The song opens with a flamenco guitar solo (taken from a seldom-heard Mellotron bank of Spanish guitar runs; on some CD reissues, this solo closes the previous track, "Wild Honey Pie"), followed by the chorus, sung by all four Beatles, Ringo's then-wife Maureen, and Yoko Ono (providing the only female lead vocal on a Beatles recording, for a single line). John Lennon, who wrote the song, is the primary lead singer. Like the majority of songs written by either Lennon or Paul McCartney it is credited to Lennon/McCartney.The song was recorded at Abbey Road on 8 October 1968 and was completed including all overdubs in this one session. The Beatles also started and completed the Lennon-composed 'I'm So Tired' during the same recording session.
Continuing Story Of Bungalow Bill
The Beatles Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What did you kill
Bungalow Bill?
Hey, Bungalow Bill
What did you kill
Bungalow Bill?
In case of accidents he always took his mom
He's the all-American bullet-headed Saxon mother's son
All the children sing
Hey, Bungalow Bill
What did you kill
Bungalow Bill?
Hey, Bungalow Bill
What did you kill
Bungalow Bill?
Deep in the jungle where the mighty tiger lies
Bill and his elephants were taken by surprise
So Captain Marvel zapped him right between the eyes
All the children sing
Hey, Bungalow Bill
What did you kill
Bungalow Bill?
Hey, Bungalow Bill
What did you kill
Bungalow Bill?
The children asked him if to kill was not a sin
"Not when he looked so fierce", his mommy butted in
"If looks could kill, it would have been us instead of him".
All the children sing
Hey, Bungalow Bill
What did you kill
Bungalow Bill?
Hey, Bungalow Bill
What did you kill
Bungalow Bill?
Hey, Bungalow Bill
What did you kill
Bungalow Bill?
Hey, Bungalow Bill
What did you kill
Bungalow Bill?
Hey, Bungalow Bill
What did you kill
Bungalow Bill? [x3]
The Beatles' "Continuing Story of Bungalow Bill" is a commentary on the moral ambiguity surrounding the hunting culture in America, particularly the dangerous sport of tiger hunting. The lyrics are structured as a conversation with Bungalow Bill, who has just returned from his hunting expedition. The children asking him "What did you kill, Bungalow Bill?" highlights a kind of innocent curiosity that is oblivious to the life or death stakes of hunting. The repetition of this question, and the catchy chorus that goes with it, also emphasizes the almost automatic way in which humans justify killing animals.
In the second verse, the lyrics take on a more somber note, as Bill and his companions become the hunted instead. This irony is emphasized when Captain Marvel, a fictional comic book hero, is the one to take Bill down, instead of the intended prey. The final verse is perhaps the most pointed, as Bill's mother justifies his actions by saying, "If looks could kill, it would have been us instead of him". This again highlights the senseless cruelty of hunting for sport, and the ease with which humans avoid considering the consequences of their actions.
Overall, the song is a powerful indictment of American excess and entitlement, and raises important philosophical questions about the value of life and the responsibilities of those who hold power over others.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey, Bungalow Bill
Addressing Bungalow Bill
What did you kill
Asking what he hunted and killed
Bungalow Bill?
Referencing Bungalow Bill again
He went out tiger hunting with his elephant and gun
Bungalow Bill hunted tigers with his elephant and gun
In case of accidents he always took his mom
Bungalow Bill took his mom along for safety
He's the all-American bullet-headed Saxon mother's son
Bungalow Bill is the stereotypical American boy
All the children sing
The children join in to sing
Deep in the jungle where the mighty tiger lies
Bungalow Bill hunted tigers in the deep jungle
Bill and his elephants were taken by surprise
Bill and his elephants were caught off guard
So Captain Marvel zapped him right between the eyes
Captain Marvel killed the tiger
The children asked him if to kill was not a sin
The children asked Bungalow Bill if killing was a sin
"Not when he looked so fierce", his mommy butted in
Bungalow Bill's mom justified the killing because the tiger looked fierce
"If looks could kill, it would have been us instead of him".
If the tiger could kill with just his looks, Bungalow Bill and his elephants would have been in danger
Hey, Bungalow Bill
Addressing Bungalow Bill again
What did you kill
Asking what he hunted and killed
Bungalow Bill?
Referencing Bungalow Bill again
Hey, Bungalow Bill
Addressing Bungalow Bill again
What did you kill
Asking what he hunted and killed
Bungalow Bill?
Referencing Bungalow Bill again
Hey, Bungalow Bill
Addressing Bungalow Bill again
What did you kill
Asking what he hunted and killed
Bungalow Bill?
Referencing Bungalow Bill again
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JOHN LENNON, PAUL MCCARTNEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Philip Kassabian
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A really great Beatles song.
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An excellent Beatles song.
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A fantastic Beatles song and absolutely beautiful.