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)


Lyrics submitted by Ice, edited by penispump

Taxman Lyrics as written by George Harrison

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

Taxman song meanings
Add Your Thoughts

37 Comments

sort form View by:
  • +3
    General Comment

    I would have love to have heard "Taxman" sung at the Republican National Convention.

    shes_a_jaron September 23, 2004   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    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

    joeyjoejoeshabadooon April 18, 2004   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    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.

    OpinionHeadon January 10, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    At their acerbic best. Well, second best. I like Back in the USSR better :)

    pkjunon April 15, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    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.

    SgtPepperLHCBon September 11, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    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.

    Wyrmon May 14, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    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

    meursaultsrevolveron September 29, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    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?

    f1yankon December 04, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    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.

    ultraspamboyon December 24, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Paul played the bizarre guitar solo on this song.

    The same recording of the solo is repeated at the end.

    maharishion December 24, 2004   Link

Add your thoughts

Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.

Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!

More Featured Meanings

Album art
Holiday
Bee Gees
@[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.
Album art
When We Were Young
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
Album art
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
Album art
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
Album art
Plastic Bag
Ed Sheeran
“Plastic Bag” is a song about searching for an escape from personal problems and hoping to find it in the lively atmosphere of a Saturday night party. Ed Sheeran tells the story of his friend and the myriad of troubles he is going through. Unable to find any solutions, this friend seeks a last resort in a party and the vanity that comes with it. “I overthink and have trouble sleepin’ / All purpose gone and don’t have a reason / And there’s no doctor to stop this bleedin’ / So I left home and jumped in the deep end,” Ed Sheeran sings in verse one. He continues by adding that this person is feeling the weight of having disappointed his father and doesn’t have any friends to rely on in this difficult moment. In the second verse, Ed sings about the role of grief in his friend’s plight and his dwindling faith in prayer. “Saturday night is givin’ me a reason to rely on the strobe lights / The lifeline of a promise in a shot glass, and I’ll take that / If you’re givin’ out love from a plastic bag,” Ed sings on the chorus, as his friend turns to new vices in hopes of feeling better.