Words To Strawberry Fields Forever By John Lennon
John Lennon was a creative genius who left an indelible mark on the music industry. He was a pioneer of the psychedelic rock movement, and his music continues to inspire generations of musicians even today. One of his most famous songs is "Strawberry Fields Forever," which he wrote and recorded with the Beatles in 1967. The song is a masterpiece of musical poetry, filled with vivid imagery and thought-provoking lyrics that have captivated listeners for over five decades.
The Lyrics of "Strawberry Fields Forever"
The lyrics of "Strawberry Fields Forever" are a reflection of John Lennon's childhood memories of playing in the garden of a Salvation Army children's home named Strawberry Field near his home in Liverpool. The song describes the idyllic setting of the garden and the sense of freedom and joy that it gave him as a child. However, the lyrics also convey a sense of loss and confusion, as Lennon struggles to come to terms with the passage of time and the realities of growing up.
The opening lines of the song are perhaps the most famous:
Let me take you down
Cause I'm going to Strawberry Fields
Nothing is real
And nothing to get hung about
Strawberry Fields forever
These lines set the tone for the song, which is dreamlike and surreal. The reference to "nothing is real" suggests a sense of detachment from the real world, and the phrase "nothing to get hung about" is a play on the Liverpool slang term "to get hung up," meaning to worry or obsess over something.
The second verse of the song continues the dreamlike imagery:
Living is easy with eyes closed
Misunderstanding all you see
It's getting hard to be someone
But it all works out
It doesn't matter much to me
These lines suggest a sense of disconnection from reality, and the idea that it's easier to live with "eyes closed" than to confront the harsh realities of the world. The phrase "misunderstanding all you see" suggests that the narrator is struggling to make sense of the world around him.
The final verse of the song is perhaps the most poignant:
No one I think is in my tree
I mean it must be high or low
That is you can't you know tune in
But it's all right
That is I think it's not too bad
These lines suggest a sense of isolation and loneliness, as the narrator feels that no one understands him. The phrase "tune in" is a reference to the counterculture movement of the 1960s, which emphasized the importance of finding one's own path in life.
The Musical Accompaniment of "Strawberry Fields Forever"
In addition to the lyrics, "Strawberry Fields Forever" is also a masterpiece of musical composition. The song features a complex arrangement of instruments, including guitars, drums, and a Mellotron, an early synthesizer that was popular in the 1960s. The song also features a distinctive sound effect created by reversing the tape of a brass band, which gives the song its dreamlike quality.
The song's structure is also unconventional, featuring multiple key changes and tempo shifts. The song begins with a slow, dreamy introduction, before transitioning into a faster, more upbeat section. The song then returns to the slower tempo of the introduction, before ending with a dramatic crescendo.
The Legacy of "Strawberry Fields Forever"
"Strawberry Fields Forever" is widely regarded as one of the greatest songs of all time, and it continues to inspire musicians and fans alike. The song has been covered by countless artists, including Oasis, Peter Gabriel, and Ben Harper. The song's legacy also extends beyond the world of music, inspiring film directors, artists, and writers.
John Lennon's lyrics and musical composition are a testament to his creative genius and his ability to capture the essence of the human experience. "Strawberry Fields Forever" is a timeless masterpiece that will continue to inspire generations of music lovers for years to come.