Tomorrow Never Knows
14. The Beatles Lyrics
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It is not dying, it is not dying
Lay down all thoughts, surrender to the void,
It is shining, it is shining.
Yet you may see the meaning of within
It is being, it is being
Love is all and love is everyone
It is knowing, it is knowing
And ignorance and hate mourn the dead
It is believing, it is believing
But listen to the colour of your dreams
It is not leaving, it is not leaving
So play the game "Existence" to the end
Of the beginning, of the beginning
In "Tomorrow Never Knows," The Beatles blend Indian music, experimental techniques, and psychedelic rock to create a surreal soundscape. The song's lyrics explore themes of enlightenment, ego dissolution, and spirituality, urging listeners to let go of their thoughts and embrace the void. The first line, "Turn off your mind, relax, and float downstream," invites the listener to abandon their logical, analytical mind and enter a realm of pure consciousness.
The subsequent lines describe the radiant beauty of the void and encourage the listener to let go of their ego and immerse themselves in the cosmic oneness of the universe. The reference to "the color of your dreams" suggests that the song's message is not just to be understood intellectually, but to be experienced on a primal, emotional level.
The song's lyrics and trippy production techniques were heavily influenced by the Beatles' experimentation with LSD and other psychedelics. They wanted to create a song that would simulate the experience of an LSD trip, with cascading sound effects, heavily processed vocals, and otherworldly rhythms. The result is a song that remains both timeless and transcendent to this day.
Line by Line Meaning
Turn off your mind relax and float down stream
Suspend your thoughts, unwind and let go of control.
It is not dying, it is not dying
The experience is not ending, it is just transformable.
Lay down all thoughts, surrender to the void,
Empty your mind, release all attachment.
It is shining, it is shining.
The void is radiant with potential and clarity.
Yet you may see the meaning of within
You can uncover the significance of interior experience.
It is being, it is being
Existence is a state to be cherished and fully embraced.
Love is all and love is everyone
Love encompasses all and is inherent within all beings.
It is knowing, it is knowing
This realization is a deep and profound knowing of truth.
And ignorance and hate mourn the dead
Blindness and hostility grieve for those who have passed.
It is believing, it is believing
Belief in something greater and more transcendent is a comfort in times of loss.
But listen to the colour of your dreams
Pay attention to the vibrancy and richness of your subconscious visions.
It is not leaving, it is not leaving
The dream state is not a departure from reality, but another layer of experience.
So play the game "Existence" to the end
Fully participate in life and all its ups and downs.
Of the beginning, of the beginning
This game is both a commencement and a continuation, constantly renewing itself.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JOHN LENNON, PAUL MCCARTNEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
William Bulla
"To the enlightened man... whose consciousness embraces the universe, to him the universe becomes his 'body', while the physical body becomes the manifestation of the universal mind. His inner vision an expression of the highest reality, and his speech an expression of eternal truth and mantric power." Anagarika Govinda
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To those who grasp this, no words are necessary.
For those who can't, no words are possible.
Peace to All Beings, Will
J Jz
The most underrated Beatles song ever. There was nothing like it before.
Sean14
Not underrated by me ...this and Day in the Life were so experimental
The Liquidator
@Mark Atkin “electronic noise” as lennon said
Аня Грунтовая
I love how they played psychedelic rock
Metal Jimmy
uh ,..its not underrated dummy,..everyone KNOWS this song lol
Sole Soul Purpose
The song is insanely brilliant on so many levels!
Hard Hearted Harriet
Even though I've been listening to The Beatles since I was 12 yrs old and their early rock and roll is my favorite, I might pick Tomorrow Never Knows as my number 1. Saw The Beatles at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles August 28, 1966. Still have my $3.50 ticket stub.
Steve Austin
Wow.
Hard Hearted Harriet
@kj That is very cool. I'm glad young people still enjoy their music. It was so fun. The first three rock concerts I saw were The Byrds, also in 1966; The Beatles were second and third was The Doors in 1967. I was 15 by then! Seen Ringo and his All Starr Band a couple of times too. Not on Tumbler or IG. Do people share their memorabilia on there?
kj
Oh my beatles😯😯dang... keep it! Do you have some social media pg like tumblr/ ig to show old beatles stuff to other beatles fans? But rly, wow.. to see them 'live' & back in '66, imo they were so cool esp during that era... John w his shades esp👍currently am reading a bk 'Beatles 66: The Revolutionary Year' + the fact I am now at John & Ringo's age back when they were in '66 makes it even cooler...👍👍