Revolution-Beatles

## About this song...

This song is Revolution by the Beatles, here is a YouTube link to the song. The musicians that worked on this song were Ringo Starr, John Lenon, Paul McCartney, and George Harrison. They released this song August 26th 1968. George Martin produced the song with the Apple records label in the United Kingdom which was formed that year in 1968. Which was a label they created to get more artistic freedom.

**Social ill/problem being protested**

John Lennon with the many political issues that were happening in America, Britain and Poland such as the Vietnam War and the social protests going around. This led to Lennon having empathy of the people protesting and wanting to become vocal of the issue. The other members were reluctant to compose and perform the song but Lennon’s perseverance ultimately led to them performing it.  35 percent of the population approved of Johnson’s handling of the war and a full 50 percent disapproved. Around 200,000 people joined a single march and many more people supported the movement.  So many people were vocal about the issues at hand.

The social problem this song is about is that the students are protesting and wanting The Beatles comment on the issues they are fighting for. The Beatles just want to stay neutral. You can see this in lines like But when you talk about destruction -  Don't you know that you can count me out”.

**Sample of the most compelling lyrics**

“But if you go carrying pictures of chairman Mao, You ain't going to make it with anyone anyhow” “We all want to change the world, But when you talk about destruction, Don't you know that you can count me out”

**Relevance of the words and phrases selected**

The first quote mentions chairman Mao who is a major political figure people were protesting for being a communist . The second lyric quote is about how the Beatles do not want to be apart of all the protests going on in the world specifically the U.S. where they were becoming very popular in.

**Significance of the song in history**

It fits in with the protests songs movements during the 1960’s and 1970’s where various singers and composers were starting to protest in their music the various political and social issues happening. Like many other songs, Revolution by the Beatles was made to protest the issues in America which fits in the movement that was happening back then.

**Contemporary connections**

They sort of started rock and they still have band members making music today. They made three versions of this song.

**Trivia related to the events, people and places**

The last song John Lennon played for a paying audience was I saw her standing there.

The Beatle that crossed Abbey Road first was John

The Beatles song written for Mia Farrow’s sister was Dear Prudence.

The first Beatle member to get married was John Lennon.

The original drummer for the Beatles was Pete Best.

The fans believed that Paul had died and was replaced by a double.

**The reasons you selected this song and/or musician**

I really like this song and it is about the student protesters in 1968 which we just learned about so that is what made me think of it. I also learned it was a protest song when we analyzed it in seventh grade Texas, History class.

**External Links**

https://www.usefultrivia.com/music\_trivia/beatles\_trivia\_index.html

https://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:Xj0rPRVBEtIJ:https://www.udiscovermusic.com/stories/revolution-story-behind-song-beatles/+&cd=8&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us

http://www.beatlesebooks.com/revolution

https://www.history.com/topics/vietnam-war/vietnam-war-protests

https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/civil-rights-movement#:~:text=It%20was%20organized%20and%20attended,establishing%20job%20equality%20for%20everyone.