Analysis of "Eleanor Rigby"

The theme of this song is certainly not subtle: it's about lonely people. But stating it thus doesn't do justice to what the Beatles were really saying. A closer inspection reveals that this song examines why the lonely people are lonely. The song has two characters, Eleanor Rigby and Father McKenzie. These two are connected by the church, in this case the actual church that Father McKenzie preaches at and Eleanor Rigby cleans. She is …

…a lamentation almost. Then counterbalancing that is the solo voice in the verses. This is clear singing, easy to hear the words and see the images. It's interesting to point out to students that this song has an end, a note of finality. Many rock songs just do fade outs. By having a definite end, we are brought to a conclusion just as Eleanor Rigby's life is terminated. The last words spoken are a question.