"Revolution 9" is a recorded composition that appeared on The Beatles' 1968 self-titled LP release (popularly known as The White Album). The sound collage, credited to Lennon–McCartney, was created primarily by John Lennon with assistance from George Harrison and Yoko Ono. Lennon said he was trying to paint a picture of a revolution using sound. The composition was influenced by the avant-garde style of Ono as well as the musique concrète works of composers such as Edgard Varese and Karlheinz Stockhausen.
The recording began as an extended ending to the album version of "Revolution". Lennon then combined the unused coda with numerous overdubbed vocals, speech, sound effects, and short tape loops of speech and musical performances, some of which were reversed. These were further manipulated with echo, distortion, stereo panning, and fading.
McCartney argued against including the track on The Beatles. At over eight minutes, it is the longest track that the Beatles officially released.
Read more about Revolution 9: Background and Recording, Structure and Content, Album Sequencing and Release, Reception, Interpretation, Personnel, Cover Versions
Famous quotes containing the word revolution:
“If to be masculine is to be smart, do let [woman] try; or are you afraid, if she has the chance, that a few of your laurels will droop?”
—M.C. R., U.S. womens magazine contributor. The Revolution (March 19, 1868)