The lyrics of "Eleanor Rigby" by Aretha Franklin tell the story of a lonely woman named Eleanor Rigby who spends her time picking up rice in a church where weddings take place and keeping her face in a jar by the door. The song also introduces a character, Father McKenzie, who is described as writing sermons that go unheard and attending Eleanor's funeral where nobody else shows up.

Meaning of "Eleanor Rigby" by Aretha Franklin

The lyrics of "Eleanor Rigby" explore themes of loneliness, isolation, and the lack of meaningful human connection. Eleanor Rigby represents the many individuals who go through life feeling disconnected and unnoticed by society, symbolized by her spending time in places of celebration and still feeling lonely. Father McKenzie, on the other hand, represents the futility of his work, writing sermons that no one listens to and performing a burial where no one is present. The song highlights the emptiness and isolation that can exist even in places that are meant to be communal and celebratory, emphasizing the importance of genuine human connection and community.