Was this The Beatles’ track an ode to gay love inspired by John Lennon’s GBF?
Subscribe to our daily newsletter for a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.John Lennon wrote the song but it was credited—like all the band’s songs—to Lennon-McCartney.
He decided they needed an additional track for the Help album.Lennon subsequently said that “You’ve Got To….” was his shameless attempt to make a song that sounded like Bob Dylan.“That’s me in my Dylan period again.
I am like a chameleon, influenced by whatever is going on. If Elvis can do it, I can do it. If the Everly Brothers can do it, me and Paul can.
Same with Dylan,” said Lennon.The lyrics are sparse.“Everywhere people stare, each and every day, I can see them laugh at me, And I hear them say,” leads into the chorus.“Hey, you’ve got to hide your love away.” Lennon resisted ever explaining what the lyrics were about.
