Sun King (song)
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| “Sun King” | ||
|---|---|---|
| Song by The Beatles | ||
| Album | Abbey Road | |
| Released | 26 September 1969 | |
| Recorded | Abbey Road Studios 24-25 July 1969 |
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| Genre | Rock, psychedelic rock | |
| Length | 2:26 | |
| Label | Apple Records | |
| Writer | Lennon/McCartney | |
| Producer | George Martin | |
| Abbey Road track listing | ||
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"Sun King" is a song by The Beatles that appeared on the Abbey Road album. It is the second song of the B-side's climactic medley.
The working title was "Here Comes the Sun King"[1], shortened to "Sun King" to avoid confusion with "Here Comes the Sun". The lyrics to start the song are the same as the title and lyrics of "Here Comes the Sun", but with the word "King" inserted afterwards, although George Harrison wrote the latter and "Sun King" is written by John Lennon. Later, the song, in minor key with an organ in the background, breaks into a faux Romance language mixing English, Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese. The song is in three-part harmony, sung by Lennon, Paul McCartney, and Harrison. At the end of the song, the music stops abruptly and a Ringo Starr drum fill leads into the next track, "Mean Mr. Mustard". The guitar style is very reminiscent of Jimi Hendrix's first album Are You Experienced.
The faux Romance mixing of languages occurs in the last three lines of the song. In 1969, Lennon was interviewed about these lyrics and said, "We just started joking, you know, singing 'quando para mucho.' So we just made up... Paul knew a few Spanish words from school, you know. So we just strung any Spanish words that sounded vaguely like something. And of course we got 'chicka ferdy' in. That's a Liverpool expression. Just like sort of-- it doesn't mean anything to me but (childish taunting) 'na-na, na-na-na!'"[2]
Paul McCartney recalled that one of the expressions that he meant to include was "Los Paranoias"-a name by which he and Lennon would refer to the Beatles. A version of McCartney playing around with the theme can be found on Anthology 3.
Another notable aspect of the song is its use of cross-channel movement, or stereo panning and fading. The fast guitar line slowly moves from right to left channel and then back. This occurs in the beginning of the song, and then again at the end.
In an interview in 1987, Harrison said that the recording was inspired by Fleetwood Mac's "Albatross". "At the time, 'Albatross' (by Fleetwood Mac) was out, with all the reverb on guitar. So we said, 'Let's be Fleetwood Mac doing Albatross, just to get going.' It never really sounded like Fleetwood Mac… but that was the point of origin."[2]
In 1976, The Bee Gees covered the song for the evanescent musical documentary All This and World War II.
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[edit] Appearance on "Love"
In 2006, 55 seconds of the introduction was included as a reversed a cappella version in the track titled "Gnik Nus" in the album Love which is the track played backwards. On the track "Octopus's Garden" on the compilation, the instrumental intro was put in, along with the sound of rain. [3]
[edit] Other
King Louis XIV of France was known as the Sun King. The reference may also be to Buddha.[citation needed]
[edit] Personnel
- John Lennon: multi-tracked lead vocals, rhythm guitar and maracas.
- Paul McCartney: background vocals, bass and harmonium.
- George Harrison: background vocals and lead guitar.
- Ringo Starr: drums.
- George Martin: Lowry organ.
[edit] References
- ^ Lewisohn, Mark (1988). The Beatles Recording Sessions. New York: Harmony Books, 182. ISBN 0-517-57066-1.
- ^ a b Abbey Road - Sun King. The Beatles Interview Database. Retrieved on 2007-09-12.
- ^ The Beatles: Love - PopMatters Music Review. PopMatters (2006-12-15). Retrieved on 2006-12-27.
