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10 Druggiest Beatles Songs
11 January 2014
8.33am
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RunForYourLife
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The Word ” was the only song they ever wrote with the idea of “Let’s get high and write a song!”

On the surface, it sounds innocent, but there are some subtle trippy things going on in it, musically. I believe it was a failed attempt to write a one-chord song. The harmonies are also pretty out there.

Plus, the full ending (without the fade) has a psychedelic “raga” sound to it (I really think they should’ve kept it in)

11 January 2014
12.22pm
Bungalow Bob
Seattle, Washington
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Ahhh Girl said
Ditto about the wheels on the bus going round and round. Dahhh. Not that song.

This, in the context of “Roll up for Mystery Tour,” made me laugh out loud. It was almost as if I had “rolled up.” ;-)

This has been a very thought-provoking topic. “Fixing A Hole ” has also been rumored to be a “druggie” song, because of course, there’s that surefire clue of a dope fiend’s “fix.”

11 January 2014
5.37pm
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meanmistermustard
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What was the influence of Whats The New Mary Jane? I remember reading that it was inspired by or a reference to marijuana (apologies if this has been mentioned already).

"I told you everything I could about me, Told you everything I could" ('Before Believing' - Emmylou Harris)

11 January 2014
5.52pm
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parlance
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meanmistermustard said
What was the influence of Whats The New Mary Jane? I remember reading that it was inspired by or a reference to marijuana (apologies if this has been mentioned already).

Good question. I just looked it up in Ian McDonald’s book, and he only says that the usual explanation – that Mary Jane is a slang for marijuana – doesn’t account for most of the song’s lyrics. He notes in-crowd references that imply the song was about someone known to the group – someone American, female, possibly Black and possibly seeking UK residence via a marriage of convenience. That may be too literal an interpretation, I don’t know. I do remember reading of an African-American woman who tried to get a job at Apple and was turned down, 

She making with Apple an contract

but I don’t remember where I read that. Maybe The Longest Cocktail Party? Anyway, I’ve never listened to the song that closely because I hate it, but it always sounded more like a bad acid trip to me than anything pot-related.

parlance

Beware of sadness. It can hit you. It can hurt you. Make you sore and what is more, that is not what you are here for. - George

Check out my fan video for Paul's song "Appreciate" at Vimeo or YouTube.

11 January 2014
5.58pm
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parlance
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RunForYourLife said
The Word ” was the only song they ever wrote with the idea of “Let’s get high and write a song!”

On the surface, it sounds innocent, but there are some subtle trippy things going on in it, musically. I believe it was a failed attempt to write a one-chord song. The harmonies are also pretty out there.

I was thinking of that song yesterday and meant to post about it. The piano intro alone is pretty wacky. It’s one of my favorite Beatles tunes.

parlance

Beware of sadness. It can hit you. It can hurt you. Make you sore and what is more, that is not what you are here for. - George

Check out my fan video for Paul's song "Appreciate" at Vimeo or YouTube.

12 January 2014
1.50am
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DayInTheLife
Strawberry Fields
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I Am The Walrus is certainly one of them. But IMO nothing compares to Whats The New Mary Jane.

"If there's a thing such as genius. I am one. And if there isn't, I don't care." - John Lennon

 

12 January 2014
2.20am
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meanmistermustard
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If folks are going to shoehorn songs into druggiest songs lists then i nominate It’s Only Love with “I get high”. 

"I told you everything I could about me, Told you everything I could" ('Before Believing' - Emmylou Harris)

3 February 2014
9.46am
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thisgirlthatgirl
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Ahhh Girl said

“This has been a very thought-provoking topic. “Fixing A Hole ” has also been rumored to be a “druggie” song, because of course, there’s that surefire clue of a dope fiend’s “fix.”

^^ I was going to mention “Fixing A Hole ” – not because of the double-meaning of fix, but because it has a kind of meandering haziness to it that I associate with being stoned.

Peace and love

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