How The Beatles Made "Taxman" | The Revolver Sessions
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- čas přidán 22. 08. 2024
- Everything you need to know about The Beatles' "Taxman." |
Capitalizing on the disillusioned impatience of his recent songs, George stops beating around the bush and attacks the 19-shillings-and-sixpence-in-the-pound top rate of income tax under Harold Wilson's Labour government. At this stage, George was more business-minded than his colleagues and had just realized how much of the group's income was being drained off by the Treasury. In the 60s, the Beatles were in the 90% tax bracket. Hence, the dig at Wilson in this Beatle protest lyric, part-written by John, is balanced by a conscience-saving snipe at Conservative opposition leader Edward Heath.
Even though George is credited as the sole songwriter of "Taxman," this wasn’t entirely true. In a 1980 interview, John recalled, "I remember when George asked for help with ‘Taxman,’ one of his first songs. I added a few lines because he asked me to. He came to me because he couldn’t go to Paul, who wouldn’t have helped him then. I didn’t want to do it since I was busy with my own and Paul’s songs. But because I loved him, I agreed. It had been John and Paul for so long, and George was left out because he hadn’t been a songwriter until then."
#thebeatles #georgeharrison #johnlennon #paulmccartney #ringostarr #music #beatlesforever #classicrock
Taxman has always been my favourite Beatles song. So relevant even today.
The Rubber Soul/Revolver period was the best!
Very relevant. Entitled rich assholes complaining about paying taxes and exaggerating how much they actually pay.
I love the song "Taxman" & i think Paul's guitar solo is great also.
George's one and only album opener, side 1 track 1, and well-deserving of that honor.
"Let me tell you how it will be, There's One for You 19 for Me" . . .
"Taxman" is a great song from the period and now AFAIC. Combination of superb lyrics, driving beat, simple but magnetically appealing riff, the result AAA ear candy appeal. George's developing songwriting was solid. Such a shame its presence was overshadowed by the egos of John & Paul.
He wasJust trying to get a few songs on thee albummmm.just sitting there while his guitar gently whimpers
George had a monster ego as well
Taxman is my favorite Beatles song for about a month. now I know how it was made.
It’s pure genius beginning to end
Each member of the Beatles assisted in some manner each others songs. Early on Lennon/McCartney songs were joint efforts. But as time moved on each basically wrote their own songs and just asked for input from ths others. Harrison wrote his own but still asked for input from the others.
Love this song! ❤❤❤❤
One of my favorite Beatles songs to play. From my favorite Beatles period - Rubber Soul and Revolver. I love Paul’s fiery solo on this!
Sometimes forgotten that George Harrison was co-writer on "In Spite of all the Danger" 1958 with Paul McCartney, as well as the Harrison-Lennon composition "Cry For A Shadow" released in 1961 !!
Love the vids! I’m pretty sure it was your channel that asked for video ideas like a year ago or two? I was a follower who recommended you make videos on their recording sessions and I’m so glad I did. I had the giant Beatles book - I’m happy you’re sharing the history!
This is excellent !😊😊😊😊
The beatles were a team. Everyone chipped in with a line here and there on occasion.
Great info as usual!
Glad it was helpful!
Great video as always!
I think Paul's doing ok at the moment :)
I heard he's in the billionaire bracket..
Long Live The Beatles
Thats right. That sentiment will likely NEVER go away
What a brilliant Harrison song!! The lyrics particularly. Paul's solo is amazing!! Pity John did not participate in the instrumental track (as was his style with nearly all George songs). Some guitar from him would have filled out the sound more.
He played a very nice lap steel guitar lead on For You Blue
I agree with most of your statements, but the sound of Taxman is perfect. The other overdubbed rhythm guitar definitely helps though.
@@gostrum1yes he did, and was willing to play organ and sing on All Things Must Pass... but chose to only dance on I Me Mine.
The Ivory Coast is said to have the highest taxes in the world at 60% of income, but Californians, who pay a combined tax rate of 53% at the highest income levels strongly identify with the now classic song, "Taxman." But, I suppose, they should still "Be thankful [they] don't take it all." Also, regarding John's contribution of a line to "Taxman," there are so many great lines and thoughts in "Taxman" that George came up with on his own that it seems silly that John would be "offended" that George didn't officially mention it in his book. For example, I can't think of a single other popular song that incorporates math into the lyrics. George sings (in his Taxman persona) "There's one for you, nineteen for me." Then shortly after, he sings "Should five percent appear too small - Be thankful, I don't take it all." The math component inherent in the lyrics is 1 + 19 = 20 and 1 ÷ 20 = 5%. The song is brilliant on many levels. And it's one of the best songs on Revolver, one of the Beatles' best LPs (as they called records back then, short for long-playing).
Cool vid cheers
George would hate it today.
They were a band and they were in prosess with songs where they all contributed, George on Lennon and McCartney songs and they on his songs. Notting curios with that.
"Bass position was the lousy position in a band. It was the fat boys that played bass..." I guess it worked out great for Paul, didn't it?
💀💀💀
Of course it hurt his ego, he's the lead guitarist, but I mean it's Paul, he's a beast on guitar too George.
No, he's not
@@lylecampbell9036 the solo on Back in the USSR and Taxman are both really sick, so Idk what you mean.
@@lylecampbell9036yes he is.
The Moody Blues also did a song alluding to tax" Blazing On A Sunny Afternoon "( In the Summertime)
Do you mean The Kinks?
@@carlmassengale1027 no ,The Moody Blues in fact you can CZcams the song.
@@nealgordon3712 Okay, sorry. Was not familiar with that. Will look into it.
Never heard of that and can't find it. Was it a spoof of the Kinks' famous Lazing On a Sunny Afternoon?
Interestingly, the Ray Davies' track - "taxman's taken all my dough" etc - came out before Revolver in June 1967; but the Beatles started recording Harrison's Taxman in April, a few weeks before the Kinks began theirs in May. Coincidence, probably. Maybe British taxes were in the newspapers at the time, or accountancy was on both their minds after the start of the financial year on April 5.
@@strathman7501 I couldn't find it either. Wonder if neal is playing us.
John wrote one line of tax man George wrote two lines of nowhere Man
Exactly, all the Beatles worked with each other as well as George Martin. Did Ringo get writing credits for "A Hard Days Night" ???
Intriguing, I've never come across any source saying the George contributed to Nowhere Man. Can you say which lines?
@@strathman7501 it`s a lie
3 libes of Eleanor Rigby...Ah look at all the lonely people x3
@@louziccarelli7406 WHO knows:)
0:32 where do you get the "90%" from? It was 95% super-tax - hence the "one for you, nineteen for me". Surely pretty basic, easy research....?
"Taxman" is one of those George Harrison gems that he probably couldn't have been able to write hadn't been for the influence of Bob Dylan. The pre-1965 George might not have even thought about writing a track like that, nor would any of the others.
It's great that the part about Paul tracking that solo was also included here and how his interview segment touches on how he became the bass player for the Beatles in 1961. In my opinion, Paul McCartney is the inaugural bass playing frontman, as well as the first one who sang the highest parts in the vocal spread.
Wouldn't Brian Wilson be the first to be a high singing bass playing front man?
I suppose that's true, @@MarkMikelVideos.
In the end, we all grasp the idea of "Free Market", when we achieve great things and bring join to the masses. Of course, when one is 'poor', it's quite a mute point and no one cares much about taxes.
So, why did George continue to live in England?
Cause he got a better agent.
my late oldest brother was a government CPA and he used to laugh at this song
We love George Harrison Hollywood walk of fame and the rock and roll hall of fame George Harrison you rock and roll forever
We love George Harrison
God bless George Harrison
George Harrison you rock and roll forever
90%? How did he/they ever get rich?
95% !
I have a feeling that George didn’t understand progressive tax brackets
BRRRACKETS
@@screamap1llar697I'll be lmao all year from that!
He's definitely not the only one. Schools could spend half a day on the subject with their Seniors and then there wouldn't be so much confusion.
Well explain it to me then please! Imagine you cut a lawn for 10.00 an hour and after 3 hours I'll give you 00.15
@screamap1llar697 Yesterday, I commented in response about how hilarious the brrrackets joke was and how I'd be lmao all week at it. Since youtube notifies me on every single comment on top of mine, I wanted to see what the latest one was in response to and when I saw yours, it reminded me of mine but it's no longer there. Why would I still get notifications on every additional comment while mine has vanished? Thanks youtube. Now I have to hear about tax brackets for absolutely no reason.
I don't mind paying taxes as long as the government doesn't waste my money. Unfortunately, they do.
The high taxes rich British people pay goes a long way. The main thing it pays for their National healthcare system, which is second to none in the world. Their healthcare is so good that Brits have one of the highest life expectancies in the world. And, yes, there are still plenty of British rich people.
The National Health Service was destroyed in 1983, when it was replaced by a Kaiser Permanente style of HMO. Today (2024) the NHS is known as the worst medical service in Europe and most people go abroad for their operations.
All that money is going to fighting aged males who are invading the country.
Tbh the Tax cut George talks about at the end doesn’t really sound that bad, I mean the way he talks in the song makes it seem like they’re taking EVerything
One, Twoo, Thrree, Four.
One, Twoo...
I have to disagree with Paul. I thoroughly enjoyed playing bass (as a singer), and loved digging in with the drummer. I found more satisfaction singing than playing guitar solos ('ve done both).
George might have written the song, but Paul «owned» it. Superb bass playing (the chorus verse) + amazing solo. (Btw: why does the bass player play guitar solo on a song written by the lead guitarist???? )
Because George Harrison was having trouble coming up with something that satisfied him and to move things along George Martin suggested "Why don't you let Paul have a go?" Harrison agreed, no doubt reluctantly, and he liked the result.
I wish George could have held back on his venom against John. I can understand the feeling, but jeez, George, you're supposed to be the Quiet One.
Beware of the quiet one, eventually has to explode!😂
Why. As time elapsed, truths were certain to come out. It's important that in retrospect, the individuals are seen for what they were. I grew up with The Beatles from the very beginning of their international fame from late 1962. As a kid, we all had our favourite Beatle. In my (male) child's eyes of the time, John was mine. His forceful, confronting, lead Beatle public persona, I comprehend why he appealed to me then. Now over 60 years later, with that life experience and perspective of an adult & instrumentalist -guitar, bass & drums, as a person George is my favourite of the four as was not denying the talent as was of the sum of the whole. John was a domineering personality we'd refer to today as a "bully" -if you let him, and in the last two years of The Beatles circa his split from Cynthia and association with that egocentric witch, undeniably he developed into an even more confused and wholly repugnant personality. I think George was very generous in his subsequent post Beatle phase factual comments about John. OMMV, but that's mine over the 'distance' of time.
George was the depressed one
@@theblytonian3906 Same here. As much as I admired John for what he accomplished he was also a big baby.
@@theblytonian3906 We may never know how John would have been had he lived beyond 40 years on Earth. He and Yoko could have divorced and perhaps married someone younger and more balanced, like Paul and Nancy. He and Julian were beginning to take steps towards reconciling when he tragically died, so he would have had his eldest son playing with him on the road since John considered touring in '81 and visiting family, Julian, and Paul, in the UK. There were signs he was on the verge of making significant changes to his life, and I think he was finally standing up to Yoko by returning to the studio and making music again, which gave him the freedom that eluded him for a long time. John was not really a bad person but a troubled person who trusted the wrong people while pushing away the ones who truly cared about him, and his life story is relatable to many who have experienced dysfunctional childhoods and toxic people.
George Harrison Hollywood walk of fame and the rock and roll hall of fame
We love George Harrison
God bless George Harrison
God bless George Harrison
Same
George Harrison you rock and roll forever
So what, the Beatles were a group, and they helped each other, -as people SHOULD do today, oh my oh me ob la da.
In the United States, the rich pay NO taxes.
Beatles4Ever
Gwan george 😎😎😎😎
Progressive tax brackets are one thing but 90% is just outrageous
Oh well..
George could still afford
a very good lifestyle at Friar Park and other properties overseas.
This makes it another John album! Wow!
Eh?
They were paying 95% tax.
95% TAX? No wonder we left that place
When did he leave? Friar Park was in England.
@@MarkMikelVideos I said "We" bro, meaning we Americans. No wonder we fought a whole war to escape that shite
@@Humblemumble7 Tax history is complicated, rates changing wildly up and down in Britain and America with different administrations. During the 19thC UK top rate income tax was only a few percent, and actually Britain had *no income tax at all* when the US gained independence. (Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't the issue in 1775 one of *principle* - no taxation without representation?) BTW in America the top rate of tax in the 50s and 60s was also over 90%, not so different. Presently the US federal top rate of 35% is 8% lower than in the UK, but I believe if you live in certain states there are State taxes that will make the top rate higher than in the UK. And what does it buy you in NY or California - in terms of public services - compared to what it buys you in the UK? Maybe you can argue that your system is better, but I'm not sure that it's as simple as saying you've "escaped that shite"
@@Humblemumble7 ah yes you did. I must've had tired eyes when I had first read it. It was the middle of the night. My apologies.
The Taxman has more money in his business than Taxpayers have in ther pocket.
I think George didn't like Paul at all, or at least, he was very resentful for Paul being too bossy.
1776
Very hypocritical of George to complain about taxes while he was still absolutely loaded. Then he'll appear organising charity concerts like the good guy he pretended to be. The Beatles were on the top tier of earners and rightfully so, but if it weren't for taxes he'd be playing on the Concert for England instead of Bangladesh. Also, their tax evasion scheme. Serious countries have high taxes for the rich, deal with it. And that "sentiment agains taxes" you talk about at the end is only present on the greedy wealthy, never on the people.
95% tax. You got to be mad rationalizing this. Not just George, other Beatles had the same complaints too. No Wonder, other three ran away to USA. Strangely it was George who stayed back.
@@user-jz6pq4zx3e They were still insanely rich even while in England. Wanting always more and more is just greed. They live in a society, not in the mountains.
@@ric8248 It is their hard earned money. Which part of it is greed? Taxing more than 90% is mental and now that is greed to milk them. They are not cows to be milked. No wonder many of the high earners left England and later on England's politicians came to their senses.
@@user-jz6pq4zx3e Nobody really "earns" 10000x more than a hard working man, that's one of the abherrations of capitalism, and taxes are the best way to fix it. The greater the distortion the greater the tax. They are still loaded for the rest of their lives, so yes, it is greed.
He tried to hog credit for everything else so why not try to take credit for George's song.
Lennon helped write just about every Beatles song. He was the genius behind it all.
If JL was such a "genius" then explain why is the majority of his post-White Album (i.e., the "Yoko-era") material quite marginal -- particularly the 4 principal solo LPs?
@@pacz8114 hahaha. Solo Lennon is so much better than anything McCartney produced. I’m sorry that you think popular means better 🤷🏻♂️ you must think Taylor swift is amazing.
@@Willowdog08 Am not familiar with Taylor Swift, but if he/she can write and sing a song like Mind Games or #9 Dream then I'm on board. JL was a fine songwriter, but once The Yoke got a-hold of him and pussy-whipped him about to all and sundry, it was clear music was simply a vehicle for Yoke's self-absorbed non-musical pursuits. To my ears, JL's best set of songs were on The White Album -- an overall excellent outing for him and he surely out did Mc on that album. But then once under The Yoke's control, and he started issuing those needless spoken-word LPs, his 1969 offerings (Get Back / Abbey Road), while solid, were not up to par with the pre-Yoke / White Album material.
As for solo, you have to write-off the "therapy LP" and start with Imagine, which is OK; Mind Games is stronger; but the NYC LP is a bloody repugnant catastrophe (he even ripped-off Frank Zappa -- who was a TRUE musical genius). The principal problem is that under The Yoke's influence, JL stopped writing melodically-forefront music...and it genuinely shows on the '70s LPs. Mc always put the melody first -- marvelously so. Had JL stayed with Cyn, surely his post-Beatles LPs would have been much more memorable in a melodic sense -- like all of his offerings in the White Album and those frilly ditties he ushered forth for the Abbey Road side II medley.
Taxation is extortion.
Then who is supposed to pay for police, libraries, firefighters, etc etc etc?
McCartney sounds horrible. No wonder the other 3 went against him.
What specifically "sounds horrible" here?
@@strathman7501there are horrible trolls on every Beatles video comments section.
A very average song.
Adding "niggled" to the vocabulary.
Wait, nevermind.