closing time honorable mentioN: tomorrow nvr knows by the beatles
One of the album’s most striking features is its sonic diversity. Each track on “Revolver” is a miniature masterpiece in its own right, showcasing The Beatles’ mastery of a wide range of musical styles. From the infectious melodies of “Yellow Submarine'' and “Good Day Sunshine” to the psychedelic tapestries of “And Your Bird Can Sing ” and “She Said She Said,” the album takes listeners on a kaleidoscopic journey through the musical landscape of the 1960s. A journey that begins here, is marked by the closing track `Tomorrow Never Knows' ' but continues along much further than your wildest shroom trip could take you.
“Tomorrow Never Knows” is not only a standout track on Revolver, but it also hits at the direction The Beatles would take with their next project, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. The experimental techniques, thematic boldness, and musical innovation that define “Tomorrow Never Knows” are fully realized and expanded upon in Sgt. Pepper. The latter album’s elaborate mix of styles, studio experimentation, and conceptual coherence can trace their roots back to the groundwork laid by this closing track. In many ways, “Tomorrow Never Knows” was a hint and easter egg to the psychedelic and experimental era that The Beatles would come to epitomize.
Thematically: “Tomorrow Never Knows” dives deep into themes of enlightenment, drawing heavily from John Lennon’s fascination with Eastern philosophy and the psychedelic experience. The song’s lyrics were inspired by Timothy Leary’s adaptation of the Tibetan Book of the Dead, specifically The Psychedelic Experience. The thematic focus of letting go of ego and exploring the mind’s deeper realms was groundbreaking for its time, marking a significant departure from the more conventional pop themes of love and heartache.
The song invites listeners to “turn off your mind, relax, and float downstream,” urging them to release their earthly concerns and embrace a higher state of consciousness. This thematic approach was not only innovative but reflective of the cultural and spiritual explorations that were becoming prominent in the mid-1960s.
As the final notes of “Tomorrow Never Knows” fade into the ether, one can't help but marvel at the sheer audacity and ambition of the song and the project as a whole. In just 34 minutes and 36 seconds, The Beatles managed to redefine the possibilities of music, creating an album that remains fresh and vital today, as it did upon release over half a century ago. As a piece that invites listeners to journey beyond the ordinary in song and in their minds, it stands as a timeless testament to The Beatles’ innovative spirit and eternally enduring influence.