"Paul is Dead" clues from The White Album
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Beatles' self-titled album, commonly known as "The White Album" is said to contain "clues" to the "Paul is Dead" myth. Unlike with all other Beatles albums, the vast majority of the clues are found in the lyrics or by playing lyrics backwards, rather than on the cover.
On the poster that came with the vinyl record version of the album, however, there is one clue. Paul is standing on a train or subway car. There is a streak of light that looks like a skeleton reaching out toward him from behind.
Contents |
[edit] Clues
[edit] Glass Onion
On The Beatles, Lennon's track "Glass Onion" has lyrics that read "...here's another clue for you all...the Walrus was Paul" (a back reference to "I Am The Walrus" from the previous Magical Mystery Tour album). Also, he states, "I told you 'bout the 'Fool On The Hill', I tell you, man, he's living there still", interpreted as claiming Paul remains on the hill where he was buried. It is also said that a 'Glass Onion' is a term used to describe a coffin with a glass top, or looking panel, though it is actually a slang term for a monocle. The lyrics "Looking through a glass onion" suggest that Paul would have been buried in such a coffin.
[edit] I'm So Tired
Similar reversals of "I'm So Tired" allegedly revealed "Paul is dead, man. Miss him, miss him, miss him!" (or sometimes, "Paul is a dead man. Miss him, miss him, miss him!") near the end and "I wish I were not a Beatle!" from the line "...should I call you but I know what you would do", taken to mean that with the death of his friend, the singer (John) wishes to quit the band.
[edit] Revolution 9
In probably the most talked-about clue, the words "number nine, number nine" on the track "Revolution 9" became "turn me on, dead man, turn me on, dead man" when played backwards. The track also includes other alleged clues, such as the sound of a car crashing, and comments by John Lennon which seem to indicate what McCartney was "doing" before he "died"—for example, one forward-playing comment goes "who can tell what he was saying...his eyes was on fire", while another comment goes "Yoko, you better go to see he's dead". One comment played backwards yields "get me out, get me out!". Other things heard backwards are the sounds of a raging fire, an ambulance arriving at an accident, and the sounds of a funeral choir. Amongst playing the song in reverse, in the end as the fire is heard, reversing the line said before reveals the phrase, "There were two, there are none now" (one of the clearer messages). Moving forwards, another crackling sound (representing fire) is heard, followed by the phrase "ooh, death" (when played backwards seems to say "Paul is doomed"). In the most overt clue of all, a man's voice, presumably John's, seems to declare "Paul died", to which a crowd erupts in chaos (and some applause). The shouting at the end of this song when played backwards sounds similar to "Where's my Paul?"
There is another reference to the alleged time of death considering the numbers after the songs "Revolution 1" and "Revolution 9". Considering the information already given (McCartney "died" on 11/9) could indicate why Hey Jude 's B-side version of "Revolution" was released again on the Past Masters album.
[edit] Cry Baby Cry
At the end of the song Paul laments (from the grave?) "Can you take me back where I came from? Can you take me back?"
[edit] Don't Pass Me By
Ringo's track "Don't Pass Me By", has lyrics that read, "I listen for your footsteps but they don't arrive", and later, "I'm sorry that I doubted you...I was so unfair. You were in a car crash, and you lost your hair...".
[edit] While My Guitar Gently Weeps
The end of George Harrison's track "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" has Harrison seem to be calling "Paul, Paul, Paul..."
[edit] Explanations
[edit] Glass Onion
The "Paul is Dead" rumour started October 12, 1969. Since "Glass Onion" was recorded on September 11, 1968, reports that The Beatles made this song in response to the rumours are unlikely.
John mentioned in his solo song "God" that he was the Walrus. In his 1980 Playboy interview, he stated that he did not learn that the Walrus may have symbolized death until long after he wrote "I Am The Walrus". Finally, the "Glass Onion" line "The Walrus was Paul" was intended to confuse fans who were trying to interpret "I Am The Walrus".
[edit] Revolution 9
The comment "Paul died is actually a misinterpretation of "All right".
[edit] Don't Pass Me By
Ringo wrote this song in 1964, two years before Paul's alleged death.
[edit] See also
- Paul is dead
- "Paul is Dead" clues from Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
- "Paul is Dead" clues from Magical Mystery Tour
