|
| lend me your ears and i'll sing you a song... |
The album with the awesome cover, range of songs, and the album during which Ringo quit and Yoko Ono joined.
STEVEN SPIELBERG, director and movie producer (you know him!): "...I wasn't a Beatles fan until I listened to the White Album and became an instant convert."
The Songs
Back in the U.S.S.R.
Dear Prudence
Glass Onion
Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da
Wild Honey Pie
The Continuing Story Of Bungalow Bill
While My Guitar Gently Weeps
Happiness Is A Warm Gun
Martha My Dear
I'm So Tired
Blackbird
Piggies
Rocky Raccoon
Don't Pass Me By
Why Don't We Do It In The Road?
I Will
Julia
Back in the U.S.S. R. (Lenonn/McCartney)--Written as a Beach Boys parody, and Paul played the drums on this song. Brian Wilson, the Beach Boys:"I didn't even recognize that until someone said something. I thought that was really adorable." (Um, not on Paul's drumming, but that it was written as a Beach Boys tribute.) Mike Love claims to have written some of the lyrics while in India with the Beatles in 1968.
Flew in by Miami Beach BOAC,
I'm back in the U.S.S.R.
Been away so long I hardly knew the place,
I'm back in the U.S.S.R.
Well, the Ukraine girls really knock me out,
I'm back in the U.S.S.R.
Well, the Ukraine girls really knock me out,
Oh, show me 'round your snow-peaked mountains way down south,
I'm back in the U.S.S.R. Dear Prudence (Lennon/McCartney)--A favorite of Julian Lennon's and written for Mia Farrow's sister who hibernated in her room while they were all in India in 1968. "Are you still alive in there?!!"
Dear Prudence, won't you come out to play?
Dear Prudence, open up your eyes.
Look around round?
Dear Prudence, let me see you smile,
Dear Prudence, won't you come out to play? Glass Onion (Lennon/McCartney)--This song names so many other Beatles tunes, and tells us all "The Walrus was Paul." Yeah, riiight...
I told you about Strawberry Fields,
I told you about the walrus and me, man.
Oh yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah.
I told you about the fool on the hill. Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da (Lennon/McCartney)--Paul used to know a Jamaican guy who used to use this expression. He got a little ticked when Paul used the expression in his song...too bad, you snooze you lose! (Has anyone noticed the end bit where Paul sings "Desmond stays at home and does his pretty face..." when it should've been Molly?)
Desmond has a barrow in the market place,
"Ob-la-di, ob-la-da, life goes on, yah,
Desmond takes a trolley to the jeweler's store,
"Ob-la-di, ob-la-da, life goes on, yah,
In a couple of years they have built a home sweet home
Happy ever after in the market place,
"Ob-la-di, ob-la-da, life goes on, yah,
In a couple of years they have built a home sweet home
Happy ever after in the market place,
"Ob-la-di, ob-la-da, life goes on, yah,
And if you want some fun, sing "ob-la-di-bla-da." Wild Honey Pie (Lennon/McCartney)--The only reason this song was left on the album was because Patti Harrison liked it.
Honey pie, honey pie, The Continuing Story of Bungalow Bill (Lennon/McCartney)--Yoko's singing debut...wow, what an entrance!
Hey, Bungalow Bill,
He went out tiger hunting with his elephant and gun.
Deep in the jungle where the mighty tiger lies,
Hey, Bungalow Bill,
The children asked him if to kill was not a sin.
Hey, Bungalow Bill,
Hey, Bungalow Bill, While My Guitar Gently Weeps (Harrison)--Eric Clapton plays the awesome solo, not George, and that was very good of George to do--he didn't steal the spotlight, did he? It's one sweeeet solo...
I look at you all, see the love there that's sleeping,
I don't know why nobody told you how to unfold your love.
I look at the world and I notice it's turning,
I don't know how you were diverted,
I look at you all, see the love there that's sleeping, Happiness is a Warm Gun (Lennon/McCartney)--My parents never let me listen to this song. It came from a magazine, and was banned by the BBC because of sexual symbolism? And it's about heroin? Wha?
She's not a girl who misses much,
I need a fix 'cause I'm going down,
Mother Superior jump the gun,
Happiness is a warm gun (bang bang shoot shoot), Martha My Dear (Lennon/McCartney)--I'm sure you all know that this written about Paul's sheepdog, Martha, correct?
Martha my dear, though I spend my days in conversation,
Hold your head up, you silly girl; look what you've done.
Take a good look around you,
Hold your hand out, you silly girl; see what you've done.
Martha my dear, you have always been my inspiration. I'm so Tired (Lennon/McCartney)--A companion to an early song, "I'm Only Sleeping", about John's inability to get out of bed. It was a strained time for John, too, he couldn't decide if he should leave Cynthia for Yoko Ono.
I'm so tired; I haven't slept a wink.
I'm so tired; I don't know what to do.
You'd say I'm putting you on,
I'm so tired; I'm feeling so upset.
You'd say I'm putting you on,
(Monsieur, Monsieur, how about another one?)
Blackbird (Lennon/McCartney)--A great moment for Paul was when he woke up one morning to find a blackbird singing this tune.
Blackbird singing in the dead of night,
Blackbird singing in the dead of night,
Blackbird fly, blackbird fly
Blackbird fly, blackbird fly
Blackbird singing in the dead of night, Piggies (Harrison)--There was an extra verse to this song, but it was never recorded. The line about "what they need's a damn good wacking!" came from George's mummy, Louise Harrison.
Have you seen the little piggies
Have you seen the bigger piggies
In their sties with all their backing,
Everywhere there's lots of piggies
(One more time)
Rocky Raccoon (Lennon/McCartney)--"Rocky Sassoon"? What was up with that working title? WHAT? Honky-tonk piano? I thought it was honky-tonky women...oops, wrong band...okay, okay...
Now somewhere in the black mountain hills of Dakota,
Rocky Raccoon checked into his room,
His rival, it seems, had broken his dreams
Now she and her man, who called himself Dan,
Now the doctor came in, stinking of gin,
Now Rocky Raccoon, he fell back in his room,
Come on Rocky Raccoon, come on Rocky Raccoon...
Don't Pass Me By (Starkey)--This was a number one hit in Scandinavia! Don't look so surprised, it's a great song!
I listen for your footsteps
I hear the clock a-ticking
Don't pass me by,
I'm sorry that I doubted you,
Don't pass me by,
Don't pass me by, Why Don't We Do it in the Road? (Lennon/McCartney)--John wanted to record this song with Paul, but Paul went off with Ringo while George and John were busy in another studio. It does sound like John song, though, doesn't it?
Why don't we do it in the road?
Why don't we do it in the road?
Why don't we do it in the road? I Will (Lennon/McCartney)--Sixty-seven takes were recorded! Geeze Louise talk about perfectionist...but I think they all weren't complete takes, just bits and pieces...and did you know that Katie Couric, of the Today show, really likes this song?
Who knows how long I've loved you.
For if I ever saw you,
Love you forever and forever,
And when at last I find you, Julia (Lennon/McCartney)--Written for John's mother, Julia, and Yoko helped with some of the lyrics.
Half of what I say is meaningless,
Julia, Julia, Ocean Child, calls me,
Her hair of floating sky is shimmering, glimmering
Julia, Julia, morning moon, touch me.
When I cannot sing my heart,
Julia, sleeping sand, silent cloud, touch me.
Mmm mmm mmm, calls me.
Didn't get to bed last night.
On the way the paper bag was on my knee,
Man, I had a dreadful flight.
You don't know how lucky you are, boy.
Back in the U.S.S.R
Gee, it's good to be back home.
Leave it 'til tomorrow to unpack my case;
Honey, disconnect the phone.
You don't know how lucky you are, boy,
Back in the U.S, back in the U.S.,
Back in the U.S.S.R
They leave the West behind,
And Moscow girls make me sing and shout,
That Georgia's always on my mind.
You don't know how lucky you are, boy.
Back in the U.S.S.R
They leave the West behind,
And Moscow girls make me sing and shout,
That Georgia's always on my mind.
Take me to your daddy's farm.
Let me hear your balalaikas ringing out,
Come and keep your comrade warm.
You don't know how lucky you are, boys,
Back in the U.S.S.R.
Dear Prudence, greet the brand new day.
The sun is up, the sky is blue,
It's beautiful, and so are you.
Dear Prudence, won't you come out to play>
Dear Prudence, see the sunny skies.
The wind is low, the birds will sing
That you are part of everything.
Dear Prudence, won't you open up your eyes?
Look around round?
Look around.
Dear Prudence, like a little child.
The clouds will be a daisy chain,
So let me see you smile again.
Dear Prudence, won't you let me see you smile?
Dear Prudence, greet the brand new day.
The sun is up, the sky is blue,
It's beautiful, and so are you.
Dear Prudence, won't you come out to play?
You know, the place where nothing is real.
Well, here's another place you can go,
Where everything flows.
Looking through the bent-back tulips
To see how the other half live, yeah.
Looking through a glass onion.
You know that we're as close as can be, man.
Well, here's another clue for you all:
The walrus was Paul.
Standing on the cast iron shore, yeah.
Lady Madonna trying to make ends meet, yeah.
Looking through a glass onion.
Looking through a glass onion.
I tell you man, he living there still.
Well, here's another place you can be,
Listen to me.
Fixing a hole in the ocean,
Trying to make a dove-tail joint, yeah.
Looking through a glass onion.
Molly is the singer in a band.
Desmond says to Molly, "Girl, I like your face,"
And Molly says this as she takes him by the hand.
La la how the life goes on.
Ob-la-di, ob-la-da, life goes on, yah,
La la how the life goes on."
Buys a twenty carat golden ring.
Takes it back to Molly waiting at the door,
And as he gives it to her she begins to sing,
La la how the life goes on.
Ob-la-di, ob-la-da, life goes on, yah,
La la how the life goes on."
With a couple of kids running in the yard of Desmond and Molly Jones.
Desmond lets the children lend a hand.
Molly stays at home and does her pretty face,
And in the evening she's a singer with the band.
La la how the life goes on.
Ob-la-di, ob-la-da, life goes on, yah,
La la how the life goes on."
With a couple of kids running in the yard of Desmond and Molly Jones.
Molly lets the children lend a hand.
Desmond stays at home and does his pretty face,
And in the evening she's a singer with the band.
La la how the life goes on.
Yeah, ob-la-di, ob-la-da, life goes on, yah,
La la how the life goes on."
(Thank you!)
Honey pie, honey pie,
Honey pie, honey pie,
Honey pie, honey pie,
I love you.
What did you kill,
Bungalow Bill?
Hey, Bungalow Bill,
What did you kill,
Bungalow Bill?
In case of accidents he always took his mom.
He's the all American bullet-headed Saxon mother's son.
All the children sing,
Hey, Bungalow Bill,
What did you kill,
Bungalow Bill?
Hey, Bungalow Bill,
What did you kill,
Bungalow Bill?
Bill and his elephants were taken by surprise.
So Captain Marvel zapped in right between the eyes-zap!
All the children sing,
What did you kill,
Bungalow Bill?
Hey, Bungalow Bill,
What did you kill,
Bungalow Bill?
"Not when he looked so fierce," his mommy butted in.
If looks could kill it would have been us instead of him.
All the children sing,
What did you kill,
Bungalow Bill?
Hey, Bungalow Bill,
What did you kill,
Bungalow Bill?
What did you kill,
Bungalow Bill?
Hey, Bungalow Bill,
What did you kill,
Bungalow Bill?
While my guitar gently weeps.
I look at the floor and I see it needs sweeping,
Still my guitar gently weeps.
I don't know how someone controlled you,
They bought and sold you.
While my guitar gently weeps.
With every mistake, we must surely be learning,
Still my guitar gently weeps.
You were perverted, too.
I don't know how you were inverted;
No one alerted you.
While my guitar gently weeps.
Look at you all,
Still my guitar gently weeps.
Do do do do do do, oh yeah.
She's well acquainted with the touch of the velvet hand
Like a lizard on a window pane.
The man in the crowd with the multicolored mirrors
On his hobnail boots.
Lying with his eyes while his hands are busy
Working overtime,
A soap impression of his wife which he ate
And donated to the National Trust.
Down to the bits that I left uptown.
I need a fix 'cause I'm going down.
Mother Superior jump the gun,
Mother Superior jump the gun,
Mother Superior jump the gun,
Mother Superior jump the gun,
Mother Superior jump the gun.
Happiness is a warm gun (bang bang shoot shoot).
When I hold you in my arms,
And I feel my finger on your trigger,
I know no one can do me no harm,
Because happiness is a warm gun momma (bang bang shoot shoot),
Happiness is a warm gun, yes it is(bang bang shoot shoot).
Happiness is a warm, yes it is, gun (happiness, bang bang shoot shoot)
Well don't you know that happiness (happiness, bang bang shoot shoot)
Is a warm gun mama (is a warm gun, yeah).
Please remember me, Martha my love,
Don't forget me, Martha my dear.
When you find yourself in the thick of it,
Help yourself to a bit of what is all around you,
Silly girl.
Take a good look, you're bound to see
That you and me were meant to be for each other,
Silly girl.
When you find yourself in the thick of it,
Help yourself to a bit of what is all around you,
Silly girl.
Please be good to me, Martha my love,
Don't forget me, Martha my dear.
I'm so tired; my mind is on the blink.
I wonder should I get up and fix myself a drink?
No, no, no.
I'm so tired; my mind is set on you.
I wonder should I call you, but I know what you would do.
But it's no joke, it's doing me harm.
You know, I can't sleep, I can't stop my brain,
You know, it's three weeks, I'm going insane.
You know, I'd give you everything I've got
For a little peace of mind.
Although I'm so tired, I'll have another cigarette,
And curse Sir Walter Raleigh,
He was such a stupid get.
But it's no joke, it's doing me harm.
You know, I can't sleep, I can't stop my brain,
You know, it's three weeks, I'm going insane.
You know, I'd give you everything I've got
For a little peace of mind.
I'd give you everything I've got
For a little peace of mind,
I'd give you everything I've got
For a little peace of mind.
Take these broken wings and learn to fly.
All your life,
You were only waiting for this moment to arrive.
Take these sunken eyes and learn to see.
All your life,
You were only waiting for this moment to be free.
Into the light of a dark black night.
Into the light of a dark black night.
Take these broken wings and learn to fly.
All your life,
You were only waiting for this moment to arrive,
You were only waiting for this moment to arrive,
You were only waiting for this moment to arrive.
Crawling in the dirt?
And for all the little piggies,
Life is getting worse.
Always having dirt to play around in.
In their starched white shirts?
You will find the bigger piggies
Stirring up the dirt.
Always have clean shirts to play around in.
They don't care what goes on around.
In their eyes there's something lacking,
What they need's a damn good whacking.
Living piggy lives.
You can see them out for dinner
With their piggy wives,
Clutching forks and knives to eat their bacon.
There lived a young boy named Rocky Raccoon.
And one day his woman ran off with another guy,
Hit young Rocky in the eye. Rocky didn't like that,
He said, "I'm gonna get that boy."
So one day he walked into town,
Booked himself a room in the local saloon.
Only to find Gideon's Bible.
Rocky had come equipped with a gun
To shoot off the legs of his rival.
By stealing the girl of his fancy.
Her name was Magill, and she called herself Lil,
But everyone knew her as Nancy.
Were in the next room at the hoe-down.
Rocky burst in and, grinning a grin,
He said, "Danny boy, this is a showdown."
But Daniel was hot; he drew first and shot,
And Rocky collapsed in the corner.
And proceeded to lie on the table.
He said, "Rocky, you met your match."
And Rocky said, "Doc, it's only a scratch,
And I'll be better, I'll be better doc as soon as I am able."
Only to find Gideon's Bible.
Gideon checked out and he left it, no doubt,
To help with good Rocky's revival.
Coming up the drive,
Listen for your footsteps,
But they don't arrive.
Waiting for your knock, dear,
On my old front door.
I don't hear it;
Does it mean you don't love me any more?
On the mantel shelf,
See the hands a-moving,
But I'm by myself.
I wonder where you are tonight,
And why I'm by myself.
I don't see you;
Does it mean you don't love me any more?
Don't make me cry,
Don't make me blue.
'Cause you know darling, I love only you.
You'll never know it hurt me so,
How I hate to see you go.
Don't pass me by, don't make me cry.
I was so unfair.
You were in a car crash
And you lost your hair.
You said that you would be late,
About an hour or two.
I said, "That's alright, I'm waiting here,
Just waiting to hear from you."
Don't make me cry,
Don't make me blue.
'Cause you know darling, I love only you.
You'll never know it hurt me so,
How I hate to see you go.
Don't pass me by, don't make me cry.
Don't make me cry,
Don't make me blue.
'Cause you know darling, I love only you.
You'll never know it hurt me so,
How I hate to see you go.
Don't pass me by, don't make me cry.
Why don't we do it in the road?
Why don't we do it in the road?
Why don't we do it in the road?
No one will be watching us,
Why don't we do it in the road?
Why don't we do it in the road?
Why don't we do it in the road?
Why don't we do it in the road?
No one will be watching us,
Why don't we do it in the road?
Why don't we do it in the road?
Why don't we do it in the road?
Why don't we do it in the road?
No one will be watching us,
Why don't we do it in the road?
You know I love you still.
Will I wait a lonely lifetime?
If you want me to, I will.
I didn't catch your name.
But it never really mattered,
I will always feel the same.
Love you with all my heart,
Love you whenever we're together,
Love you when we're apart.
Your song will fill the air.
Sing it loud so I can hear you,
Make it easy to be near you,
For the things you do endear you to me,
Oh, you know I will,
I will.
But I say it just to reach you, Julia.
So I sing a song of love, Julia.
Julia, seashell eyes, windy smile, calls me.
So I sing a song of love, Julia.
In the sun.
So I sing a song of love, Julia.
I can only speak my mind, Julia.
So I sing a song of love, Julia.
So I sing a song of love for Julia, Julia, Julia.
