It’s undeniable that The Beatles remain a global phenomenon with millions still swooning to their tunes. The legendary foursome crafted some of the most iconic songs in history, cherished by legions of fans even today.
Yet, unbeknownst to many, concealed within some of their celebrated anthems are “hidden messages”, with varying degrees of obscurity. Curiosity regarding these secret symbols resurfaced on Reddit, as one user claimed “the Beatles absolutely put secret messages in their songs.”
And on this auspicious day (June 18), honouring Sir Paul McCartney’s birthday, it seems fitting to delve into these cryptic details. Numerous covert clues are speculated to be woven into The Beatles’ music, spawning endless conjecture amongst fans. Nevertheless, a few of these clandestine nuggets might just ring true.
Blackbird
“Blackbird” is not just exquisite to the ear; it has layers that go beyond common knowledge. Not only does it blend passages from Johann Bach’s Bourrée in E minor, but there lies another veiled gem within its tune.
During Paul McCartney’s time in India with the Maharishi, he was roused from slumber by the serene warble of a blackbird. This nocturnal serenade moved him to transpose the melody into song, thus birthing the celebrated ballad we know.
However, he also believed the song had to champion a noble cause. Far Out magazine reveals that his goal was to bring hope to African American women facing hardships in the US, aiming to provide uplifting words that “encourage you to keep trying, to keep your faith, there is hope.”
She Said, She Said
Legend has it that Peter Fonda’s tumultuous past inspired this cherished melody. Following the tragic demise of his mother, Fonda and his sister Jane were uprooted to Nebraska to live with an uncle, where he experienced a life-threatening incident.
On his 11th birthday, he accidentally shot himself in the abdomen – a harrowing event that nearly cost him his life, but wasn’t intentional. Later on, during a conversation reportedly enhanced by LSD, he recounted to John Lennon: “I know what it’s like to be dead.”
These haunting words resonated with Lennon and eventually weaved their way into the lyrics of “She Said, She Said”. Intriguingly, it’s said that this encounter profoundly influenced the song’s creation.
Got to Get You into My Life
Paul McCartney indicated the genesis of this famed tune to Far Out magazine, sharing a glimpse of The Beatles’ tour life. He said: “We were staying in that hotel [the Delmonico in New York City]. And we were on tour, so we were all together in the hotel suite.
“We were having a drink and then Bob [Dylan] arrived and disappeared into a backroom. Then Ringo went back to see him and after a couple of minutes Ringo came back into the suite looking a little dazed and confused and we said, ‘what’s up?’ and he said, ‘oh Bob’s smoking pot back there’, and we said, ‘oh, well what’s it like?’ and Ringo said, ‘the ceiling feels like it’s coming down a bit’.”
It’s rumoured that this particular evening’s escapades inspired the creation of “Got To Get You Into My Life.” Paul McCartney has hinted that the song nods to the band’s past dalliances with marijuana.
Yet, there’s speculation that the lyrics harbour another layer of meaning. Some believe they also reflect the Beatles’ desire to align more closely with the countercultural movement.
Run for Your Life
This track drew inspiration from Elvis Presley’s “Baby, Let’s Play House” where the King croons: “I’d rather see you dead little girl, than to be with another man.”
Lennon, upon hearing this, decided to weave his own grim narrative of domestic violence. However, it’s believed that Lennon grew to despise the song as its intended irony was overlooked. The hidden message seemed to become distorted.
The song may have even turned into one of the Beatles’ most lamented tracks, eventually facing bans from certain radio stations amid concerns that it propagated a “dangerous message of violence against women.”