Beatles: Carry That Weight Meaning

Song Released: 1968

Carry That Weight Lyrics

Boy, you're going to carry that weight,
Carry that weight a long time
Boy, you're going to carry that weight
Carry that weight a long time

I never give you my pillow
I only send you my invitations
And in the middle of the celebrations
I...

1. anonymous

   • 1
   • 2
   • 3
   • 4
   • 5

   click a star to vote

   Jan 12th 2021 !⃝

   The lyrics are McCartney's. When you consider the tense legal disputes happening between McCartney and Lennon (along with the other two Beatles on Lennon's side) around that time, I think it's likely that it is McCartney's warning that the ramifications of their decision to hire Klein as their manager would be felt for a long time. The "boy" at the start of the first line could be addressing Lennon personally, or (more likely, I think) is just an exasperated exclamation, like "Jeez!" It's McCartney saying "My God! You're gonna be paying a heavy price for a long time."
   
   Another possibility that has occurred to me is that the "weight" is Yoko Ono or, more broadly, Lennon's decision to embrace a new life with Ono at the expense of his marriage and his relationship with his son, Julian. McCartney had very strong sympathies with Cynthia and Julian at the time of the breakup, could see Ono's influence and constant presence becoming ever more powerful, and was not exactly Ono's biggest fan, although diplomacy would have dictated that his feelings could not be expressed other than indirectly through a lyric.
2. anonymous

   • 1
   • 2
   • 3
   • 4
   • 5

   click a star to vote

   Apr 6th 2018 !⃝

   I interpret it as a warning to those (especially young people) who do things that are wrong. They'll "carry that weight a long time." The Beatles central message was love and I think this is them warning what will happen if you don't treat others with love. You'll carry that weight a long time. Also the fact that they say "Boy" just prior to carry that weight hints that the carrier of the weight does not fully understand the future consequences of their current actions. "I never give you my pillow" or "sending only an invitation" are their examples of not being giving , loving, or inclusive of others. And if you do that you might "break down in the middle of celebrations" or "carry that weight a long time."
3. anonymous

   • 1
   • 2
   • 3
   • 4
   • 5

   click a star to vote

   Mar 31st 2017 !⃝

   I think it's rather simple to interpret. They knew, regardless of their feelings toward one another, that they, as the Beatles, would be at the forefront of music for "a long time". They knew they were going in different directions musically and personally, but each one knew they could never divorce themselves from being "a Beatle". They would live with that forever, and, to them, it would be a very heavy weight to carry.
   
   Speaking words of wisdom, let it be...
4. anonymous

   • 1
   • 2
   • 3
   • 4
   • 5

   click a star to vote

   Jun 7th 2016 !⃝

   I always thought it was a growing up song, taking on more grown up responsibilities, some form of a rite of passage, becoming a man, the work in accomplishing a goal.
5. anonymous

   • 1
   • 2
   • 3
   • 4
   • 5

   click a star to vote

   Nov 30th 2014 !⃝

   I agree with those possible song lyric interpretations. That entire medley is the most magical half hour of music ever recorded.
6. anonymous

   • 1
   • 2
   • 3
   • 4
   • 5

   click a star to vote

   Apr 16th 2012 !⃝

   It means he is watching you.

   This interpretation has been marked as poor. view anyway
7. anonymous

   • 1
   • 2
   • 3
   • 4
   • 5

   click a star to vote

   Mar 6th 2012 !⃝

   I do agree with all the ideas you have presented in your post. They're rellay convincing and will certainly work. Still, the posts are too short for newbies. Could you please extend them a little from next time? Thanks for the post.
8. anonymous

   • 1
   • 2
   • 3
   • 4
   • 5

   click a star to vote

   Dec 28th 2010 !⃝

   This song is about escalating tensions between the band and the eventual break up. it says "carry that weight" which could either mean two things. it could be meant for John. Paul thought he was letting his relationship with Yoko get in between the band. He thought that John was just letting the band break up and that he would "carry that weight" for a long time of letting the band break up.
   
   Another meaning could be about Paul. After the Beatles producer Brian Epstein died, Paul took over his responsibilities and felt that he had to "carry that weight" of keeping the band together and trying to take the place of Brian Epstein.
9. anonymous

   • 1
   • 2
   • 3
   • 4
   • 5

   click a star to vote

   Aug 23rd 2010 !⃝

   this song can have a multitude of different meanings. however, i believe it to be about divorce, about two peope who were lovers, broke apart, and are now becoming friends again. The chorus is basically saying that despite all that happened, that you wont give up, that you will carry that weight, and that it will be with you for a long, long time. also, the chorus is referenced in Cowboy Bebop : )

Latest Articles

• 
  A new era for Millennial favorite, Linkin Park
• 
  Anime to watch for the soundtracks… and other reasons you’re undateable
• 
  Dolly, we need you
• 
  The Stranger Things Effect: How new media is drawing Gen Z and Alpha's attention to aging media
• 
  The most underrated soundtrack of the early 2000s
• 
  Buy the Soundtrack, Skip the Movie: Brainscan (1994)