The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
One, two, three, four
One, two (one, two, three, four)
Let me tell you how it will be
There's one for you, nineteen for me
'Cause I'm the taxman
Yeah, I'm the taxman
Should five percent appear too small
Be thankful I don't take it all
'Cause I'm the taxman
Yeah, I'm the taxman
(If you drive a car, car) I'll tax the street
(If you try to sit, sit) I'll tax your seat
(If you get too cold, cold) I'll tax the heat
(If you take a walk, walk) I'll tax your feet
(Taxman)
'Cause I'm the taxman
Yeah, I'm the taxman
Don't ask me what I want it for
(Ah, ah, Mr. Wilson)
If you don't want to pay some more
(Ah, ah, Mr. Heath)
'Cause I'm the taxman
Yeah, I'm the taxman
Now my advice for those who die (taxman)
Declare the pennies on your eyes (taxman)
'Cause I'm the taxman
Yeah, I'm the taxman
And you're working for no one but me (taxman)
One, two (one, two, three, four)
Let me tell you how it will be
There's one for you, nineteen for me
'Cause I'm the taxman
Yeah, I'm the taxman
Should five percent appear too small
Be thankful I don't take it all
'Cause I'm the taxman
Yeah, I'm the taxman
(If you drive a car, car) I'll tax the street
(If you try to sit, sit) I'll tax your seat
(If you get too cold, cold) I'll tax the heat
(If you take a walk, walk) I'll tax your feet
(Taxman)
'Cause I'm the taxman
Yeah, I'm the taxman
Don't ask me what I want it for
(Ah, ah, Mr. Wilson)
If you don't want to pay some more
(Ah, ah, Mr. Heath)
'Cause I'm the taxman
Yeah, I'm the taxman
Now my advice for those who die (taxman)
Declare the pennies on your eyes (taxman)
'Cause I'm the taxman
Yeah, I'm the taxman
And you're working for no one but me (taxman)
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Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
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Lord Huron
Lord Huron
This is a hauntingly beautiful song about introspection, specifically about looking back at a relationship that started bad and ended so poorly, that the narrator wants to go back to the very beginning and tell himself to not even travel down that road. I believe that the relationship started poorly because of the lines:
"Take me back to the night we met:When the night was full of terrors: And your eyes were filled with tears: When you had not touched me yet"
So, the first night was not a great start, but the narrator pursued the relationship and eventually both overcame the rough start to fall in love with each other:
"I had all and then most of you"
Like many relationships that turn sour, it was not a quick decline, but a gradual one where the narrator and their partner fall out of love and gradually grow apart
"Some and now none of you"
Losing someone who was once everything in your world, who you could confide in, tell your secrets to, share all the most intimate parts of your life, to being strangers with that person is probably one of the most painful experiences a person can go through. So Painful, the narrator wants to go back in time and tell himself to not even pursue the relationship.
This was the perfect song for "13 Reasons Why"
Son Şansın - Şarkı Sözleri
Hayalperest
Hayalperest
This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
I would have love to have heard "Taxman" sung at the Republican National Convention.
LMAO
This song was written by george as an offshoot to the high taxes imposed on the beatles in britain. Heath was the prime minister and wilson was the chancellor of exchequer, i think. probably
@joeyjoejoeshabadoo Heath (conservative) and Wilson (Labour) traded being the Prime Minister in the 1960 and 1970s.
Whatever, I think this song satirizes the more liberal mindset of Western Europe in regard to taxation of their citizenry. George Harrison is a masterful songwriter despite what anybody says.
At their acerbic best. Well, second best. I like Back in the USSR better :)
Has anyone heard George Harrison's live version of this song with eric Clapton? Good Lordm it's awesome. You should download it off Kazaa or something. You won't be disappointed.
No. The song was written around 1966. Harold Wilson was Labour Prime Minister from 1964 to 1970 while Edward Heath was the Leader of the Opposition (Conservative). There was an election in 1966 which Labour won, so good timing for the song by the Beatles. They were complaining that for very high-earners the tax on their income above a certain amount was 95% - but in all honesty there were so many loopholes to get around this that it smacks of nothing but greediness.
@Wyrm Those four guys are probably the most underpaid four people in the 20th century considering how much joy they provided to people. No government deserves 95% of what an individual produces.
i agree with wyrm with regards to greediness - it works better as an anthem for the working classes - the taxmen can suck my balls man i love the 'and you're working for no one but me' line
The rich are taxed disproportionately everywhere. And it kills economies. These "loopholes" are never quite enough to combat governmental greed. Or, is a government incapable of this?
it definitely does not kill economies, as rich people do not create jobs or wealth.
I wouldn't be suprised if at some point the Republicans have used or will use this song in an attack ad on a Democrat.
I agree that the "declare the pennies on your eyes" reference is pretty intellectual. I didn't hear about that practice until I saw it in the movie "Troy", and I didn't have Revolver back then. If I had, I probably would have made a really funny face when I suddenly made the connection.
Paul played the bizarre guitar solo on this song.
The same recording of the solo is repeated at the end.