The Beatles’ song “I Am the Walrus” stands as one of the most enigmatic pieces in their discography. Written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney, the song was the first recorded by the band following the tragic death of their manager, Brian Epstein, in August 1967. Epstein’s passing marked a pivotal moment for the band, who were at a retreat in Bangor, Wales, when they received the news. They quickly reconvened at McCartney’s house in St. John’s Wood to decide their next steps. McCartney emphasized the need to continue with the “Magical Mystery Tour” project, a sentiment reluctantly agreed upon by the rest of the band.
Four days later, on September 5, 1967, The Beatles entered EMI Studio One to record “I Am the Walrus.” This song, with its surreal lyrics and complex structure, became a testament to the band’s resilience and creativity during a time of personal and professional upheaval.
The inspiration for “I Am the Walrus” came from various sources. Writer Hunter Davies, who was working on the first official Beatles biography, recalls an incident at Lennon’s Kenwood home. Lennon was inspired by the sound of a police siren, which he mimicked on the piano. This initial idea evolved into the song’s distinctive rhythm. Lennon also played with random phrases, such as “Sitting on a cornflake, waiting for the van to come,” which he jotted down on a piece of paper.
John’s songwriting process for “I Am the Walrus” was unconventional. He often wrote lyrics without fully understanding their meaning until later. The song’s first verse, for instance, was written without any clear intention. Lennon described how he would add lines whenever inspiration struck, eventually piecing together the song from these fragments.
The song’s lyrics are filled with bizarre and seemingly nonsensical imagery. Long-time friend Pete Shotton recalls how Lennon incorporated absurd phrases to mock the over-analysis of Beatles’ lyrics by fans and critics. For example, the line “Yellow matter custard dripping from a dead dog’s eye” was inspired by a childhood rhyme. Lennon also included references to mundane items like semolina and pilchards, adding to the song’s surreal quality.
One of the more intriguing aspects of the song is the reference to the “egg man.” Eric Burdon, lead singer of The Animals, claims that he is the “egg man,” a nickname he earned after a peculiar incident involving a Jamaican girlfriend. This anecdote adds another layer of mystery to the song’s already cryptic lyrics.
The song also includes a nod to “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds,” a track often associated with LSD. The line “See how they fly like Lucy in the sky” acknowledges the drug-related interpretations of their earlier work. Additionally, the phrase “I’m crying,” repeated throughout the song, mirrors a similar line in Smokey Robinson and The Miracles’ “Ooo Baby Baby,” highlighting the band’s admiration for Robinson.
Despite its seemingly random lyrics, “I Am the Walrus” was not without controversy. The BBC banned the song due to the line “You’ve been a naughty girl, you’ve let your knickers down.” Paul McCartney defended the use of the word “knickers,” arguing that it was harmless and expressive. John Lennon, on the other hand, enjoyed the playful and rebellious nature of the lyrics.
George Harrison, in a 1968 interview, commented on how people often took Beatles’ lyrics too seriously. He noted that while the lyrics of “I Am the Walrus” were true in a sense, they were also meant to be humorous. This duality is a hallmark of the song, blending serious themes with playful absurdity.
Producer George Martin observed the distinct songwriting styles of Lennon and McCartney. He noted that Lennon often wrote in fragments, which he later assembled into a complete song. This method is evident in “I Am the Walrus,” where disparate ideas and phrases come together to form a cohesive, albeit perplexing, whole.
Interestingly, George Harrison mentioned that Lennon might have included his personal mantra, given to him by the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, in the song’s lyrics. While the exact mantra remains unknown, it’s speculated that it could be hidden within the phrase “goo-goo-g’joob.”
In various interviews, Lennon downplayed the significance of the song’s lyrics, describing them as a dream-like stream of consciousness. He admitted that the words didn’t hold any deep meaning and were often written with a tongue-in-cheek attitude. This playful approach allowed listeners to interpret the song in myriad ways, adding to its enduring mystique.
“I Am the Walrus” remains a fascinating example of The Beatles’ innovative and experimental spirit. Its origins, filled with random inspirations and playful mockery, reflect the band’s ability to create profound art from seemingly trivial sources. The song continues to captivate audiences, inviting them to unravel its mysterious and whimsical lyrics.
