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The Beatles Lyrics, album "Abbey Road"
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 PAUL 1969: 'On the new album I like 'Come Together,' which is a great one of John's.'JOHN 1980: ''Come Together' is me – writing obscurely around an old Chuck Berry thing. I left the line 'Here comes old flat-top.' It is nothing like the Chuck Berry song, but they took me to court because I admitted the influence once years ago. I could have changed it to 'Here comes old iron face,' but the song remains independent of Chuck Berry or anybody else on earth. The thing was created in the studio. It's gobbledygook – 'Come Together' was an expression that Tim Leary had come up with for his attempt at being president or whatever he wanted to be, and he asked me to write a campaign song. I tried and I tried, but I couldn't come up with one. But I came up with this, 'Come Together,' which would've been no good to him – you couldn't have a campaign song like that, right? Leary attacked me years later, saying I ripped him off. I didn't rip him off. It's just that it turned into 'Come Together.' What am I going to do, give it to him? It was a funky record – it's one of my favorite Beatle tracks, or, one of my favorite Lennon tracks, let's say that. It's funky, it's bluesy, and I'm singing it pretty well. I like the sound of the record. You can dance to it. I'll buy it!' (laughs) Here come old flat top He come grooving up slowly He got joo joo eyeball He one holy roller He got hair down to his knee Got to be a joker he just do what you please.He wear no shoe shine He got toe jam football He got monkey finger He shoot Coca-Cola He say I know you, you know me One thing I can tell you is you got to be free Come together right now over meHe bag production He got walrus gumboot He got Ono sideboard He one spinal cracker He got feet down below his knee Hold you in his armchair you can feel his disease Come together right now over meRight! Come Come... Come... Come...He roller coaster He got early warning He got Muddy Water He one Mojo filter He say. "One and one and one is three" Got to be good looking 'cause he so hard to see Come together right now over meOh! Come together Yeah Come together Yeah Come together Yeah Come together Yeah Come together Yeah Come together Yeah Come together Yeah Ahh Come together Yeah Come together... Something (George Harrison) PAUL 1969: 'I like George's song 'Something.' For me I think it's the best he's written.'GEORGE 1969: 'I wrote the song 'Something' for the album before this one, but I never finished it off until just recently. I usually get the first few lines of words and music together, both at once… and then finish the rest of the melody. Then I have to write the words. It's like another song I wrote when we were in India. I wrote the whole first verse and just said everything I wanted to say, and so now I need to write a couple more verses. I find that much more difficult. But John gave me a handy tip. He said, 'Once you start to write a song, try to finish it straight away while you're still in the same mood.' Sometimes you go back to it and you're in a whole different state of mind. So now, I do try to finish them straight away.'GEORGE 1980: ''Something' was written on the paino while we were making the White Album. I had a break while Paul was doing some overdubbing so I went into an empty studio and began to write. That's really all there is to it, except the middle took some time to sort out. It didn't go on the White Album because we'd already finished all the tracks.' Something in the way she moves Attracts me like no other lover Something in the way she woos meI don't want to leave her now You know I believe and howSomewhere in her smile she knows That I don't need no other lover Something in her style that shows meDon't want to leave her now You know I believe and howYou're asking me will my love grow I don't know, I don't know You stick around, now it may show I don't know, I don't knowSomething in the way she knows And all I have to do is think of her Something in the things she shows meI don't want to leave her now You know I believe and how GEORGE 1969: 'The song 'Maxwell's Silver Hammer' is one of Paul's which we've been trying to record for ages. It's one of those instant whistle-along tunes which some people hate, and other people really like. It's a fun song, but it's kinda sick because Maxwell keeps on killing everyone.'PAUL circa-1994: ''Maxwell's Silver Hammer' is my analogy for when something goes wrong out of the blue, as it so often does, as I was beginning to find out at that time in my life. I wanted something symbolic of that, so to me it was some fictitious character called Maxwell with a silver hammer. I don't know why it was silver, it just sounded better than Maxwell's hammer. It was needed for scanning. We still use that expression now when something unexpected happens.' Joan was quizzical, studied pataphysical Science in the home Late nights all alone with a test-tube ohh oh oh oh Maxwell Edison majoring in medicine Calls her on the phone Can I take you out to the pictures, Joan? But as she's getting ready to go A knock comes on the doorBang, bang, Maxwell's silver hammer Came down upon her head Bang, bang, Maxwell's silver hammer Made sure that she was deadBack in school again Maxwell plays the fool again Teacher gets annoyed Wishing to avoid an unpleasant scene She tells Max to stay when the class has gone away So he waits behind Writing 50 times "I must not be so" oh oh oh But when she turns her back on the boy He creeps up from behindBang, bang, Maxwell's silver hammer Came down upon her head Do do do do do Bang, bang, Maxwell's silver hammer Made sure that she was deadP.C. Thirty-One said "We caught a dirty one" Maxwell stands alone Painting testimonial pictures ohh oh oh oh Rose and Valerie screaming from the gallery Say he must go free (Maxwell must go free) The judge does not agree and he tells them so oh oh oh But as the words are leaving his lips A noise comes from behindBang, bang, Maxwell's silver hammer Came down upon his head Do do do do do Bang, Bang, Maxwell's silver hammer Made sure that he was dead Wow wow wow oh! Do do do do doSilver hammer Max JOHN 1980: ''Oh! Darling' was a great one of Paul's that he didn't sing too well. I always thought that I could've done it better – it was more my style than his. He wrote it, so what the hell, he's going to sing it. If he'd had any sense he should have let me sing it.' (laughs)PAUL circa-1994: 'I mainly remember wanting to get the vocal right, wanting to get it good, and I ended up trying each morning as I came into the recording session. I tried it with a hand mike, and I tried it with a standing mike, I tried it every which way, and finally got the vocal I was reasonably happy with. It's a bit of a belter and if it comes off lukewarm then you've missed the whole point. It was unusual for me – I would normally try all the goes at a vocal in one day.' Oh! Darling, please believe me I'll never do you no harm Believe me when I tell you I'll never do you no harmOh! Darling, if you leave me I'll never make it alone Believe me when I beg you, ooh Don't ever leave me aloneWhen you told me You didn't need me anymore Well you know I nearly broke down and cried When you told me You didn't need me anymore Well you know I nearly broke down and diedOh! Darling, if you leave me I'll never make it alone Believe me when I tell you I'll never do you no harm Believe me darlingWhen you told me, ooh You didn't need me anymore Well you know I nearly broke down and cried When you told me You didn't need me anymore Well you know I nearly broke down and diedOh! Darling, please believe me I'll never let you down Oh, believe me darling Believe me when I tell you, ooh I'll never do you no harm Octopus's Garden (Richard Starkey) GEORGE 1969: ''Octopus's Garden' is Ringo's song. It's only the second song Ringo has ever written, mind you, and it's lovely. Ringo gets bored with just playing drums all the time, so at home he sometimes plays a bit of piano, but unfortunately he only knows about three chords. He knows about the same on guitar too. This song gets very deep into your consciousness, though because it's so peaceful. I suppose Ringo is writing cosmic songs these days without even realizing it.'RINGO 1981: 'He (a ship captain) told me all about octopuses – how they go 'round the sea bed and pick up stones and shiny objects and build gardens. I thought, 'How fabulous!' because at the time I just wanted to be under the sea, too. I wanted to get out of it for a while.' I'd like to be under the sea In an octopus's garden in the shade He'd let us in, knows where we've been In his octopus's garden in the shadeI'd ask my friends to come and see An octopus's garden with me I'd like to be under the sea In an octopus's garden in the shadeWe would be warm below the storm In our little hideaway beneath the waves Resting our head on the sea bed In an octopus's garden near a caveWe would sing and dance around Because we know we can't be found I'd like to be under the sea In an octopus's garden in the shadeWe 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's garden with you In an octopus's garden with you In an octopus's garden with you GEORGE 1969: 'It is very heavy. John plays lead guitar and sings, and it's basically just an old blues riff he's doing, but again, it's a very original John-type song as well… It's a very good chord sequence he used on this particular one.'JOHN 1971: 'Simplicity is evident in 'She So Heavy.' In fact a reviewer wrote: 'He seems to have lost his talent for lyrics, it's so simple and boring.' When it gets down to it – when you're drowning, you don't say 'I would be incredibly pleased if someone would have the foresight to notice me drowning and come and help me,' you just scream.'JOHN 1980: 'That's me, about Yoko.' I want you I want you so bad I want you I want you so bad It's driving me mad It's driving me madI want you I want you so bad, babe I want you I want you so bad It's driving me mad It's driving me madI want you I want you so bad, babe I want you I want you so bad It's driving me mad It's driving me madI want you I want you so bad I want you I want you so bad It's driving me mad It's driving me madShe's so heavy Heavy, heavy, heavyShe's so heavy She's so heavy Heavy, heavy, heavyI want you I want you so bad I want you I want you so bad It's driving me mad It's driving me madI want you You know I want you so bad, babe I want you You know I want you so bad It's driving me mad It's driving me mad YeahShe's so Here Comes the Sun (George Harrison) GEORGE 1980: '…written at a time when Apple was getting like school, where we had to go and be businessmen – all this signing accounts, and 'sign this' and 'sign that.' Anyway, it seems as if winter in England goes on forever; by the time spring comes you really deserve it. So one day I decided, 'I'm going to sag-off Apple,' and I went over to Eric Clapton's house. I was walking in his garden. The relief of not having to go and see all those dopey accountants was wonderful. And I was walking around the garden with one of Eric's acoustic guitars, and wrote 'Here Comes The Sun.' Here comes the sun, here comes the sun And I say it's all rightLittle darling, it's been a long cold lonely winter Little darling, it feels like years since it's been hereHere comes the sun, here comes the sun And I say it's all rightLittle darling, the smiles returning to the faces Little darling, it seems like years since it's been hereHere comes the sun, here comes the sun And I say it's all rightSun, sun, sun, here it comes Sun, sun, sun, here it comes Sun, sun, sun, here it comes Sun, sun, sun, here it comes Sun, sun, sun, here it comesLittle darling, I feel that ice is slowly melting Little darling, it seems like years since it's been clearHere comes the sun, here comes the sun And I say it's all right Here comes the sun, here comes the sun It's all right, it's all right PAUL 1969: 'I like John's 'Because' on the second side. To say, 'Because the world is round it turns me on' is great. And 'Because the wind is high it blows my mind''GEORGE 1969: 'I think my favorite one on the album is 'Because.' The lyrics are uncomplicated… but the harmony was actually pretty difficult to sing. I think it's one of those tunes that will definitely impress most people.'JOHN 1980: 'I was lying on the sofa in our house, listening to Yoko play Beethoven's 'Moonlight Sonata' on the piano. Suddenly, I said, 'Can you play those chords backward?' She did, and I wrote 'Because' around them. The song sounds like 'Moonlight Sonata,' too. The lyrics are clear, no bullshit, no imagery, no obscure references.' Aaaaaahhhhhh... Because the world is round it turns me on Because the world is round...aaaaaahhhhhhBecause the wind is high it blows my mind Because the wind is high...aaaaaaaahhhhLove is old, love is new Love is all, love is youBecause the sky is blue, it makes me cry Because the sky is blue...aaaaaaaahhhhAaaaahhhhhhhhhh... Aaaaahhhhhhhhhh... Aaaaahhhhhhhhhh... You never give me your money You only give me your funny paper And in the middle of negotiations You break downI never give you my number I only give you my situation And in the middle of investigation I break downOut of college, money spent See no future, pay no rent All the money's gone, nowhere to go Any jobber got the sack Monday morning, turning back Yellow lorry slow, nowhere to go But oh, that magic feeling, nowhere to go Oh, that magic feeling, nowhere to go Nowhere to goAaaaahhhhhhhhhh... Aaaaahhhhhhhhhh... Aaaaahhhhhhhhhh...One sweet dream Pick up the bags and get in the limousine Soon we'll be away from here Step on the gas and wipe that tear away One sweet dream came true today Came true today Came true today (Yes it did)One two three four five six seven All good children go to Heaven One two three four five six seven All good children go to Heaven One two three four five six seven All good children go to Heaven One two three four five six seven All good children go to Heaven One two three four five six seven All good children go to Heaven One two three four five six seven All good children go to Heaven One two three four five six seven All good children go to Heaven One two three four five six seven All good children go to Heaven (fade out) JOHN 1969: 'We just started joking, you know, singing `quando para mucho.´ So we just made up… Paul knew a few Spanish words from school, you know. So we just strung any Spanish words that sounded vaguely like something. And of course we got `chicka ferdy´ in. That´s a Liverpool expression. Just like sort of – it doesn´t mean anything to me but (childish taunting) `na-na, na-na-na!´ `Cake and eat it´ is another nice line too, because they have that in Spanish – 'Que' or something, and eat it.'JOHN 1980: 'That's a piece of garbage I had around.'GEORGE 1987: 'At the time, 'Albatross' (by Fleetwood Mac) was out, with all the reverb on guitar. So we said, 'Let's be Fleetwood Mac doing Albatross, just to get going.' It never really sounded like Fleetwood Mac… but that was the point of origin.' Aaaaahhhhhhhhhh... Here comes the Sun King Here comes the Sun King Everybody's laughing Everybody's happy Here comes the Sun KingQuando paramucho mi amore de felice carathon Mundo paparazzi mi amore cicce verdi parasol Questo abrigado tantamucho que canite carousel JOHN 1980: 'I'd read somewhere in the newspaper about this mean guy who hid his five-pound notes, not up his nose but 'somewhere else.' No, it had nothing to do with cocaine.' Mean Mister Mustard sleeps in the park Shaves in the dark trying to save paper Sleeps in a hole in the road Saving up to buy some clothes Keeps a ten-bob note up his nose Such a mean old man Such a mean old manHis sister Pam works in a shop She never stops, she's a go-getter Takes him out to look at the queen Only place that he's ever been Always shouts out something obscene Such a dirty old man Dirty old man JOHN 1980: 'That was me, remembering a little event with a woman in Jersey, and a man who was England's answer to Allen Ginsberg, who gave us our first exposure… I met him when we were on tour and he took me back to his apartment, and I had a girl and he had one he wanted me to meet. He said she dressed up in polythene, which she did. She didn't wear jackboots, and kilts, I just sort of elaborated. Perverted sex in a polythene bag – Just looking for something to write about.' Well you should see Polythene Pam She's so good-looking but she looks like a man Well you should see her in drag dressed in her polythene bag Yes you should see Polythene Pam Yeah yeah yeahGet a dose of her in jackboots and kilt She's killer-diller when she's dressed to the hilt She's the kind of a girl that makes the "News of the World" Yes you could say she was attractively built Yeah yeah yeah She Came In Through the Bathroom Window (Paul McCartney) (Officially – John Lennon and Paul McCartney) GEORGE 1969: 'A very strange song of Paul's with terrific lyrics, but it's hard to explain what they're all about.'JOHN 1980: 'He wrote that when we were in New York announcing Apple and we first met Linda. Maybe she's the one that came in the window.' (Gonna come out now Ha ha ha Wow look out.)She came in through the bathroom window Protected by a silver spoon But now she sucks her thumb and wonders By the banks of her own lagoonDidn't anybody tell her? Didn't anybody see? Sunday's on the phone to Monday Tuesday's on the phone to meShe said she'd always been a dancer She worked at fifteen clubs a day And though she thought I knew the answer Well, I knew what I could not sayAnd so I quit the police department And got myself a steady job And though she tried her best to help me She could steal, but she could not robDidn't anybody tell her? Didn't anybody see? Sunday's on the phone to Monday Tuesday's on the phone to me, oh yeah GEORGE 1969: 'Another very melodic tune of Paul's which is also quite nice.'PAUL 1969: 'I was just playing the piano in Liverpool at my dad's house, and my sister Ruth's piano book… she was learning piano… and 'Golden Slumbers and your old favorites' was up on the stand, you know – it was a little book with all those words in it. I was just flipping through it and I came to 'Golden Slumbers.' I can't read music so I didn't know the tune… I can't remember the old tune… so I just started playing 'my' tune to it. And then, I liked the words so I just kept that, you know, and then it fitted with another bit of song I had – which is the verse in between it. So I just made that into a song. It just happened 'cuz I was reading her book.' Once, there was a way to get back homeward Once, there was a way to get back home Sleep, pretty darling, do not cry And I will sing a lullabyGolden slumbers fill your eyes Smiles awake you when you rise Sleep, pretty darling, do not cry And I will sing a lullabyOnce, there was a way to get back homeward Once, there was a way to get back home Sleep, pretty darling, do not cry And I will sing a lullaby JOHN 1980: 'That's Paul. Apparently he was under strain at that period.'PAUL circa-1994: 'I'm generally quite upbeat, but at certain times things get to me so much that I just can't be upbeat anymore and that (the tensions leading to the break-up) was one of those times. 'Carry that weight a long time' – like forever! That's what I meant… in this heaviness there was no place to be. It was serious, paranoid heaviness and it was just very uncomfortable.' Boy, you're going to carry that weight, Carry that weight a long time Boy, you're going to carry that weight Carry that weight a long timeI never give you my pillow I only send you my invitations And in the middle of the celebrations I break downBoy, you're going to carry that weight Carry that weight a long time Boy, you're going to carry that weight Carry that weight a long time JOHN 1980: 'That's Paul again, the unfinished song, right? Just a piece at the end. He had a line in it, (sings) 'And in the end the love you take is equal to the love you make,' which is a very cosmic, philosophical line – which again proves that if he wants to, he can think.'PAUL 1988: 'Ringo would never do drum solos. He hated drummers who did lengthy drum solos. We all did. And when he joined the Beatles we said, 'Ah, what about drum solos then?' and he said, 'I hate 'em!' We said, 'Great! We love you!' And so he would never do them. But because of this medley I said, 'Well, a token solo?' and he really dug his heels in and didn't want to do it. But after a little bit of gentle persuasion I said, '…it wouldn't be Buddy Rich gone mad,' because I think that's what he didn't want to do. … anyway we came to this compromise, it was a kind of a solo. I don't think he's done one since.' Oh yeah, all right Are you going to be in my dreams Tonight?[Drum solo][Guitar solos]And in the end The love you take Is equal to the love You make PAUL 1969: 'That was just… I don't know. I was in Scotland, and I was just writing this little tune. I can never tell, like, how tunes come out. I just wrote it as a joke.' Her Majesty's a pretty nice girl But she doesn't have a lot to say Her Majesty's a pretty nice girl But she changes from day to dayI want to tell her that I love her a lot But I gotta get a bellyful of wine Her Majesty's a pretty nice girl Someday I'm going to make her mine, oh yeah Someday I'm going to make her mine |
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