Across the Universe
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- This article is about the song by The Beatles. For the film by Julie Taymor, see Across the Universe (film).
| "Across the Universe" | ||
|---|---|---|
 |
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| Song by The Beatles | ||
| from the album No One's Gonna Change Our World | ||
| Released | 12 December 1969 | |
| Recorded | 4th & 8th February 1968 | |
| Genre | Rock | |
| Length | 3:49 | |
| Writer(s) | Lennon-McCartney | |
| "Across the Universe" | ||
|---|---|---|
 |
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| Song by The Beatles | ||
| from the album Let It Be | ||
| Released | May 8, 1970 | |
| Recorded | 4th & 8th February 1968 | |
| Genre | Rock | |
| Length | 3:47 | |
| Writer(s) | Lennon-McCartney | |
| Let It Be track listing | ||
| Dig a Pony (2) |
"Across the Universe" (3) |
I Me Mine (4) |
"Across the Universe" is a song by The Beatles that first appeared as a charity single release in December 1969, and later, in modified form, became a standout track on their May 1970 album, Let It Be. The song features John Lennon singing lead, who was also the primary composer (though, as with all Beatles songs written by either composer, the song is formally credited to Lennon-McCartney). It is widely considered to be one of Lennon's most heartfelt and beautiful pieces, yet it had one of the most convoluted production and release histories of any Beatles' song.
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[edit] Composition
In 1967, John's relationship with his wife, Cynthia Powell was falling apart. One night, the phrase "words are flowing out like endless rain into a paper cup" popped into his mind. Intrigued, he rushed to grab a paper and pencil. He began to write the rest of the lyrics, and when he was done, he went to bed and forgot about them.
In the morning, John found the paper on which he had written the lyrics and brought them down to his piano, where he began to play chords, and find pitches to match the words. The flavor of the song was heavily influenced by Lennon's and The Beatles' short-lived interest in Transcendental Meditation in late 1967–early 1968, when the song was composed. Based on this he added the mantra (Jai Guru Deva Om) to the piece, which served as a link between the bridge and verse.
The structure of the lyrics is straightforward: three repetitions of a unit consisting of a verse, the line "Jai Guru Deva Om", and the line "Nothing's gonna change my world" repeated four times. The lyrics are highly image-based, with abstract concepts reified with phrases like thoughts "meandering", words "slithering", and undying love "shining". The title phrase "across the universe" appears at intervals to finish lines.
[edit] The recording and version history
In February 1968 The Beatles convened at the EMI Abbey Road studios to record a single for release during their absence on their forthcoming trip to India. Paul had written "Lady Madonna" and John "Across the Universe". Both tracks were recorded along with George's "The Inner Light" and Lennon & McCartney's "Hey Bulldog" between the 3rd and 11th of February.
Whilst the basic track was successfully recorded on the 4th February, John wasn't satisfied with the feel of the track. Several innovations were tried, including blowing through comb onto paper and humming to add texture to the track, and the addition of a pedal guitar and tambora. In the end the group called in the services of Lizzie Bravo and Gayleen Pease, two of the so-called Apple scruffs (the female fans who collected outside the studio) to add harmony vocals.
The track was mixed to mono and put aside as the group had decided to release "Lady Madonna" and "The Inner Light" as the single. On their return from India the group set about recording the many songs they had written there, and "Across the Universe" remained on the shelf. In the autumn of 1968 The Beatles seriously considered releasing an EP including most of the songs for the Yellow Submarine album including "Across the Universe" and went as far as having the EP mastered. However, the recent trip to India had soured Lennon on transcendental meditation and eastern spiritualism and the song's mantra-type refrain already seemed outdated; his White Album contributions were much more angry and hard-edged.
During the February 1968 recording sessions, Spike Milligan dropped into the studio and on hearing the song suggested the track would be ideal for release on a charity album he was organising for the World Wildlife Fund. At some point in 1968 The Beatles agreed to this proposal, and track was mixed into stereo for the first time by George Martin. The original mix (mono and stereo) is 3:37. For the 'wildlife' album it was deemed appropriate to add sound effects of birds at the beginning and end of the track. After the effects were added the track was sped up; so that even with 20 seconds of effects the track is only 3:49. The song was first released in this version on the Regal Starline SRS 5013 album No One's Gonna Change Our World, in December 1969.
Though never satisfied with the recording, John was still attached to the song, and played it during the Get Back/Let It Be album sessions of January 1969; footage of John playing the song appeared in the Let It Be movie. To ensure the album tied in with the film it was decided the song must be included on what by January 1970 had become the Let It Be album. Also, Lennon's contributions to the sessions were sparse, and this unreleased yet very strong piece was seen as a way to fill the gap.
Glyn Johns remixed the February recording giving it an acoustic treatment and restoring the correct speed. However, as neither of the Glyn Johns Get Back albums were officially released, the version most people are familiar with came from Phil Spector. In line with the treatment of several tracks, Spector slowed the track to 3:47, and added full orchestra and chorus backing to the February 1968 master.
An unreleased February 1968 alternate take of the song (recorded before the master), sans heavy production, appeared on Anthology 2 in 1996. This is often referred to as the "psychedelic" recording, due to the strong Indian tabla sound, and illustrates the band's original uncertainty over the best treatment for the song.
The February 1968 master was remixed (again) for inclusion on Let It Be... Naked in 2003, at the correct speed but stripped of most of the instrumentation.
In November 2006 the bird sounds from 'wildlife' version of the song were included in the album Love on the opening track.[1]
[edit] Cover versions
The song has been covered by a multitude of artists, including.
- Fiona Apple, featured in the film Pleasantville
- David Bowie, on his album Young Americans, singing alongside John Lennon
- Rufus Wainwright, featured in the film I Am Sam
- 10cc
- Behole
- Lana Lane
- Laibach (band)
- Áine Minogue
- Robyn Hitchcock
- Selway, from the Tribute album "Beatles Regrooved" (2005)
- The Format
- The John Butler Trio
- Texas, as a B-side to their 2001 single, "Inner Smile"
- Zubmarino, Mexican garage rock band
- Ariane Moffatt, during a live concert
- Ishle Park, Poet Laureate of Queens, NY
Sean Lennon played this with Moby and Rufus Wainwright at a 2001 John Lennon tribute at Madison Square Garden.
Another version was performed by a number of artists, including Billie Joe Armstrong, Bono, Steven Tyler, Brian Wilson, Tim McGraw, Scott Weiland, Alicia Keys, Alison Krauss, Norah Jones, and Stevie Wonder, backed by members of Velvet Revolver, at the 2004 Grammy Awards ceremony in February 2005. The following week, a recording of the performance was released exclusively for purchase through the iTunes Music Store. All proceeds from its sale go to December 26, 2004 Tsunami victim funds. Sales from the benefit release made it the fastest-selling download in iTunes history and allowed the song to peak at #22 on the Billboard singles chart.
Pink Floyd included a homage to the song in their acclaimed "Echoes": the line "inciting and inviting" is directly lifted from "Across The Universe". Roger Waters also recorded a cover of the song.
[edit] Notes
- ^ Labor of LOVE. Entertainment Weekly (2006-11-29). Retrieved on 2006-11-29.
[edit] References
Books
- Lewisohn, Mark (1988). The Complete Beatles Recording Sessions. Hamlyn Publishing Group. ISBN 0-600-55784-7.
- Lewisohn, Mark (1996). The Complete Beatles Chronicle. Chancellor Press. ISBN 0-7607-0327-2.
- Sulpy, Doug & Schweighhardt, Ray (2003). Get Back: The Beatles Let It Be Disaster. Helter Skelter Publishing. ISBN 1-900924-83-8.
- Songfacts "Across The Universe" entry
