Yes, the title of this post has pissed you off already. John Lennon certainly kicked up a fuss with his famous, “We have become more popular than Jesus” remark. But, stick with me for a moment.
So, just to let you know, I am old enough to remember The Beatles. I was about five when my brother brought “Sgt. Peppers” home. I remember the music, but mostly, I remember that the album opened up and it was so pretty! All those wonderful colors! My older brother and sister were big fans and I got to grow up listening to all of their wonderful music.
Personally, don’t have a huge collection, and I am one of those who waited for the Beatles music to show up on itunes. One of my first purchases was “Come Together” from Abbey Road. Listening to the lyrics got me thinking. Were McCartney and Lennon referring to Jesus when they wrote about “old flattop” Let’s compare and contrast, shall we?
“Here come old flattop, he come groovin’ up slowly” I don’t think Jesus was one to rush around. You know he wasn’t checking his blackberry and I’m guessing he’d never send a text.
“He got joo-joo eyeball, he one holly roller” Well, of course he’s a holly roller, duh?
“Got to be a joker he just do what he please” Yeah, he does “what he please” like healing the sick and raising people from the dead. He was all about being independent.
“He wear no shoeshine, he got toe-jam football He got monkey finger, he shoot coca-cola” Okay, well that’s just filler. Let’s get down to the real deal. “He say I know you, you know me, one thing I can tell you is you got to be free” Now, come on folks, isn’t that the essence of what Jesus was saying? The truth will set you free?
Moving on: “he bag production, he got walrus gumboot” okay, that’s just more filler. But look at this, “hold you in his arms, yeah, you can feel his disease.” I’m pretty sure Jesus knew he was not long for this world.
“He say, one and one and one is three” I’m guessing this is a direct reference to Matthew 18:20 “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”
“Come together, right now, over me.”
That’s how it pans out in my small brain. There are critics who say the lyrics are about each of the other members of the band. But for me, it’s an interesting exercise that you can interpret art in so many ways, and this one serves as a reminder that we are all in this together. Thanks for stopping by. What do you think? Am I close or just babbling on here?
I LIKE it! You know, you look exactly as you sound, Rachel. Naughty but nice.
This blog looks great!
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Hold it! Found it at the bottom of the page.
Put it at the top. Not that I’m bossy or anything,lol!
Rachel, I think you’re right to imply that interpretation is in the mind of the beholder (ear of the listener in this case?). Playing with these lyrics is a good way to review so many focus points of the so-called counter culture of the 60s and early 70s (I was a proud part of the sit-in tribe). Still, I believe the truer story behind this song involves that wily “Turn On, Tune In, Drop Out” master Timothy Leary. Shootin’ “coca cola” was filler of a definite flavor for old Timmy. John supposedly wrote this song at Leary’s request. Leary was planning to run against Roonie Raygun for governor of California, and “Come Together” was Leary’s chosen slogan. Poor old Timmy timed out and went to the clink before he could begin his campaign in earnest, so The Beatles went ahead and recorded the song. At least that’s the way I remember the tale (as best as my altered state allows for memory, that is). I suppose WANA has replaced We Shall Overcome. So many of my counter-culture colleagues surrendered their Yamaha guitars and quick became married insurance underwriters. Not exactly High Concept, that.
Hi Anthony!
I was too young to remember all the political stuff going on at the time, but I did read that “Come Together” was Leary’s slogan. And interestingly enough, there are several astrologers out there (yes, they didn’t go away) saying how we are going through a cosmic shake-up similar to the “flower power” times. Has We Shall Overcome been taken over by the 99 per cent? We live in interesting times.
HI Rachel,
Well, unfortunately I am too young to remember any of that. But I did find your interpretation and missing bits of information provided by Anthony very interesting. I actually own this album. Yes, album, not mp3. My mother bought it when I was a kid. In the end I got everything so I still have it nicely tucked away despite the fact I can’t play it (no record player). I recall the Beatles tunes jamming through our house many a summer’s day.
Hi Debra, between my older brother and sister, they had all the albums, which were played on a — Hifi — yes, it was a big cabinet with a turntable in it and speakers built in too. It was the big family Christmas present in 1969. Nowadays you can get a turntable that hooks up to your computer so you can “rip” the songs into your hard drive.
cheers,
rachel
Thank you for your posts Christine. I thought there wasn’t a blog subscribe button until your email popped into my email with the answer! Yay!
Rachel, we also had a big beautiful wooden cabinet with the turntable and a reel to reel inside when you lift the top. Serious old school. That’s what we played the Beatles on. I know they have them now so we can rip them right to the computer. I’ve asked for one since I have albums you can’t get on itunes. Someone in my household is dragging their heels. Hmmm
I like your interpretation, especially the filler. 🙂 I have never been a big Beatles fan, too young I think, but I do know some of their music. This seems as plausible as anything.