We watch quite a few TV quiz shows of varying Ievels of intellectual rigour – from ‘Mastermind’ and ‘Only Connect’ to ‘Tipping Point’. One sad common characteristic of them all, however, is the diminishing awareness among the contestants of The Beatles. For goodness’ sake, being from Merseyside we almost literally grew up with them.

However, if you’re of a certain age you’ll probably recognise this straightaway: from the 1967 made-for-TV Magical Mystery Tour. It’s attributed to Lennon & McCartney, but it’s all-Paul – as anyone of a certain age would recognise.

And I doubt I’ll be the only one to pick this: I know my demographic…

Day after day, alone on a hill
The man with the foolish grin is keeping perfectly still
But nobody wants to know him
They can see that he’s just a fool
And he never gives an answer

But the fool on the hill
Sees the sun going down
And the eyes in his head
See the world spinning ’round

Well on the way, head in a cloud
The man of a thousand voices talking perfectly loud
But nobody ever hears him
Or the sound he appears to make
And he never seems to notice

But the fool on the hill
Sees the sun going down
And the eyes in his head
See the world spinning ’round

And nobody seems to like him
They can tell what he wants to do
And he never shows his feelings

But the fool on the hill
Sees the sun going down
And the eyes in his head
See the world spinning ’round

He never listens to them
He knows that they’re the fools
They don’t like him

The fool on the hill
Sees the sun going down
And the eyes in his head
See the world spinning ’round

Written (by John Lennon and) Paul McCartney

Song Lyric Sunday 30 November 2025