TheBeatlesOnline

Taxman

George Harrison: Vocals, electric guitar
John Lennon: Vocals
Paul McCartney: Bass guitar, vocals, electric guitar
Ringo Starr: Drums, tambourine, cowbell

Recorded April 20, 21, 22 and May 16 1966.

Available on:
Revolver
Anthology 2

In March 1966, The British Prime Minster Harold Wilson and his Labour Government was re-elected in a landslide victory. The Wilson Government had in its previous period imposed a 'super- tax' bracket, which meant that a person could have to pay up to 95% of extra income in tax. Consequently, a number of high earners in Britain moved their fortunes to bank accounts in Switzerland an Jersey, for example, and some emigrated to the USA or Europe in order to avoid the the top tax.

The Beatles were making more money than most at the time, but when George Harrison discovered that 96 pence of each pound the group earned went to the taxman, he was not amused.

"'Taxman' was when I first realized that even though we had started earning money, we were actually giving most of it away in taxes. It was and still is typical," Harrison later said.

Both PM Harold Wilson and the leader for the Conservative Party, Edward Heath (later Prime Minister), are mentioned in the background chorus of the song. (Ha-ha, Mister Wilson!, Ha-ha Mister Heath!)

John Lennon later said that he helped George with the lyrics to the song, but he wasn't credited for his contribution. Some of Harrison's original lyrics were never used, including the line;

"You may work hard trying to get some bread, you won't make out before you're dead."

Paul McCartney added a funky bass riff, and also played the guitar solo on the song.

"I was pleased to have Paul play that bit on 'Taxman'. If you notice, he did like a little Indian bit on it for me," Harrison said in 1987.

On his live album Live In Japan from 1991, which features Eric Clapton on guitar, Harrison exchanged Wilson and Heath with Major, Jeltsin and Bush. He also added the verse:

"If you get a head, I'll tax your hat. If you get a pet, I'll tax your cat. If you wipe your feet, I'll tax the mat. If you move your weight, I'll tax your fat."

Taxman