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On this day - the 5th of August - in 1966, The Beatles' seventh studio album, 'Revolver', was released.
This album was the first album where The Beatles weren't planning a tour after, which allowed them to experiment. Here is a thread about what each song on the album means
This album was the first album where The Beatles weren't planning a tour after, which allowed them to experiment. Here is a thread about what each song on the album means
Before I start talking about the songs, I'd like to just talk about the artwork seen on the cover of this album first because it is like nothing that had been done before.
The cover was designed by Klaus Voormann, who was a close, personal friend of The Beatles.
The cover was designed by Klaus Voormann, who was a close, personal friend of The Beatles.
Klaus wanted to design something that was different but that would stand out. He said, "in choosing to work in black and white, I wanted not only to shock, but I wanted also for the work to stand out".
Initially, he was concerned about creating a cover for the biggest band.
Initially, he was concerned about creating a cover for the biggest band.
For the cover, Klaus received a Grammy for 'Best Album Cover'. It had only taken him three weeks to design but it is such a beautiful staple of what 'Revolver' is about.
Everyone say, "thank you, Klaus" because he deserves the appreciation for his incredible talents.
Everyone say, "thank you, Klaus" because he deserves the appreciation for his incredible talents.
"Taxman",
George Harrison wrote this song in response to getting taxed by the British Government in the highest bracket (95% of income). Enraged, George used his anger to create this song.
This song was the first song written about political issues by The Beatles.
George Harrison wrote this song in response to getting taxed by the British Government in the highest bracket (95% of income). Enraged, George used his anger to create this song.
This song was the first song written about political issues by The Beatles.
"Eleanor Rigby",
"Eleanor Rigby" was an experimental song that told the story of two lonely people. John and Paul met in the church hall of St. Peter's Church in Liverpool, and the church is the final resting place of a certain Eleanor Rigby.
Paul has said it is a coincidence.
"Eleanor Rigby" was an experimental song that told the story of two lonely people. John and Paul met in the church hall of St. Peter's Church in Liverpool, and the church is the final resting place of a certain Eleanor Rigby.
Paul has said it is a coincidence.
Surrounding the name "Eleanor Rigby", there is a lot of controversy. There are rumours that John and Paul used to play games and hide out in the graveyard the church, so the name could have stuck with him but he doesn't admit it so he doesn't have to give royalties to her family.
Who knows what the true reason behind the name was? If it was a coincidence then that's the magic of The Beatles, but if it was the other reason then heyho. I just think the concept is incredible. That church was where Lennon-McCartney met. It's incredible if it is a coincidence.
"I'm Only Sleeping",
This song is a love song to sleeping. No joke. John Lennon wrote this about his love for staying in bed. It is often read as a song about drug use, but, whenever he was able to, John would get some downtime. Maureen Cleave said he was the "laziest person".
This song is a love song to sleeping. No joke. John Lennon wrote this about his love for staying in bed. It is often read as a song about drug use, but, whenever he was able to, John would get some downtime. Maureen Cleave said he was the "laziest person".
"Love You To",
This song was also written by George Harrison, and was a song, like "Norwegian Wood", where he introduced an Indian theme and sound. It was his first song that introduced 'Hindustani' music into a Beatles song, which was something he was passionate about.
This song was also written by George Harrison, and was a song, like "Norwegian Wood", where he introduced an Indian theme and sound. It was his first song that introduced 'Hindustani' music into a Beatles song, which was something he was passionate about.
"Here, There and Everywhere",
This song. This was a love ballad that Paul McCartney penned near the end of the 'Revolver' sessions. It needs no introduction or explanation because this song speaks for itself. Imagine having Paul McCartney write a song like this about you.
This song. This was a love ballad that Paul McCartney penned near the end of the 'Revolver' sessions. It needs no introduction or explanation because this song speaks for itself. Imagine having Paul McCartney write a song like this about you.
"Yellow Submarine",
Paul McCartney and John Lennon wrote this song to be sung specifically by Ringo Starr. Paul has said that it was written as a "kid's story" to tell the tale of a group of people that go on an adventure. From this song, the movie of the same name was born.
Paul McCartney and John Lennon wrote this song to be sung specifically by Ringo Starr. Paul has said that it was written as a "kid's story" to tell the tale of a group of people that go on an adventure. From this song, the movie of the same name was born.
"She Said, She Said",
This song was a creation of John Lennon's. John Lennon said that the lyrics were inspired by the words said by actor Paul Fonda, whilst he was having an LSD trip. George and John had started using acid in 1965, and felt Paul and Ringo should join.
This song was a creation of John Lennon's. John Lennon said that the lyrics were inspired by the words said by actor Paul Fonda, whilst he was having an LSD trip. George and John had started using acid in 1965, and felt Paul and Ringo should join.
Paul McCartney did not contribute to this song because The Beatles had a disagreement about the arrangement of the music. He walked out of the studio and left his bandmates to complete the song without him. It was still credited to 'Lennon-McCartney', however.
"Good Day Sunshine",
This was a brainchild of Paul McCartney's. It was influenced by the old, happiness style of music. It doesn't need much explanation but George Martin said that it was The Beatles at their "effortless best".
This was a brainchild of Paul McCartney's. It was influenced by the old, happiness style of music. It doesn't need much explanation but George Martin said that it was The Beatles at their "effortless best".
"And Your Bird Can Sing",
Cynthia Lennon said that this song was inspired by a gift that she had given John, which was a clock with a bird inside. According to Cyn, she wound up the bird when giving it to John and he was shocked by the noise it made.
Cynthia Lennon said that this song was inspired by a gift that she had given John, which was a clock with a bird inside. According to Cyn, she wound up the bird when giving it to John and he was shocked by the noise it made.
"For No One",
"For No One" was based upon Paul McCartney's relationship with Jane Asher. It is credited as a mature piece of music. He wrote it in the bathroom of a ski resort whilst on holiday with Jane in the Swiss Alps. He suspects it was most likely after another argument.
"For No One" was based upon Paul McCartney's relationship with Jane Asher. It is credited as a mature piece of music. He wrote it in the bathroom of a ski resort whilst on holiday with Jane in the Swiss Alps. He suspects it was most likely after another argument.
"Doctor Robert",
Like other songs on this album, this song had undertones about drug use. It was a song inspired by 'Dr. Feelgood', which is a term for a doctor who gives amphetamines. This song was written mostly by John. Paul may or may not have assisted with a bridge.
Like other songs on this album, this song had undertones about drug use. It was a song inspired by 'Dr. Feelgood', which is a term for a doctor who gives amphetamines. This song was written mostly by John. Paul may or may not have assisted with a bridge.
"I Want To Tell You",
This song was another George Harrison song. He said that he wrote it about the "avalanche of thoughts" he found it difficult to express. Again, this song was influenced by his use of hallucinogenic drugs.
This song was another George Harrison song. He said that he wrote it about the "avalanche of thoughts" he found it difficult to express. Again, this song was influenced by his use of hallucinogenic drugs.
"Got to Get You into My Life",
There was speculation about who this song could be about but Paul McCartney admitted it wasn't about a person. Paul said that this song was an 'ode to Pot', which was a shock to most critics as they thought the song was an upbeat love ballad.
There was speculation about who this song could be about but Paul McCartney admitted it wasn't about a person. Paul said that this song was an 'ode to Pot', which was a shock to most critics as they thought the song was an upbeat love ballad.
"Tomorrow Never Knows",
This song is often seen as a 'futuristic'. It was the first song recorded for the album, but is the last on the tracklist. This song was, again, written to surround John's experiences with acid. It was based around a book by Leary, Alpert and Metzner.
This song is often seen as a 'futuristic'. It was the first song recorded for the album, but is the last on the tracklist. This song was, again, written to surround John's experiences with acid. It was based around a book by Leary, Alpert and Metzner.
Klaus Voorman said, on first hearing this song: "'Tomorrow Never Knows' was so far away from the early Beatles stuff that even I myself thought, 'Well, the normal kind of Beatles fan won’t want to buy this record'. But they did."
It was a new Beatles sound and it was fresh.
It was a new Beatles sound and it was fresh.
As always, I'm sorry if part of this thread are incorrect. I'm in a bit of a hurry today and this was 90% out of my personal knowledge and 10% (quotes because my memory isn't that good) based on a quick search.
I hope you all enjoyed it!
I hope you all enjoyed it!
To end, what is your favourite song from the 'Revolver' album? Comment below.
My favourite is "Eleanor Rigby" because it's so unique and the undertones are so incredible. Paul's vocals are INCREDIBLE too. And the strings! Yes! I also love the controversy around it - fun, fun!
My favourite is "Eleanor Rigby" because it's so unique and the undertones are so incredible. Paul's vocals are INCREDIBLE too. And the strings! Yes! I also love the controversy around it - fun, fun!
