I’m looking through you, where did you go?
I thought I knew you, what did I know?
You don’t look different, but you have changed
I’m looking through you, you’re not the same
Your lips are moving, I cannot hear
Your voice is soothing, but the words aren’t clear
You don’t sound different, I’ve learned the game
I’m looking through you, you’re not the same
Why, tell me why, did you not treat me right?
Love has a nasty habit of disappearing overnight
You’re thinking of me, the same old way
You were above me, but not today
The only difference is you’re down there
I’m looking through you, and you’re nowhere
Why, tell me why, did you not treat me right?
Love has a nasty habit of disappearing overnight
I’m looking through you, where did you go
I thought I knew you, what did I know
You don’t look different, but you have changed
I’m looking through you, you’re not the same
Yeah
Oh baby I’m changed
Ah I’m looking through you
Yeah I’m looking through you
Peering Beneath the Surface: A Lyric Analysis
“I’m Looking Through You” by The Beatles captures the emotional aftermath of a relationship where one partner feels deeply betrayed by the other’s change in attitude. The song’s narrator expresses confusion and disappointment as they realize their partner is not who they once seemed to be. The repeated lines about looking through someone highlight a sense of disillusionment—the outward appearance remains the same, but the person inside has changed. The lyrics’ conversational tone, coupled with the recurring question “Why did you not treat me right?”, reveals a genuine vulnerability. The song’s clever wordplay and subtle bitterness reflect the universal theme of love fading unexpectedly, making it both relatable and poignant.
Song Credits
Writers: John Lennon, Paul McCartney
Release Year: 1965
Label: Parlophone