Taxman
"Taxman" is a song by English rock band the Beatles. It was first released on their 1966 album Revolver.[4] It was written by George Harrison, with some help from John Lennon. It is about a tax collector taking a lot of money from people. Harrison wrote it because he was being taxed a lot because of Harold Wilson's Labour government.[5] The song was recorded a month after Labour won the 1966 general election.[6]
| "Taxman" | |
|---|---|
| Song by the Beatles | |
| from Revolver" | |
| Released | 5 August 1966 |
| Recorded | 21–22 April, 16 May and 21 June 1966 |
| Studio | EMI, London |
| Genre | Soul,[1] garage rock,[2] garage psychedelia[3] |
| Length | 2:39 |
| Label | Parlophone (UK), Capitol (US) |
| Songwriter(s) | George Harrison |
| Producer(s) | George Martin |
Personnel
According to Ian MacDonald,[7] except where noted:
- George Harrison – lead vocals, lead guitar
- John Lennon – backing vocals, rhythm guitar[8]
- Paul McCartney – backing vocals, bass guitar, lead guitar (solo)
- Ringo Starr – drums, cowbell, tambourine[8]
Taxman Media
Harrison references Prime Minister Harold Wilson (pictured) and Conservative Party leader Ted Heath in the song's lyrics.
References
- ↑ Ingham 2003, p. 241: "brittle-hard soul music".
- ↑ The Editors of Rolling Stone 2002, p. 172: "a contagious blast of garage rock".
- ↑ The Editors of Rolling Stone 2002, p. 200: "Harrison's psyche-garage cruncher".
- ↑ Lewisohn 2005, p. 84.
- ↑ Turner 2016, p. 160.
- ↑ Winn 2009, pp. 12–13.
- ↑ MacDonald 2005, p. 200.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Winn 2009, p. 13.
Sources
- Ingham, Chris (2003). The Rough Guide to the Beatles. London: Rough Guides. ISBN 1-84353-140-2.
- Harrison. New York, NY: Rolling Stone Press. 2002. ISBN 978-0-7432-3581-5.
- Lewisohn, Mark (2005) [1988]. The Complete Beatles Recording Sessions: The Official Story of the Abbey Road Years 1962–1970. London: Bounty Books. ISBN 978-0-7537-2545-0.
- Turner, Steve (2016). Beatles '66: The Revolutionary Year. New York, NY: Ecco. ISBN 978-0-06-247558-9.
- Winn, John C. (2009). That Magic Feeling: The Beatles' Recorded Legacy, Volume Two, 1966–1970. New York, NY: Three Rivers Press. ISBN 978-0-307-45239-9.
- MacDonald, Ian (2005). Revolution in the Head: The Beatles' Records and the Sixties (2nd rev. ed.). London: Pimlico. ISBN 1-84413-828-3.