Tonight’s song is a conversation. Someone asks questions, and the singer answers.
Learn from Songs · Unit 3: Questions · A2–B1
With a Little Help from My Friends
A Beatles song turned into a soul explosion by Joe Cocker: yes/no questions and short answers (Do you need anybody? Yes, I do.), somebody / anybody, and What would you do if…?, with Philo, Sophia, Marcos and Demetria.
SOPHIA
DEMETRIA
What questions?
SOPHIA
Do you need anybody? What do you see when you turn out the light? And the answer is always the same: I get by with a little help from my friends.
MARCOS
That’s true. Without Philo I’d never pass a grammar test.
Before you listen: the song
Liverpool, 1967, and Woodstock, 1969
The Beatles wrote the song in 1967 for their album Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. It was written specially for the drummer, Ringo Starr, who wasn’t a strong singer, so it is simple and friendly, and the other Beatles ask him questions as he sings.
In 1968, the English singer Joe Cocker, from Sheffield, recorded a slow, huge, soulful version, and it went to number one in Britain. His wild performance at the Woodstock festival in 1969 made him famous all over the world. Later his version became the theme song of the TV series The Wonder Years.
In the song, friends ask the singer questions: Does he need anybody? What does he see in the dark? He answers honestly: he needs somebody to love, and he gets by with a little help from his friends.
Who helps you get by?
Listen: questions and answers
PHILO
Listen once. Write down three questions you hear. What are the answers?
SOPHIA
Then answer Section A. Compare Joe Cocker’s voice with Ringo Starr’s if you can.
🤝 Listen to the song: “With a Little Help from My Friends” (John Lennon and Paul McCartney, 1967), sung by Joe Cocker.Find the recording →
📜 Read the words while you listen: “With a Little Help from My Friends”, Joe Cocker.Read the lyrics →
Yes/no questions and short answers
MARCOS
Do you need anybody? Yes, I do. Are you sad? No, I’m not.
SOPHIA
Short answers repeat the auxiliary: Do you…? Yes, I do / No, I don’t. Is he…? Yes, he is / No, he isn’t. Can you…? Yes, I can. Just “yes” can sound rude or cold.
Somebody and anybody
DEMETRIA
I need somebody to love. Do you need anybody? I don’t need anybody.
SOPHIA
some- in positive sentences, any- in questions and negatives: somebody, something, somewhere / anybody, anything, anywhere. In offers and requests we use some-: Would you like something to drink?
What would you do if…?
PHILO
What would you do if I sang out of tune? Would you stand up and walk out on me?
SOPHIA
A question about an imaginary situation: What would you do if + past simple? You studied this in Unit 9. Short answer: Would you…? Yes, I would / No, I wouldn’t.
Sophia’s comparison: Moses’ arms
PHILO
When Israel fought Amalek, Moses held up his arms on the hill, and while his arms were up, Israel was winning. When he got tired, Aaron and Hur held his arms up for him until sunset.
SOPHIA
And the Greeks say: “One hand washes the other.” Nobody gets by alone.
Sophia’s summary
| Words and forms | Use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Do / Are / Can + subject…? | yes/no questions | Do you need anybody? |
| Yes, I do / No, I don’t | short answers | Are you sad? No, I’m not. |
| somebody, something | positive sentences, offers | I need somebody to love. |
| anybody, anything | questions and negatives | Do you need anybody? |
| What would you do if…? | imaginary situations | What would you do if I sang out of tune? |
Practice
Listen to the song for Section A, then do the rest. Press “Check my answers” at the end. You can try again as many times as you like.
A · Listen: the song
Listen to the song and choose the best answer.
1. What kind of song is it?
2. How does the singer “get by”?
3. Who sang the Beatles version?
4. Where was Joe Cocker from?
5. Where did his famous performance take place?
6. Which TV series used his version?
B · Grammar and vocabulary
Write the missing word or words.
7. “Do you need anybody?” “Yes, I .”
8. “Are you tired?” “No, I’m .”
9. I need to love.
10. Do you need ?
11. What would you do if I out of tune? (sing)
12. “Can you help me?” “Yes, I .”
C · Right or wrong?
Is the sentence correct English?
13. “Do you need anybody?” “Yes, I need.”
14. “I don’t know anybody here.”
15. “I need anybody to help me.”
16. “Would you like something to eat?”
Talk and write
Discussion and writing
Interview. Write five yes/no questions for a partner (Do you…? Are you…? Can you…? Have you…?). Answer only with short answers, then add one extra sentence.
Discuss. 1. Who are the friends who help you get by? 2. What would you do if your friend sang out of tune at a concert? 3. Why do you think Joe Cocker’s version became so famous?
Write (80–100 words). A little help. Write about a time a friend helped you. Include three questions you asked and the answers.
Now play the gamebook: stage fright, and a little help from your friends.Play the gamebook →