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Taxman
The Beatles Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning | Line by Line Meaning

One, two, three, four
One, two (one, two, three, four)

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, car) I'll tax the street
(If you try to sit, sit) I'll tax your seat
(If you get too cold, cold) I'll tax the heat
(If you take a walk, 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
(Ah, ah, Mr. Wilson)
If you don't want to pay some more
(Ah, ah, Mr. Heath)
'Cause I'm the taxman
Yeah, I'm the taxman

Now my advice for those who die (taxman)
Declare the pennies on your eyes (taxman)
'Cause I'm the taxman
Yeah, I'm the taxman
And you're working for no one but me (taxman)

Overall Meaning

The Beatles’ song “Taxman” is a political satire that critiqued the British government’s taxation system. The song opens with the Taxman introducing himself and telling listeners how it will be - one for you, nineteen for me. It reflects the high marginal tax rates of the 1960s, where the top tax rate in Britain was 95%. The lyrics, "Should five percent appear too small, be thankful I don't take it all," represents the small portion taxpayers would get to keep for themselves. The song also refers to the taxman being so thorough that he would tax everything from the streets you drive on to the heat you use.


The song also features references to then-current British politicians - Mr. Wilson refers to Harold Wilson, and Mr. Heath is Edward Heath. The last verse of the song warns listeners that when they die, they should declare the pennies on their eyes because the taxman will still be looking to collect. The song was written by George Harrison, who was frustrated by the high taxes the band was paying, and John Lennon contributed to the lyrics. The song serves as a reminder of the band’s impact as popular musicians taking a stand against governmental powers through catchy, thought-provoking lyrics.


Line by Line Meaning

Let me tell you how it will be
The speaker is about to lay out the reality of the situation


There's one for you, nineteen for me
For every dollar you make, I get to keep nineteen cents


'Cause I'm the taxman
The speaker is reminding the listener of their power over them


Yeah, I'm the taxman
The speaker is taking pride in their role as the taxman


Should five percent appear too small
If you think I only take five percent, that's not even close to the truth


Be thankful I don't take it all
You should be grateful that I don't take all of your money


(If you drive a car, car) I'll tax the street
I will tax you for the privilege of driving your car on the street


(If you try to sit, sit) I'll tax your seat
I will tax you for the right to sit down somewhere


(If you get too cold, cold) I'll tax the heat
I will tax you for trying to keep warm in a cold climate


(If you take a walk, walk) I'll tax your feet
I will tax you for the act of walking


'Cause I'm the taxman
The speaker is reminding the listener of their power over them


Yeah, I'm the taxman
The speaker is taking pride in their role as the taxman


Don't ask me what I want it for
I don't need to tell you why I'm taking your money


(Ah, ah, Mr. Wilson)
The speaker is mocking someone who questions their authority


If you don't want to pay some more
If you don't want me to take even more of your money


(Ah, ah, Mr. Heath)
The speaker is mocking another person who questions their authority


'Cause I'm the taxman
The speaker is reminding the listener of their power over them


Yeah, I'm the taxman
The speaker is taking pride in their role as the taxman


Now my advice for those who die (taxman)
Even in death, you cannot escape my grasp


Declare the pennies on your eyes (taxman)
Even the money you leave behind must be accounted for and taxed


'Cause I'm the taxman
The speaker is reminding the listener of their power over them


Yeah, I'm the taxman
The speaker is taking pride in their role as the taxman


And you're working for no one but me (taxman)
The speaker asserts that all the hard work the listener does is really just serving to line the taxman's pockets




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: George Harrison

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

Felipe Mustafa

Essa música tem várias curiosidades interessantes:

O John Lennon ajudou o George em alguns trechos de música, principalmente em: (If you try to sit, sit) I'll tax your seat
(If you get too cold, cold) I'll tax the heat
(If you take a walk, walk) I'll tax your feet

O solo maravilhoso de guitarra dessa música foi feita pelo Paul McCartney, porque o George tentou vários takes, e nada saía. E o Paul em um take só fez ela

Essa música tem uma fortíssima inspiração na música tema da série do Batman de 1966, principalmente pela forma de cantar Taxman



Matt Vinge

@Joanne Dowell Live yes but not in the studio. Paul is/was, along with John, a multi instrumentalist in The Beatles. He played piano and guitar too. Here’s a list of other Beatles tunes Paul played lead guitar on:

“Ticket To Ride “
“The Night Before “
“Another Girl “
“Taxman “
“And Your Bird Can Sing ” [with George]
“Strawberry Fields Forever ” [? — the part right after the last chorus]
“Sgt. Pepper ‘s Lonely Hearts Club Band”
“Sgt. Pepper ‘s Lonely Hearts Club Band (Reprise)”
“Good Morning, Good Morning”
“Back in the U.S.S.R.”
“Birthday ”
“Helter Skelter “
“The End ” [with John and George]



All comments from YouTube:

𝐒𝒂𝒅 𝐆𝖍𝖔𝖘𝖙.

It is and will always be the best band in history.

Lol McCartney

Yes.

rove 27

Xd

Wolfgirl3302

Agreed

Ross Sawit

Agree

Louise

agreed

196 More Replies...

Milton Yannis

What I respect about Paul is that he was lumped with having to be the Beatles bassist, yet the minute they gave him the lead guitar part he comes up with an absolutely stunning solo.

Chris Parkin

It is a spectacular solo. It's only a few secs but I think Paul says more in those few secs than most of his contemporaries said in their entire musical careers. He wipes the floor with Clappers.

Nahuel Martínez

It's a shame they turned the solo volume down on this remix. The original one screams at your face!

Mark Swift

I'd hardly say "lumped with" - he was the bassist. It's not an inferior role.

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