"
A Day in the Life" is the final song on
the Beatles'
Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band album. Credited to
Lennon–McCartney, the song comprises distinct sections written independently by
John Lennon and
Paul McCartney, with orchestral additions. While Lennon's lyrics were inspired by contemporary newspaper articles, McCartney's were reminiscent of his youth. The decisions to link sections of the song with orchestral
glissandos and to end the song with a sustained piano chord were made only after the rest of the song had been recorded.