Oh Look Out! Part 7, Revolver

by John T. Marck



In Part 7, "Revolver," is another of The Beatles masterpieces! Released on August 5, 1966, it was the first album where The Beatles became a consummate studio band. In the studio, they had the freedom to choose exactly the right sound they were looking for in each track. What gave The Beatles the freedom to make this wonderful recording was they were supposed to begin making their third film, but no-one agreed on a script, thus The Beatles had a three-month break to do whatever they wanted. What did they do? They made "Revolver." Oh Look Out! Songs and Albums of The Beatles Part 7 Revolver "I Was Alone, I Took a Ride, I Didn't Know What I Would Find There..." In the United Kingdom, the album that followed Rubber Soul, was Revolver, released on August 5, 1966. It contained the following songs: Taxman, Eleanor Rigby, I'm Only Sleeping, Love You To, Here, There and Everywhere, Yellow Submarine, She Said She Said, Good Day Sunshine, And Your Bird Can Sing, For No One, Doctor Robert, I Want To Tell You, Got To Get You Into My Life, and Tomorrow Never Knows. In the United States, Revolver was issued on August 6, 1966, and was identical in cover and design except did not contain three songs that appeared on the British version, being: I'm Only Sleeping, And Your Bird Can Sing, and Doctor Robert. However, in between Rubber Soul and Revolver, in the United States, another album was released on June 20, 1966. This album would become The Beatles' most controversial album titled, "Yesterday...and Today." This was a marketing ploy by Capitol Records whereby this album included the songs that were on the British albums Rubber Soul and Revolver, that were not on these respective albums in the US. Additionally, it contained two hit singles that did not appear on the British albums. These were We Can Work It Out and Day Tripper. But, what made this album so controversial was that its original cover showed the four members of the Beatles holding baby dolls, with meat grinders, and what appeared to be ground beef, and was dubbed, the "Butcher" Album. Although this cover was released, it was recalled, and another cover used in its place. If you are one of the fortunate ones to have an original Butcher cover album, you indeed have a very valuable collectors' item. In a letter of June 14, 1966, from Ron Tepper, who was the manager for Press and Information Services for Capitol Records, to record reviewers, he conveyed the following regarding this cover: "In the past few days, you may have received an advance promotional copy of The Beatles' new album, "The Beatles Yesterday and Today." In accordance with the following statement from Alan W. Livingston, President, Capitol Records, Inc., the original album cover is being discarded and a new jacket is being prepared: 'The original cover, created in England, was intended as 'pop art' satire. However, a sampling of public opinion in the United States indicates that the cover design is subject to misinterpretation. For this reason, and to avoid any possible controversy or undeserved harm to The Beatles' image, or reputation, Capitol has chosen to withdraw the LP and substitute a more generally acceptable design.' All consumer copies of The Beatles' album will be packaged in the new cover, which will be available within the next week to 10 days. As soon as they are, we will forward you a copy. In the meantime, we would appreciate your disregarding the promotional album and, if at all possible, returning it, C.O. D., to Capitol Records, 1750 N. Vine Street, Hollywood, California, 90028." I wonder how many copies Capitol Records actually received!! Those that received it knew it would be a collectors' item, if for no other reason, this letter. As to Revolver, in 1966 at the beginning of the year, The Beatles had planned to make their third film. But, problems arose because no one agreed on a script, nor could they come up with a theme or plot they liked. Consequently, the idea was shelved. Now The Beatles found themselves with a three-month break; the time originally allotted for a movie. Having completed a British tour in 1965, and desiring to stop touring, The Beatles now were in the beginning stages of thinking about the studio, and leaving their touring days behind. Although they were under contract for a final world tour in June, and another concert on May 1, they found themselves in between with a two-month period with which to create their next album, which would be Revolver. On April 6, 1966 the recording began with the song "Tomorrow Never Knows," and the album was completed eight weeks later. The result would be their second masterpiece in a row, the first being Rubber Soul. Their only rival at the time was The Beach Boys' Pet Sounds, labeled, and rightfully so, as a masterpiece of melodies. This work by Brian Wilson and The Beach Boys was a great influence on Paul McCartney and The Beatles. So now, as the lyrics are not included on the album or CD, put in on, sit back, and follow along with the words below. Another masterpiece I'm sure you'll enjoy. All songs herein by John Lennon and Paul McCartney except, Taxman, Love You To and I Want To Tell You, by George Harrison. And now.... Taxman Revolver begins with a great song written by George Harrison titled Taxman. In this, George is rebelling against British taxes, whereby over time, he figured that most of their earnings went to taxes. Although George was The Beatles lead guitar player, the famous opening riff, believed by many to be played by George, was actually done by Paul. It was recorded on April 21 and 22, and May 16, 1966. Let me tell you how it will be, there's one for you, nineteen for me, cause I'm the taxman,, yeah, I'm the taxman Should five percent appear too small, be thankful I don't take it all, 'cause I'm the taxman, yeah, I'm the taxman If you drive a car, I'll tax the street, if you try to sit, I'll tax your seat If you get too cold, I'll tax the heat, if you take a walk, I'll tax your feet, taxman, 'Cause I'm the taxman, yeah, I'm the taxman Don't ask me what I want it for (ha ha Mr. Wilson), if you don't want to pay some more (ha ha Mr. Heath) 'cause I'm the taxman, yeah, I'm the taxman Now my advice for those who die, declare the pennies on your eyes, 'cause I'm the taxman, yeah, I'm the taxman And you're working for no one but me Eleanor Rigby Next came Eleanor Rigby, an outstanding song by Paul, and recorded on April 28 and 29, and June 6, 1966. There are three stories behind its name. In their youth, Paul and John met at a church function at St. Peter's, Woolton. In the graveyard there is a stone with the name Eleanor Rigby, who died on October 10, 1939. It is believed that maybe Paul recalled this name from his subconscious years later. However, it is also said that Paul got the name from two sources. The name of "Rigby," was taken from a shop front in Bristol, and the name "Eleanor," came from his former co-star Eleanor Bron, in the film Help! You be the judge. Ah, look at all the lonely people, ah, look at all the lonely people Eleanor Rigby, picks up the rice in the church where a wedding has been, lives in a dream Waits at the window, wearing the face that she keeps in a jar by the door, who is it for All the lonely people, where do they all come from? All the lonely people, where do they all belong? Father McKenzie, writing the words of a sermon that no one will hear, no one comes near Look at him working, darning his socks in the night when there's nobody there, what does he care All the lonely people, where do they all come from? All the lonely people, where do they all belong? Ah, look at all the lonely people, ah, look at all the lonely people Eleanor Rigby, died in the church and was buried along with her name, nobody came Father McKenzie, wiping the dirt, from his hands as he walks from the grave, no one was saved All the lonely people, where do they all come from? All the lonely people, where do they all belong? I'm Only Sleeping Written by John, he is reflecting on the one place he loved the best, his bed. When he wasn't sleeping in it, he would be lying on it, writing, reading or watching television. This song celebrated the bed and his place for contemplation . This was recorded on April 27 and 29 and May 5 and 6, 1966. When I wake up early in the morning, lift my head, I'm still yawning When I'm in the middle of a dream, stay in bed, float up stream Please don't wake me, no don't shake me, leave me where I am, I'm only sleeping Everybody seems to think I'm lazy, I don't mind, I think they're crazy Running everywhere at such a speed, till they find, there's no need Please don't spoil my day, I'm miles away, and after all, I'm only sleeping Keeping an eye on the world going by my window, taking my time Lying there and staring at the ceiling, waiting for a sleepy feeling Please don't spoil my day, I'm miles away, and after all, I'm only sleeping Keeping an eye on the world going by my window, taking my time When I wake up early in the morning, lift my head, I'm still yawning When I'm in the middle of a dream, stay in bed, float up stream Please don't wake me, no don't shake me, leave me where I am, I'm only sleeping Love You To - Harrison Another of Harrison's that reflects his Eastern wisdom gathered from his visits with the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. This song started a less than happy tradition, that of Lennon refusing to contribute to any of Harrison's songs. It was recorded on April 11 and 13, 1966. Each day just goes so fast, I turn around, it's past, you don't get time to hang a sign on me Love me while you can, Before I'm a dead old man, a life time is so short, a new one can't be bought But what you've got means such a lot to me, make love all day long, make love singing songs Make love all day long, make love singing songs There's people standing round, who'll screw you in the ground, they'll fill you in with all their sins, you'll see I'll make love to you, if you want me to Here, There and Everywhere By Paul, Here, There and Everywhere, is considered his greatest love song. Paul wrote this as a reply to The Beach Boys, God Only Knows, whereby he was trying to capture the same mood. He wrote it in June 1966, while sitting around John's outdoor swimming pool, and it was recorded on June 14, 16 and 17. To lead a better life, I need my love to be here, Here, making each day of the year, changing my life with a wave of her hand Nobody can deny that there's something there There, running my hands through her hair, both of us thinking how good it can be Someone is speaking, but she doesn't know he's there I want her everywhere, and if she's beside me I know I need never care But to love her is to need her, everywhere, knowing that love is to share, each one believing that love never dies Watching her eyes and hoping I'm always there I want her everywhere, and if she's beside me I know I need never care, but to love her is to need her I will be there, and everywhere, here, there and everywhere Yellow Submarine This was written as a simple children's song, intended for Ringo to sing. From a business standpoint, it turned out to be the most important song on Revolver, in that it inspired the cartoon feature film that solved the problem The Beatles had in providing their third film, that they contractually owed United Artists. It was recorded on May 26 and June 1, 1966. In the town where I was born, lived a man who sailed to sea, And he told us of his life, in the land of submarines So we sailed up to the sun, till we found a sea of green, And we lived beneath the waves, in our yellow submarine We all live in a yellow submarine, yellow submarine, yellow submarine We all live in a yellow submarine, yellow submarine, yellow submarine And our friends are all aboard, many more of them live next door, and the band begins to play We all live in a yellow submarine, yellow submarine, yellow submarine We all live in a yellow submarine, yellow submarine, yellow submarine (Full speed ahead Mr. Boatswain, full speed ahead, full speed ahead it is, sergeant cut the cable, drop the cable, aye, sir, aye, captain, captain) As we live a life of ease, every one of us has all we need, sky of blue and sea of green, in our yellow submarine We all live in a yellow submarine, yellow submarine, yellow submarine We all live in a yellow submarine, yellow submarine, yellow submarine We all live in a yellow submarine, yellow submarine, yellow submarine She Said She Said This song was written by Lennon that came about from his paranoid visions while experimenting with LSD. One night at a party with Peter Fonda, while they both were under the influence of acid, Fonda said, "I know what it's like to be dead." That comment, as horrible as it sounds, inspired this song. It was recorded on June 21, 1966. She said I know what it's like to be dead, I know what it is to be sad, and she's making me feel like I've never been born I said who put all the things in your head, things that make me feel that I'm mad And you're making me feel like I've never been born She said you don't understand what I said, I said no, no, no you're wrong When I was a boy, everything was right, everything was right I said even though you know what you know, I know that I'm ready to leave 'Cause you're making me feel like I've never been born She said you don't understand what I said, I said no, no, no you're wrong When I was a boy, everything was right, everything was right, She said, I know what it's like to be dead, I know what it is to be sad, I know that it's like to be dead Good Day Sunshine Good Day Sunshine is another by Paul, that he wrote through inspiration of songs by The Lovin' Spoonful. When John Sebastian of the Lovin' Spoonful learned that he had inspired a McCartney tune, he said, in part, that one of the wonderful things about The Beatles, was that when they copped an idea from somebody else, it never occurred to you. It was a compliment to the otherwise darker side of Revolver, recorded on June 8 and 9, 1966. Good day sunshine, good day sunshine, good day sunshine I need to laugh, and when the sun is out, I've got something I can laugh about I feel good, in a special way, I'm in love and it's a sunny day Good day sunshine, good day sunshine, good day sunshine We take a walk, the sun is shining down, burns my feet as they touch the ground Good day sunshine, good day sunshine, good day sunshine Then we lie beneath a shady tree, I love her and she's loving me She feels good, she know she's looking fine, I'm so proud to know that she is mine Good day sunshine, good day sunshine, good day sunshine, good day sunshine Good day sunshine, good day sunshine, good day sunshine, good day sunshine And Your Bird Can Sing Written by Lennon, he described this song as fancy paper around an empty box - but even so, it was so good a song it seemed that no one noticed. He further describes it as "another horror. " He felt it was "full of fake wisdom, of those philosophically lightweight days when it seemed as if the world could be turned on its axis by a tab of acid and a few seconds thought." Still, it is one of the best musically on the album. It features a great guitar riff, and a great Lennon vocals, although somewhat disconnected. You say you've got everything you want, and your bird can sing, but you don't get me, you don't get me You say you've seen the seven wonders, and your bird is green, but you can't see me, you can't see me When your prized possessions, start to weigh you down, l ook in my direction, I'll be round, I'll be round When your bird is broken, will it bring you down, you may be awoken, I'll be round, I'll be round You tell me that you've heard every sound there is, and your bird can swing But you can't hear me, you can't hear me For No One Written by Paul, this song was recorded on May 9, 16 and 19, 1966, by just two of The Beatles, with Paul singing and playing the keyboards and bass, and Ringo on percussion. The French horn you hear was played by Alan Civil, a member of the London Philharmonic Orchestra. Another of McCartney's exceptional ballads. Your day breaks, your mind aches, you find that all her words of kindness linger on, when she no longer needs you She wakes up, she makes up, she takes her time and doesn't feel she has to hurry, she no longer needs you And in her eyes, you see nothing, no sign of love behind the tears, cried for no one, a love that should have lasted years You want her, you need her, and yet you don't believe her, when she says her love is dead, you think she needs you And in her eyes, you see nothing, no sign of love behind the tears, cried for no one, a love that should have lasted years You stay home, she goes out, she says that long ago she knew someone but now he's gone She doesn't need him, your day breaks, your mind aches, There will be times when all the things she said, will fill your head, you won't forget her And in her eyes, you see nothing, no sign of love behind the tears, cried for no one, a love that should have lasted years Doctor Robert By Lennon, Doctor Robert was inspired by Dr. Robert Freymann, a 60-year-old German-born physician who had a practice on East 78th Street in New York. It's meaning was about a doctor who would supply rock stars with exotic drugs on demand. It was recorded on April 17 and 19, 1966. Ring, my friend I said you'd call, Doctor Robert Day or night he'll be there any time at all, Doctor Robert Doctor Robert, you're a new and better man, he helps you to understand, he does everything he can, Doctor Robert If you're down he'll pick you up, Doctor Robert, take a drink from his special cup, Doctor Robert Doctor Robert, he's a man you must believe, helping anyone in need, no one can succeed like, Doctor Robert Well, well, well, you're feeling fine, well, well, well, he'll make you, Doctor Robert My friend works for the National Health, Doctor Robert, don't pay money just to see yourself, Doctor Robert Doctor Robert, You're a new and better man, he helps you to understand, he does everything he can, Doctor Robert Well, well, well, you're feeling fine, well, well, well, he'll make you, Doctor Robert Ring, my friend I said you'd call, Doctor Robert, Doctor Robert I Want To Tell You In this by Harrison, he is conveying the frustrations of having something to say, but now knowing how to say it. It was recorded on June 2 and 3, 1966. I want to tell you, my head is filled with things to say, when you're here, all those words they seem to slip away When I get near you, the games begin to drag me down, it's all right, I'll make you maybe next time around But if I seem to act unkind, it's only me, it's not my mind, that is confusing things I want to tell you, I feel hung up and I don't know why, I don't mind, I could wait forever, I've got time Sometimes I wish I knew you well, then I could speak my mind and tell, maybe you'd understand I want to tell you, I feel hung up and I don't know why, I don't mind, I could wait forever, I've got time, I've got time, I've got time Got To Get You Into My Life When Paul wrote Got To Get You Into My Life, his idea was to incorporate the brassy Motown sound. With this song, and the others on Revolver, The Beatles proved again that they could record any type of musical genre they desired. McCartney deliberately limited the brass to create a faintly unreal sound. A great song, recorded on April 8 and 9, May 18, and June 17, 1966. The song's meaning referred to the use of acid, in that Paul was the last to try it. The LSD was that which he had to get into his life. I was alone, I took a ride, I didn't know what I would find there Another road where maybe I could see another kind of mind there Ooo, then I suddenly see you, ooo, did I tell you I need you, every single day of my life You didn't run, you didn't lie, you know I wanted just to hold you And had you gone, you knew in time, we'd meet again for I had told you Ooo, you were meant to be near me, ooo, and I want you to hear me Say we'll be together every day, got to get you into my life What can I do, what can I be, when I'm with you I want to stay there If I'm true I'll never leave, and if I do I know the way there, ooo, then I suddenly see you, ooo, did I tell you I need you Every single day of my life, got to get you into my life, I was alone, I took a ride, I didn't know what I would find there Another road where maybe I could see another kind of mind there Ooo, then I suddenly see you, ooo, did I tell you I need you, every single day Tomorrow Never Knows Written by Lennon, this was his attempt to give a sign of things to come, while capturing the meaning of an LSD experience in words and sounds. It is probably the strangest and most experimental track to appear on a Beatles' recording at the time. It was recorded on April 6, 7, and 22, 1966, and the first song recorded for Revolver. Turn off your mind, relax, and float down stream, It is not dying, It is not dying Lay down all thought, surrender to the void, it is shining, it is shining That you may see, the meaning of within, it is being, It is being That love is all, and love is everyone, it is knowing, it is knowing That ignorance and hate, may mourn the dead, it is believing, it is believing But listen to the color of your dreams, it is not living, it is not living Or play the game, existence to the end, of the beginning, of the beginning, Of the beginning, of the beginning, of the beginning, of the beginning NOTE: All lyrics contained herein are © Copyright 1966 Northern Songs. All Rights Reserved. International Copyright Secured. The lyrics contained herein are for the sole use of reference for the readers of this article. All other uses are in violation of international copyright laws. This use for educational reference, falls under the "fair use" sections of U.S. copyright law. The same such reference applies to images/photos of album covers used herein. Copyright© John T. Marck. All Rights Reserved. This article and their accompanying pictures, photographs, and line art, may not be resold, reprinted, or redistributed for compensation of any kind without prior written permission from the author, or the registered copyright holders. Except as otherwise stated above, all information contained in this article, EXCEPT song titles, lyrics, and photographs, © John T. Marck. A Splendid Time Is Guaranteed For All