TL;DR:
- Paul McCartney mentioned The Beatles’ “Revolution” is a good track which was principally written by John Lennon.
- Paul mentioned “I think John later ascribed more political intent to it than he actually felt when he wrote it.”
- He defined mentioned the observe was impressed by deeply political occasions.
Whereas The Beatles‘ “Revolution” is credited to John Lennon and Paul McCartney, Paul said it’s primarily John’s track. Paul defined the political context that impressed the track. As well as, Paul related the lyrics of the track to a well-known non secular guru.
John Lennon mentioned The Beatles’ ‘Revolution’ ‘was an overtly political song about revolution’
Within the 1997 e-book Paul McCartney: Many Years From Now, Paul mentioned his emotions about “Revolution.” “It was a great song, basically John’s,” he mentioned. “He doesn’t actually get off the fence in it. He says ‘You can count me out, in,’ so that you’re not really positive.
“I don’t think he was sure which way he felt about it at the time, but it was an overtly political song about revolution and a great one,” Paul continued. “I think John later ascribed more political intent to it than he actually felt when he wrote it.”
Paul McCartney related the lyrics of the track to The Beatles’ guru
Paul put “Revolution” in its cultural context. “They were very political times, obviously, with the Vietnam War going on, Chairman Mao and The Little Red Book, and all the demonstrations with people going through the streets shouting ‘Ho, Ho, Ho Chi Minh!’” For context, The Little Pink E-book was a compilation of notable sayings from Chairman Mao.
Paul mentioned why John talked about Chairman Mao in “Revolution.” “I think he wanted to say you can count me in for a revolution, but if you go carrying pictures of Chairman Mao ‘you ain’t gonna make it with anyone anyhow,’” he mentioned. “By saying that, I think he meant we all want to change the world Maharishi-style.” The Maharishi Mahesh Yogi was The Beatles’ guru for some time, and he was a non secular chief for quite a few different individuals.
How ‘Revolution’ carried out on the pop charts in the US and the UK
“Revolution” turned the B-side of “Hey Jude.” That’s fairly nonsensical, contemplating “Revolution” is an uneasy track whereas “Hey Jude” is a self-empowerment anthem.
“Revolution” was a modest hit in the US. The observe reached No. 12 on the Billboard Hot 100, staying on the chart for 11 weeks. The tune appeared on the compilation 1967-1970. The compilation peaked at No. 1 for one of its 182 weeks on the Billboard 200.
Alternatively, The Official Charts Company says “Revolution” by no means charted in the UK regardless that it was the B-side of such a well-known track. Alternatively, 1967-1970 hit No. 2 within the U.Ok. and stayed on the chart for 131 weeks.
“Revolution” is a good rock ‘n’ roll track even when John wasn’t positive what he was attempting to say when he wrote it.