The Beatles — Tomorrow Never Knows
Album: RevolverAvg rating:
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Total ratings: 5012
Length: 2:53
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Turn off your mind
Relax and float down stream
It is not dying
It is not dying
Lay down all thought
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
Colour 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
Relax and float down stream
It is not dying
It is not dying
Lay down all thought
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
Colour 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
Comments (808)add comment
Most awesome drumming!!!
Not forgetting the amazing album cover art by Klaus Voorman.
This is one of my favorite Beatles songs. Love how spacey it is and also the simplicity to which Ringo managed the drums. Nothing fancy but spot on. The human metronome at his best
BCarn wrote:
For starters, none of the Beatles stuff is crap (well okay Rev #9 is)...but we're happy to hear these on RP.
maybe i am just sick and tired of hearing the same old songs, the beatles just bore me, unless i hear something deep
For starters, none of the Beatles stuff is crap (well okay Rev #9 is)...but we're happy to hear these on RP.
maybe i am just sick and tired of hearing the same old songs, the beatles just bore me, unless i hear something deep
161 tone deaf folks or just trolls who somehow made their way to RP. Sad.
skirescue911 wrote:
My God, who the fuck cares what you think? lol
My God, I hate the Beatles!
My God, who the fuck cares what you think? lol
jp33442 wrote:
For starters, none of the Beatles stuff is crap (well okay Rev #9 is)...but we're happy to hear these on RP.
TPTB wish you would play deep cuts from beatles albums, not the same crap all the time
For starters, none of the Beatles stuff is crap (well okay Rev #9 is)...but we're happy to hear these on RP.
TPTB wish you would play deep cuts from beatles albums, not the same crap all the time
1966
Thats all you need to know
no on else compares
Thats all you need to know
no on else compares
smartn1 wrote:
Live and learn!
One of the few Beatles songs I truly liked from the first time I heard it. There are a few more I've gained an appreciation for after being inundated by them my whole life. You can learn to like a song.
Live and learn!
ImaOldman wrote:
I am so glad I grew up in the sixties and seventies, but don't bother about the poor souls who don't know any better these days. They don't count.
More than 250 people rated this song a 5 or less, 79 of them rated it a 1. I didn't realize that many hearing impaired folks listened to RP...
I am so glad I grew up in the sixties and seventies, but don't bother about the poor souls who don't know any better these days. They don't count.
One of the few Beatles songs I truly liked from the first time I heard it. There are a few more I've gained an appreciation for after being inundated by them my whole life. You can learn to like a song.
Being a german schoolboy of 14 I went to England in 1966 for a fortnight. Happy to listen radio and watching beat music on the TV there, which was very difficult in Germany at that time! Revolver released in that summer. I got one- in mono...That I found strange. I still own the O-cover, unfortunately changed the record to a stereo version at home later.
Revolver is still one of the best records of all times for me and this song- - simply a 10.
Revolver is still one of the best records of all times for me and this song- - simply a 10.
Unbelievable-1966 - 3 years removed from I Want To Hold Your Hand. I believe also the first song recorded for Revolver. 10.
one of the best tunes from one of the best albums in history of man
Go check out Andrew Hickey’s “History of Rock in 500 Songs” podcast entitled Tomorrow Never Knows and there’s some fascinating history behind this.
The bird noises? Paul laughing, manipulated.
The bird noises? Paul laughing, manipulated.
Don Draper checking out Tomorrow Never Knows.... [spoiler alert] Not a fan. Tylersmyler wrote:
Groovy, man, groovy
What did people think of this in '66 ?
Groovy, man, groovy
ziggytrix wrote:
And he had the best post Beatles career - I rated Thomas the Tank Engine long before I got into the Beatles.
Ringo is easily the most underrated Beatle.
https://www.thefest.com/tomorr...
And he had the best post Beatles career - I rated Thomas the Tank Engine long before I got into the Beatles.
Tylersmyler wrote:
Everyone's jaw dropped at once! Well, mine did anyway.
What did people think of this in '66 ?
Everyone's jaw dropped at once! Well, mine did anyway.
Shit Hot!!
Personal fab four fave…phenomenal
skirescue911 wrote:
Don't apologize. You're part of the 1%.
No, not that 1%. Even they like the Beatles.
My God, I hate the Beatles!
Don't apologize. You're part of the 1%.
No, not that 1%. Even they like the Beatles.
easmann wrote:
Thanks for sharing your opinion. Just to be clear though they were not literally crucified. I think some folks literally do not understand what literally means.
Like, you know, totally.
Thanks for sharing your opinion. Just to be clear though they were not literally crucified. I think some folks literally do not understand what literally means.
Like, you know, totally.
One of my favorite drum beats ever. Never understood why Starr was considered so bad.
Not a Beatles fan but this is simply superb. Light years ahead of its time...
Tylersmyler wrote:
Effing amazing. I speak from experience..
What did people think of this in '66 ?
Effing amazing. I speak from experience..
"I've got a song about an octopus!"🧔🐙
"Jam It Up your Arse... You're lucky we still let ya play DROOOMS!!"🧐
"Jam It Up your Arse... You're lucky we still let ya play DROOOMS!!"🧐
What did people think of this in '66 ?
CoYoT51 wrote:
YOU'RE NOT MY REAL MOM!
DON'T DO DRUGS!
YOU'RE NOT MY REAL MOM!
igotitmade2k wrote:
i love this. and the drums really get me in this one.
i love this. and the drums really get me in this one.
DON'T DO DRUGS!
agyurma wrote:
There are a few songs and albums that puzzle you like that as time passes. The Talking Heads' "Remain In Light" from 1980 is another.
Is this really from'66? Sounds like a timeless but fresh psychedelic song even from the future.
There are a few songs and albums that puzzle you like that as time passes. The Talking Heads' "Remain In Light" from 1980 is another.
Ate some mushrooms three weeks ago with two friends who just didn't get it. These lyrics are pretty much what I said to them for two hours ... relax, float ... surf the nausea ... listen to the color of your closed eyes ... Everything Is In Everything ...
Me? Enjoyed the trip and am ready to go again!
Me? Enjoyed the trip and am ready to go again!
Sometimes, when listening to this song, everything but the drums falls to the background.
sfoster66 wrote:
Acid
How the hell did these guys write this in 1966??
Acid
oh my god, I will neeeeeeeeeever tire of thisw track, absolute genuis stuff
hmmmmm...I wonder what influenced their musical trajectory, from the previous album to this one.
BCarn wrote:
Uh, no. That would be the Chemical Brothers sounding like the Beatles in this song.
801 covered this - live. Scoring a 10 from me.
Uh, no. That would be the Chemical Brothers sounding like the Beatles in this song.
801 covered this - live. Scoring a 10 from me.
How the hell did these guys write this in 1966??
My God, I hate the Beatles!
This was done on tape
amazing how timeless this is. groundbreaking at the time. Lennon could have just written this and Day in the Life and he'd be known for this (yeah, I know George, Paul and Ringo made significant contributions to these two songs).
Easily 50 years ahead of its time. Unbelievable
1966. Let that sink in.
Nineteen and sixty-six.
Nineteen and sixty-six.
jp33442 wrote:
If you don't like them, hit the SKIP BUTTON!! The majority of RP listeners LIKE THEM!!
Less beatles would be nicer
If you don't like them, hit the SKIP BUTTON!! The majority of RP listeners LIKE THEM!!
Best music. Everey time, I hear it, I wonder how good and modern it sounds and that, after all these years. So great, thank you for playing it. cosmiclint wrote:
Another thing I really like about RP is the wonderful suggestions on books, movies, etc. I'll have to get the kindle version, thanks!
I highly recommend Geoff Emerick's Here, There and Everywhere: My Life Recording the Music of the Beatles, which details his adventures as the Beatle's recording engineer, beginning with the recording of this song.
t0m5k1 wrote:
This sounds sooooo much like the chemical brothers it is amazing
BCarn wrote:
Uh, no. That would be the Chemical Brothers sounding like the Beatles in this song.
I'm starting to think that it's people's intense desire to display just how smart and knowledgeable they are that blinds them to the obvious facetiousness of posts like t0m5k1's. And over 40 other people give a thumbs up to that display of "knowledge" -- schooling poor, naïve ol' t0m5k1?
SMH
This sounds sooooo much like the chemical brothers it is amazing
BCarn wrote:
Uh, no. That would be the Chemical Brothers sounding like the Beatles in this song.
I'm starting to think that it's people's intense desire to display just how smart and knowledgeable they are that blinds them to the obvious facetiousness of posts like t0m5k1's. And over 40 other people give a thumbs up to that display of "knowledge" -- schooling poor, naïve ol' t0m5k1?
SMH
I highly recommend Geoff Emerick's Here, There and Everywhere: My Life Recording the Music of the Beatles, which details his adventures as the Beatle's recording engineer, beginning with the recording of this song.
it seems that tame impala was inspired by them... here's one more thing provides that how much impact the Beatles had on the next generation. I loved both of bands.
WilliDoc wrote:
What's more nuts is that I was 17 when I bought the album on its day of release...
Totally Cool!!
What's more nuts is that I was 17 when I bought the album on its day of release...
Totally Cool!!
scrubbrush wrote:
What's more nuts is that I was 17 when I bought the album on its day of release...
That song is 55 years old.
55.
that's nuts.
What's more nuts is that I was 17 when I bought the album on its day of release...
GODLIKE!
t0m5k1 wrote:
This sounds sooooo much like the chemical brothers it is amazing
BCarn wrote:
Uh, no. That would be the Chemical Brothers sounding like the Beatles in this song.
Another case where the usually astute RP listeners completely whiffed on seeing/understanding the facetious wit of a post. (At the time of my posting, 44 people apparently didn't get it.)
ziggytrix wrote:
Might I humbly request of the universe, and all those within who read English, that we simple cease and desist from referring to anything, especially people, as "overrated" or "underrated" or any combination of these terms? There may be isolated situation where these terms make sense, but Ringo is not one of those. Nor are pretty much all examples of this cliche-ridden terminology. Who, actually and after all, cares what or who rates anything or anyone? What is this all-encompassing rating system anyway? Give it all a rest, forever!
Ringo is easily the most underrated Beatle.
https://www.thefest.com/tomorr...
Might I humbly request of the universe, and all those within who read English, that we simple cease and desist from referring to anything, especially people, as "overrated" or "underrated" or any combination of these terms? There may be isolated situation where these terms make sense, but Ringo is not one of those. Nor are pretty much all examples of this cliche-ridden terminology. Who, actually and after all, cares what or who rates anything or anyone? What is this all-encompassing rating system anyway? Give it all a rest, forever!
ImaOldman wrote:
Don Draper ("Mad Men") didn't like it either.
More than 250 people rated this song a 5 or less, 79 of them rated it a 1. I didn't realize that many hearing impaired folks listened to RP...
Don Draper ("Mad Men") didn't like it either.
justin4kick wrote:
This sounds sooooo much like the chemical brothers it is amazing
And this is the top rated comment here?
Seems like quite a bunch of RP-listeners are missing the joke that t0m5ki made
No, they just "got it". Apparently you and Proclivities didn't.
This sounds sooooo much like the chemical brothers it is amazing
And this is the top rated comment here?
Seems like quite a bunch of RP-listeners are missing the joke that t0m5ki made
No, they just "got it". Apparently you and Proclivities didn't.
Proclivities wrote:
--whooosh!--
Not quite genius. But no fault of your own really. Dry humour passes by many.
--whooosh!--
Not quite genius. But no fault of your own really. Dry humour passes by many.
t0m5k1 wrote:
This sounds sooooo much like the chemical brothers it is amazing
BCarn wrote:
Uh, no. That would be the Chemical Brothers sounding like the Beatles in this song.
And this is the top rated comment here?
Seems like quite a bunch of RP-listeners are missing the joke that t0m5ki made
This sounds sooooo much like the chemical brothers it is amazing
BCarn wrote:
Uh, no. That would be the Chemical Brothers sounding like the Beatles in this song.
And this is the top rated comment here?
Seems like quite a bunch of RP-listeners are missing the joke that t0m5ki made
BCarn wrote:
Uh, no. That would be the Chemical Brothers sounding like the Beatles in this song.
--whooosh!--
Uh, no. That would be the Chemical Brothers sounding like the Beatles in this song.
--whooosh!--
ImaOldman wrote:
And despite that it has a rating of 8.3 so I think we can say those are statistically insignificant/definitely in the minority.
More than 250 people rated this song a 5 or less, 79 of them rated it a 1. I didn't realize that many hearing impaired folks listened to RP...
And despite that it has a rating of 8.3 so I think we can say those are statistically insignificant/definitely in the minority.
Los Lobos did a cover of this for a PBS special many years ago. It's on YouTube. Highly recommended.
That song is 55 years old.
55.
that's nuts.
55.
that's nuts.
Not a huge Beatles fan but Revolver and Rubber Soul sit well with me.
Godlike - The Beatles changed everything...
BCarn wrote:
Seek help. And that's Beatles with a capital B!
WTF should i???
Seek help. And that's Beatles with a capital B!
WTF should i???
Is this really from'66? Sounds like a timeless but fresh psychedelic song even from the future.
the luck of the draw. 3 of the last 4 songs here are from the Fabs. Tomorrow Never Knows, And I Love Her, We Can Work It Out.
imho, they are underplayed. just sayin'...
imho, they are underplayed. just sayin'...
I'll be honest. I don't enjoy most Beatles songs. I used to actively dislike the Beatles when I was young and now through the years of musical education, I can recognize how special they were/are.
This is one of the few Beatles songs I thought was amazing the first time I heard it. It is so out there.
This is one of the few Beatles songs I thought was amazing the first time I heard it. It is so out there.
Can we have a 3rd black and white cover in a row?
jp33442 wrote:
Seek help. And that's Beatles with a capital B!
Less beatles would be nicer
Seek help. And that's Beatles with a capital B!
What did I say! A few songs back it was a Tame Impala tune and I said it had a "Tomorrow Never Knows" vibe, and here's the song! Is someone listening in? Bill, is that you?!
LoudshirtsBand wrote:
Absolutely nailed it! Ringo may not have 'sounded' like a great drummer - maybe because of the simplicity? - but his keeping time was second to none; I'm no percussionist myself but know several drummers that reiterate this statement
I played drums in all sorts of bands... covered everything, from Iron Maiden to Jethro Tull, Billy Cobham to Pink Floyd, Santana, Deep Purple and many more... but, this guy... this guy is a headache. I started with great under-estimation of his drumming skills, continued with raised eyebrow, followed with frustration and pure hate and disgust for his ideas, and finally ended with genuine respect for this musician. Ringo is king-o!
Absolutely nailed it! Ringo may not have 'sounded' like a great drummer - maybe because of the simplicity? - but his keeping time was second to none; I'm no percussionist myself but know several drummers that reiterate this statement
I played drums in all sorts of bands... covered everything, from Iron Maiden to Jethro Tull, Billy Cobham to Pink Floyd, Santana, Deep Purple and many more... but, this guy... this guy is a headache. I started with great under-estimation of his drumming skills, continued with raised eyebrow, followed with frustration and pure hate and disgust for his ideas, and finally ended with genuine respect for this musician. Ringo is king-o!
This sure does brighten up a miserable grey/rainy London day - thanks RP
Love the segue from Massive Attack's "Unfinished Symphony". Wouldn't have thought of it, but it works!
Shmelo wrote:
I don't think you know what the word literally means.
Substitute critically - I think that is what is meant.
I don't think you know what the word literally means.
Substitute critically - I think that is what is meant.
DJJJJ wrote:
Some call it chaos - all part of the whole
The beginning has sounds playing in reverse, then sounds like monkeys being catapulted over a wall. And then there are some strange skips in the beat. All in all too unsettling to be music for the soul. This is musical unraveling, music should be healing. Not a fan.
Some call it chaos - all part of the whole
Public Service Announcement: Please pay for RP. Send them $5 a month or MORE. I give and we should all do so. Nothing stays free. Support Radio Paradise. (I'm not paid to say this, just a fan, who pays for you to enjoy).
ecab68 wrote:
Just recently watched the documentary about the Beatles learning Transcendental Meditation in India and I am realizing this song is one that came out of that experience, it's not about doing drugs as I thought it was, haha.
I think John called it the "acid album" and first lines of this song are a quote from Timothy Leary. I'm sure meditation played a part too.Just recently watched the documentary about the Beatles learning Transcendental Meditation in India and I am realizing this song is one that came out of that experience, it's not about doing drugs as I thought it was, haha.
Less beatles would be nicer
Still sounding as fresh today as it was when it was released 54 years ago. Amazing song to end an amazing album.
ImaOldman wrote:
Diversity is a good thing. Including a diversity of listeners. No need to be a hater.
More than 250 people rated this song a 5 or less, 79 of them rated it a 1. I didn't realize that many hearing impaired folks listened to RP...
Diversity is a good thing. Including a diversity of listeners. No need to be a hater.
The beginning has sounds playing in reverse, then sounds like monkeys being catapulted over a wall. And then there are some strange skips in the beat. All in all too unsettling to be music for the soul. This is musical unraveling, music should be healing. Not a fan.
Steely_D wrote:
Quite true, but I've always thought of this particular cut as the only (minor) flaw on their very best album.
Fifty two years ago... How can anyone doubt the Beatles' importance in the history of music?
Quite true, but I've always thought of this particular cut as the only (minor) flaw on their very best album.
idiot_wind wrote:
Absolutely nailed it! Ringo may not have 'sounded' like a great drummer - maybe because of the simplicity? - but his keeping time was second to none; I'm no percussionist myself but know several drummers that reiterate this statement
I never realized that Ringo was a pretty good drummer. But was overshadowed by competition: G. Baker, K. Moon, J. Bonham.
Absolutely nailed it! Ringo may not have 'sounded' like a great drummer - maybe because of the simplicity? - but his keeping time was second to none; I'm no percussionist myself but know several drummers that reiterate this statement
be4con wrote:
And yesterday could have been released yesterday, or today.
Wait, who's on first?
This could have been released yesterday. Brilliant tune.
And yesterday could have been released yesterday, or today.
Wait, who's on first?
Revolver was a phenomenal album but very "buttoned up" compared to later Beatles psychedelia. This is by far my favorite track, but always feels a disjointed as the epilogue to the record. I often forget this was part of Revolver and not Magical Mystery Tour!
I never realized that Ringo was a pretty good drummer. But was overshadowed by competition: G. Baker, K. Moon, J. Bonham.
unclehud wrote:
Let's do some serious drugs, y'all!
Love this album, as it veered sharply off the path of rock and roll development. Even has a reverse-tape guitar solo.
No need for drugs man. Drugs are for dopes.Love this album, as it veered sharply off the path of rock and roll development. Even has a reverse-tape guitar solo.
My new Beats headphones are changing my views on many songs like this, hearing subtleties computer speakers didn't transfer well.
Steely_D wrote:
54!
Fifty two years ago... How can anyone doubt the Beatles' importance in the history of music?
54!
ace-marc wrote:
I was not a big Beatles fan, but when this came out it became a favorite of mine. But I like weird music. I think most people thought it was 'odd'.
first ever mainstream psychedelic song?
what the heck did listeners in 1966 make of this?
oustanding tune - were the Beatles even better when they stepped away from their more
familiar pop recipe?
what the heck did listeners in 1966 make of this?
oustanding tune - were the Beatles even better when they stepped away from their more
familiar pop recipe?
I was not a big Beatles fan, but when this came out it became a favorite of mine. But I like weird music. I think most people thought it was 'odd'.
as others stated , way ahead of its time.
Paradisealan56 wrote:
Maybe the first "sampling" in pop music, but composers and musicians had been composing and recording "experimental music" with samples and tape loops since the 1940s.
The original sampling?
Maybe the first "sampling" in pop music, but composers and musicians had been composing and recording "experimental music" with samples and tape loops since the 1940s.
Let's do some serious drugs, y'all!
Love this album, as it veered sharply off the path of rock and roll development. Even has a reverse-tape guitar solo.
Love this album, as it veered sharply off the path of rock and roll development. Even has a reverse-tape guitar solo.
it is the last number on 1966 Revolver and it actually is Ringo in reverse..
It was a real shocker- believe me...
amcostigan88 wrote:
exactly - the beat alone (is that really ringo?) is light years away from the time of its recording
So unbelievably ahead of its time.
exactly - the beat alone (is that really ringo?) is light years away from the time of its recording
So unbelievably ahead of its time.
t0m5k1 wrote:
Uh, no. That would be the Chemical Brothers sounding like the Beatles in this song.
This sounds sooooo much like the chemical brothers it is amazing
Uh, no. That would be the Chemical Brothers sounding like the Beatles in this song.
idiot_wind wrote:
Rubber Soul.
Is this the first pyschodelic album?
Rubber Soul.
Guys were sampling themselves before sampling was possible/the thing.
ImaOldman wrote:
The are 1,182 RPs with excellent hearing.
More than 250 people rated this song a 5 or less, 79 of them rated it a 1. I didn't realize that many hearing impaired folks listened to RP...
The are 1,182 RPs with excellent hearing.
Yeah but....LSD was still legal in 1966?
Astonishing still, even after 50+ years. A ten, of course.
The original sampling?
Is this the first pyschodelic album?
ace-marc wrote:
It is easy and hard to answer that question at the same time. It was brand new and fresh and catchy to boot. Even more important was that when we were young un's back then it meant that we would not be listening to Lawrence Welk and Mantovani or Perry Como like our parents when we got to their age that we are today. That thought scared me to death growing up as a kid back then.
first ever mainstream psychedelic song?
what the heck did listeners in 1966 make of this?
oustanding tune - were the Beatles even better when they stepped away from their more
familiar pop recipe?
what the heck did listeners in 1966 make of this?
oustanding tune - were the Beatles even better when they stepped away from their more
familiar pop recipe?
It is easy and hard to answer that question at the same time. It was brand new and fresh and catchy to boot. Even more important was that when we were young un's back then it meant that we would not be listening to Lawrence Welk and Mantovani or Perry Como like our parents when we got to their age that we are today. That thought scared me to death growing up as a kid back then.
This could have been released yesterday. Brilliant tune.
my favorite beatles tune, hands down. amazing piece of work. 50+ years old and still fresh.
This sounds sooooo much like the chemical brothers it is amazing
I hear the Beatles every day. In my car, on TV, in the store. I know 95% of their songs and I generally lump them into two categories, pop and psychedelic. . All of a sudden it hits me - is this the song that crossed the Rubicon?
People that think The Beatles were just another band, need to hear this song in the context of 1966. Truly groundbreaking in many ways. Again.
first ever mainstream psychedelic song?
what the heck did listeners in 1966 make of this?
oustanding tune - were the Beatles even better when they stepped away from their more
familiar pop recipe?
what the heck did listeners in 1966 make of this?
oustanding tune - were the Beatles even better when they stepped away from their more
familiar pop recipe?
Never really appreciated the brilliance of this piece until I watched the Madmen episode featuring the song. Don Draper was not a fan, but I appreciated it much more after her (re)introduction. Thank you, Megan Draper!
How the hell did these guys write this in 1966??
Drugs. Lots of drugs.