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Songfacts:  You can leave comments about the song at the bottom of the page.

This was the first overtly political Beatles song. It was John Lennon's response to the Vietnam War.

John Lennon wrote this in India while The Beatles were at a transcendental meditation camp with The Maharishi. Lennon told Rolling Stone: "I had been thinking about it up in the hills in India. I still had this 'God will save us' feeling about it, that it's going to be all right (even now I'm saying 'Hold on, John, it's going to be all right,' otherwise, I won't hold on) but that's why I did it, I wanted to talk, I wanted to say my piece about revolution. I wanted to tell you, or whoever listens, to communicate, to say 'What do you say? This is what I say.'"

The original slow version appears on The White Album. The fast, loud version was released as a single. In the slow version, Lennon says "count me in" as well as "count me out" when referring to violence. This gives the song a dual meaning.

This was released as the B-side of "Hey Jude." Lennon wanted it to be the first A-side released on Apple Records, the label The Beatles started, but "Hey Jude" got the honor.

There are so many versions of this song because Paul McCartney didn't like it. Lennon really wanted this song to be the 'A' side of the single instead of "Hey Jude," and kept changing it around to come up with something that would make Paul see it his way. He basically wrote the song because he felt like he was being pulled in so many directions by different people, all of whom wanted his backing, politically. It was also him questioning his own belief in the revolution that was going on... whether he was "out" or "in." In truth, he was writing about a revolution of the mind rather than a physical "in the streets" revolution. He truly believed that revolution comes from inner change rather than social violence. (This is discussed in the DVD Composing the Beatles Songbook)

Nike used this for commercials in 1987. Capital Records, who owns the performance rights, meaning The Beatles version of the song, was paid $250,000. Michael Jackson, who owns the publishing rights, meaning use of the words and music, also had to agree and was paid for the song.
The Nike commercials caused a huge backlash from Beatles fans who felt that Nike was disrespecting the legacy of John Lennon, who probably would have objected to its use. There were plans to use more Beatles songs in future ads, but they were abandoned when it became clear it was not good business practice. As years went by, it became more acceptable to use songs in commercials, but Beatles songs were still considered sacred, especially since the group did not control their rights. In 2002, "When I'm 64" was used in a commercial for Allstate insurance. Many Beatles fans were not pleased, but it didn't get nearly the reaction of the Nike commercials, partly because it was not a political song, but also because it was sung by Julian Lennon, which implied endorsement by his father.

The Beatles played this, along with "Hey Jude," on The David Frost Show in 1968. It was their first performance in 2 years. They played it for the first time in America on The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour in 1968.

Nicky Hopkins played the piano. When The Beatles needed keyboards, they usually used Hopkins, Billy Preston, or their producer, George Martin.

The dirty guitar sound was created by plugging the guitars directly into the audio board. The guitar sounded so scratchy that many who bought the 45 RPM single tried to return it, thinking it was defective. (thanks to Dwight Rounds, author of The Year The Music Died, 1964-1972)

The word "Revolution" is mentioned just once, in the first line.

John Lennon wanted his vocals to have an unusual sound, so he recorded most of them lying on his back in the studio. The famous scream at the beginning is a double-tracked recording of Lennon. (thanks, Bertrand - Paris, France and Jonathon - Clermont, FL)

The version on the Hey Jude compilation, released in February 1970 in the US, was the B-side of the "Hey Jude" single. The Hey Jude compilation album peaked at #2 in the US and consists of a collection of singles and B-sides that had not previously appeared on US non-soundtrack album releases. The album cover was taken at the final Beatles photo session, at Lennon's (later Starr's) country estate in Ascot, England. (thanks, Bertrand - Paris, France)

The Stone Temple Pilots performed this at Madison Square Garden as part of the 2001 special, Come Together: A Night For John Lennon's Words And Music. Their version was released as a single, with proceeds going to charity.

Comments:

For god's sake people quit calling him John "Ono" Lennon. Show some respect for the other Beatles and quit calling him by that wretched name. I don't care what you think. Ono destroyed The Beatles. If you want to call "YOURSELF" a fan then quit calling calling Lennon that.
- Ociee117, Rochester, MN

Ok. The scream at the beginning is definitely John Winston Ono Lennon, it's almost the same as on "Hey, Bulldog", and if you can't tell the difference between John and Paul screaming, please refrain from commenting and calling yourself a fan. And the "tu" is at the "evo-lution" part, just to resolve that issue. If you listen with headphones, there are a lot of little things you can pick-up, at least on the Past Masters, II, single version. Love You To(o) Ricky, Tustin, Ca
- Richard, Tustin, CA

fantastic song. perfect for those times when you're just bursting with angst and feel upset at everything (any other teenagers here know exactly what im talking about). rocking out to this always helps me clear my head. and everybody, i think paul only screams in the live version, in the recording it definately sounds like john. what would possess someone to put this in a SNEAKER commercial?! seriously, who DOES that?!
- chloe, St. Louis, MO

And yet another great Beatles' song from John. My sister bought the 45 single when it first came out in 1968. I was 8,she was 11. Was the first record on their new Apple label. "Hey Jude"-A side "Revolution"-B side. I love the intro. And the distorted guitars. As always they were keeping up with the times musically. A great song and statement. A classic! Excellent,great!
- wayne, Salem, VA

This is for -Ines,Lisbon,Portugal----Here are two songs for you. About what was happening in the 60's. "Eve Of Destruction" by Barry McGuire and "Machine Gun" by Jimi Hendrix (from his Band Of Gypsys album) and for Bob of Louisville,KY. Yes "The Beatles" were the greatest rock and roll band ever! No one was better than them,no one.
- wayne, Salem, VA

This is the first Beatles record I listened to. Revolution/Hey Jude. (My mom still has it.) When my sister and I were little we would listen to my parents' 45s. I remember my sister asking if I wanted to listen to the Beatles and I would tell her No, just play the record with the Apple on it. :)
- Linc, Beaumont, TX

It is amazing to me how many people think this song is pro Revolution or in any way anit-Establishment. It is not, and that fact was well covered at the time it was released. Steve, from Fenton, MO gets it the most right. What had happened is that The Beatles were fed up with the social revolutionists in the U.S. trying to get them to somehow with words, music or money support their radical attempts to cause havoc in the government or society. What the song was meant by them to accomplish was to tell all those nut-balls to bugger off. It has been noted in interviews many times with various members of the band, but what is amazing is how so many people can't hear the words of this song. I mean, it says it pretty plainly. About the only thing Steve got wrong is leaving out William Ayers who was a terrorist then, and unrepentant about it now. Bugger off Ayers.
- Raincheck, Ballooga, CO

people who like this song are just a couple of people with...... GOOD taste!
- Tay, San Diego, CA

lol I agree with Jon from Sunnyvale, CA
- Chanel, Somewhere, WA

This song is one of the best in the world - i love the opening "fuzzy" guitar
- Nate, Syrause, NY

well I just read in this magazine that they're gonna make a Beatles video game, kinda like a Guitar Hero/Rock Band thing but with all Beatles songs and I immediatley thought abiut how fun this song would be to play.
- Rosario, Naples, FL

all the songs by the beates rock :)
- Cdawg, Philadelpha, PA

this is truely genious. i love this song so much. there is so much history to it :] I LOVE GSM!
- Alyssa, Dallas, TX

I once watched a TV miniseries about the Charles Manson murders, and an acquaintance of Manson's was explaining to a detective that Manson thought "Revolution" was a Beatles message for him. The acquaintance said, "Charlie heard John Lennon sing `...destruction/You can count me out/in,' and said the `in' was a secret code to him to use destruction." I thought, "But John doesn't sing `in' in 'Revolution.'" But then months later I was listening to the "White Album" version of the song, "Revolution #1," and I heard John sing 'out/in' and it completely freaked me! I hadn't considered the lyric would be different on the "White Album" version. It obviously wasn't a code to Charles Manson, but it was still weird to hear!
- Susan, Toronto, Canada

This song is amazing! I am actually doing a research paper for history about the events of the sixties and their effects on music. This song is a perfect example of it. If anyone knows any other songs by The Beatles or any other band that has anything to do with the Vietnam War or the Civil Rights Movement or anything else in the sixties, please let me know! Thank you.
- Ines, Lisbon, Portugal

this one of my alltime favorite songs. its really rock n roll-ish.
- Shiznit, Portland,

Anyone who thinks the Beatles isn't the best band of all time is way out of wack
- Bob, Louisville, KY

Ill have to say that Ringo weighed the band down
- Bob, Louisville, KY

I hate it when I see t-shirts with Lennon's picture and the word Revolution. This song is not advocating Revolution. even when he said "count me in" it followed "out" showing that he was unsure at best.
- Forrest, Rochester, MN

And yes, you heard me right. #9 doesn't scare me now I'm used to it, it's just boring.
- Michael, Oxford

No, it's the single version that's scary, mainly because its intro would hit #2 on my list of the most blood-curdling screams of all time (behind "Careful with That Axe, Eugene").
- Michael, Oxford

This is a pretty awesome song. The Past Masters one is better, however, I really do love the White Album version. The White Album version actually scares me a litte. "When you talk about destruction, don't you know that you can count me out...in." Almost as an afterthought.
- Gene, San Diego, CA

We need a revolution right now. I am the revolution -- not The Veronica's. Find me. I have written many songs. I wrote something loosly based on The Beatles 'All we are saying is give peace a chance'.
- raymond, Sydney , Australia

I like how before they start singing the slow version whan Paul says "I take two." I love it
- Bianca Sanchez, Alburquerque, NM

i love the beging of the fast revoloution it's so exiting!
- Bianca Sanchez, Alburquerque, NM

The record not only has a "dirty" sound, as the Songfacts above say, but it captures a mini revolution that the Beatles themselves were leading in the British recording industry. The Beatles (John in particular) were constantly in the record company's face about what was permissable and was not permissable, and constantly nagging them for not being able to capture the big bassy sounds you hear on American soul records, like Wilson Pickett. For Revolution, they wanted it to sound loud to the point of speaker distortion. That made the engineers go nuts. Producer George Martin tried to dissuade Lennon, saying that radio stations would reject the record if it sounded distorted. The Beatles insisted, saying they WANTED the sound of distortion in the record, that it was part of the message. And they got their way. You really hear it in the brief piano solo two-thirds of the way through. The instruments are almost competing for audibility, like you would hear if three guitars were going through the same garage band amplifier. To me, that sound reflects what Lennon is trying to say in his lyrics about the world's young people in chaos.
- dirk, Nashville, TN

I was 12 years old in 1968. They shot Bobby Kennedy and Martin Luther King that year. They did everything they could to kill the Revolution. They're still trying today.
- johnee, GrandioseIsland, NE

For George and Dick: "You say you'll change the constitution...Well you know... We all want to change your head..."
- johnee, GrandioseIsland, NE

Ok but sort of an odd way to put it but I get it.
- Krissy, Boston, MA

that's exactly what she means...Sex(if properly executed) = Great...this song = great
- Ron, Mount Holly, NJ

Amrie come again. What do u mean by this song is the sex on songs? That makes no sense at all. This song is great and I love the way John sings it.
- Krissy, Boston, MA

Love this song. U know at the begining when there is a scream. It's not John screaming it's Paul.
- krissy, Boston, MA

it is top notch
- james ben jonson, perth, WA

ur all freaks
- james ben jonson, perth, WA

nerds
- james ben jonson, perth, WA

NERDS NERDS NERDS
- james ben jonson, perth, WA

The first overtly political song done by the Beatles was Taxman in 1966. This song set a standard for distortion when it came out.
- George, Yonkers, NY

Great Song. And Why Doesnt Revolution 1 have its own page?
- daniel, Cincinnatti, OR

This is what Nirvana might have sounded in 1968 with one of dirtiest distortion sounds of the 60's.It sounds more like grunge than heavy metal to me. Sal, Bardonia,NY
- sal, bardonia , NY

"well there's michael jackson for ya... exploiting a great song. hes nutso. - jessa, Brampton, ON, Canada" That's why he became whiter in the late 80's. :-)
- Sam, Montreal, Canada

A PURLEY Chuck Berry inspired gutair riff in the beginning, I think.
- Allen, Bethel, AK

Lennon does the scream in the recording, but Paul did it live because Lennon would not have time following the scream to catch his breath and deliver the first line ("You say you want a revolution...")
- Chuck, Joppa, MD, MD

Here is a link to a video of The Beatles performing Revolution http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gf-Q2rDd6Tw you can clearly see Paul screaming out in the beginning.
- Joshua, Chico, CA

That is a SCREAM in the beginning of the song?? I always thought it was a guitar. I mean, I considered it being a scream, but when I thought about it, it is a pretty messed up scream.

this is a great song really gets me happy if im sad.
- billy, chicago, IL

A side B side... the record only has two sides.. I dont see what the big deal is with sides.. Are people that lazy they dont want to flip the records? or is it so artist can do like pink floyd and tell a full story... that way you dont start in the middle of it.. Imagine no boundries. Was this album meant to be played as a whole record? That would almost be going against the no rules but no harm policy. But They didnt follow policy... Even the policy of no policy.. so anything is possible..
- Pascal, Dallas, TX

An absolutely fantastic hard rocking rock classic. I wish I could play the dirty guitar like that. The fact that Hey Jude ends up as the A side shows the foolishness of record exec's, and of course Paul's tendency to dominate the other 3.
- Ivan, Dallas, TX

This is an ANTI-revolutionary, ANTI-communist song, which makes it PERFECT for Nike and it's sweatshop labor.
- Chuck, c-ville, VA

This somg wasn't about the Vietnam war. Although, John Lennon was very much against that war, this song wasn't about that. It was about the Cultural Revolution going on in China at the time.
- Mark, Chicago, IL

Not to disrespect Revolution, but Revolution 1 is one of my absolute favorite songs. Supposedly the Beatles didn't know how to end Revolution 1 so the ending just kind of fads out with John grunting, arguably in a sexual way.
- David, Youngstown, OH

No, Laura, I'm not twelve. I was twelve when the Beatles first came to America! But I sure do love you for understanding how great this music was -- and is! Keep on rockin', Laura.
- Jerry, Portland, OR

Ian, "Revolution 1" should probably have it's own page, but I don't know how to add songs on the site.
- Steve, Fenton, MO

Shouldn't "Revolution 1" have its own page?
- Ian, Lethbridge, Canada

This is an awesome song. And i think the part where the background says "tu" is at the word "evolution". I can't hear it at solution
- Kartik, Peace River, Canada

Argueably the best intro to any rock song! The lead in guitar is spectacular. I love this song. There is also an error in the fast version of this song. At the word "solution" (pronounced phonetically in the song "so-lu-tion") when you hear the "lu" in the lead, the background vocal is saying "tu" as in the word Constitution. If you listen, it is very obvious. Anyway, just an aside....again I love this song.
- Mike, Newark, ND

in case you didn't know, the music was taken from robert johnsons ramblin' on my mind
- Wilson, new york, NY

To me, John was advocating a Revolution of the mind. I don't think this song was aimed at the "Establishment", it was aimed at the 60's radicals going around wearing Che Guevera shirts and advocating the overthrow of the U.S. Government. It took lots of courage for John to come out with this statement. "you say you want change the Constitution, we all want to change your head"..."if you go carrying pictures of Chairman Mao...you ain't going to make it with anyone anyhow". It wasn't Senators and House members carrying pictures of Chairman Mao...it was radicals like Abbie Hoffman, Jerry Rubin and their ilk. There is no doubt John was for Peace and Love, but he also knew how great the U.S. Constitution was/is and the freedom it protects.
- Steve, Fenton, MO

Let's settle this once and for all. John Lennon could write more deep meaningful lyrics, but Paul could make better melodies and was a better musician. I would take John over Paul. John was more of a rocker.
- Johnny, Los Angeles, CA

This is my favorite Beatles song, and my fav song altogther.
- Johnny, Los Angeles, CA

if anyone is to be jealous within the beatles is would be paul jealous of john's songwriting skills.
- ryan, Bechtelsville, PA

No Mike, it actually is Paul who screams in the beginning. In the film "Imagine" Paul clearly belts the opening shout. Though I can see how you might be confused, considering only John is heard singing through out the song.
- Nathan, Defiance, OH

hey jude the single was released on hey jude the album in 1970. the revolution single was on there too.
- Lee, nowhere land, NJ

In the David Frost show, where the vocals were done live, the opening scream came from Paul and sounded almost exactly like the scream on the single. You can see this performance on the Anthology home video series.
- Ken, Louisville, KY

John lets out the scream at the beginning, not Paul.
- Mike, Carrier Mills, IL

This song encapsulates the era of my generation. It speaks directly to the establishment. It brings back memories of the time and the people. It stunk when it was slow. It was all but holy when it was sped up. (Who ever speaks slowly and softly about issues that they feel strongly about? They/We were voicing very serious contempt for and to our government. It was supposed to be loud, and demanding at its inception. Slow was a horrible choice. The acceptance of the song fast, and the rejection of the song slow proves that to be true.
- lee, clearwater, FL

Most critics and fans will say that 'I Want to Hold Your Hand' 'Let it Be' or an earlier song was their best. But to me, this is obviuosly the best Beatles song ever.
- Nathan, Defiance, OH

I LOVE THIS SONG!!!!! It is my favorite Beatles song. Its just so amazing. The lyrics are brilliant. I'm a big believer in peace and love and I hate war and all the bad things in our world and this song really puts that message out there- peace and love that is.
- Luna, London, England

if ringo is your favorite Beatle post a message saying he is. I LOVE him! He is and will always be my favorite Beatle!
- Luna, London, England

My favorite Beatles song. I was always a fan for classic rock that talked about political and social issues.
- Brent, Brooklyn, NY

Only The Beatles could make a song like Revolution and have it end up as a B side.
- Jon, Sunnyvale, CA

Breaks your heart to hear this song played in a damn sneaker commercial.
- Nathan, Defiance, OH

I don't think that Hey Jude was ever released on any album, at least that I know of. Singles were as popular as LP's in the 60's.
- Nathan, Defiance, OH

I'm sixteen if thats remotely close? But i was so confused when i heard the slow versionon the album, and can anyone tell me what Album!!! "Hey Jude" was first released on?
- Clare, Hmilton, Canada

I love this song. I'm listening to it right now.I'm 12. anyone here remotely close to my age.
- Laura, Santa Fe, NM

The "scream" at the beginning was Paul.
- Ken, Louisville, KY

On the "Beatles" ("White Album") version, this song is slowed down and George and Paul add a "shoo-bee-do-wah" backing vocal. On the single, there is no backing vocal, other than Paul's scream. On the "David Frost" performance, they use the single's pre-recorded backing tracks, but sing live. Paul and George revive the "shoo-be-do-wah" for this performance.
- Ken, Louisville, KY

This is the only Beatles song to mention the names of political leader(s) ("Chariman Mao") besides "Taxman" ("Mr. Wilson..."Mr. Heath", British political leaders of the 1960's) and "Her Majesty". John would later refer to President Nixon in his solo song "Gimme Some Truth" ("no short-haired, yellow-belly son of Tricky Dicky....")
- Ken, Louisville, KY

i always thought Lennon sayd "count Me out' on both versions. Well, both versions, especially the fast and loud one, rock, and they rock hard too!
- Stefanie magura, Rock Hill, SC

"You better free your mind instead..." Now thats a great line that really dominates he theme. The counterculture of the 1960's was crazy, shifting away from the comservatism in the 1950's... Whatever people want to say about Lennon, he really delivers his message in a lucid manner. "Count me out" Lennon would say to the wars and the hate that dominated the political landscape of the 1960's.
- drew, NYC, NY

Nike is the Greek goddess of victory.
- Nessie, Sapporo, Japan

I have to say this is my favorite Beatles song of all time.
- Steve, New York City, NY

also, this song appears on the b side of the album Hey Jude and was released as a b side to the single of Hey Jude. The slow version of this song is Revolution I which is on the White Album.
- Steve, New York City, NY

Did you guys hear this song in the chevy commercials recently? In all those 'American Revolution' commercials they have it playing.
- Dan, Bridgeton, MO

The Beatles' version was never authorized for the Nike commercial. Nike purchased the right to use the song, not the Beatles' recording of the song. The ad was quickly pulled when Nike was told they would have to use a different performance of the song.
- Mike, New Point, VA

I think that John Lennon would be sick if he knew that a company had used this song to advertise a product made in sweatshops by young kids.
- Loretta, Liverpool, England

For people who hate eachother, they did a good job of singing some songs together (Say Say Say and The Girl Is Mine).
- Martin Bonica, Sterling, VA

i know... how does this have anything to do with Nike?
- Liliana, Huntley, IL

well there's michael jackson for ya... exploiting a great song. hes nutso.
- jessa, Brampton, ON, Canada

Actually the slow and fast versions are under completely different names. The single was simply called 'Revolution' whereas the slow version on the White Album was called 'Revolution 1' (and then there's Revolution 9, which everyone knows about)
- scott, Bismarck, ND

i can't believe this song was used in a nike commercial, it's not about a pair of sneakers, it's about a REVOLUTION
- Brett, Watertown, SD

Gonny from FakeTown is right: Lennon sings it on the slow version as "don't you know you can count me out-------in"
- don, rapid city, SD

In the '70's, John liked to stop into various radio studios in NYC and have some fun with the disk jockeys. On one such occasion the subject of this song came up and John became a bit angry about what the record execs had done to it. The original intent, according to Lennon, was to release it in mono, not stereo. But those in charge, according to Lennon, and without his approval, seperated the recording out into stereo, turning it, in Lennon's own words, "into a piece of ice cream."
- Stephen, Naugatuck, CT

In the slow version, Lennon says "count me in" as well as "count me out" when referring to violence. This gives the song a dual meaning. Actually, it sounds like "count me out... in"
- Gonny, FakeTown, GA

Grandaddy sang this for the I AM SAM soundtrack
- amy, Baton Rouge, LA