of

Ludus. As the acoustic guitar is accompanied by the bass, a turbulent western ambiance is

formed through the addition of the simple and rhythmic sounds produced by the instruments. The

tambourine that is added in the fifth verse also contributes to the dirty western feel of the song,

and it also signifies a change about the love within the song. “Things We Said Today” is also in

the key of A minor, which contributes to the melancholy yet optimism of the lyrics. Paul

McCartney does an incredible job of helping create this atmosphere through his calm and

soothing tone during the duration of the song.

In connection with “Things We Said Today”, “I Feel Fine” has overlapping qualities in

themes of love, love languages, and musicality. “I Feel Fine” uses lyrics such as “baby says she’s

mine” and “she tells me all the time” to fulfill the need for words of affirmation as a love

language. There is also a feel of uncertainty throughout the lyrics, with the accompaniment of a
throwback to Ludus love that progresses into Eros. A country and folk atmosphere is also created

by the electric guitar and the rhythm of the base, which is similar to the western vibe of “Things

We Said Today”. Both of these songs were written in 1964, after “Love Me Do in 1963. The

significance of these two songs overlapping is that they both showcase the growth from previous

unrealistic and extremely optimistic views of love, to more realistic and progressive love.

“Things We Said Today” by The Beatles is a song that showcases the progression from

Ludus to Eros forms of love. John Lennon and Paul McCartney contribute to the ambiance of the

track by combining instrumentation, tone of voice, and lyrics succinctly. Lyrically, The Beatles

encompass the concepts of words of affirmation and quality time through thoughtful

consideration. There is a connection to “I Feel Fine”, that was also written in this time period,

through musicality and lyrical expression. The Beatles have used their expertise to create a

feeling of nostalgia and portrayal of love at different stages.