4 of the Most Expensive Song Lyrics Ever Sold at Auction
CHICAGO — Handwritten song lyrics are more than memorabilia — they’re windows into music history, creativity, and legacy. Over the years, some of the most iconic lyrics have gone under the hammer, fetching staggering sums as collectors and museums scramble to preserve musical heritage.
From Bob Dylan’s poetic scrawls to Paul McCartney’s last-minute studio notes, here are four of the most expensive song lyrics ever sold at auction — and why they matter.
Bob Dylan’s “Like A Rolling Stone” — $2.045 Million
The priciest lyrics ever auctioned? That title belongs to Bob Dylan.
In 2014, a handwritten four-page draft of Dylan’s 1965 classic “Like A Rolling Stone” sold for a record-breaking $2.045 million. Written in pencil on Roger Smith Hotel letterhead, the document features doodles, revisions, and margin notes, giving fans a glimpse into Dylan’s songwriting process. The sale also marked a world record for the most expensive music manuscript ever sold at auction.
The Beatles’ “Hey Jude” — $910,000
During a Beatles memorabilia auction in 2020, Paul McCartney’s original handwritten lyrics for “Hey Jude” sold for a whopping $910,000 — nearly nine times the estimated value.
The lyrics, jotted down in 1968 during a studio session, were just a single sheet but came with a red cover bearing the names Paul McCartney and John Lennon. The simplicity of the page contrasted with its cultural weight, making it a hot item among collectors.
David Bowie’s “Starman” — $334,958
Late in 2022, a museum in Tasmania purchased a handwritten lyric page from David Bowie’s 1972 hit “Starman” for $334,958. The bidding far exceeded the initial $66,000 estimate.
The lyric sheet, penned in Bowie’s own handwriting, captured the mystique of one of glam rock’s most beloved anthems. The museum director later admitted they “got carried away” during the bidding, but the sheet became a crown jewel in their archival collection.
Elton John’s “Candle In The Wind” — $442,500
In 2019, a long-lost set of lyrics to Elton John’s “Candle In The Wind” — written by lyricist Bernie Taupin — resurfaced during a high-profile auction. Originally estimated at around $150,000 to $200,000, the page ultimately sold for $442,500.
What made this lyric page especially fascinating was its evolution. The first draft included the line “Goodbye Marilyn Monroe” — a rare early version of what would later become one of the most iconic tributes in pop culture.
Why Collectors Pay Millions for Music Manuscripts
These aren’t just scraps of paper — they’re tangible artifacts of music history. Each set of lyrics carries the handwriting, edits, and spontaneous thoughts of legendary artists. For collectors, they offer something recordings can’t: an intimate view of how a timeless song was born.
As the value of rare music memorabilia continues to climb, we can expect more iconic lyrics to surface — and more jaw-dropping auction totals.
Which lyrics would you pay top dollar to own? Let us know in the comments at ChicagoMusicGuide.com.