Home · Songs · The Beatles · Taxman
From album
Revolver
The Beatles · 1966
Details
TonalidadD
Compás4/4
Tempo133 BPM
Duración2:38
ÁlbumRevolver
Año1966
ISRCGBAYE0601493
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The story behind
When the Beatles met in 1966, the UK's fiscal landscape was quite severe. The Labour government, led by Harold Wilson, had implemented a progressive tax so high that, according to a report by accounting firm Bryce, Hammer, Isherwood & Co., two of the group's members were on the verge of bankruptcy. This situation, where over 90% of earnings were paid to the Treasury, was the trigger for George Harrison to write "Taxman". It was not only a complaint about the tax burden but also an expression of discontent over the use of those funds in weapons manufacturing. The song, which became the band's first piece with a direct political message, also marked the consolidation of Harrison as a songwriter, alongside the Lennon-McCartney duo.
The recording of "Taxman", which took place in April 1966, coincided with Harold Wilson's electoral victory. The influence of 1960s soul and R&B music is present in the composition, portraying the tax collector as a relentless figure. In the lyrics, Harrison mentions Wilson and Edward Heath, leader of the Conservative Party. John Lennon's participation was key to polishing some phrases, and Paul McCartney contributed a guitar solo with Indian influences, described as "outstanding" and with a dazzling ending. This piece, in addition to its lyrical content, set a precedent in the development of psychedelic rock and mod-style pop, and has even been pointed to as a precursor to punk rock. The song proved its relevance when Harrison, in the 1990s, adapted the lyrics to refer to contemporary leaders, showing its ability to transcend its era.
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