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Maxwell's Silver Hammer
(John Lennon/Paul McCartney)
Paul McCartney:
Vocals, piano, guitars, Moog synthesizer
George Harrison: Lead guitar, vocals
Ringo Starr: Drums, vocals
Mal Evans: Anvil
George Martin: Organ
Recorded
July 9, 10, 11 and August 6 1969.
Available on:
Abbey
Road
Anthology 3
Paul McCartney
had considered recording Maxwell's Silver Hammer during
the The
White Album sessions in 1968, but this never happened.
By 1969,
a new and expensive musical toy was available, called the
Moog synthesizer. Always keen to develop new sounds, the
Beatles didn't hesitate to start experimenting with it.
The influence of the Moog can be clearly heard both on Maxwell's
Silver Hammer, Here
Comes The Sun, Because
and I
Want You (She's So Heavy).
McCartney
wanted his bass guitar sound like a tuba, in order to give
the song a vintage feel. This was achieved by using a slide
technique when playing the bass notes.
Lennon
didn't participate on this song at all. He was invited to
help out with the harmony vocals, but refused. He is said
to have loathed the song.
Beatles
assistant Mal Evans was asked to strike an Anvil, which
had been brought in from a theatrical agency.
As for
the lyrics, Paul later said it "epitomizes the downfalls
of life. Just when everything is going smoothly, 'bang bang'
down comes Maxwell's silver hammer and ruins everything."
Maxwell's Silver Hammer
(John Lennon/Paul McCartney)
Joan was quizzical, studied pataphysical
Science in the home
Late nights all alone with her a test tube
Oh, oh, oh, oh
Maxwell Edison, majoring in medicine
Calls her on the phone
"Can I take you out to the pictures Jo-o-o-oan?"
But as she's getting ready to go
A knock comes on the door
Bang!
Bang! Maxwell's silver hammer
came down upon her head
Clang! Clang! Maxwell's silver hammer
made sure that she was dead
Back in
school again Maxwell plays the fool again
Teacher gets annoyed
Wishing to avoid and unpleasant scene-e-e-ene
She tells Max to stay when the class has gone away
So he waits behind
Writing fifty times "I must not be so-o-o-o
But when she turns her back on the boy
He creeps up from behind
Bang!
Bang! Maxwell's silver hammer
came down upon her head
Clang! Clang! Maxwell's silver hammer
made sure that she was dead
P.C. thirty
one said "we've caught a dirty one"
Maxwell stands alone
Painting testimonial pictures, oh, oh, oh, oh
Rose and Valerie screaming from the gallery
Say he must go free
The judge does not agree, and he tells them so-o-o-o
But, as the words are leaving his lips
A noise comes form behind
Bang!
Bang! Maxwell's silver hammer
came down upon her head
Clang! Clang! Maxwell's silver hammer
made sure that he was dead
Silver hammer man
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