Background & Composition
By and large, the Beatles had avoided publicly expressing their political views in their music, with "Taxman" being their only overtly political track thus far. Viewed as leaders of the counterculture, the band – particularly Lennon – were under pressure from Leninist, Trotskyist and Maoist groups to actively support the revolutionary cause. Lennon decided to write a song about the recent wave of social upheaval while the Beatles were in Rishikesh, India, studying Transcendental Meditation. He recalled, "I thought it was about time we spoke about it, the same as I thought it was about time we stopped not answering about the Vietnamese war [in 1966]. I had been thinking about it up in the hills in India." Lennon began writing the song there and completed it in England in May, inspired especially by events in France.
Around the fourth week of May 1968, the Beatles met at Kinfauns, George Harrison's home in Esher, to demonstrate their compositions to each other in preparation for recording their next studio album. A recording from that informal session released in the White Album's Super Deluxe version shows that "Revolution" had two of its three verses intact. The lines referencing Mao Zedong – "But if you go carrying pictures of Chairman Mao / You ain't gone make it with anyone anyhow" – were added in the studio. While filming a promotional clip later that year, Lennon told director Michael Lindsay-Hogg that it was the most important lyric in the song. By 1972, Lennon had changed his mind, saying: "I should have never said that about Chairman Mao."
Recording
The Beatles began the recording sessions for their new album on 30 May, starting with "Revolution 1" (simply titled "Revolution" for the first few sessions). At this first session, they concentrated on recording the basic rhythm track. Take 18 lasted 10:17, much longer than the earlier takes, and it was this take that was chosen for additional overdubs recorded over the next two sessions.
During overdubs which brought the recording to take 20, Lennon took the unusual step of performing his lead vocal while lying on the floor. He also altered one line into the ambiguous "you can count me out, in". He later explained that he included both because he was undecided in his sentiments.
On 21 June, the first part of take 20 received several overdubs and became officially titled "Revolution 1". The overdubs included a lead guitar line by Harrison and a brass section of two trumpets and four trombones. Final stereo mixing was completed on 25 June. The final mix that would ultimately be included on the "White Album" included the hurried announcement of "take two" by Geoff Emerick at the beginning of the song.
Lennon wanted "Revolution 1" to be the next Beatles single, but Paul McCartney was reluctant to invite controversy, and argued along with Harrison that the track was too slow for a single. Lennon persisted, and rehearsals for a faster and louder remake began on 9 July. Recording started the following day.
Revolution 1
The Beatles Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We all want to change the world
You tell me that it's evolution, well you know
We all want to change the world
But when you talk about destruction
Don't you know you can count me out, in
Don't you know it's gonna be alright
Don't you know it's gonna be alright
You say you got a real solution, well you know
We'd all love to see the plan
You ask me for a contribution, well you know
We're doing what we can
But if you want money for people with minds that hate
All I can tell you is brother you'll have to wait
Don't you know it's gonna be alright
Don't you know it's gonna be alright
Don't you know it's gonna be alright
You say you'll change the constitution, well you know
We'd all love to change your head
You tell me it's the institution, well you know
You better free your mind instead
But if you go carrying pictures of Chairman Mao
You ain't going to make it with anyone anyhow
Don't you know it's gonna be alright
Don't you know it's gonna be alright
Don't you know it's gonna be alright
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Alright, alright, alright, alright, alright
Alright, alright, alright, alright, alright
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Alright, alright
The song Revolution 1, by The Beatles, is a commentary on the political and social climate of the time. It begins with the message that everyone wants a revolution to change the world, but then cautions against destruction. The singer is hesitant to jump on board with the idea of destroying everything just to start over. The chorus provides a reassuring message that everything is going to be alright.
The second verse challenges those who claim to have a solution to the problems in the world, and asks for a plan of action. The singer recognizes the limited capacity for change we have as individuals, especially when it comes to issues involving people who hate. The chorus repeats the message that everything is going to be alright.
The final verse critiques the idea of changing the constitution, while advocating for a change in mindset. The focus should be on freeing the mind instead of trying to make external changes that will not solve the root of the issues. The verse ends with a warning to those who align themselves with extremist figures, like Chairman Mao. The choruses provide a final message of hope that everything is going to be alright, as if to say that despite the challenges and obstacles we face, we will make it through.
Line by Line Meaning
You say you want a revolution, well you know
You claim that you want a significant change to happen in society, and it's understood.
We all want to change the world
Everyone wishes to transform the world we live in.
You tell me that it's evolution, well you know
You describe it as a gradual process to bring positive change, and it's not news to me.
We all want to change the world
Each one of us has got the urge to transform the world around us.
But when you talk about destruction
However, when you advocate violence and damaging things,
Don't you know you can count me out, in
you should know that I will not be part of it. I will support positive causes.
Don't you know it's gonna be alright
Don't you think that everything will eventually be okay?
Don't you know it's gonna be alright
Don't you think that everything will eventually be okay?
Don't you know it's gonna be alright
Don't you think that everything will eventually be okay?
You say you got a real solution, well you know
You claim to have an actual resolution to the problem, and we are aware of it.
We'd all love to see the plan
Everyone wants to know about the plan or the solution you have suggested.
You ask me for a contribution, well you know
You request me to donate or support the cause, which I already know.
We're doing what we can
We are doing everything possible to support the cause.
But if you want money for people with minds that hate
However, If you are looking for funds to support people who are ill-minded and violent,
All I can tell you is brother you'll have to wait
I can only say that you have to wait, you won't get funds for such actions.
You say you'll change the constitution, well you know
You claim to modify the constitution, and we are aware of it.
We'd all love to change your head
We would all like you to change your mindset or perspective on the issue.
You tell me it's the institution, well you know
You say it's the establishment that's the problem, and I already know.
You better free your mind instead
But you should broaden your thinking, change your opinion, or set aside personal biases on the matter.
But if you go carrying pictures of Chairman Mao
But if you go about broadcasting your association with Chairman Mao,
You ain't going to make it with anyone anyhow
You won't gain the support of the majority of people anyway.
Don't you know it's gonna be alright
Don't you believe that everything will eventually work out okay?
Don't you know it's gonna be alright
Don't you believe that everything will eventually work out okay?
Don't you know it's gonna be alright
Don't you believe that everything will eventually work out okay?
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Sound effect
Alright, alright, alright, alright, alright
Everything's all right
Alright, alright, alright, alright, alright
Everything's all right
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Sound effect
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: John Lennon, Paul McCartney
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@leokimvideo
George found the fuzz box, Metal was made
@AmericanGothic1313
Link Wray fuzzed before.
@andrewross1275
Tony Iommi turned fuzz to metal
@terrybartak7811
+leokimvideo Johns Epiphone Casino using the tailpiece Gibson p90 pickup and a 22 watt Fender Deluxe amplifier dimed. No fuzz box.
@whotendsthefire7234
+Captain Andrew no Hendrix made the sound.evrybody else just followed....
@NickS-lz5vk
+Robert Dominguez In this song, yes... George did use the fuzz box back in 65/66 for the song Think for yourself.
@jaysutcliff
0:00 watching by myself
1:53 parents walk in
@cleanfrog3702
Floridarulz best comment I’ve ever seen on a Beatles vid lmao
@mairead1174
Omg 😂😂
@mathara.s841
Come Together isolated vocal is way more than that