5 times the Beatles got scandalous

The Beatles knew how to do everything well, including create a scandal.

Though primarily recognized as a rock ‘n’ roll group, The Fab Four drew inspiration from a wide range of sources, leading them to create various styles such as folk, psychedelic music, vaudeville, pop, blues, and lullabies for children. Many fans argue that they laid the groundwork for future genres like punk rock, heavy metal, and grunge.

Though they provided us with tunes that were suitable for families, such as “Yellow Submarine” and “Octopus’s Garden,” they also demonstrated a knack for pushing boundaries. Some of their songs remain somewhat provocative even by today’s standards. Yet, regardless of personal preferences or beliefs, people continue to appreciate them.

Even the Beatles’ fans didn’t always understand their songs

At times, Beatles songs were perceived as controversial due to fans misunderstanding their lyrics. Nowadays, such misinterpretations are less common since people can easily find out the original meanings of songs on the internet. However, there were also instances when the Beatles intentionally stirred up controversy. Overall, these scandalous moments remain intriguing aspects in rock ‘n’ roll history.

“Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds”

It’s commonly believed among fans that the title of the song “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds” originates from the initials “LSD.” Both Paul McCartney and some fans hold this view. However, John Lennon stated that any resemblance between the song’s title and hallucinogens is purely accidental.

You be the judge. Either way, the song is psychedelic bliss.

“Come Together”

The release of ‘Come Together’ brought an unwanted legal issue for John Lennon: a lawsuit alleging plagiarism. In crafting ‘Come Together’, Lennon paid tribute to certain lyrics from Chuck Berry’s ‘You Can’t Catch Me’. This led to a court case initiated by music executive Morris Levy, who owned the rights to several songs, including three that Lennon was then required to record for the album Rock ‘n’ Roll.

“Revolution”

In the 1960s, there were numerous revolutions happening – some focused on politics, others on social norms, and many in music. Some people even believed that the Beatles’ song “Revolution” aimed to provoke a communist uprising. Upon close examination of the lyrics, it becomes apparent that the Beatles initially endorse revolution but then ultimately question its necessity, ending with a hopeful message suggesting that everything will work out fine in the end.

“The Ballad of John and Yoko”

In the folk-rock song “The Ballad of John and Yoko,” Lennon expresses despair with the lines, “They’re gonna crucify me.” This sentiment would have been surprising and controversial in the 1960s, regardless of who delivered it. It carried even more weight coming from an individual known for making the bold claim that his band was “more famous than Jesus.

“Day Tripper”

The song “Day Tripper” is understood as a composition about a casual hippie who dabbles occasionally with drugs. However, Time magazine misunderstood it as a song depicting a prostitute. When asked about the perceived risqué interpretation of the song, McCartney reassured a journalist that he and the other Beatles would persist in writing songs revolving around characters like this.

“Day Tripper” is a song believed to be about a part-time hippie who uses drugs casually. Time magazine misinterpreted it as a song about a prostitute. When questioned about the apparent sexual connotations, McCartney assured reporters that the Beatles would continue creating songs with characters like these.

2025-09-02 15:00