Across The Universe I Am The Walrus
Ever heard a song so weird, so wonderful, it felt like a psychedelic hug? That's kind of what happened when the Beatles decided to sprinkle some musical fairy dust and create Across the Universe and I Am the Walrus.
Across the Universe: A Mantra of Melodies
Imagine John Lennon, strumming his guitar, trying to capture a feeling of peace, of surrendering to something bigger than himself. That's the seed from which Across the Universe sprouted.
The song's like a calming mantra, swirling around you with its simple yet profound lyrics. It's the "Jai Guru Deva Om" that adds to the song's mystique, a Sanskrit phrase translating to "Victory to God divine," acting like a sonic meditation.
And get this – some of the background vocals are actually sung by two teenage girls, Lizzie Bravo and Gayleen Pease, who were hanging around outside the studio! Talk about a lucky break!
I Am the Walrus: Down the Rabbit Hole
Now, buckle up, because I Am the Walrus is where things get wonderfully bonkers. This song is less a song and more a sonic playground, a chaotic carnival of sounds and images.
John Lennon said it was partially inspired by seeing an anti-police message written on a bus. He wanted to write something equally nonsensical and thought-provoking.
The lyrics are a madcap mix of poetry, nursery rhymes, and pure, unadulterated silliness. "Goo goo g'joob" anyone? What does it even mean? Nobody really knows, and that's part of the fun!
The Walrus's Many Faces
The song is overflowing with bizarre characters and situations: egg men, cornflake men, and of course, the walrus himself. The walrus, initially inspired by The Walrus and the Carpenter from Lewis Carroll's Through the Looking-Glass, became a symbol of… well, whatever you want it to be!
It's a reminder that sometimes, things don't have to make perfect sense to be meaningful, that music can be a doorway to pure imagination.
Orchestral Mayhem and Radio Plays
The Beatles didn't stop at just strange lyrics. They brought in an orchestra and a radio play to layer even more absurdity on top.
Listen closely, and you can hear snippets of Shakespeare's King Lear being performed, adding another layer of beautiful randomness to the mix. It's like they threw every idea they had at the wall and somehow, miraculously, it stuck.
Why We Still Love Them
Decades later, these songs still resonate. They're a reminder that music can be more than just catchy tunes.
They are a testament to the power of experimentation and the joy of embracing the absurd. Across the Universe offers solace, while I Am the Walrus encourages us to let go and embrace the weirdness of life.
So, next time you're feeling a little too serious, put on either song. Let the "Jai Guru Deva Om" wash over you, or surrender to the "Goo goo g'joob." You might just find yourself smiling, and maybe, just maybe, you'll understand what it means to be the walrus.
