They speak the truth though. Nothing we worry about really matters in the end…and in the end, we are here to experience, and hopefully have nothing to get hung about… ☮️
@@joaovitorazevedo7486 Not here. It overlaps with Nowhere Man. Recalling his time as a child playing in the nearby Salvation Army children's home grounds. More about the eternal sunshine of the empty mind recalling childhood bliss, eg before his mother was killed not very long after reconnecting with him as a teenager. Ignorance is bliss. Don't worry about what's going on. So many comments on video clips of old time TV shows of British countryside talk about happier times... because commentator was a child when programme aired and was shielded from cold war, heavy racism, corrupt London police, bashing homosexuals and people from Indian subcontinent, student unrest, Vietnam, lung disease from mining, dangers of construction sites, etc. The song was part of the Sgt Pepper project but released as a single before the LP was finished. It bookends with A Day In The Life as the character is now reading the papers but skims what matters and notices on the death of a rich young acquaintance and potholes in Blackburn. It was released as double A-side with Penny Lane, also about a real place in Liverpool remembered from childhood by McCartney which maps to the McCartney section of ADITL
Honestly, I think this is the song where the whole band came together in perfect harmony. Which is funny considering the song is so difficult to pin down harmonically. But yeah, Paul with the classic mellotron intro, Ringo with the absolutely perfect drumming, George’s perfect licks, George Martin’s off the charts arrangement and John with what is arguably his masterpiece as a songwriter, both melodically and lyrically. It was the perfect storm.
I saw some pictures of Paul playing the floor tom while Ringo is playing the rest of the drum kit, and these photos seem to be taken during the Sgt Pepper's sessions so it could be part of the last drum section of Strawberry Fields Forever.
John Lennon had something of a tough childhood. His aunt legally took custody of him from his mother and he had an absentee father who was a merchant seaman. The song is about his childhood anxiety and thoughts viewed through a dream. Strawberry Field, a Salvation Army Orphanage near his aunts home, had a large wooded garden behind the home. Lennon would climb the wall and sometimes play in the woods with friends, or just go to sit and think. It was something of a retreat or sanctuary for him.
Don’t forget that John was also illegitimate in an era where the child was looked down upon because of it. People born after the 1960s might find it difficult to understand, but if a girl got pregnant and wasn’t married, she was forced to quit school. Parents often wouldn’t let their children play with or associate with illegitimate children. I think that those of us who were part of that generation greatly resented how hypocritical our parents’ age groups could be and wanted things to change. Don’t underestimate how devastating illegitimacy could be to both the mother and child though, and that was probably a huge factor in John’s psyche.
@@macgrad1 Actually, John's parents, Julia and Alfred *were* married at the time of his birth (they married in 1938 and John was born in 1940). But it was wartime and Alfred was away at sea, and Julia soon took up with other men, and had more children with them. She was never officially divorced from John's father. Mimi thoroughly disapproved of the situation, and was kind enough to take John in and gave him the best upbringing she could, with her husband George playing the surrogate father role in John's life, until he died suddenly, right in front of John. A few years later his mother also died suddenly, on her way between her and Mimi's houses. It was a very complicated and emotionally traumatic childhood and teenage time for John; this really only skims the surface.. Mark Lewisohn goes into a lot of the detail in his book.
John Lennon based the song on his childhood memories of playing in the garden of Strawberry Field, a Salvation Army children's home in Liverpool. A really trippy song, some of it was filmed and then played backwards which is why some of their movements are so odd. It reminds me of being a teenager more than any other Beatles song. My favourite Beatles LP is 'Rubber Soul'.
Strawberry Field was the name of a Salvation Army children's home close to John Lennon's childhood home in Woolton, a suburb of Liverpool. Lennon and his friends used to play in the wooded garden behind the home. One of Lennon's childhood treats was the garden party held each summer in Calderstones Park, near the home, where a Salvation Army brass band played. Lennon's aunt Mimi Smith recalled: "There was something about the place that always fascinated John. He could see it from his window … He used to hear the Salvation Army band [playing at the garden party], and he would pull me along, saying, 'Hurry up, Mimi - we're going to be late.
Probably more accurate to say that few artists made promotional films for their songs. The Beatles weren’t the only ones nor were they the first. Herb Alpert is probably more of a pioneer in that area.
This and Penny Lane were both songs that are on the surface about childhood memories of where Paul and John lived in Liverpool. Penny Lane, primarily written by Paul reflects his personality and is more lighthearted. Strawberry Fields was written mostly by John and therefore is more brooding and introspective. Strawberry Fields is the place John played. The tree is an actual tree John played in that involves his mother Julia and Aunt Mimi. Every reference is concrete and personal but John’s genius is that the lyrics and music are also ambiguous and universal hinting at hidden meanings that make the song mysterious.
I've never tried to understand the lyrics, I've always just enjoyed the experience of listening to this wonderful song. One of their best. Revolver is my favorite album, Tomorrow Never Knows is my favorite song from it, it's the trippiest Beatles song ever!
John wrote I Am the Walrus for everyone trying to always decipher his lyrics. He said 'let the fu*ker figure this out' as a response to some teacher who'd been dissecting their lyrics. An exact quote about the song came in an interview in 1969: “’Walrus’ is just saying a dream - the words don’t mean a lot. People draw so many conclusions and it’s ridiculous.”adding in 1980: “I’ve had tongue in cheek all along - all of them had tongue in cheek. Just because other people see depths of whatever in it…What does it really mean, ‘I am the eggman’? It could have been ‘the pudding basin,’ for all I care. It’s not that serious.”
I think it was even more pointed than that. A teacher who taught John but who had not got on with John had started analysing Beatles lyrics in class. He wasn't the only one. Other teachers wanted to appear 'with it' by doing so but Lennon was annoyed by his ex-teacher doing it after disparaging John when he was a pupil at the school
This video was ahead of its time (well it is The Beatles) and it tends to draw focus and sometimes the actual recording gets overlooked. This is a masterpiece. As a kid, John used to play in the garden of Strawberry Field, an orphanage and the song is mostly a reflection of his childhood. Yeah there are some abstract lines like. 'No-one else is in my tree, I mean it must be high or low' - John felt his mind worked differently and wondered if he was a genius or insane. This song was so unlike anything before it. As a huge Beatles fan (and a teen) at the time, on first hearing I thought Lennon just may have gone insane. (local radio kept playing Penny Lane because they too didn't get this song, until I rang them and hassled them to play it). It is my favourite Beatles track
If push comes to shove, this is my favorite song by anybody in any genre, ever. I know that's saying a mouthful, but it's true. Released in 1967, it's sort of an aural version of an acid trip, with the name being derived, as others have said, from a Liverpool children's home called Strawberry Field. This period was a great one for Lennon as a songwriter.
John didn't say it was about an acid trip though. 'Lennon said the song reflected how he had felt "different all my life"; he called it "psychoanalysis set to music" and one of his most honest songs. In McCartney's view, the lyrics reflect Lennon's admiration of the nineteenth-century English writer Lewis Carroll, particularly his poem "Jabberwocky".
Except not an acid trip. Strongly rooted in childhood experience, as you mention, and his perpetual reading of Lewis Carroll's stories and poems: Alice In Wonderland, Alice Through The Looking Glass, Hunting of The Snark...
When I was visiting New York my son and I went to the area of Central Park which is called Strawberry Fields. There is also a large mosaic there with the word IMAGINE on it. I was surprised how moved I was just being there. It brought unexpected tears to my eyes. It’s impressive.
"She Loves You" was from 1963 when they were doing pop/rock songs for teenage girls. They became uber famous and evolved with the changing times of the 60s. You can't compare these two eras of their music. This is from 1967 when psychedelic music was big. Some of the scenes are edited backwards on purpose. Strawberry Fields is a Salvation Army childrens home. It was close to where John grew up in Liverpool. Paul did "Penny Lane" about a particular street in Liverpool. The songs were released as singles together. Ive seen you have done many Beatles reactions but don't know any more about them than your first reaction. They are a great band to study up on.
Perhaps laziness, or a charade pretending to be ignorant, or an illustration of the postmodern world without context in which ignorance is shared and, even, applauded. The massive sales from their earlier records which subsided EMI's serious classical and jazz businesses gave them the power to do whatever they wanted in later years. No pop... no style. And, before becoming the world's greatest boy band (a term that didn't exist back then) who wrote, played, sang, arranged their own material, they had been the toughest, hardest punky grungy garage band from their late teens slumming it while doing 8-hour all-night sets in red light scummiest, gangster Indra and Kaiserkeller clubs in post-war German port city of Hamburg
This is a stream of consciousness about the underdog, the confused, the disadvantaged, the put-upon of this world, Strawberry Fields was a children's home in Liverpool run by a charity; a well-meaning but dark place for waifs and strays, abandoned children. If you listen to the lyrics in that light, the stuttering, the doubt, the uncertainty... it all makes sense. And it seems those emotions touch the lives of everyone who listens to this great song.
'Lennon said the song reflected how he had felt "different all my life"; he called it "psychoanalysis set to music" and one of his most honest songs. In McCartney's view, the lyrics reflect Lennon's admiration of the nineteenth-century English writer Lewis Carroll, particularly his poem "Jabberwocky".' Strawberry Field was in reference to a garden behind the children's home where John and his friends often played
Don’t try to go all Charles Manson on us trying to interpret the lyrics. By the way, that piano they were ruining with paint was bought by George Michael for $3.1 million in 2000.
Songs don't always have to have a meaning. John in particular felt the music more important than the lyrics, particularly earlier in his career. Strawberry Fields was an orphanage where Lennon would play as a boy. Large grounds, lotta trees.
Is there another story besides the one the songwriter told about it? 'Lennon said the song reflected how he had felt "different all my life"; he called it "psychoanalysis set to music" and one of his most honest songs. In McCartney's view, the lyrics reflect Lennon's admiration of the nineteenth-century English writer Lewis Carroll, particularly his poem "Jabberwocky".
I wouldn't call this their best song. There are too many that are just as good to choose just one. Stick to music videos, please, and leave the politics alone maybe? It's a turn off for some despite the fact it drives the clicks.
"Strawberry Fields" is a place in Liverpool -- do a Goggle search and you'll find it. The video doesn't necessarily have anything to do with the song. John was an artist who attended art school. And while in Hamburg they hung out with college kids who were into existentialism, DADA -- "found art" -- and surrealism.
You're obviously not a Beatles fan but we still appreciate your reaction to the Fab 4 👍! Want to get more confused 😇? Try listening to * I'm The Walrus *, T N K ( Tomorrow Never Knows ) and maybe Lucy in The Skies With Diamonds 😇! Keep up the good work! Thank you.
G'day, mate. How's the mayo? As to the video, I think a previous person supplied the necessary knowledge. I think John wrote this in a very reflective mood while shooting the film How I Won the War in Spain. There is a great film based upon this, which name thereof I cannot quite recall.
Those drum licks. Those damn guitar bits. Lennon wrote this tune about a real place in his childhood, and the lyrics are quite straightforward. Take them literally. It was shot at dusk
Stop over thinking everything. As for the video, it was just something abstract created to promote the song. The song was written and recorded totally separate from the video. If anything, the video is a distraction from the brilliance of the song. Ir''s an interesting, relaxing abstract song with hints of wisdom, if you pay attention. This was a John Lenoon song and he loved to mess with people's heads and he certainly worked on you. Listen to the song WITHOUT WATCHING this idiotic video which has no narrative line. They just shot a bunch of artsy stuff and threw it together. Very random.
I love the song and hate the video as it is poorly done and distracts from the music. Put headphones on, close your eyes, lay back and listen. This is the way to enjoy much of their music.
You talked over the most important part of the song. There was a rumor that Paul was dead because he hadn't been seen or heard from publicly for some time. At about the 5:00 mark in the video, just as Ringo is bending down you can hear John faintly say what some believed to be, "I buried Paul". This fueled the belief that Paul was dead. What John actually said was, "I'm very bored".
Actually... 'Part of the “Paul is dead” saga is a familiar claim that John sings “I buried Paul” at the end of Strawberry Fields. Careful attention, confirmed directly by John, shows that John said Cranberry Sauce twice, after which he says, “Calm Down, Ringo,” which brings an end to the recording.'
I urge you to check out the strangest Beatle track of them all, Revolution #9. No reactors will touch it. I hope you will. Love it or hate it, you’ll see see how experimental The Beatles were.
There's another strange track that the Beatles (John lennon-George Harrison) recorded that was just as bizarre-What A Shame Maryjane Had A Pain At the Party-an unreleased track-one can understand why.
Mr Michael, "Strawberry" was an ENIGMA for all us original Beatles' listeners, back in 1967, when John wrote it and the Fab Four developed and recorded it!. Ha ha! However, here's the big picture for you to hang your hat on: "Strawberry" was the opening number of a string of recordings with which the Beatles were deliberately trying to go to musical places where they had never gone before. The bulk of those far-reaching efforts is what became the Beatles' Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band album!
@@lauraallen55 Help! was an entire movie, not a music video. Like A Hard Day's Night and Yellow Submarine. The clips you find on RU-vid from these movies are not actual videos that were specifically made to show on their own as just 1 song. They are cuts from a film. But this was intended as a music video, because they had stopped performing live at that time, and they wouldn't do thd Ed Sullivan show and the like anymore.
@@DrStrangelove3891 Help also had a promotional film-features them sitting on a long bench with Ringo holding an umbrella. However, I believe the promotional video was for I Feel Fine where Ringo is on an exercise bike.
Born in the early 60s and so glad the British invasion happened with the Beatles. They have so many great songs I love but the one I love the most is Eleanor Rigby as well as She's Leaving Home and A Day In The Life and Admiral Halsey, all superb songs you need to check out!
No. 'Lennon said the song reflected how he had felt "different all my life"; he called it "psychoanalysis set to music" and one of his most honest songs. In McCartney's view, the lyrics reflect Lennon's admiration of the nineteenth-century English writer Lewis Carroll, particularly his poem "Jabberwocky".
I like your reaction, Michael. But I need to reply to your assumption this was from the 1970s. The Beatles were entirely a 1960s group, recording their final album, "Abbey Road," in the summer of 1969.
Thanks Michael, been waiting for this one! You're right, a lot of subliminal messages in their music, I can't figure it out...I just enjoy the songs. I live in Central Florida where Strawberries are a BIG DEAL! Many fields are planted with them & they are my wife's favorite. John & Paul are & were the best song writers, in my opinion, to have contributed to the music industry!👍💯😎
Being fellow scousers, they included many parts of Liverpool in songs, some obvious, like Penny Lane, where we'd go to the chippy at midday from school, to West Derby even... Never mentioned the Pier Head....
Great songs that you meed to react: I´ve got a feelling (take 1) A day in the life I am the Walrus (Album version pleaseee) Dear Prudence Helter Skelter ¡¡¡
My favorite is what is referred to as 'The White Album' because of the number of songs, the sheer amazing diversity, and the way the mood seems to get darker as it progresses. However, the best would be 'Revolver', IMO, followed by 'Abbey Road'. It's very arguable.
What I'd like to know is what subliminal message are you trying to convey to your audience by the large jar of Hellman's Mayonnaise balanced precariously on the back corner of your sofa? I mean, I know what mayonnaise is, and what a sofa is, and what a music reaction video is, but... I know it all means something... I just... I just... no, I give up. Please, someone, help me? 😀
John was a big fan of Dylan & loved his abstract lyrics, he was taking a lot of LSD at the time, he started thinking of his music as art.. as David Bowie said John could would come up with the wackiest insane ideas in songs & make them work. Abstract art, poetry, lyrical imagery.. John said what ever it means to you is what it’s about.. 😵💫
Its about the music not the video (any Beatles song). Most people did not see the video, it was a promotional video to studio executives, in hopes for a movie or other venues for the album coming up. There where no formats till the internet to play it on, or for the general public to view. The lyrics are abstracts, about a childhood place Lennon escaped the world in. I believe the song was a reflection of the worlds events from a child's perspective.
Stop trying to make sense.Surealism and psycadelia is the antithesis of making sense,as it explores the world of dreams and the unconscious.Those fields of exploration don't always make sense,and incidentally that's what can make it interesting.Some music is quite painterly,as opposed to being literal.A theme when creating something can often be just a starting point,which evolves into the finished song or painting through the process of trying things out till it works.
It is about his childhood hangout. Sometimes people made up meanings of Beatles songs that never existed. There is a song about absolutely nothing, I Am The Walrus, which Lennon wrote because he heard professors were dissecting his lyrics. So he made one so abstract that it blew their minds. They analyzed it, like you, based on nothing. Google the meaning of it. Learn about the Beatles. They are worth it.
John used to climb over the wall of Strawberry Field, a charity home for children, where there are large grounds and many trees. He would climb a tree and sit there thinking, dreaming and watching the activities of the home. Strawberry Field still exists in Liverpool today and Beatles fans from all over the world visit it. John considered this song to be one of his favourites.
I love the ambiguity of the words. Lennon admired the indirectness of Bob Dylan's lyrics and emulated him. You never hear this song and think "OK, got it". That's why it doesn't get old for me. Oh, and also the incredible music!
Strawberry Fields is an actual place in Liverpool. John played there as a kid,even though it wasn't allowed. He said they can't hang you for it, hence the line in the song nothing to get hung about.Ive been there very near Penny Lane the other side of the record, double A.
I only recently learned that the "nothing to get hung about" line came from an interaction he had with his aunt. She was telling him not to play at the Salvation Army place, to which he replied, "They can't hang you for it."
