About The Song
(Watch the video below)
"Tomorrow Never Knows" stands as a pinnacle of musical experimentation and innovation, even within The Beatles' illustrious catalog. Released in 1966 on their groundbreaking album "Revolver," the song represents a radical departure from the band's earlier work, marking a bold foray into uncharted sonic territory. With its hypnotic rhythms, otherworldly textures, and cryptic lyrical imagery, "Tomorrow Never Knows" remains a mesmerizing journey into the psychedelic depths of musical exploration.
At the heart of "Tomorrow Never Knows" lies an ingenious fusion of Eastern mysticism, avant-garde techniques, and cutting-edge studio wizardry. The song's genesis can be traced back to the experiences of John Lennon, who drew inspiration from Timothy Leary's book "The Psychedelic Experience: A Manual Based on the Tibetan Book of the Dead" and his own experiments with LSD. This influence is palpable in the song's lyrics, which are imbued with cryptic allusions to transcendence, enlightenment, and the dissolution of ego.
From its opening moments, "Tomorrow Never Knows" captivates the listener with its hypnotic drone and relentless rhythmic pulse. The song's distinctive rhythm track, featuring Ringo Starr's propulsive drumming and a tape loop of seagull sounds, creates a sense of entrancement that permeates the entire composition. This rhythmic foundation serves as a canvas upon which layers of psychedelic effects and electronic textures are meticulously woven, resulting in a sonic tapestry unlike anything heard before.
Central to the song's sonic landscape is George Harrison's innovative use of the sitar, an instrument he had become increasingly fascinated with following his immersion in Indian classical music. The swirling, hypnotic drones produced by the sitar provide a counterpoint to Lennon's ethereal vocals, further enhancing the song's otherworldly atmosphere. Additionally, the incorporation of backward guitar loops, tape manipulation, and studio effects adds an element of surrealism and unpredictability to the music, pushing the boundaries of what was considered possible within the confines of a pop song.
Lyrically, "Tomorrow Never Knows" is a veritable treasure trove of enigmatic imagery and existential ponderings. Lennon's stream-of-consciousness approach to songwriting results in a series of cryptic aphorisms and surrealistic vignettes that invite interpretation and contemplation. Lines like "Turn off your mind, relax, and float downstream" and "Lay down all thoughts, surrender to the void" resonate with a sense of existential urgency and spiritual awakening, echoing the themes of Eastern philosophy and psychedelic exploration that permeate the song.
Moreover, Lennon's decision to sing his vocals through a Leslie speaker, a technique typically used for creating swirling, Doppler-like effects, lends an otherworldly quality to his voice, further blurring the line between reality and hallucination. The result is a mesmerizing auditory experience that transcends conventional notions of song structure and meaning, inviting listeners to embark on a journey of self-discovery and introspection.
Beyond its musical and lyrical innovations, "Tomorrow Never Knows" holds significant cultural and historical significance within the context of the 1960s counterculture. As the psychedelic movement gained momentum, fueled by a sense of disillusionment with the status quo and a yearning for spiritual enlightenment, The Beatles emerged as standard-bearers of this cultural revolution. "Tomorrow Never Knows" served as a sonic manifesto for a generation in search of transcendence, offering a glimpse into a world of infinite possibility and cosmic consciousness.
In conclusion, "Tomorrow Never Knows" stands as a testament to The Beatles' boundless creativity, artistic vision, and willingness to push the boundaries of popular music. Through its innovative use of studio techniques, Eastern instrumentation, and lyrical mysticism, the song remains a timeless masterpiece that continues to captivate and inspire listeners across generations. As we journey through the ever-expanding landscape of musical exploration, "Tomorrow Never Knows" serves as a beacon of innovation and a reminder of the transformative power of music to transcend the limitations of the human experience.
Video
Lyrics
Let's sing along with the lyrics!
Turn off your mind
Relax, and float downstream
It is not dying
It is not dying
Lay down all thoughts, surrender to the void
It is shining, it is shining
That you may see, the meaning of within
It is being, it is being
That love is all and love is everyone
It is knowing, it is knowing
That ignorance and hate may mourn the dead
It is believing, it is believing
But listen to the color, of your dreams
It is not living, it is not living
Or play the game "Existence" to the end
Of the beginning, of the beginning
Of the beginning, of the beginning
Of the beginning, of the beginning
Of the beginning