TheBeatlesOnline

Revolution 1

John Lennon: Vocals, acoustic guitar, lead guitar
Paul McCartney: Vocals, piano, Hammond organ, bass guitar
George Harrison: Vocals, lead guitar
Ringo Starr: Drums

Derek Watkins: Trumpet
Freddy Clayton: Trumpet
Don Lang: Trombone
Rex Morris: Trombone
J. Power: Trombone
Bill Povey: Trombone

Recorded May 30, 31, June 1, 2, 3 and 4 1968.

Available on:
The Beatles (The White Album)

1968: Demonstrations in Paris, London and all over the world. Vietnam war. Invasion of Czeckoslovakia. Martin Luther King. Robert Kennedy. Things were happening, the world was changing... perhaps.

Interestingly, there are two versions of Revolution, the electric rock and roll version released on the flip side of the Hey Jude single, and the slowed down version on the White Album. The latter, entitled Revolution 1, also featured a brass section and some interesting sexual grunts at the end. John was lying on the floor when he recorded the lead vocal for this version, apparently to sound more relaxed.

Still one significant difference between the two verions boils down to just one word. On the single version, John sings that those who want an armed revolution, or "destruction" as he puts it, can "count me out". On the album version, Revolution 1, he sings "count me out - in".

Neverheless, if one judges the lyrics as a whole, it is clear that Lennon is NOT in favour of a violent revolution.

Some within the radical leftist movement may have felt betrayed by this. In an open letter published in Keele University Magazine, student John Hoyland wrote that 'Revolution' was no more revolutionary than Mrs Dayle's Diary (a BBC radio soap).

Lennon replied:

"I don't remember saying that 'Revolution' was revolutionary. Fuck Mrs Dale. Listen to all three versions of revolution - 1,2 and 9 and then try again, dear John (Hoyland). You say 'in order to change the world, we've got to understand what's wrong with the world and then destroy it. Ruthlessly'. You're obviously on a destruction kick. I'll tell you what's wrong with it - people. So, do you want to destroy them? Ruthlessly? Until you/we change our heads there's no chance. Tell me one successful revolution. Who fucked up communism, Christianity, capitalism, Buddism etc? Sick heads, and nothing else. Do you think all the enemy wear capitalist badges so that you can shoot them? It's a bit naive, John. You seem to think it's just a class war."

In 1980, John still stood by his viewpoint.

"Count me out if it's for violence," he said, "Don't expect me on the barricades unless it's with flowers."

Revolution 1

You say you got a real solution
Well, you know
We'd all love to see the plan
You ask me for a contribution
Well, you know
We're doing what we can
But when you want money
for people with minds that hate
All I can tell is brother you have to wait
Don't you know it's gonna be all right
Don't you know it's gonna be all right
Don't you know it's gonna be all right
Ah

You say you'll change the constitution
Well, you know
We all want to change your head
You tell me it's the institution
Well, you know
You better free you mind instead
But if you go carrying pictures of chairman Mao
You ain't going to make it with anyone anyhow
Don't you know it's gonna be all right
Don't you know it's gonna be all right
Don't you know it's gonna be all right
Ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ah
all right, all right, all right
all right, all right, all right
all right, all right, all right
Ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ah
all right, all right