This was 1966 when the Beatles were getting into their experimental phase, also we have to remember at that time they were paying appeoximately 98% tax, so they made a complaint through their music, a very clever way of demonstrating.
You're right, quite a funky song, written by George Harrison. Another one that rarely gets play is Baby You're a Rich Man, another political song. As far as guitar solos, check out Helter Skelter. It's amazing.
The Revolver album was the real beginning of the changes they would bring. The album cover, drawing by Klaus Voorman inspired my style of art. I was still in High School then. The Beatles, in so very many ways, inspired more people than just musicians. They were a World Power.
This song came out in 1966, as part of the group’s album, “Revolver”. The song came out when “go-go” dance music in dance clubs were popular. In the dance clubs, female go-go dancers wearing bikinis, and sometimes artistic paint on their bodies (done in order not to be classified as strippers in some cities, but to be classified as “exotic or artistic” dancers) would stand around in protective cages, and dance and bump and grind to the go-go music dance songs of the era to entertain the male club patrons. If the music was really good, couples would go out onto the floor and dance together amongst the go-go dancers. “Taxman” could also be classified as a British “Mod Rock” song, but that music subgenre was winding down by 1966.
They were never outcasts for this song - maybe you meant it surprised some with its rebelliousness in a pop world. You got it in the end. It’s about oppressive taxes that seem arbitrary, often. As others mentioned, the taxes in UK were astronomical for the wealthy in those days.
You're actually correct. Each of the members had expressed growing weary of the same old pop love songs. They actually started moving away from that earlier but this album contains many different genre and subject matter. By this time many in the music world were struggling to keep up with these guys.
Their first albums were pure Rock ‘n’ Roll, but around the albums Rubber Soul and Revolver their music and message did a 180, that is one of the reasons why they never toured again, they couldn’t at the time replicate on stage what they achieved in the studio, they evolved faster than technology. That evolution took the world by storm and it’s why they’re to this day the most influential band in history.
'And my advice to those who die / declare the pennies on your eyes" Hilarious. Great solo, but Helter Skelter is a hot guitar song by them. Also, the "The End" guitar solos with Lennon, McCartney and Harrison alternating guitar solos is fire.
Release date 1966, 4 years after first stepping into a recording studio. Written and sung by George Harrison. Actually, in the UK at that time, taxes were crazy high. When George says 5% you can keep but we get 95% of what you make, he wasn't joking. At that time, a lot of musicians/bands were making big money, but the government was getting the lion's share of it. A lot of people were socking it away in tax shelters or in offshore or Swiss banks. Many moved out of the UK, even changed their nationality in order to keep a lot more of their money. By this point, 4 years on, the Beatles realized this wasn't a lucky break or a passing thing, this was a real career, and they were ready to establish some real financial security. Hard to do if most of your money was sucked away by taxes. By the way, did you catch the reference about the 'pennies on your eyes'? The ancient Greeks buried their dead with a small coin laid on each eye; the coins were intended for the deceased to have to pay Charon, the blind ferryman that ferried the dead souls across the River Styx to Hades, the Land of the Dead. George was saying Inland Revenue (the UK tax office) would even tax the coins you were intending to go to the afterlife. Note: Yes, most popular music in the early 1960s were about love, but not all of them. There had always been songs about life, about jobs, about other problems or joys. By 1966, there were songs about the Vietnam War, about injustice (usually racial), about economic inequality, about music itself, about new experiences, and a lot of other stuff.
in the 1950s and 60's, England had a series of socialist governments (the Labour Party), and the highest tax rate was astronomical.. something like 90% for high earners... which is why a lot of rock stars moved away
I don't know about solo but you should check out the attitude of the guitars on their hit song, Revolution from the late 60s. Everything about it is pretty hard and yet the lyrics are just so damn clever but still slightly abstract.
The song was written by George Harrison to protest the progressive taxation by the Labour Party led by Mr. Harold Wilson the British Prime Minister during that time.
For legendary guitar solos, have you listened to "While My Guitar Gently Weeps?" It features the legendary Eric Clapton, who appeared as a courtesy to George who wrote the song.
During this time the tax rate in Britain was at least 95% on the pound currency. So, for every million pounds they made, They kept 50,000 pounds! CRAZY!!
This is one of my favourite Beatles songs, although haven't heard it for a while. Did you hear the Liverpudlian pronunciation of 'declare' in 'declare the pennies on your eyes'?
Nice listen! Hey man please check out Supertramp. They are along with Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin one of the HUGE acts of the 70's into 80's. Start with the song School.
George may also have been aiming some hidden barbs at John and Paul’s Northern Songs writing deal where they 2 were getting the lion’s share of the money, while he and Ringo were left with pennies to their pounds.
This was Britain pre Decimalisation when a pound was 20 shillings - so the line is “ 19 for you and one for me” I.e. 95% tax which is what high earners like The Beatles were paying.
Do you forget that you do have a say in your tax laws by voting for and electing politicians to represent your desires in Washington DC for lower taxes. But the Beatles were talking about the tax rate interest UK in the 1960's.
Just saw a clip on RU-vid today featuring Paul and Linda. They were appearing in a sketch of the Mike Yarwood TV Show from the late 70s or early 80s. In it, Paul hides his money in the piano he has been playing, and says something about being taxed 98 pence in the pound. No idea if that was a true amount or not, of course.
What facinates me the most, they didn't write the lyrics in a serious way. It sounds so sarcastic, ironic and cynical. I don't think many artists write such lyrics nowadays. Yeah, and deciding to sing about... a taxman? Just whyy, why no one does that today?!?!
Back in the 1960s the Taxman was taking something like 96 p in every pound the Beatles earned it may have even been more than that , the Chancellor of the Exchequer of the British government at the time said " I'm going to tax the rich until the Pips squeak " . That's why George wrote the song
That was allegedly said by Denis Healey, Labour Party Chancellor of the Exchequer 1974-9, long after the Beatles broke up. He has denied it , but he did say that about property speculators. The Tax complained about was income tax in the 1960s.
I think this song has a few elements from the 60's Batman series opening tune (the series started early 1968, Taxman is from halfway 1968, so could be where this song began..) ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-kK4H-LkrQjQ.htmlsi=RT3cab0oDzZvhFl5
I love also the optimistic songs from Paup like Here, There and Everywhere, The Long and Winding Road, Your Mother Should know, The Fool On The Hill.... try some
At your leisure, check out the music video for “Going To A Go-Go”, by The Rolling Stones (which is a cover of a hit song by Smokey Robinson And The Miracles).
The Beatles, during their peak years in the 1960s were paying 95% of their income in the United Kingdom and I'm sure the USA can top that one day if only give a chance. Grate reaction Michael have fun
For all his Eastern mysticism, George was very clued up when it came to money. However, the 95% tax rate complained of ("one for you, 19 for me") was not on all their earnings. It only applied to the highest slice of their earnings, above a certain level and designed to catch the super rich. Annoying for sure, but not quite as one sided as George made out. Best Beatles guitar solo? If Eric Clapton on "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" is ruled out for not being a Beatle, then I'd say George on "Let It Be" (album version).
Love it! Thank you so much. PLEASE consider the following. You won’t be disappointed…. My Oh My by Sad Cafe Them Changes by Buddy Miles Cissy Strut by The Meters All this is that by The Beach Boys I’m leaving by Shelby Lynne Catch the wind by Donovan A little piece of my heart, by Irma Franklin Stay with me baby by Lorraine, Ellison Spooky, by Dusty Springfield Spirits having flown by the Bee Gees Welcome aboard by the love, unlimited orchestra I’m still waiting by Diana Ross You are everything by Diana Ross and Marvin Gaye An England in New York Godley and Creme Pinball by Brian Protheroe Curtains by Elton John 99 miles from LA by Art Garfunkel Mustang Sally by Wilson Picket Georgia by Elton John Teenage Rampage by The Sweet Outer space by Billy Preston Different drum by the Stone, Poneys/Linda Ronstadt Your time is going to come by Sandy Shore You’re Love is Forever by George Harrison Strict Machine-Goldfrapp One of these days by Paul McCartney Take Five by Dave Brubeck It’s all over now Baby Blue by Them A keeper of the fire by Buffy Sainte-Marie Let Forever Be by Chemical Brothers This Town ain’t big enough for the both of us by Sparks Trouble by Lindsey Buckingham Singapore by Tom Waits When I grow too old by Jimmy Smith Is that all there is by Peggy Lee Drop by Hope Sandoval All I need by Air Casino Royale by Herb Albert Got to get you into my life by Earth, Wind & Fire Walk on Guilded Splinters- Dr John Twist by Goldfrapp Virginia Plain by Roxy Music Asleep from Day by the Chemical Brothers Open Up by Leftfield
