The Continuing Story of Bungalow Bill – Knight of Swords (Lennon/McCartney) The Beatles (White Album), 1968 “The Continuing Story of Bungalow Bill” is a silly sing-along appearing on Side 1 of the White Album. The song was written by John while the four Beatles were on retreat in Rishikesh, India, with the Maharishi. Among the…
Martha My Dear – Page of Cups (Lennon/McCartney) The Beatles (White Album), 1968 Paul McCartney had no intention of writing a song about his three-year-old sheepdog when he sat down to write “Martha My Dear”. But it just happened that way. As he described it later, the song was intended as a creative exercise, testing…
Good Night – The Star (Lennon/McCartney) The Beatles (White Album), 1968 The Beatles’ self-titled album is by far their longest and most varied. Listening to it all the way through is like experiencing a journey through all manner of musical styles and dimensions of the psyche. And in the end, the White Album comes to…
Sexy Sadie – 7 of Swords (Lennon/McCartney) The Beatles (White Album), 1968 John Lennon and his bandmates wrote dozens of songs while on spiritual retreat in India during early-1968. “Sexy Sadie” was the last. The song was written by John as he stewed in resentment toward the Maharishi while waiting to leave the compound. A…
Mother Nature’s Son – Page of Pentacles (Lennon/McCartney) The Beatles (The White Album), 1968 “Mother Nature’s Son” perfectly captures the tranquility of communing with the wonders of nature. Take a deep breath and allow it to wash over you. Paul has said the song was influenced by an old favorite, “Nature Boy” by Nat King…