The Beatles – Revolution 1

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  General Comment:One small error in these lyrics makes such a huge change in the interpretation.
  
  The line 'Don't you know that you can count me in', should read 'Don't you know that you can count me out'.
  
  John didn't advocate violence, in fact he also says 'If you want money for people with minds that hate, all I can tell you is buddy you'll have to wait'
  
  To me it's obvious that he's saying that revolution is fine, but if you advocate violence you'll get no support from me, either morally or financially.

  Flag zenityon December 14, 2012   Link

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  General Comment:"Believe me, dear Sir: there is not in the British empire a man who more cordially loves a union with Great Britain than I do. But, by the God that made me, I will cease to exist before I yield to a connection on such terms as the British Parliament propose; and in this, I think I speak the sentiments of America"
  —Thomas Jefferson, November 29, 1775 <<<--- This is a revolution.
  
  "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness" (prosperity)
  
  I will stand with and defend the Republic & Constitution of the United States and would gladly give my life for it.
  A Beatles fan in Seattle 2012

  Flag atseabeachon February 01, 2012   Link

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  General Comment:This song was so far ahead of it's time. :) It's the best.

  Flag redshiftdazzleron December 18, 2011   Link

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  General Comment:"But if you go carrying pictures of chairman Mao
  You ain't gonna make it with anyone anyhow"
  
  I love historical references lol.

  Flag jitteryjellyon March 18, 2010   Link

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    It wasn't a historical reference. That is a reference to current events. When you look at songs with references like that, just be really careful to look at the date. I know that you know that this is an old(ish) song, but just make sure that you see the difference when interpreting songs.
    
    This was a cold war reference, referring to communism in general, not just china.

    Flag rumbleroaron September 19, 2012  
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  General Comment:My modern dance class did this song for our spring recital, and it was awesome!!!! It was the version from Across the Sky, though, but it was still amazing!!!

  Flag jamieanne92on January 06, 2010   Link

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  General Comment:This was John talking about how his ideologies from the peace and love days were just a lot of B.S. and he was changing his thinking to become more conventional if you can believe that. "Count me out,in" Peace.

  Flag FritzTon November 30, 2009   Link

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  General Comment:Correction: "You say you'll change the constitution/We'd all love to change your head."

  Flag Billy_Liaron August 13, 2009   Link

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  General Comment:To me, this song is about how people should more so have a revelution of thought than a physical revolution. basically, he is saying these people are all protesting against the war and violence. but then thes protestors go out and get violent themselves. isnt that a little hypocritical? The Line " you better free you mind instead" means to me that people need to have a revolution within themselves before they can go out and do all that stuff.

  Flag modernaudreyon November 25, 2008   Link

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  General Comment:like the single version best, some great guitar work from lennon,harrison and mccartney who was also a great guitarist (listen to taxman as proof) shame it was up against hey jude because it would stand up as a single in its own right

  Flag sivillaon May 17, 2008   Link

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  General Comment:What the song means is that political revolution is meaningless without an alteration in consciousness. The whole thing is summed up in the "constitution" verse. "Change your head." "Free your mind." Real revolution will follow.

  Flag Killheadon October 14, 2007   Link

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