Band on the Run

Have you ever read the book Helter Skelter? I did. It is the whole story of the Charles Manson Family Murders that occurred in L.A. CA. on Aug. 9, l969. During the trial, it came out that some of the Beatles songs were connected with this mans twisted mental state. It was surmised by the trial prosecutor, Vincent Bugliosi, (the Jailor Man) that these songs might have been a catalyst for these peoples insane behavior. Hence the title of the book. I don't remember exactly how many of the Beatles songs were involved, but two of them were Helter Skelter and Piggies both are on the White Album.

During the commission of these gruesome murders, one of the Manson family members painted the word Piggies on the walls of Sharon Tate's Mansion in the murder victim's own blood. Reportedly, an investigation of these songs, and their writers, was conducted. Somewhere I learned, it may be in the book, Charles Manson (Sailor Sam) had, at one time, been associated with the Merchant Marines in some capacity, but, at this time, I cannot document that fact.

During the Beatles career, it was a big hobby of their fans to try to uncover the hidden meaning of their songs. There were radio stations that fanned that fire by having fan call in programs for that very purpose. I was, a huge fan of the Beatles, and I was caught up in the hobby myself. I still believe that Lennon loved to play mind games with Beatles fans, and McCartney too, but to a lesser degree. From the first time I heard the song “Band On The Run,” It was obvious to me, having read Helter Skelter, that it was an expos'e of how the Tate/LaBianca Murders helped facilitate the break up of the Beatles (The Band on the Run.)

You really need to read Helter Skelter, but Let me explain my interpritation:

The first part of the song is Charles Manson (Sailor Sam) speaking, or thinking from his prison cell “Stuck inside these four wall, sent inside forever. Never seeing no one nice again like you mama..... (Susan Atkins aka Sadie Mae Glutz) Manson's main woman in this murderous family who was sentenced to life in prison as was he. If I ever get out of here....thought of giving it all away.........If I ever get out of here; If WE ever get out of here..... This last line is not included in the Song Meaning Lyrics written above, but if you listen to the original studio recording it is definitely there “If I ever get out of here.....If We ever get out of here?)

The second part of the song. Substitute the word reign for rain: The reign, (of the Beatles), exploded with a mighty crash, as we fell into the sun, (when things started getting hot) and the first one (McCartney) said to the second one there (Lennon) I hope you're having fun (playing these mind games.)

The Jailor Man, and Sailor Sam were searching everyone: (for any kind of proof that the beatles music could have been at the root of these murders.)

The undertaker drew a heavy sigh seeing no one else had come, (He makes a living burying dead folks) A bell was ringing in the village square for the rabbits on the run. ( alluding to Jefferson Airplane's song White Rabbit) Remember, this was the psychedelic era.

Night was falling (time to turn out the lights on the greatest band in history) as the desert world ( LA. County) began to settle down. In the town (LA) they're searching for us everywhere.......

And the County Judge who held a grudge, well he and the jailor man just could not find any legal way to implicate George, John, and Paul. Let him search forever more for the Beatles (The Band on the Run)