10 Great Covers Of The Beatles' Songs

Grammy Hall Of Fame inductee Eugene Drake Dixon, better known as Gene Chandler, aka The Duke Of Earl, remains one of the best-loved and also most under-appreciated stars of the classic R&B era. Best known for his titular hit, The Duke Of Earl, Chandler is a versatile singer-songwriter with a long career of excellent work, not least this fantastic interpretation of Eleanor Rigby.

This is, of course, one of The Beatles' defining songs. It featured on their 1966 album, Revolver, and was largely written by Paul McCartney. The song tells the tale of two 'lonely people' – the titular Eleanor Rigby, and pastor Father McKenzie. McCartney drew inspiration for the song's title by combining two sources: actress Eleanor Bron, who had appeared in the Beatles' film, Help!, and Rigby from a Bristol store-front.

The lyrical theme links to Lennon's most controversial comment. In Eleanor Rigby, The Beatles' appear to espouse that Christianity is neither desirable, useful or true. In an interview that same year, Lennon made his now infamous statement: "Christianity will go. It will vanish and shrink. I needn't argue about that; I'm right and I will be proved right. We're more popular than Jesus now."

Taken at face value, Lennon's words led to a disproportionate backlash. That aside, Eleanor Rigby is a masterful composition, and Gene Chandler passes the ultimate test of any good cover in bringing out something new in the song.