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Across The Universe
(John Lennon/Paul McCartney)
John Lennon:
Vocals, acoustic rythm guitar, lead guitar
Paul McCartney: Piano, vocals
George Harrison: Sitar, tambura, vocals
Ringo Starr: Maracas
George Martin: Hammond organ
Lizzie Bravo: Vocals
Gayleen Pease: Vocals
Uncredited: Stings and choir
Recorded
February 3, 4, 8 1968.
Available on:
Let
It Be
The Beatles 1967-1970(The Blue Album)
Past Masters Volume Two
Anthology 2
Let It Be Naked
Across The Universe was one of Lennon's own favourite tracks
from the Beatles era. He wrote it one night after an argument
with his wife Cynthia. He was lying in bed when the words
"pools of sorrow, waves of joy" came to him. The
words wouldn't go away, so he got out of bed to write them
down.
On February
4, a Sunday, John and Paul decided they wanted female voices
on the song's chorus; "nothing's gonna change our world."
Thankfully, as always, there were plenty of female fans
waiting patiently outside Abbey Road studios, hoping to
get a glimpse of their idols. Paul went outside to pick
two suitable "singers," and came back with two
teenage girls. The lucky ones were Lizzie Bravo, a Brazillian
staying in London, and Gayleen Pease, a Londoner. After
their vocal contributions had been recorded, they were thanked
and ushered out again.
Across
The Universe was planned to be released as a single, but
the group decided to release Paul's Lady
Madonna instead. It's possible that Lennon thought the
recording failed to capture what he had in mind. The song
was instead issued on a World Wildlife Fund charity LP,
called Nothing's Gonna Change Our World. This version was
speeded up a semitone, with added sound effects of birds.
Finally,
producer Phil Spector was asked to include the song on the
Let It Be album. This version featured strings and a choir,
and plays at a slower speed.
David
Bowie recorded a version of Across The Universe for his
1975 Young Americans album. Lennon played guitar on this
version.
Across The Universe
(John Lennon/Paul McCartney)
Words are flowing out like
endless rain into a paper cup
They slither while they pass
They slip away across the universe
Pools of sorrow waves of joy
are drifting thorough my open mind
Possessing and caressing me
Jai guru
deva om
Nothing's gonna change my world
Nothing's gonna change my world
Nothing's gonna change my world
Nothing's gonna change my world
Images
of broken light which
dance before me like a million eyes
They call me on and on across the universe
Thoughts meander like a
restless wind inside a letter box
they tumble blindly as
they make their way across the universe
Jai guru
deva om
Nothing's gonna change my world
Nothing's gonna change my world
Nothing's gonna change my world
Nothing's gonna change my world
Sounds
of laughter shades of life
are ringing through my open ears
inciting and inviting me
Limitless undying love which
shines around me like a million suns
It calls me on and on across the universe
Jai guru
deva om
Nothing's gonna change my world
Nothing's gonna change my world
Nothing's gonna change my world
Nothing's gonna change my world
Jai guru deva
Jai guru deva
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