@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
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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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.