Koo-koo-ka-choo, Mrs. Robinson!
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I was reading some "stuff" on the web about "I Am The Walrus" and "Come Together" and I happened upon another reference to our friend the "walrus" in a non-Beatles song, but definitely in a Beatles context. Anyone know what song it was in and by what artist? I'd been aware of Simon & Grafunkel's Beatles reference to "I Am The Walrus" in the epic song Mrs. Robinson (even though it seems they got the spelling wrong, perhaps intentionally, IDK) for many years now. I guess it really should have been "Goo goo ga joob, Mrs. Robinson", but then again I have been singing "He's got walrus gumball" for years
So it got me thinking about Beatles references in other songs. One more comes to mind which I will post, but I thought I'd create a thread for you to post known references to the Fab Four in songs by other artists. It doesn't have to be literal references, but allusions are fine too if you can explain them. I know of one other song (a pretty big pop hit from the late 60s I believe) that alludes to the Beatles too. -
One song that comes to mind is ELO's "Shangri-La" from 1976. Not a hit song, but the chorus goes: "My Shangri-La has gone away, Faded like the Beatles on 'Hey Jude'."
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Here's an interesting one as it's an allusion to the Beatles and not a direct reference (in fact their name and even their persona were an attempt to ride on the Fab Four's coattails). This was a reference to the social statements starting to be made by the Beatles in the second half of the 60s. "(Theme From) The Monkeeys" Hey, hey, we're the Monkees And people say we monkey around. But we're too busy singing To put anybody down.
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Summer Rain by Johnny Rivers "All summer long we spent dancin' in the sand And the jukebox kept on playing Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band"
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Never Been To Spain by Three Dog Night "Well I never been to England But I kinda like the Beatles"
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Nancy R:
Never Been To Spain by Three Dog Night "Well I never been to England But I kinda like the Beatles"
Good memory, Nancy. They NEVER play that song on the oldies station. We have the WORST oldies stations here.
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I think most people agree that this line in "American Pie" is about the Beatles: "While sergeants played a marching tune."
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Nancy R:
Never Been To Spain by Three Dog Night "Well I never been to England But I kinda like the Beatles"
Good one Nancy! That is one of the ones I had in mind
I didn't want to give it away by posting 3DN. -
favoritething:
I think most people agree that this line in "American Pie" is about the Beatles: "While sergeants played a marching tune."
Also perhaps "While Lenin (Lennon) read a book on Marx"
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Here's a good one that is a double Beatles reference (not counting Yoko) and mentions our friend the "walrus."
The line "Magic in the air" is most likely a reference to the Magical Mystery Tour. The song is Ricky Nelson's "Garden Party" People came from miles around Everyone was there Yoko brought her walrus There was magic in the air -
Erik in NJ:
Here's a good one that is a double Beatles reference (not counting Yoko) and mentions our friend the "walrus."
The line "Magic in the air" is most likely a reference to the Magical Mystery Tour. The song is Ricky Nelson's "Garden Party" People came from miles around Everyone was there Yoko brought her walrus There was magic in the airAnd "Mr Hughes hid in Dylan's shoes, wearing his disguise" alluded to George Harrison.
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Erik in NJ:
Here's an interesting one as it's an allusion to the Beatles and not a direct reference (in fact their name and even their persona were an attempt to ride on the Fab Four's coattails). This was a reference to the social statements starting to be made by the Beatles in the second half of the 60s. "(Theme From) The Monkeeys" Hey, hey, we're the Monkees And people say we monkey around. But we're too busy singing To put anybody down.
There's a direct reference to them in The Monkees' "Randy Scouse Git" in the line "The four kings of EMI are sitting stately on the floor, there are birds out on the sidewalk and a valet at the door..."
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moptops:
And "Mr Hughes hid in Dylan's shoes, wearing his disguise" alluded to George Harrison.
Interesting...I never would have guess that that line is about George...how so?
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beatlesfanrandy:
There's a direct reference to them in The Monkees' "Randy Scouse Git" in the line "The four kings of EMI are sitting stately on the floor, there are birds out on the sidewalk and a valet at the door..."
That's a great allusion--never heard that one before! I wonder if they did it to make up for the theme song barb. I think I heard Paul say in an interview that he and the band sing a ritual Monkeeys song before taking the stage. It might have been the theme song
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Erik in NJ:
So it got me thinking about Beatles references in other songs. One more comes to mind which I will post, but I thought I'd create a thread for you to post known references to the Fab Four in songs by other artists. It doesn't have to be literal references, but allusions are fine too if you can explain them. I know of one other song (a pretty big pop hit from the late 60s I believe) that alludes to the Beatles too.
Great thread, Erik. Oasis has a ton but one that stands out is from D'You Know What I Mean off the Be Here Now album: Step off the train all alone at dawn Back into the hole where I was born The sun in the sky never raised an eye to me The blood on the trax and must be mine The fool on the hill and I feel fine Don't look back cos you know what you might see Also, the punk band SR-71 has a song called 'Paul McCartney'
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There's a country tune (don't ask me why I even know this) called 'Bigger than the Beatles.' I believe the artist was Joe Diffie. It was a catchy tune about a couple in love and so the chorus went They've got a love bigger than the Beatles Wild and free like Rollin Stones They got a love takes em higher than the Eagles Aint life such a sweet, sweet song So really it's an ode to the Beatles, Stones and Eagles.
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It is not a song or a PID reference, but in the Fellini short "Toby Dammit" which is a segment of the anthology film, "Spirits of the Dead", there is a reference to Sgt. Pepper. As the main character is being driven down the street shortly after the opening scenes, there is a Lennon look-a-like in Pepper uniform who looks back at the camera (at Toby Dammit). http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0063715/combined
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The X Files had an episode called The Lazurus Bowl where one hears "I am the Walrus, koo koo ka choo" in Airimaic (spelling) some sacred biblical language
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Aramaic was the language that was spoken by Jesus and folks in that part of the Middle East. Good movie/TV refs guys, but let's keep it to Beatle references/allusions in songs by other artists. Lots of good references so far! Keep 'em coming.
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Erik in NJ:
beatlesfanrandy:
There's a direct reference to them in The Monkees' "Randy Scouse Git" in the line "The four kings of EMI are sitting stately on the floor, there are birds out on the sidewalk and a valet at the door..."
That's a great allusion--never heard that one before! I wonder if they did it to make up for the theme song barb. I think I heard Paul say in an interview that he and the band sing a ritual Monkeeys song before taking the stage. It might have been the theme song
A bonus feature shows them singing the Monkees' Theme before the concert starts in the Back in the U.S. DVD.
