About The Song
Released in 1967 as the B-side to their single “Hello, Goodbye,” “I Am the Walrus” quickly transcended its B-side status. It became a staple on psychedelic rock radio stations, finding a home amongst the swirling sounds and mind-bending lyrics that defined the era. The song’s inclusion in the equally surreal film “Magical Mystery Tour” further cemented its place in pop culture history.
But what exactly is “I Am the Walrus” about? Well, that’s a question that’s been pondered by music fans and scholars for decades. Lennon himself famously declared that the song was “consciously meaningless,” a playful jab at those who sought overly literal interpretations of his work. However, “I Am the Walrus” is far from devoid of meaning. Lennon, heavily influenced by Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland at the time, crafted a soundscape filled with literary and cultural references, woven together with stream-of-consciousness musings.
The song opens with a deceptively simple melody, quickly giving way to a kaleidoscope of sounds: blaring horns, warped vocals, and a spoken word passage by Lennon that throws out seemingly nonsensical phrases like “elementary penguin” and “**corporation tee-dee. **” These seemingly random pronouncements became catchphrases for a generation, sung along to with a mixture of amusement and bewilderment.
But beneath the surface, “I Am the Walrus” touches on a range of themes that resonated with the late 1960s counterculture. Lennon grapples with issues of identity, religion, and the search for meaning in a rapidly changing world. The song’s chorus, with its call to “goo goo g’joob,” can be interpreted as a rejection of societal norms and a celebration of individuality.
“I Am the Walrus” may not be a song with a clear-cut message. But it’s precisely this ambiguity that has allowed it to endure. The song invites multiple interpretations, encouraging listeners to embark on their own personal journeys down the rabbit hole of Lennon’s imagination. So, put on your headphones, crank up the volume, and prepare to take a dive into one of the most fascinating and enduring creations of The Beatles’ illustrious career