I Am the Walrus - The Beatles - 1967

Introduction

"I Am the Walrus" is a song by The Beatles, released in 1967 on their "Magical Mystery Tour" album. Written by John Lennon, and credited to the Lennon-McCartney partnership, the song is known for its surreal lyrics and innovative production techniques. It's a fascinating piece of music history that reflects the experimental spirit of the late 1960s.

Song Background

Composition

John Lennon wrote "I Am the Walrus" in response to learning that a teacher at his old school was making his students analyze Beatles' lyrics. Lennon decided to write the most confusing and nonsensical lyrics he could to frustrate any such efforts.

Production

The song features complex production, including the use of an orchestra, a choir, and numerous sound effects. Producer George Martin played a significant role in bringing Lennon's vision to life. The song's distinctive sound was achieved through innovative studio techniques, such as the use of radio static and live radio broadcast snippets.

Analysis of Lyrics

"I Am the Walrus" is known for its cryptic and surreal lyrics. Key phrases include:

"I am he as you are he as you are me and we are all together" – A play on identity and unity.
"Yellow matter custard" – Inspired by a childhood rhyme.
"Semolina pilchard climbing up the Eiffel Tower" – Purely nonsensical imagery.
"Elementary penguin singing Hare Krishna" – A mix of religious references and absurdity.

The chorus, "I am the eggman, they are the eggmen. I am the walrus, goo goo g'joob," combines whimsical nonsense with a sense of mysterious identity.

Cultural Impact

"I Am the Walrus" has left a lasting impact on popular culture. Its unique style influenced countless artists and has been covered by many musicians. The song is a staple of psychedelic rock and represents the height of The Beatles' experimental phase.

Interactive Tasks

Quiz: Questions on the song

What inspired John Lennon to write "I Am the Walrus"? (A teacher analyzing Beatles' lyrics) (!A dream he had) (!A conversation with Paul McCartney) (!A newspaper article)

Which album features "I Am the Walrus"? (Magical Mystery Tour) (!Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band) (!Revolver) (!Abbey Road)

What production techniques were used in "I Am the Walrus"? (Radio static and live broadcast snippets) (!Electronic synthesizers) (!Digital sampling) (!Looped guitar riffs)

Who produced "I Am the Walrus"? (George Martin) (!Brian Epstein) (!Phil Spector) (!Quincy Jones)

Which genre does "I Am the Walrus" belong to? (Psychedelic rock) (!Blues rock) (!Jazz) (!Country)

Quiz: Questions on the Performer

Who primarily wrote "I Am the Walrus"? (John Lennon) (!Paul McCartney) (!George Harrison) (!Ringo Starr)

What band performed "I Am the Walrus"? (The Beatles) (!The Rolling Stones) (!The Who) (!Pink Floyd)

In which year was "I Am the Walrus" released? (1967) (!1965) (!1968) (!1970)

Who was the producer for The Beatles during the creation of "I Am the Walrus"? (George Martin) (!Phil Spector) (!Brian Wilson) (!Mick Jagger)

Which member of The Beatles sang lead vocals on "I Am the Walrus"? (John Lennon) (!Paul McCartney) (!George Harrison) (!Ringo Starr)

Quiz: Questions on the lyrics

Which phrase begins the song "I Am the Walrus"? ("I am he as you are he as you are me and we are all together") (!"Yellow matter custard") (!"Sitting in an English garden") (!"Elementary penguin singing Hare Krishna")

What phrase is repeated in the chorus of "I Am the Walrus"? ("I am the eggman") (!"Goo goo g'joob") (!"Sitting on a cornflake") (!"Mister City Policeman sitting")

Which phrase is an example of nonsensical imagery in "I Am the Walrus"? ("Semolina pilchard climbing up the Eiffel Tower") (!"Sitting on a cornflake") (!"Expert textpert choking smokers") (!"Corporation T-shirt, stupid bloody Tuesday")

What does the phrase "elementary penguin" refer to? (Surreal and absurd imagery) (!A famous children's book) (!A type of dance move) (!A phrase from a nursery rhyme)

Which line includes a reference to Hare Krishna? ("Elementary penguin singing Hare Krishna") (!"Yellow matter custard") (!"Semolina pilchard") (!"Expert textpert choking smokers")

Memory

John Lennon	Primary writer of "I Am the Walrus"
George Martin	Producer of "I Am the Walrus"
1967	Year of release
Magical Mystery Tour	Album featuring "I Am the Walrus"
Psychedelic Rock	Genre of "I Am the Walrus"

Open Tasks

Easy

Create a drawing: Create a drawing based on the surreal imagery in the lyrics of "I Am the Walrus."
Analyze the lyrics: Write a short analysis of one verse of the song, explaining what you think it means.
Cover the song: Record a simple cover of "I Am the Walrus" using any instruments or just your voice.

Standard

Research project: Research the production techniques used in the song and present your findings.
Song comparison: Compare "I Am the Walrus" to another psychedelic rock song from the 1960s. What similarities and differences do you find?
Lennon's influences: Explore the literary and musical influences on John Lennon during the period he wrote "I Am the Walrus."

Difficult

Create a video: Create a music video for "I Am the Walrus" that captures the surreal and experimental nature of the song.
In-depth analysis: Write a detailed analysis of the entire song, focusing on the lyrics, production, and cultural impact.
Sound experiment: Recreate some of the innovative sound effects used in "I Am the Walrus" using modern technology.
Interview project: Conduct interviews with music historians or Beatles fans about the significance of "I Am the Walrus."

Oral Exam

Song Analysis: Explain the meaning behind the surreal imagery in "I Am the Walrus."
Musical Techniques: Describe the production techniques used in the song and their impact on the overall sound.
Cultural Impact: Discuss the influence of "I Am the Walrus" on psychedelic rock and popular music.
Personal Interpretation: Share your interpretation of the lyrics and what they mean to you.
Historical Context: Explain the historical and cultural context in which "I Am the Walrus" was created.