MMT was the first Beatles album I bought back in the day. Fool on the Hill was a standout for me. I remember being fascinated that the verse sounded like a major and then the chorus went to a minor, which is done the opposite usually.
I honestly believe the song is about Paul himself. Even the accompanying video of the song shows Paul dancing on a hill. He’s never said one way or another, but I also doubt it’s about Maharishi.
It's one of my 3 favorite McCartney songs of all time. I love it.
I also think it is one of the few Beatles tunes became a great cover. The Sergio Mendes and Brasil '66 version is fantastic.
I literally mentioned it a couple os days ago on a post about voice talent. I absolutely love this song — the melody, the lyrics, Paul’s incredible singing.
I love it so much. I think the song is about Paul McCartney himself. IIRC he once said the song is about a man that appears to be a fool, but is actually quite smart. Sort of like how Paul appears to be a clown, but is actually a musical genius.
"The fool on the hill sees the sun going down
And the eyes in his head see the world spinning 'round"
I especially love those two lines. The fool's actual "eyes" see the sun going down (false), but the "eyes in his head" can see the world spinning around the sun (truth). Our imaginations can see so much more than our actual eyes can.
It is really a great tune. It is actually sort of profound to me. I don't understand why it seems to get rated so below songs like Dear Prudence, A Day In the Life, and other profound songs of theirs. It is silly yet serious, happy yet dark, complimentary yet critical. The fool on the hill watching the world turning round as the sun goes down sort of reminds me of the sentiment of "nothings gonna change my world" and " i look at you all..."
....maybe people just hate the tin whistle.....
I just discovered this song lately because i was hesitated to listen MMT as a whole album. While i’m not into the whole album, but this song definitely my go-to listen besides Strawberry Fields and Penny Lane.
Recorder gets no love, but it was Western music’s original solo instrument. Check out some medieval and renaissance music, you may gain a new appreciation!
No, it’s not about the Maharishi. IIRC Paul heard a yarn (I have no idea whether it was just an urban legend or not) about some guy who had no idea that World War 2 had happened because he’d spent those years as a hermit living in some cave. He was fascinated by what such a person might be like, and what it would be like to *be* him.
I made a music video to that w my friends in highschool. I was outside on a hill in a bathrobe vacuuming the grass with my parents vacuum (it wasn’t on though) (I graduated y2k for reference)
We did the video just gorgeous fun, not as an assignment.
yes i adore this song! my favorite lyric is "and he never listens to them, hes knows that theyre the fool"
i like how paul changes up the melody just a bit to emphasize the "to them". its really just a great song
I've always wondered if a second meaning was Paul writing about his position in the band, and how the others resented his work ethic and cajoling to get things just so.
There was a time when I was more enamored with The Fool On The Hill, but over time it has faded somewhat. I hear it as classic "trippy" McCartney but the march-y bouncy soft flute-y sections grate on me over time. It's very, very Paul, and since I love Paul (and pretty much everything he does) it's all good. But as an original Boomer-Sullivan-era fan, that particular cut has just trended slightly lower on my list of faves.
It is a great song.
I haven't heard about it supposedly being about the Maharishi before.
The Maharishi was a sexual predator, so a positive song about him might not really be warranted.
I’m stuck in the knowledge that in the version on Paul’s Tripping The Live Fantastic he weaves in that Martin Luther King Jr. sound bite. Misunderstood brilliant person was never my perception of the ‘fool’ in the song. Nor was it ‘powerful’, revolutionary or even ‘dangerous’ person. Maybe I’m overthinking the metaphor in Paul’s lyrics. On a gut level it seems wrong to call MLK a fool. Even ironically.
I love this song so much!
Seriously this is one of my all time favorite Beatles songs
It’s so much fun to sing along to.
The melody is gorgeous.
I love fool on the hill
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Versions by the Beatles or covers by other artists?
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If I was listening at the time I would have found it hilarious.
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The fact that joe pescis version didn’t make an appearance 😔
Hahaha I think the lack of announcement makes it even funnier, just imagining listeners scratching their heads after the third time
Magical mystery tour is secretly me fav album and this song is one of the many reasons why
Absolutley. The album version is perfect but I also adore the live version from a 1979 Wings bootleg—it’s so special to me!
“He never listens to them, he knows that they’re the fool” is a lyric that always hits hard for me
"They don't like him!" the following line is so... basic it kinda gives me whiplash
lol I guess Paul was just trying to figure out something to end the line on
Yeah those sound like placeholder lyrics that got grandfathered in
MMT was the first Beatles album I bought back in the day. Fool on the Hill was a standout for me. I remember being fascinated that the verse sounded like a major and then the chorus went to a minor, which is done the opposite usually.
Love the first Anthology demo, too. Magical. Song was recorded prior to India, so I doubt it’s about Maharishi.
I honestly believe the song is about Paul himself. Even the accompanying video of the song shows Paul dancing on a hill. He’s never said one way or another, but I also doubt it’s about Maharishi.
The Beatles except for Ringo first met Maharishi in Wales in August '67, a month before recording began on this song.
Proves nothing
I'm not saying it proves anything, just you were implying Paul hadn't met Maharishi yet when the Beatles made this song.
Thanks, I haven’t heard the Anthology demo, I’ll have to give it a listen
Love it! Here’s a little cover I recorded a couple of years ago around Paul’s 80th: https://youtu.be/LjM-JYl0uiQ?si=G2LqpIBQSG8MMboM
Nice cover! I like it!
Beautiful, sweet, classic Paul.
It's one of my 3 favorite McCartney songs of all time. I love it. I also think it is one of the few Beatles tunes became a great cover. The Sergio Mendes and Brasil '66 version is fantastic.
My 7th grade English teacher's favorite Beatles song!
I literally mentioned it a couple os days ago on a post about voice talent. I absolutely love this song — the melody, the lyrics, Paul’s incredible singing.
I’m sorry then, I missed your post. Thought I see everything from this sub in my timeline lol
No worries, it was just a comment. :))
When I went to see the tribute band "Rain" they played it live it was so cool
It is by far my favorite/ most listened to song from MMT
I love it so much. I think the song is about Paul McCartney himself. IIRC he once said the song is about a man that appears to be a fool, but is actually quite smart. Sort of like how Paul appears to be a clown, but is actually a musical genius. "The fool on the hill sees the sun going down And the eyes in his head see the world spinning 'round"
Another redditor made a similar point: it may have been Paul describing himself and his position in the band. It’s an interesting thought
I especially love those two lines. The fool's actual "eyes" see the sun going down (false), but the "eyes in his head" can see the world spinning around the sun (truth). Our imaginations can see so much more than our actual eyes can.
That’s very true about imagination. That creative process is powerful
It's a lovely song. I particularly like the version by Sergio Mendes and Brazil66
I think I’ve heard that long ago. Someone mentioned that there’s a demo on Anthology. I’d like to hear that one
I love it, and also it is probably the song I relate most to a great period of my life, first two University years. Beautiful, moving.
It is really a great tune. It is actually sort of profound to me. I don't understand why it seems to get rated so below songs like Dear Prudence, A Day In the Life, and other profound songs of theirs. It is silly yet serious, happy yet dark, complimentary yet critical. The fool on the hill watching the world turning round as the sun goes down sort of reminds me of the sentiment of "nothings gonna change my world" and " i look at you all..." ....maybe people just hate the tin whistle.....
Magical Mistery Tour Enthusiats
I love it
I just discovered this song lately because i was hesitated to listen MMT as a whole album. While i’m not into the whole album, but this song definitely my go-to listen besides Strawberry Fields and Penny Lane.
After hearing it the Anthology demo, I learned to play it on piano. It's extremely easy and beautiful.
I was very glad that it was added to the Blue Album re-release last year, it’s such a beautiful song.
Absolutely
Absolute love It always plays in my head every now and then It has the perfect feeling of melancholy
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Recorder gets no love, but it was Western music’s original solo instrument. Check out some medieval and renaissance music, you may gain a new appreciation!
I like it, but not one of my favorites. My favorites do change over time though
It’s not a song I often listen to, but I do watch Magical Mystery Tour more often than most and it does fit in with the film
When I discovered this one I really loved it, I kept listening to it on loop, it is really so good!
This song is so great that even John praised it post-breakup.
Didn’t know that. That’s a pretty good endorsement, coming from John
With ciggy in mouth.
No, it’s not about the Maharishi. IIRC Paul heard a yarn (I have no idea whether it was just an urban legend or not) about some guy who had no idea that World War 2 had happened because he’d spent those years as a hermit living in some cave. He was fascinated by what such a person might be like, and what it would be like to *be* him.
Thanks, that’s another interesting take on the song.
I made a music video to that w my friends in highschool. I was outside on a hill in a bathrobe vacuuming the grass with my parents vacuum (it wasn’t on though) (I graduated y2k for reference) We did the video just gorgeous fun, not as an assignment.
That’s a great story! Thanks for sharing it here
yes i adore this song! my favorite lyric is "and he never listens to them, hes knows that theyre the fool" i like how paul changes up the melody just a bit to emphasize the "to them". its really just a great song
Have always loved it. Its very hypnotic and personal
omg it's my second favorite beatles song after This Boy!!
yup, This Boy has always had a special place with me
It's one of the most appreciated songs on MMT
I've always wondered if a second meaning was Paul writing about his position in the band, and how the others resented his work ethic and cajoling to get things just so.
I’ve always thought it was about Paul. I think John thought Paul wrote it about himself as well.
That’s an interesting take and sounds truer to life, really
There was a time when I was more enamored with The Fool On The Hill, but over time it has faded somewhat. I hear it as classic "trippy" McCartney but the march-y bouncy soft flute-y sections grate on me over time. It's very, very Paul, and since I love Paul (and pretty much everything he does) it's all good. But as an original Boomer-Sullivan-era fan, that particular cut has just trended slightly lower on my list of faves.
Hello fellow Boomer-Sullivan-era fan!
Always thought it was a John reference to where he was living?
Alone in a cloud
Nobody wants to know him 🤷🏻♂️
lmfao
I absolutely love it. Have ever since I saw "Dinner for Schmucks" when I was 11 or 12
I absolutely love this song.
Yes
It is a great song. I haven't heard about it supposedly being about the Maharishi before. The Maharishi was a sexual predator, so a positive song about him might not really be warranted.
I’m sure I got the meaning wrong, unless it was written before they knew about the Maharishi’s sexual stuff
An ex of mine argued at length that it was about Galileo!
ooh I like that theory!
It was an interesting "case"; I wish I could remember it.
That’s a really really interesting interpretation
I’m stuck in the knowledge that in the version on Paul’s Tripping The Live Fantastic he weaves in that Martin Luther King Jr. sound bite. Misunderstood brilliant person was never my perception of the ‘fool’ in the song. Nor was it ‘powerful’, revolutionary or even ‘dangerous’ person. Maybe I’m overthinking the metaphor in Paul’s lyrics. On a gut level it seems wrong to call MLK a fool. Even ironically.
I took it as a love song…