Today's song is Yer Blues by The Beatles.
I've chosen this song is credited to Lennon/McCartney (written by John Lennon) mainly because of it's lyrics.
This blues-rock ballad was written in Rishikesh, India. Lennon said in a Rolling Stone interview that the title was a result of his defense mechanism. He opted for the humorous side so that if anyone criticised the song, he could write it off as a parody. This is by far the most emotionally-revealing moment on the White Album. Just another example of the versatility of The Beatles - I really like John's screaming vocals, they're so fuckin' powerful, just shattering. For me, this is a very good song to listen to when you feel like what the lyrics say, depressed, down, even suicidal. It has an almost therapeuthic effect. At least this is how I feel.
Though this song isn't really "blues" in the traditional sense, it still does use basically the same blues chord progression as any blues song. And I dare you to say that John Lennon doesn't convey the viscreral feeling of suicidal depression as powerfuly as any "authetnic" blues artist.
The funny thing about the [Maharishi's] camp was that although it was very beautiful and I was meditating about eight hours a day, I was writing the most miserable songs on earth. In Yer Blues, when I wrote, 'I'm so lonely I want to die,' I'm not kidding. That's how I felt. - John Lennon / Anthology
A cause of his anguish may have been Yoko Ono. Although their relationship had yet to begin, Ono wrote regularly to Lennon, and it is likely that she is the one the song is addressed to.
It's almost impossible to make an accurate and detailed analysis of the whole lyrics, but I always wondered what this 2 parts meant:
My mother was of the sky/My father was of the earth/But I am of the universe - I think those lines mean his mother is dead, his father left him, and now he is famous.
Feel so suicidal, just like Dylan's Mr. Jones - here we have a reference to Bob Dylan's "Ballad of a Thin Man", which well-document psychological battles - in the original demo of the song, Lennon sings 'I feel so insecure now, just like Dylan's Mr. Jones', as opposed to suicidal.
To sum up, this song is obviously about depression, and it has a confessional spirit conveyed. I understand completly John's point of view, concerning the insecurity behind all this soul exposing lyrics. I would feel as self concious as him. And that's why I hide my identity through this pseudonym and expose myself. So, I guess I can really identify myself with the lyric's message and the feelings behind the written process, especially at the moment, this last period has been really hard, I'm so lonely. I can't stop thinking of you. I feel emotionaly dead, for sure. Thus - I know I shouldn't - but I have a secret hope that everything will be fixed up. And that's why I don't break down, 'cause of you. 'cause of the love I feel towards you. I can't stand watching or thinking of you with her. Do you love her? Do you really love her? I don't think so, I sure hope not. I think you're choosing the easier way out. We could work it out. Won't you think of that? In the meantime.. I love you.
Yer Blues
Yes I'm lonely wanna die.
If I ain't dead already.
Ooh girl you know the reason why.
In the morning wanna die.
In the evening wanna die.
If I ain't dead already.
Ooh girl you know the reason why.
My mother was of the sky.
My father was of the earth.
But I am of the universe
And you know what it's worth.
I'm lonely wanna die.
If I ain't dead already.
Ooh girl you know the reason why.
The eagle picks my eye.
The worm he licks my bone.
I feel so suicidal
Just like Dylan's Mr. Jones,
Lonely wanna die.
If I ain't dead already.
Ooh girl you know the reason why.
Black cloud crossed my mind.
Blue mist round my soul.
Feel so suicidal
Even hate my rock and roll.
Wanna die yeah wanna die.
If I ain't dead already.
Ooh girl you know the reason why
xoxo, Lucy