what song by the beatles was originally written for a u.s. political campaign?
What song by The Beatles was originally written for a U.S. political campaign?
Answer:
The song by The Beatles that was originally written for a U.S. political campaign is “Come Together.” The song was composed by John Lennon in 1969.
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Background and Context:
- “Come Together” began as an anthem for Timothy Leary’s gubernatorial campaign in California. Timothy Leary was a well-known psychologist and advocate for psychedelic drugs.
- Leary’s campaign slogan was “Come Together, Join the Party,” and he asked John Lennon to create a campaign song based on this theme.
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Development of the Song:
- While Lennon initially started writing the song for Leary’s campaign, the political aspect of the composition evolved significantly.
- Timothy Leary’s campaign abruptly ended when he was incarcerated for marijuana possession. Consequently, Lennon decided to repurpose the nascent song for The Beatles’ album “Abbey Road.”
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Transformation into a Hit:
- The lyrics of “Come Together” were modified and embellished, moving away from the strictly political origins and becoming more abstract and multi-layered.
- The final version of “Come Together,” produced by George Martin, features a distinctive bluesy rhythm, unique vocal delivery by Lennon, and iconic contributions from the rest of The Beatles.
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Release and Impact:
- “Come Together” was released as part of the Abbey Road album on September 26, 1969.
- The song became one of The Beatles’ iconic tracks, reaching the top of the charts and gaining widespread acclaim.
Final Answer:
The Beatles’ song originally written for a U.S. political campaign is “Come Together.”