The Beatles, “I’m Only Sleeping” from Revolver (1966): Deep Beatles
Revolver marked an important milestone for the Beatles: It represents the group at their most experimental to date. Backwards guitars, eerie sound loops, surrealist lyrics: nothing was off-limits for their 1966 masterpiece. A perfect example of this early innovation is “I’m Only Sleeping,” the primarily John Lennon-penned track that features sound effects, a stellar Lennon vocal, and an unusual Harrison guitar solo.
While many fans believe “I’m Only Sleeping” refers to drugs, the words also refer to Lennon’s habit of sleeping late. In his infamous interview with journalist Maureen Cleave on March 4, 1966, he claimed that he was “physically lazy. … I don’t mind writing or reading or watching or speaking, but sex is the only physical thing I can be bothered with any more.” Cleave even mentioned that “he can sleep almost indefinitely, is probably the laziest person in England.
” According to other sources such as Rolling Stone and the Beatles Bible, the story may also derive from John Lennon’s annoyance at Paul McCartney waking him up for a songwriting session. Lennon scribbled the initial lyrics on the back of an envelope, although McCartney mentioned in a 1994 interview that he helped revise the words.
Recording began on April 27, 1966, the same day that George Martin and engineer Geoff Emerick completed mono mixes of “Taxman,” “And Your Bird Can Sing,” and “Tomorrow Never Knows.” The session involved rehearsals, with the Beatles experimenting with different instruments and arrangements.
By: Kit O'Toole
Source: Something Else Reviews
