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From album
The Beatles
The Beatles · 1968 · Track 12
Details
Duración2:04
ÁlbumThe Beatles
Año1968
ISRCGBAYE0601655
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The story behind
The song Piggies, written by George Harrison, presents a satirical and critical facet, evoking the atmosphere of George Orwell's Animal Farm. The lyrics, with a biting tone, reflect on greed and consumerism, contrasting with musical elements that refer to the baroque pop style, such as the use of harpsichord and orchestral string arrangements. While the official production falls to George Martin, Chris Thomas's work was fundamental, including his contribution to the harpsichord part. The recording took place between September and October 1968 at EMI studios in London, and the song has an approximate duration of 2:04.
In the context of a year loaded with political tensions like 1968, Piggies was adopted by some sectors as an anthem of nonconformity. Even, the figure of Charles Manson related it to his theory of a race war in the United States, drawing inspiration from the phrase "What they need's a damn good whacking". The actions of his followers left clues linked to the lyrics at crime scenes that occurred in August 1969. The song's reception has been diverse; some critics value its musical quality and the ironic humor of its verses, while others consider it harsh and unsubtle. Harrison's original demo, recorded at his home in Esher, Surrey, was included in the 1996 compilation Anthology 3. A live version, which recovers a verse omitted in the studio recording, appears on his 1992 album Live in Japan.