What's the Real Story Behind 'Come Together'?
Unraveling the Mysteries of the Beatles' Iconic Track: From Political Slogans to Enigmatic Lyrics, How Did This Masterpiece Come to Life?
What Sparked the Flame? The Genesis of "Come Together"
Ah, the enigmatic allure of "Come Together," a song that has captivated listeners since its release on the iconic "Abbey Road" album. But what's the real story behind this Beatles classic? Picture it: 1969, a year of change, a year of revolution, and in the midst of it all, John Lennon found himself inspired by an unlikely muse—Timothy Leary, the American psychologist and early advocate of LSD.
Leary, who was planning to run for Governor of California, approached Lennon with a unique request. He wanted a campaign song, one that would resonate with the counterculture of the time. The slogan? "Come Together – Join the Party!" Lennon was intrigued. "The resulting chant was only a line long: 'Come together and join the party,'" Leary later recalled. Lennon promised to finish and record the song, but as fate would have it, the two never interacted again.
Fast forward to July 1969, Lennon found himself in the recording studio, armed with a phrase that had stuck with him—"come together." But the song that emerged was far from a political anthem. Instead, it was a bluesy, up-tempo number that bore a striking resemblance to Chuck Berry's 1956 hit, "You Can't Catch Me." Lennon had altered Berry's original lyric of "Here come a flattop / He was movin' up with me" to "Here come ol' flattop / He come groovin' up slowly."
But why the change in direction? According to Lennon, the song was a sonic tapestry, woven together from various influences. "It's gobbledygook; 'Come Together' was an expression that Leary had come up with for his attempt at being president or whatever he wanted to be," Lennon explained. The song had evolved, and what started as a campaign chant had transformed into something far more complex and intriguing.
What's even more fascinating is how the song was initially a fast-paced blues number. It was Paul McCartney who suggested they slow it down. "John acknowledged it was rather close to it so I said, 'Well, anything you can do to get away from that,'" McCartney noted. The result? A slowed-down, "swampy" tune that would go on to become one of the Beatles' most iconic tracks.
How Did the Beatles Shape the Sound?
Picture the scene: EMI Studios, now the iconic Abbey Road Studios, on July 21, 1969. The Beatles are gathered, instruments in hand, ready to record. But this isn't just another day at the office; this is the birth of "Come Together." The atmosphere is electric, charged with a sense of purpose. After all, this marks the return of Geoff Emerick, the balance engineer who had left the Beatles' circle a year earlier, citing a tense and negative atmosphere. His return signalled a renewed energy, a fresh start.
George Martin, the man often dubbed the "fifth Beatle," is at the helm as the producer. His presence is a calming force, guiding the band through the creative labyrinth that is the recording process. "The session marked Lennon's first new composition for the band in three months," Emerick later revealed. The weight of expectation hangs heavy in the air, but if anyone can deliver, it's the Beatles.
Eight takes are recorded, each one a step closer to capturing the elusive magic they're all chasing. The lineup is a classic: Lennon's raw, emotive vocals, McCartney's intricate bass lines, Harrison's steady rhythm guitar, and Starr's innovative drumming. But this is no ordinary recording session. Starr, ever the experimenter, places tea towels over his tom drums, dampening the sound to create a unique, almost muffled effect. It's a small detail, but one that adds a layer of complexity to the track.
And let's not forget Lennon's handclaps. Each time he belts out "Shoot me!", his hands come together in a clap that reverberates through the studio. It's a simple addition, but one that adds a human, almost primal touch to the song. Lennon also sprinkles in some tambourine, a subtle nod to the song's bluesy roots.
But the real game-changer comes from McCartney. The song, in its original form, is a fast-paced blues number, almost frenetic in its energy. McCartney, ever the musical chameleon, suggests slowing it down. "Let's make it swampy," he says. And so, the bass line is laid down, a moody, meandering riff that transforms the song's entire vibe. McCartney later reflects, "That bass line very much makes the mood. It's a bass line that people now use very often in rap records."
What's Behind Those Enigmatic Lyrics?
The lyrics of "Come Together" are a riddle wrapped in a mystery, a poetic jigsaw puzzle that has intrigued fans and scholars alike for decades. But what's the story behind these enigmatic lines? To truly understand, we must delve deeper into the labyrinthine mind of John Lennon, the song's primary lyricist, and the complex tapestry of influences that shaped this iconic track.
Firstly, let's consider the song's roots. The lyrics were inspired by Lennon's relationship with Yoko Ono, his muse and confidante. The words flowed quickly, almost as if channelled in a stream-of-consciousness manner. Author Peter Doggett once noted, Eachh phrase [passes] too quickly to be understood at first hearing, the sound as important as the meaning." It's as if Lennon is challenging us, daring us to dig deeper, to peel back the layers and discover the essence of the song—or perhaps, to realize that its enigma is its essence.
But Lennon wasn't the sole architect of the song's lyrical landscape. Enter George Harrison, the "quiet Beatle," who claimed to have contributed two lines to the song. Though Harrison never revealed which lines he penned, his subtle influence adds another layer of complexity to an already intricate masterpiece. It's a collaborative effort, a tapestry woven from the unique threads of each Beatle's creative genius.
And what about that recurring phrase, "shoot me," that punctuates the song like a rhythmic heartbeat? This line was borrowed from an unfinished and unreleased January 1969 song by Lennon called "Watching Rainbows." It's a small but significant detail, adding a touch of continuity and intrigue to Lennon's lyrical narrative.
Moreover, the song's lyrics were also influenced by Lennon's admiration for American psychologist Timothy Leary, an early advocate of LSD. The phrase "Come Together" was initially part of Leary's campaign slogan for his gubernatorial run. It's fascinating to think that a political slogan could evolve into a lyrical cornerstone of one of the most iconic rock songs ever.
So, the next time you find yourself lost in the intricate web of "Come Together," consider each line, each word, as a brushstroke in a larger sonic painting. It's a journey into the complex minds of its creators, a glimpse into the collective psyche of the Beatles at a pivotal moment in their storied career. Each lyric is a clue, a signpost pointing toward the deeper, often elusive meanings that lie just beneath the surface.