The song is credited to Lennon/McCartney, and Paul McCartney said it was co-written. John Lennon said, "Paul's song. Maybe I did part of it, but it was his concept.". Lennon also said to the Hit Parader in 1972:"Paul wrote it. I helped with some of the lyric."
McCartney said the "Roll up! Roll up!" introduction was inspired by a barker. The remaining lyrics explain in a general way the premise of the film: a mystery tour of the type that was popular in Britain when the Beatles were young. Lennon and McCartney expanded the tour to make it magical, which allowed it to be "a little more surreal than the real ones."
Recording began on 25 April 1967, less than a week after the final sessions for Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. The song was not complete when the session began and much of the evening was spent in rehearsals, but by the end of the evening the basic rhythm track was complete. The Beatles added bass guitar and vocal overdubs on 26 and 27 April. On 3 May, the brass fanfare and other parts were added in a disorganized session where the trumpet players began the evening without a score. According to Philip Jones, a friend of one of the players who was present, one of the players eventually took matters into his own hands and wrote a score out for them
Magical Mystery Tour
The Beatles Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Roll up roll up for the Mystery Tour
Roll up
That's an invitation
Roll up for the Mystery Tour
Roll up
To make a reservationRoll up for the Mystery Tour
The Magical Mystery Tour
Is waiting to take you away
Waiting to take you away
Roll up
Roll up for the Mystery Tour
Roll up
Roll up for the Mystery Tour
Roll up
They've got everything you need
Roll up for the Mystery Tour
Roll up
Satisfaction guaranteed
Roll up for the Mystery Tour
The Magical Mystery Tour is hoping to take you away
Hoping to take you away
The Mystery Tour
Ah
The Magical Mystery Tour
Roll up for the Mystery Tour
Roll up
That's an invitation
Roll up for the Mystery Tour
Roll up
To make a reservation
Roll up for the Mystery Tour
The Magical Mystery Tour
Is coming to take you away
Coming to take you away
The Magical Mystery Tour
Is dying to take you away
Dying to take you away
Take you today
The lyrics to The Beatles' song "Magical Mystery Tour" can be interpreted as an invitation to go on an exciting, fantastical journey through the unknown. The repetition of "roll up" can be seen as a call to action, to gather one's courage and take a chance on the mystery tour. The phrase "that's an invitation" emphasizes the idea that this is a special and exclusive opportunity, not to be missed.
The idea of making a reservation suggests that this is a planned and well-organized tour, with everything prepared for the participants. The mention of "satisfaction guaranteed" plays into the consumerist culture of the time, suggesting that this is an experience that one can purchase and expect to receive high-quality service and entertainment.
Line by Line Meaning
Roll up roll up for the Mystery Tour
Come and join us for the mysterious journey
Roll up
This is an invite to everyone to come on-board
That's an invitation
We are beckoning you to be part of us
Roll up for the Mystery Tour
Come with us for a ride and immerse yourself in the unknown
To make a reservation
Secure your spot in the journey
The Magical Mystery Tour
This represents the trip, which consists of a surprise or secrets
Is waiting to take you away
It's a promise of taking you on a journey, with its whereabouts unknown
They've got everything you need
We assure you of all the necessities for the trip
Satisfaction guaranteed
We guarantee total happiness with the trip, whatever it may entail
The Magical Mystery Tour is hoping to take you away
We are eager for you to join us in this unknown adventure
The Mystery Tour
This represents an air of excitement and curiosity about the journey
The Magical Mystery Tour is coming to take you away
We will arrive to take you on this secret journey
Is dying to take you away
It is eagerly awaiting your presence to start the trip
Take you today
Join us immediately for this trip of surprises and mysteries
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: John Lennon, Paul Mccartney
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Philip Kassabian
Yet another splendid Beatles song.