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Timothy Leary was a psychologist who became famous for experimenting with LSD as a way to promote social interaction and raise consciousness. Leary did many experiments on volunteers and himself and felt the drug had many positive qualities if taken correctly. When the government cracked down on LSD, Leary's experiments were stopped and he was arrested on drug charges. In 1969, Leary decided to run for Governor of California, and asked John Lennon to write a song for him. "Come Together, Join The Party" was Leary's campaign slogan (a reference to the drug culture he supported) and was the original title of the song. Leary never had much of a campaign, but the slogan gave Lennon the idea for this song.
After Timothy Leary decided against using this song for his political campaign Lennon added some nonsense lyrics and brought it to the Abbey Road sessions. Paul McCartney recalled in
Rolling Stone magazine's 500 Greatest Songs: "I said, 'Let's slow it down with a swampy bass-and-drums vibe.' I came up with a bass line, and it all flowed from there."
In a 1980 interview with Playboy magazine, John Lennon said: "The thing was created in the studio. It's gobbledygook. 'Come Together' was an expression that Tim Leary had come up with for (perhaps for the governorship of California against Reagan), and he asked me to write a campaign song. I tried and I tried, but I couldn't come up with one. But I came up with this, 'Come Together,' which would've been no good to him - you couldn't have a campaign song like that, right?"
John Lennon was sued for stealing the guitar riff and the line "Here comes old flat-top" from Chuck Berry's "You Can't Catch Me." The lawsuit did not come from Berry, but from Morris Levy, one of the music industry's most infamous characters (see our
interview with Tommy James for more on Levy). He owned the song along with thousands of other early rock songs that he obtained from many poor, black, and unrepresented artists. Levy sued the Beatles, or more accurately, John Lennon, over the song around the time the Beatles broke up. For years, Lennon delayed the trial while he and the Beatles tried to sort out all the legal and business problems that plagued Apple Records. Finally, in an attempt to avoid the court room as much as he could (Lennon felt like he was appearing in court more often than not), he settled with Levy. In return for dropping the suit, Lennon agreed to record his
Rock N Roll album, which was just a series of covers of songs Levy owned. Lennon always wanted to make a cover album and was thrilled to have the opportunity, and Levy wanted the value of his songs to increase, and when a Beatle re-records a song, that is just what happens. To make a long long long story short, Lennon recorded the album over the Lost Weekend, a year-or-two period when he was separated from Yoko Ono and lived in LA. During that time he was often drunk or high, and was rather sloppy and useless. Levy was getting frustrated with the lack of progress. Phil Spector was the producer, but in a fit of madness (which was not too unusual for Spector) he ran away and stole the recording session tapes. Levy invited Lennon to his upstate NY recording studio, and that is where he finally recorded the album. (thanks, Matthew - New York, NY)
The whispered lyric that sounds like "shoot" is actually Lennon saying "shoot me" followed by a handclap. The bass line drowns out the "me."
The Beatles recorded this on July 21, 1969 and it was the first session John Lennon actively participated in following his and Yoko's car accident 3 weeks earlier. John was so insistent on Yoko being in the studio with him that he had a hospital bed set up in the studio for her right after the accident, since she was more seriously injured than he was. (thanks, Adrian - Wilmington, DE)
The line "Ono sideboard" refers to Yoko.
The British Broadcasting Company (The BBC) banned this because of the reference to Coca Cola, which they considered advertising.
This has one of the most commonly misheard lyrics in the history of popular music: "Hold you in his -armchair- you can feel his disease." It's actually "Hold you in his arms, yeah, you can feel his disease." All published sheet music had the "armchair" lyric, including the inner sleeve of the 1967-1970 compilation, which contained lots of other errors too, notably on "
Strawberry Fields Forever." After John heard that his lyric was incorrect in the sheet music and other folios, he decided he liked "armchair" better and kept it. (thanks, Mark - London, England)
The Beatles released this as a "double A side" single with "Something."
In 1969, this won a Grammy for best engineered recording.
When rumors were spreading that Paul McCartney was dead, some fans thought the line "One and one and one is three" meant that only George, John and Ringo were left. The line "Got to be good lookin' cuz he's so hard to see" was supposed to be Paul's spirit. (thanks, jill - placentia, CA)
A rotary phone was used to make the sound heard before each verse and after the chorus. The sound was accompanied by the bass Paul played. Kids, ask your parents or grandparents what a rotary phone was. (thanks, Patrick - Tallapoosa, GA)
Aerosmith recorded this song with Beatles producer George Martin for the 1978 movie Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, which turned out to be one of the worst films ever. Aerosmith appeared in the film performing this song, agreeing to the role only because they couldn't resist the chance to record a Beatles song with George Martin. The weren't the only big names in the film - Peter Frampton and The Bee Gees were also in it.
The Aerosmith version of "Come Together" made #23 in the US when it was released as a single.
In 2001, Beck, Moby, Marc Anthony, and Nelly Furtado were scheduled to put on a tribute concert in Radio City Music Hall called "Come Together: A Night For John Lennon." Due to the terrorist attacks on America, it was postponed and dedicated to the people of New York City, with proceeds benefiting victims of the attacks.
Nortel used this in commercials, as did Macy's.
On an early demo version of "My Monkey" by Marilyn Manson (whose vocals were sped up to sound like "a demonic toddler"), Manson sang the second verse as an opener. It appeared on Demos in Lunchbox by Manson's former band, The Spooky Kids.
This has been covered by Michael Jackson, Tina Turner, Meat Loaf, Guns N' Roses, Soundgarden, Marilyn Manson, Nazareth, and Oasis. (thanks, Brett - Edmonton, Canada, for above 2)
Though Ringo is best known for playing on Oyster Black Pearl Ludwig drum kit, he used for this his Ludwig "Hollywood" maple-finish equipment, with a 22" kick. Starr produced his distinctive late '60s drum muffling sound on tracks like this by wrapping tea towels (dishtowels) around his snares and toms.
The Arctic Monkeys performed the song during the London 2012 Olympic Games opening ceremony. Their version reached #21 on the UK singles chart in the week after the event.
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Footage currently circulating the web depicts the three harmonizing on the tune. Afterwards, Weird Al hit Twitter to sum up his feelings on the collaboration: "Teenage Me and Present-Day Me were both insanely happy to spend New Year's Eve with these guys. Every New Year's Eve for the rest of my life is gonna suck."
Cooper and Yankovic were on the same bill for New Year's, performing for a charity gig hosted by Michael McDonald. Tyler showed up to the venue unannounced and sang a few songs including a rendition of Aerosmith's "Sweet Emotion."
Here come old flattop he come grooving up slowly
(pimp hat)
He got joo-joo eyeball he one holy roller
(dark glasses in round frames)
He got hair down to his knees
(fur coat)
Got to be a joker he just do what he please
(the guy is late, we've been waiting!)
He wear no shoeshine
(suede shoes)
he got toe-jam football
He got monkey finger he shoot coca-cola
(naming some of his drug products including coke for shooting up)
He say "I know you, you know me"
(you're famous and so is he)
One thing I can tell you is you got to be free
Come together right now over me
He bag production
(he has separated the drugs into small bags for sale)
he got walrus gumboot
He got Ono sideboard
(drug product names)
he one spinal cracker
(he seems to have everything you could want)
He got feet down below his knees
(I'm feeling the downers and my head is dropped down....all I see is feet)
Hold you in his arms, yeah you can feel his disease
(wicked man getting me hooked)
Come together right now over me
He roller-coaster
(the guy goes high-low-high-low)
he got early warning
(he has a lookout watching for police)
He got muddy water
(mexican brown heroin)
he one mojo filter
(yeah, your mojo will be filtered with all those drugs)
He say "One and one and one is three"
(he counting out money and counting out product)
Got to be good-looking 'cause he's so hard to see
(you know, I don't even know what he really looks like behind the fur, hat and dark glasses)
Come together right now over me
.
analysis of "Come Together" where I show how the song is referring to Jesus Christ and not just
the four Beatles.
C O M E T O G E T H E R by The Beatles
Here come old flattop, With a halo He would be a "Flattop" or look like a "square"
He come grooving up slowly, His popularity developed over 30 years
He got joo-joo eyeball, Jew-Jew eyeballs - He was a Jew - Luke 2:21
He one holy roller, Holy roller - rolled away the stone - Acts 4:27, Mark 16:4
He got hair down to his knees, He was a Nazarene who wore long hair - Matt. 2:23
Got to be a joker, In cards a Joker trumps a King (King of Kings)- Rev.17:14
he just do what he please. He's God. He can do anything - Matt 19:26
He wear no shoeshine, Wears sandals not shoes - Mark 6:9
He got toe-jam football Another reference to bare feet - John 13:10
He got monkey finger, Jews ate with their hands (fingers) - Mark 7:3
He shoot Coca-Cola, He was popular and drank the popular drink of the day - wine
He say, "I know you, John 5:42
You know me", John 7:28
One thing I can tell you is, Luke 18:22
You got to be free. The truth will set you free! - John 8:32
Come together right now over me Refers to His ascension - Acts 1:6
He bad production, Or is it "bag" production? Rulers thought He was "bad"
He got walrus gumboot, No meaning in Walrus and gumboot - Anything spiritual here?
He got Ono sideboard, This has meaning only if Ono was praying to Jesus (The Judge)
He one spinal cracker, Refers to a Chiropracter, "Hand Healer" - Mark 6:5
He got feet down below his knees, A pun. He had 2 feet (24") below his knees as others kneeled
Hold you in his armchair, When you are close to Him; He was a carpenter - Mark 6:3
You can feel his disease. Sarcasm - you can feel His power - Luke 8:46
Come together right now over me Acts 1:6
He roller-coaster, Oscillation refers to Jesus is the Light - John 12:35
He got early warning, He warned of the coming judgment - Col.1:28
He got muddy water, He used spittal and clay (mud) in healing - John 9:11
He one mojo filter, He is the only "filter" to God the Father - John 14:6
He say,
"One and one and one is three" Refers to triune God (Father, Son and Holy Ghost) - 1 Jn.5:7
Got to be good-looking All the pictures seem to paint Him that way - Matt.17:2
Because he's so hard to see. Jesus is invisible now as God is invisible - 1 Tim 1:17
Come together right now over me Acts 1:6
In His Grace,
A Believer
Living is easy with eyes closed; misunderstanding all you see. And that is the way they wanted it. Lennon/McCartney forever.
"he bag production" (cutting and bagging the drugs)
"he got walrus gumboot, he got ono sideboard...he got early warning, he got muddy water" (the drugs "brand names")
"he one mojo filter "(yeah, drugs will filter your mojo (personality)
"he shoot coca-cola" (coke, he's also a user)
"hold you in his arms you can feel his disease" (he's a longtime user)
"he say one and one and one is three" (he's either counting out hundred dollar bills or bags)
"here come old flat top he come grooving up slowing" (pimp hat and pimp walk?)
"got to be good looking cause he's so hard to see" (he wears dark glasses)
McCartney played a Gibson Everly Brothers Flattop model guitar.
McCartney had those sleepy "joo joo eyes.
At the time McCartney and Lennon were fighting over who would manage the finances of the group hence the line "He do what he pleas."
McCartney was the first Beatle to use coke.
Come together over me - McCartney was trying to manage/take over the band after the death of Brian Epstein.
Got to be good looking cause he's so hard to see is a reference to McCartney's good looks and clean reputation but also reference to McCartney being only truly understood by the other three Beatles as a control freak.
On a personal note, one of the song's greatest lines is one that should go down in posterity:
"Got to be good looking 'cause he's so hard to see"
I know John has spoken of the lyrics as being nonsense and the Timothy Leary connection Having read a great deal about John and his views through books and interviews (MAN did he contradict himself over the years!!) and clever use of words, I'm quite certain know what he meant. It's a wonderfully smirking comment on the stupidity of our society's value system. It was a topic that he often commented on lyrically. I don't think there is any cohesive aspect to the song overall, but many of the individual lines, taken on their own, do have meanings. Some are silly, some are inside jokes and more than a few are pokes in they eyes to various people. Does that sound like John? Not too much.
Q:Why does he have to be good looking? A:Because he is so hard to see.
It's an axiom. We assume that the more difficult a thing is to acquire, the more value it must have. We seem to place a premium on things that are either just or totally out of reach. Is Madison Ave aware of this? Can anyone say "Beanie Babies?" It's also about the importance we place on wealth.
If that isn't a truism about us, then nothing is.
Part 1 is about George: "holy roller" was about his spirituality, and having "hair down to his knee" because he really hated haircuts.
Part 2 is about Paul, because there's no other option. Maybe it's making a joke of the "Paul is dead" hoax, saying there were only 3 Beatles left.
Part 3 is about John, having "Ono sideboard" because he was always with Yoko. ALWAYS.
Part 4 is about Ringo - "he's so hard to see." The drummer is in the back; and they might be making a joke always in the back.
Hey, it's just athought, but I think it makes HUGE sense. Anyone else?
It's all pretty straight forward, the line "Come together, right now, OVER ME" says it all..
Very punkish message and an awesomely dirty, bluesy tune..
Probably my personal fav by the beatles and by John Lennon, a timeless idea that every generation can relate to in their own way.. plus it's just my type of sound..
you could beak it down line by line, but i think it's best not to, within the basic frame of what the song is about everybody can relate to songs like this in different ways..
not like "you are my babylove my babylove, you make the sun come, oh, youre my every every thing i have ever dreamed of" and the type of lingo we're stuck with these days..
Long live all visionary singers, musicians, painters, dancers, writers, activists or actors..
CometogetherROCKS!
"Got to be good looking 'cause he's so hard to see"
The irrational assumption that that an item's intrinsic value is in proportion to its difficulty to obtain. In other words - the harder it is to get something (high price, rarity, etc.) the better it must be.
Calls to mind another Lennon tune - Think For Yourself.
George - old flat-top, holy roller
Paul - he shoot coca-cola, he say I know you, you know me
John - bag production, Ono sideboard
Ringo - one and one and one is 3 (timekeeper), so hard to see (behind his drum kit)
In chronological order:
George, Paul, John and finally Ringo.
I especially love the line 'Got to be good-lookin' 'cause he's so hard to see.'
Hilarious and a great play-on-words.
you made me smile
I was in New York last week and I walked by the Dakota with my brother and we asked the doorman where exactly John was shot. The guy pointed the place out, it's just this little space of sidewalk, not marked or anything. My brother and I just stood there starring at it for a while, and I got all emotional. People walking by were looking at us like we were freaks.
Also, I originally heard the line as, "Hold you in his arms 'til you can feel his disease," no "armchair" or "arms, yeah." But that's just what I picked up.
- Bug, Winona, MN
what does 4:20 have to do with drugs?
And I find it quite lovely how people my age are catching on to the Beatles.
It's not a bad thing at all.
---
That rotary phone fact is interesting.
Good song. (:
wierd lol
Neither is the part in Come together
I wanna say that i don't think it was about drugs, but they were on them. alot of people can't tell the difference, and it's so annoying :)
The biggest druggie in the world could write a song about peace, love, whatever they want
beatles rock
It's a totally strange song, but it's bot a fantastic bassline, the lyrics are weird but draw you in, and the short chorus (Come together, right now...) is perfect. Awesome song all around.
Yeah this "old band" paved the way for rock and roll and made it what it is today.
Beatles forever!
The people who make fun of you are probally rap loving losers.
To anyone believing that Paul might be dead, and that the "LMW 28IF on the licese plate of the Volkswagen on the ABBEY ROAD cover stands for "Linda McCartney Weeps", and signifies that Paul would've been 28 *If* he'd lived:
Two questions . . .
1) Do you *really* think that Paul look-alike, William Campbell, wrote & recorded "Hey Jude", "Back In The U.S.S.R", "Let It Be" and all the other great post-'66 Paul Beatle and Wings songs?
2) Why was this girl Linda wearing the name of, and weeping for, this guy who'd died a couple of years before she'd even met him?
One of the most common misheard lyrics ever :-)
The Detroit dj (not two djs) was Russ Gibb that started the "Paul is Dead" thing. He was from WKNR radio station.
Go here for a listing of the clues:
http://members.tripod.com/~taz4158/mac.html
By the way, hardly anybody took this seriously. It was more of a fun thing. Life Magazine featured a picture of Paul and Linda on his farm in Scotland to scotch the rumors.
Personally, I think that line implies that there's a threesome going on. This song is definitely about an orgy.
-The Beatles "every little thing" fact book, by Maxwell Mackenzie
Perhaps the chorus refers to group sex?