John Lennon’s I Am the Walrus Beatles lyrics deciphered by music expert

One of John Lennon’s favourite of his Beatles songs is 1967’s I Am the Walrus.

Arguably the most cryptic of the Fab Four’s tracks, fans have debated the meaning behind the lyrics’ surreal imagery for decades.

In fact, the late star wrote it to confuse people who were overanalysing the band’s songs, such as Strawberry Fields Forever.

In reality, it was partially inspired by two of his LSD trips and Lewis Carroll’s famous 1971 poem The Walrus and the Carpenter.

Now, professional musician Margrét Juliana Sigurdardottir, founder of Moombix, an online platform specialising in adult music education, has shared her thoughts on the true meaning of Lennon’s I Am the Walrus lyrics.

The opening lines – a statement on unity or confusion?

I am he as you are he as you are me and we are all together.

“The song begins with a phrase that sounds philosophical but remains open to interpretation. It suggests a sense of togetherness and equality. We are all interconnected, sharing in the same human experience despite our apparent differences. This sense of interconnectedness may possibly be influenced by Lennon’s interest in Eastern philosophy, which was blossoming in the late 1960s. During this period, Lennon had begun exploring meditation and the concepts of universal consciousness that were becoming increasingly popular within the counterculture movement. The idea that individual identities might dissolve into a collective awareness resonates throughout this opening line. However, it also plays with the absurd, showing how language can blur meaning rather than clarify it. The circular nature of the statement creates a puzzle that leaves the listener slightly disoriented, perhaps intentionally so. It’s as if Lennon is saying, ‘Try to make sense of this if you can,’ while simultaneously offering a profound truth about human connection.”

Surreal imagery and chaos

See how they run like pigs from a gun, see how they fly.

“This line introduces vivid but disjointed imagery. The mention of pigs could refer to authority figures, particularly the police who were often derogatorily called ‘pigs’ by the counterculture of the 1960s. The image of authority figures fleeing in panic undermines their power and presents them as comically vulnerable rather than intimidating. Referring to pigs had become a common slang against law enforcement during protest movements of the era, representing what many young people saw as brutal, unthinking enforcement of outdated social norms. It may be understood that Lennon incorporated this revolutionary language into the song, as he became increasingly political in his outlook. But the exaggerated, cartoonish nature of the scene suggests a more playful or satirical take rather than a serious political statement. Lennon often enjoyed mixing the absurd with the real, making it difficult to pinpoint a single meaning. The sudden shift to ‘see how they fly’ creates a surreal, almost animated quality to the imagery, demonstrating that these aren’t real pigs or people, but characters in a dreamlike landscape where logic is lost, and trying to make sense of it is pointless.”

Who are the walrus and the egg man?

I am the egg man, they are the egg men, I am the walrus.

“These lines are the most famous from the song, yet their meaning remains elusive. The ‘egg man’ could symbolise fragility, rebirth, or simply be a playful term. Meanwhile, ‘the walrus’ has been understood as a reference to Lewis Carroll’s ‘The Walrus and the Carpenter’, a poem about deception and false leadership. Carroll’s poem presents the walrus as a character who feigns sympathy for oysters before devouring them, a powerful metaphor for hypocritical authority figures who claim to have others’ best interests at heart while exploiting them. If Lennon was indeed drawing on this reference, it transforms the line from simple nonsense into a biting commentary on power structures in society. However, Lennon later disclosed that ‘the walrus was Paul,’ referring to Paul McCartney. Yet, rather than clarifying the meaning, this revelation only deepened the mystery. It doesn’t reveal much beyond showcasing the playful and teasing dynamic between Lennon and McCartney, where ambiguity and inside jokes were often part of their creative and personal relationship.”

Nonsense as a form of rebellion

Goo goo g’joob.

“Lennon wrote parts of I Am the Walrus after learning that an English teacher was having students analyse Beatles lyrics, according to popular accounts. Frustrated by the idea of over-analysis, he deliberately included nonsensical phrases like “goo goo g’joob” to make interpretation impossible. This playful approach reflects his desire to push back against rigid thinking in music and art more generally. It speaks volumes about Lennon’s wider artistic philosophy, the notion that art needn’t always have an explicable meaning to be valuable or enjoyable. In a culture increasingly obsessed with cataloguing, analysing, and academic understanding, Lennon was making a rebellious statement about creative freedom. He was challenging the assumption that everything created must have a definable purpose or message, leaving meaning open, fluid, and personal to each listener.”

A song designed to confuse

“Perhaps I Am the Walrus isn’t meant to be fully understood (too blunt). It’s a mix of satire, wordplay, and psychedelic imagery designed to challenge the listener. Lennon himself described the song as ‘just nonsense,’ but that hasn’t stopped fans from searching for hidden meaning. Whether it’s a reflection on identity, a playful attack on authority, or simply a jumble of words meant to provoke thought, I Am the Walrus remains one of The Beatles’ most fascinating and debated songs. Its enduring appeal may lie precisely in its resistance to definitive interpretation.”