Topzle Topzle

Michelle (song)

Updated: 12/20/2025, 1:43:17 PM Wikipedia source

"Michelle" is a song by the English rock band the Beatles from their 1965 album Rubber Soul. It was composed principally by Paul McCartney, with the middle eight co-written with John Lennon. The song is a love ballad with part of its lyrics sung in French. Following its inclusion on Rubber Soul, the song was released as a single in some European countries and in New Zealand, and on an EP in France, in early 1966. It was a number 1 hit for the Beatles in Belgium, France, Norway, the Netherlands and New Zealand. Concurrent recordings of the song by David and Jonathan and the Overlanders were similarly successful in North America and Britain, respectively. "Michelle" won the Grammy Award for Song of the Year in 1967 and has since become one of the most widely recorded of all Beatles songs.

Infobox

Released
3 December 1965 (1965-12-03)
Recorded
3 November 1965
Studio
EMI, London
Genre
Pop soft pop
Length
2:33 (mono) 2:40 (stereo)
Label
Parlophone
Songwriter
Lennon–McCartney
Producer
George Martin

Tables

· Chart performance
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)
Chart (1966)
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)
Peakposition
3
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)
Chart (1966)
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)
Peakposition
1
Denmark (Salgshitlisterne Top 20)
Denmark (Salgshitlisterne Top 20)
Chart (1966)
Denmark (Salgshitlisterne Top 20)
Peakposition
6
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)
Chart (1966)
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)
Peakposition
1
French EP charts
French EP charts
Chart (1966)
French EP charts
Peakposition
1
Italy (Musica e Dischi)
Italy (Musica e Dischi)
Chart (1966)
Italy (Musica e Dischi)
Peakposition
1
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)
Chart (1966)
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)
Peakposition
1
Netherlands (Single Top 100)
Netherlands (Single Top 100)
Chart (1966)
Netherlands (Single Top 100)
Peakposition
1
New Zealand (Listener)
New Zealand (Listener)
Chart (1966)
New Zealand (Listener)
Peakposition
1
Norway (VG-lista)
Norway (VG-lista)
Chart (1966)
Norway (VG-lista)
Peakposition
1
Sweden (Kvällstoppen)
Sweden (Kvällstoppen)
Chart (1966)
Sweden (Kvällstoppen)
Peakposition
1
Sweden (Tio i Topp)
Sweden (Tio i Topp)
Chart (1966)
Sweden (Tio i Topp)
Peakposition
1
West German Musikmarkt Hit-Parade
West German Musikmarkt Hit-Parade
Chart (1966)
West German Musikmarkt Hit-Parade
Peakposition
6
Chart (1966)
Peakposition
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)
3
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)
1
Denmark (Salgshitlisterne Top 20)
6
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)
1
French EP charts
1
Italy (Musica e Dischi)
1
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)
1
Netherlands (Single Top 100)
1
New Zealand (Listener)
1
Norway (VG-lista)
1
Sweden (Kvällstoppen)
1
Sweden (Tio i Topp)
1
West German Musikmarkt Hit-Parade
6
· Chart performance
Canadian RPM Adult Contemporary
Canadian RPM Adult Contemporary
Chart (1965–66)
Canadian RPM Adult Contemporary
Peakposition
18
US Billboard Hot 100
US Billboard Hot 100
Chart (1965–66)
US Billboard Hot 100
Peakposition
77
US Billboard Easy Listening
US Billboard Easy Listening
Chart (1965–66)
US Billboard Easy Listening
Peakposition
17
Chart (1965–66)
Peakposition
Canadian RPM Adult Contemporary
18
US Billboard Hot 100
77
US Billboard Easy Listening
17
· Chart performance
US Billboard Hot 100
US Billboard Hot 100
Chart (1966)
US Billboard Hot 100
Peakposition
65
US Billboard Easy Listening
US Billboard Easy Listening
Chart (1966)
US Billboard Easy Listening
Peakposition
12
Chart (1966)
Peakposition
US Billboard Hot 100
65
US Billboard Easy Listening
12
· Chart performance
US Billboard Bubbling Under the Hot 100
US Billboard Bubbling Under the Hot 100
Chart (1966)
US Billboard Bubbling Under the Hot 100
Peakposition
106
Chart (1966)
Peakposition
US Billboard Bubbling Under the Hot 100
106
· Chart performance
Australian Kent Music Report
Australian Kent Music Report
Chart (1966)
Australian Kent Music Report
Peakposition
42
Canada Top Singles (RPM)
Canada Top Singles (RPM)
Chart (1966)
Canada Top Singles (RPM)
Peakposition
1
Canada Adult Contemporary (RPM)
Canada Adult Contemporary (RPM)
Chart (1966)
Canada Adult Contemporary (RPM)
Peakposition
1
UK Record Retailer Chart
UK Record Retailer Chart
Chart (1966)
UK Record Retailer Chart
Peakposition
11
US Billboard Hot 100
US Billboard Hot 100
Chart (1966)
US Billboard Hot 100
Peakposition
18
US Billboard Easy Listening
US Billboard Easy Listening
Chart (1966)
US Billboard Easy Listening
Peakposition
3
Chart (1966)
Peakposition
Australian Kent Music Report
42
Canada Top Singles (RPM)
1
Canada Adult Contemporary (RPM)
1
UK Record Retailer Chart
11
US Billboard Hot 100
18
US Billboard Easy Listening
3
Australian (Kent Music Report)
Australian (Kent Music Report)
Chart (1966)
Australian (Kent Music Report)
Peakposition
2
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)
Chart (1966)
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)
Peakposition
8
Ireland (IRMA)
Ireland (IRMA)
Chart (1966)
Ireland (IRMA)
Peakposition
5
Netherlands (Single Top 100)
Netherlands (Single Top 100)
Chart (1966)
Netherlands (Single Top 100)
Peakposition
1
Norway (VG-lista)
Norway (VG-lista)
Chart (1966)
Norway (VG-lista)
Peakposition
1
South Africa (Springbok Radio)
South Africa (Springbok Radio)
Chart (1966)
South Africa (Springbok Radio)
Peakposition
4
UK Record Retailer Chart
UK Record Retailer Chart
Chart (1966)
UK Record Retailer Chart
Peakposition
1
West German Musikmarkt Hit-Parade
West German Musikmarkt Hit-Parade
Chart (1966)
West German Musikmarkt Hit-Parade
Peakposition
18
Chart (1966)
Peakposition
Australian (Kent Music Report)
2
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)
8
Ireland (IRMA)
5
Netherlands (Single Top 100)
1
Norway (VG-lista)
1
South Africa (Springbok Radio)
4
UK Record Retailer Chart
1
West German Musikmarkt Hit-Parade
18
Australia (KMR)
Australia (KMR)
Chart (1966)
Australia (KMR)
Rank
22
Chart (1966)
Rank
Australia (KMR)
22
· Certifications and sales
Norway (IFPI Norway)
Norway (IFPI Norway)
Region
Norway (IFPI Norway)
Certification
Silver
Certified units/sales
25,000
United Kingdom (BPI)
United Kingdom (BPI)
Region
United Kingdom (BPI)
Certification
Silver
Certified units/sales
200,000‡
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.
Region
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.
Region
Certification
Certified units/sales
Norway (IFPI Norway)
Silver
25,000
United Kingdom (BPI)
Silver
200,000‡
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

  1. In a 1987 interview, McCartney said that, as they had been with "Yesterday", the Beatles were reluctant to release "Mich
  2. The other songs cited by Doggett are "And I Love Her", "Eleanor Rigby", "Here, There and Everywhere", "The Fool on the H
  3. According to Savage, this perception was short-lived since the Beatles' activities from March 1966 onwards indicated a d
  4. Alternatively to Everett's line-up, Ian MacDonald wrote that "Michelle" was "made in nine hours and seems to have been p
  5. Sullivan 2017, p. 397.
  6. But is it Garbage?: On Rock and Trash
  7. Hit Parade | Music History and Music Trivia
    https://slate.com/podcasts/hit-parade/2024/01/why-the-grammys-are-more-charts-than-art
  8. Turner 2010, pp. 94.
  9. Sheff 2000, p. 137.
  10. Miles 1997, p. 273.
  11. The Guardian
    https://www.theguardian.com/music/2007/oct/14/popandrock5
  12. Kruth 2015, pp. 143–44.
  13. Pedler 2003, pp. 435–37.
  14. Pedler 2003, pp. 412–13.
  15. Kruth 2015, p. 143.
  16. Winn 2008, p. 372.
  17. Everett 2001, p. 327.
  18. Miles 2001, p. 215.
  19. Lewisohn 2005, pp. 69, 200.
  20. Frontani 2007, p. 5.
  21. Rubber Soul
  22. Kruth 2015, pp. 8–9.
  23. Hertsgaard 1996, pp. 131–32.
  24. Sullivan 2017, p. 398.
  25. Billboard
    https://books.google.com/books?id=0ygEAAAAMBAJ&q=%22Michelle%22&pg=PT1
  26. Schaffner 1978, p. 204.
  27. "The Ivors 1967"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20170307064611/http://theivors.com/archive/1960-1969/the-ivors-1967/
  28. Rodriguez 2012, p. 198.
  29. Kruth 2015, p. 144.
  30. "BMI Announces Top 100 Songs of the Century"
    http://www.bmi.com/news/entry/232893
  31. Sullivan 2017, pp. v, 397.
  32. NME
  33. NME Originals: Lennon
  34. Record Mirror
    http://www.rocksbackpages.com/Library/Article/the-beatles-rubber-soul
  35. Rubber Soul
    http://krlabeat.sakionline.net/issue/1jan66.pdf
  36. "Lennon and McCartney: Songwriters – A Portrait from 1966"
    https://www.rocksbackpages.com/Library/Article/lennon-and-mccartney-songwriters--a-portrait-from-1966
  37. Savage 2015, p. 447.
  38. Doggett 2015, p. 371.
  39. Kruth 2015, p. 9.
  40. Marcus 1992, pp. 220–21.
  41. Clayson 2003, p. 130.
  42. Rodriguez 2012, p. 5.
  43. Doggett 2015, p. 390.
  44. Savage 2015, p. 52.
  45. Turner 2016, p. 39.
  46. Billboard, April 2, 1966 - Billboard HITS OF THE WORLD, ARGENTINA, This Week 9, Last Week _
    https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/60s/1966/Billboard%201966-04-02.pdf
  47. Everett 2001, p. 329.
  48. Kruth 2015, p. 146.
  49. "RPM Top 40 Singles - February 28, 1966"
    http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/obj/028020/f2/nlc008388.5751.pdf
  50. Rodriguez 2012, p. 239.
  51. Unterberger, Richie
    https://www.allmusic.com/artist/p16866
  52. Savage 2015, pp. 52–53.
  53. Savage 2015, pp. 52–53, 316–17.
  54. Record Mirror
  55. Kruth 2015, p. 147.
  56. "Mango – Disincanto"
    http://www.allmusic.com/album/disincanto-mw0000533117
  57. Paste
    http://www.pastemagazine.com/blogs/lists/2010/11/the-50-best-beatles-covers-of-all-time.html
  58. "Drake credits The Beatles on Certified Lover Boy"
    https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-58433024
  59. The Hollywood Reporter
    https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/music-news/luther-vandross-beatles-michelle-cover-1236045303/
  60. www.radioomega.fr
    https://www.radioomega.fr/podcast-om8f92a3
  61. Podcast Journal, l'information internationale diffusée en podcast
    https://www.podcastjournal.net/Chanson-a-la-une-Michelle-par-Paul-McCartney_a19731.html
  62. Madinger & Easter 2000.
  63. Politico
    https://www.politico.com/story/2009/08/mccartney-dedicates-song-to-flotus-025691
  64. The Denver Post
    http://www.denverpost.com/nationworld/ci_15215359?source=rss
  65. World News Now
  66. Caption by White House photographer Pete Souza in the official White House photostream on Flickr. Photo uploaded 30 Dece
    https://www.flickr.com/photos/whitehouse/5307126537/
  67. Everett 2001, pp. 326–27.
  68. MacDonald 2005, pp. 174–75.
  69. "The Beatles – Michelle" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 20 May 2016.
    https://austriancharts.at/showitem.asp?interpret=The+Beatles&titel=Michelle&cat=s
  70. "The Beatles – Michelle" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 20 May 2016.
    https://www.ultratop.be/nl/showitem.asp?interpret=The+Beatles&titel=Michelle&cat=s
  71. Danske Hitlister
    https://web.archive.org/web/20131104013806/http://danskehitlister.dk/?artist_id=26
  72. Suomi soi 4: Suuri suomalainen listakirja
  73. "Les Chansons Classées par Points des Années 60"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20140715145846/http://www.infodisc.fr/SongPts_60.php?debut=100
  74. Musica e dischi
    http://www.musicaedischi.it/classifiche_archivio.php
  75. "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 7, 1966" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
    https://www.top40.nl/top40/1966/week-7
  76. "The Beatles – Michelle" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 20 May 2016.
    https://dutchcharts.nl/showitem.asp?interpret=The+Beatles&titel=Michelle&cat=s
  77. flavourofnz.co.nz
    http://www.flavourofnz.co.nz/index.php?qpageID=search%20listener&qsongid=29#n_view_location
  78. "The Beatles – Michelle". VG-lista. Retrieved 20 May 2016.
    https://norwegiancharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=The+Beatles&titel=Michelle&cat=s
  79. Eric Hallberg presenterar Kvällstoppen i P 3: Sveriges radios topplista över veckans 20 mest sålda skivor 10. 7. 1962 - 19. 8. 1975
  80. Eric Hallberg, Ulf Henningsson presenterar Tio i topp med de utslagna på försök: 1961 - 74
  81. "Offizielle Deutsche Charts"
    https://www.offiziellecharts.de/charts
  82. (in German)
    https://web.archive.org/web/20131213203848/http://www.musicline.de/de/chartverfolgung_summary/artist/The%2BBeatles/2278/?type=single
  83. Collectionscanada.gc.ca
    https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/image.aspx?Image=nlc008388.5683&URLjpg=http%3a%2f%2fwww.collectionscanada.gc.ca%2fobj%2f028020%2ff4%2fnlc008388.5683.gif&Ecopy=nlc008388.5683
  84. Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles 1955-1990 - ISBN 0-89820-089-X
  85. Joel Whitburn's Bubbling Under the Billboard Hot 100 1959-2004
  86. "Top RPM Singles: Issue 5751." RPM. Library and Archives Canada.
    https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/image.aspx?Image=nlc008388.5751&URLjpg=http%3a%2f%2fwww.collectionscanada.gc.ca%2fobj%2f028020%2ff4%2fnlc008388.5751.gif&Ecopy=nlc008388.5751
  87. "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 5662." RPM. Library and Archives Canada.
    https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/image.aspx?Image=nlc008388.5662&URLjpg=http%3a%2f%2fwww.collectionscanada.gc.ca%2fobj%2f028020%2ff4%2fnlc008388.5662.gif&Ecopy=nlc008388.5662
  88. Top Adult Contemporary: 1961–1993
  89. "The Overlanders – Michelle" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
    https://www.ultratop.be/nl/showitem.asp?interpret=The+Overlanders&titel=Michelle&cat=s
  90. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Michelle". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 22 July 2018.
    http://irishcharts.ie/search/placement?page=1&search_type=title&placement=Michelle
  91. "The Overlanders – Michelle" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
    https://dutchcharts.nl/showitem.asp?interpret=The+Overlanders&titel=Michelle&cat=s
  92. "The Overlanders – Michelle". VG-lista.
    https://norwegiancharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=The+Overlanders&titel=Michelle&cat=s
  93. "SA Charts 1965 – March 1989"
    http://www.rock.co.za/files/springbok_top_20_(O).html
  94. "Overlanders: Artists Chart History"
    https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/12209/Overlanders
  95. "Beatles"
    https://www.offiziellecharts.de/titel-details-176763
  96. Billboard
    https://books.google.com/books?id=0ygEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA34
  97. "British single certifications – Beatles – Michelle"
    https://www.bpi.co.uk/award/20846-1786-1
Image
Source:
Tip: Wheel or +/− to zoom, drag to pan, Esc to close.