Composition
The idea for the song came about when Starr was on a boat belonging to comedian Peter Sellers in Sardinia in 1968. He ordered fish and chips for lunch, but instead of fish he got squid (it was the first time he had eaten squid, and he said, "It was OK. A bit rubbery. Tasted like chicken.") The boat's captain then told Starr about how octopuses travel along the sea bed picking up stones and shiny objects with which to build gardens. Starr's songwriting was further inspired by his desire to escape mounting hostility among the Beatles; he would later admit that he had "just wanted to be under the sea, too". Uncredited assistance in developing the song's chord changes was provided by Harrison, who can be seen helping Starr work the song out on piano, with Lennon later joining in with drums, in the documentaries Let It Be (1970) and The Beatles: Get Back (2021), both using the same footage.
The song, which contains the lyrics "Oh what joy for every girl and boy/Knowing they're happy and they're safe," is sometimes thought of as being a song for children, like "Yellow Submarine" or "All Together Now". It has also been performed by the Muppets several times in various episodes of their shows.
The basic instrumental track was recorded 26 April 1969, with the Beatles lineup of two electric guitars (Harrison and Lennon),[10] bass guitar (McCartney) and drums (Starr). Starr also provided a temporary guide vocal on this date. (Take 2 of the recording, featuring this guide vocal, Starr singing the first verse three times, is track 14 on disc 2 of Anthology 3.) In the absence of George Martin, the Beatles themselves were listed as producer, with Martin's apprentice Chris Thomas present in the control room to assist. Thirty-two takes were required before the Beatles were satisfied with the track.[11]
Recording
The basic instrumental track was recorded 26 April 1969, with the Beatles lineup of two electric guitars (Harrison and Lennon), bass guitar (McCartney) and drums (Starr). Starr also provided a temporary guide vocal on this date. (Take 2 of the recording, featuring this guide vocal, Starr singing the first verse three times, is track 14 on disc 2 of Anthology 3.) In the absence of George Martin, the Beatles themselves were listed as producer, with Martin's apprentice Chris Thomas present in the control room to assist. Thirty-two takes were required before the Beatles were satisfied with the track.
The backing vocals by McCartney and Harrison during the guitar solo were put through compressors and limiters to create a gurgling sound. At Starr's request, Harrison added the sound of bubbles by blowing through a straw into a glass of milk.
Octopus's Garden
Beatles Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In an octopus' garden in the shade
He'd let us in, knows where we've been
In his octopus' garden in the shade
I'd ask my friends to come and see
An octopus' garden with me
I'd like to be under the sea
We would be warm below the storm
In our little hideaway beneath the waves
Resting our head on the sea bed
In an octopus' garden near a cave
We would sing and dance around
Because we know we can't be found
I'd like to be under the sea
In an octopus' garden in the shade
We would shout and swim about
The coral that lies beneath the waves
(Lies beneath the ocean waves)
Oh what joy for every girl and boy
Knowing they're happy and they're safe
(Happy and they're safe)
We would be so happy you and me
No one there to tell us what to do
I'd like to be under the sea
In an octopus' garden with you.
The Beatles' song, "Octopus's Garden," is a whimsical and imaginative piece from Ringo Starr. The singer expresses his desire to be under the sea, specifically in an octopus' garden. The octopus is a friendly and welcoming host, allowing the singer and his friends to visit and play in the safety of his domain. The garden provides a place of refuge from the stormy seas, a location of joy and safety for every girl and boy.
The song's lyrics portray a longing for a better world, one free from the worries and troubles of everyday life. The portrayal of an underwater garden, a place of harmony and happiness, is a metaphor for the peace and tranquility we all seek. The octopus, often seen as a beastly creature, is transformed into a protective figure that guides the singer and his friends through the garden. The song's tone is light and playful, a reflection of Ringo's unique style, and captures the innocence and simplicity of childhood.
Line by Line Meaning
I'd like to be under the sea
I wish to experience life below the surface of the ocean
In an octopus' garden in the shade
In a peaceful, shaded area of the ocean floor that resembles a garden-like environment created by an octopus
He'd let us in, knows where we've been
The octopus would welcome us to his garden and can sense where we've traveled from
I'd ask my friends to come and see
I would invite my companions to join me in exploring this unique environment
An octopus' garden with me
To enjoy the beauty and tranquility of the comfortable area created by the octopus in the ocean
We would be warm below the storm
The environment beneath the ocean currents would provide us with warmth and shelter from the storms happening above the surface
In our little hideaway beneath the waves
A secluded place of habitat for humans created by the octopus beneath the waves
Resting our head on the sea bed
We could relax and lie down on the ocean floor
In an octopus' garden near a cave
Near a cave in the seemingly idyllic area of the ocean floor created by the octopus
We would sing and dance around
We would enjoy singing and dancing in the beautiful and calming environment of the octopus' garden
Because we know we can't be found
We feel safe to enjoy ourselves knowing that we are far away from the rules and expectations of society
We would shout and swim about
We would express ourselves freely by shouting and swimming in the beautiful environment
The coral that lies beneath the waves
The coral reefs and ecosystem below the surface of the sea
(Lies beneath the ocean waves)
This ecosystem is not visible from the land
Oh what joy for every girl and boy
The state of bliss experienced by all people who visit the octopus' garden
Knowing they're happy and they're safe
Feeling secure and happy to be in the calming environment of the octopus' garden
We would be so happy you and me
Both parties would experience joy exploring the garden together
No one there to tell us what to do
In the octopus' garden, there is no authoritative figure to dictate our actions or judge us, allowing us to be completely free and uninhibited
I'd like to be under the sea
Reiterating the desire to explore the ocean's depths and find peace and solace in the octopus' garden
In an octopus' garden with you.
Expressing a desire to share the experience of exploring the octopus' garden with someone special
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, STARTLING MUSIC LTD C/O BRUCE V. GRAKAL
Written by: RICHARD STARKEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind