Background Information
The Beatles wrote “I Am the Walrus” in 1967, as part of their Magical Mystery Tour album. John Lennon wrote the song after conversations with a friend about the meaning of the nonsense verse of Lewis Carroll’s poem “The Walrus and The Carpenter”. Lennon took Carroll’s poem and twisted it into a satirical song about the media.
The lyrics are made up of verses of semi-nonsense English phrases. On the surface, the words don’t carry much meaning, other than a string of random words and phrases. This has lead many people to ask, why did the Beatles write “I Am the Walrus”?
Inspiration
John Lennon was inspired to write the song by literature, specifically the satiric poems of his own childhood. This included Lewis Carroll’s “Walrus and The Carpenter.” In the poem, the Walrus and the Carpenter are walking by the sea, and the Walrus eats oysters while the Carpenter does not. Its alliterative phrases, surreal imagery and Abbott and Costello-like dialogue, provided the perfect mix of absurdity for the song.
John Lennon also took inspiration from the BBC radio program “The Goon Show.” The Goon Show was a popular satirical comedy show that aired on the BBC during the 1950s. Its absurdist, Monty Python-esque humor was a major influence on Lennon’s writing.
Motivation
The deeper meaning of “I Am the Walrus” is thought to be a commentary on the media. Lennon was a vocal critic of what he felt was the media’s attempt to manipulate public opinion. By writing a nonsensical song, he was sending a message about the shallowness of the media.
The lyrics were written as an attack on the media, with the absurdist imagery of the Walrus and the Carpenter symbolic of the media and its attempts to manipulate public opinion. Lennon wrote the song as a way to challenge the status quo and to encourage people to take control of their own lives instead of relying on the media.
Lyrics
John Lennon was a master of wordplay, and “I Am the Walrus” is no exception. The lyrics are difficult to interpret because of their randomness, but they contain hidden meanings.
For example, the lyric “Yellow matter custard, dripping from a dead dog’s eye” is thought to refer to the death of Elvis Presley. Elvis was one of Lennon’s idols, and Lennon had met him shortly before writing the song.
The phrase “Sitting in an English garden, waiting for the sun” is thought to be a reference to Lennon’s childhood memories of growing up in Liverpool. He had a nostalgia for small-town English life, and this nostalgia is reflected in the lyrics. This also serves as an example of Lennon’s wit and mastery of wordplay.
Analysis
When the song was released, it seemed baffling to many, as it was unlike anything the Beatles had previously recorded. Although the lyrics were nonsensical and the musical arrangement unconventional, the song resonated with many.
This was due to the way it made a statement about the media while also celebrating the absurd. It showed people that it was possible to challenge the status quo and still be entertaining. It also showed that it was possible to make art out of the mundane.
Popularity
The song’s popularity made it one of the Beatles’ most well-known songs. It was featured in the film Yellow Submarine and has been covered by artists ranging from the Beach Boys to Oasis.
The song has become an anthem for generations of rebellious youth, due to its counter-cultural message. It still resonates with people today, and is part of the reason why the Beatles are still considered to be one of the greatest bands of all time.
Context
When “I Am the Walrus” was written, the world was changing rapidly. There was a rise in counter-cultural movements and the artist was becoming an increasingly important figure in society. Lennon’s song was an expression of this changing world and a way for artists to communicate their displeasure with the status quo.
By writing a song that celebrated the absurd, Lennon was sending a message to artists that it was possible to challenge the mainstream and still create art. He showed people that it was possible to make something out of nothing.
Conclusion
“I Am the Walrus” stands as one of the Beatles’ most iconic songs. It stands as a testament to John Lennon’s skill as a songwriter and his ability to challenge the status quo. The song’s popularity is due to its clever use of wordplay, clever lyrics and its ability to make a statement about the media. It has become an anthem to generations of rebellious youth and will continue to be a classic for years to come.
Identity
John Lennon wrote “I Am the Walrus” as a subversive statement about the media and the power it holds over public opinion. It was a way for him to communicate his belief that people should think for themselves and take control of their own lives.
The song was an attempt to challenge the status quo and to encourage people to be creative and think outside the box. It was a way to express his belief that it was possible to make something out of nothing.
Satire
The song’s use of satire has made it a favorite of fans of the Beatles. Its use of absurd imagery and nonsensical wordplay has made it an instant classic. The lyrics of the song are humorous and often absurd, but they also contain hidden meanings and social commentary.
The song is an example of Lennon’s mastery of wordplay and his ability to make a statement while being entertaining. It was his way of using his art to confront the power of the media and to encourage people to think for themselves.
Innovation
The song has been covered by many artists over the years, each of them putting their own spin on the classic. This has shown the song to be timeless and has kept it alive even after John Lennon’s death.
The song has become an anthem for generations of rebellious youth, showing them that it is possible to challenge the status quo while still creating great art. It stands as an example of Lennon’s songwriting prowess and his ability to create something out of nothing.
