Remarkably for such a druggy song, there's nothing SPECIFICALLY drugs-related in the lyrics.
It was originally meant as a campaign song for acid-guru Dr Timothy Leary when he was going to run for US President (no kidding!), but later John re-wrote it in its present form. Alongside references to blues singer Muddy Waters and Yoko's Ono's company "Bag Productions" there is an inevitable Walrus. "Spinal cracker" reportedly refers to a form of Japanese massage involving a wife (Yoko?) walking on her husband's spine! But guess why the song got banned by the BBC...
Yes, because the State-owned broadcasting corporation deemed that the mention of Coca-Cola was advertising and therefore could not be played on the BBC!
The same thing happened with "Lola" by the Kinks, but they actually changed the lyric to the more evocative "cherry cola".
sgt1pepper, you are almost right..it was the reference to "knickers" that got the song banned. Makes me wonder how Paul got the word "breast" passed the censors in "Lady Madonna".
sgt1pepper, you are almost right..it was the reference to "knickers" that got the song banned. Makes me wonder how Paul got the word "breast" passed the censors in "Lady Madonna".
@butterfingersbeck Thanks for your take on this song. You say; Remarkably for such a druggy song, that there is nothing SPECIFICALLY drugs-related in the lyrics & I agree but at the same time I also feel that right from the beginning of the song which is repeated prior to each verse is the sound of John Lennon hissing the words “Shoot me…” which reminds me of someone that is pushing down the plunger of a syringe or "shooting dope" & the line; he shoot Coca-Cola is to me is referring to Cocaine because everyone knows that there was a time...
@butterfingersbeck Thanks for your take on this song. You say; Remarkably for such a druggy song, that there is nothing SPECIFICALLY drugs-related in the lyrics & I agree but at the same time I also feel that right from the beginning of the song which is repeated prior to each verse is the sound of John Lennon hissing the words “Shoot me…” which reminds me of someone that is pushing down the plunger of a syringe or "shooting dope" & the line; he shoot Coca-Cola is to me is referring to Cocaine because everyone knows that there was a time when Coca~Cola was made with Coca Leaves right up until 1929) & the line he got ju-ju eyeball could 'possibly mean' bloodshot eyes & then; hold you in his armchair, you can feel his disease (dis-ease) again to me is talking about addiction because often that's how it's referred to & then; he wear no shoeshine, he got 'toe-jam' football ('toe-jam') often means the crud between someones toes) & then; he got monkey finger which reminds me of someone who might have a personal hygiene issue like someone who looks dirty, wore out & tired or possibly even homeless which often would describe a dope addict or 'junkie" & then when I think about the song 'cold turkey' which is about John's ode to heroin or, more accurately, his withdrawal from it. The last thing I'll say is that I've been 'clean & sober' for over thirty five years & so obviously it has influenced my take on the song but irregardless it's only what I hear when listening to it. I also gotta say that I love the song & The Beatles even more & they'll always be my favorite band bar none. I apologize for being so long winded but after reading your take on the song it really inspired me to share my thoughts & feelings so thank you for that.
Remarkably for such a druggy song, there's nothing SPECIFICALLY drugs-related in the lyrics.
It was originally meant as a campaign song for acid-guru Dr Timothy Leary when he was going to run for US President (no kidding!), but later John re-wrote it in its present form. Alongside references to blues singer Muddy Waters and Yoko's Ono's company "Bag Productions" there is an inevitable Walrus. "Spinal cracker" reportedly refers to a form of Japanese massage involving a wife (Yoko?) walking on her husband's spine! But guess why the song got banned by the BBC...
Yes, because the State-owned broadcasting corporation deemed that the mention of Coca-Cola was advertising and therefore could not be played on the BBC!
The same thing happened with "Lola" by the Kinks, but they actually changed the lyric to the more evocative "cherry cola".
Simon Beck London, UK
I think "Coca-Cola" was banned for more suggestive reasons than the beverage. Just a hunch, man.
I think "Coca-Cola" was banned for more suggestive reasons than the beverage. Just a hunch, man.
i think the BBC also banned 'i am the walrus' too for something to do with the "pornographic priestess" part, im not too sure.
i think the BBC also banned 'i am the walrus' too for something to do with the "pornographic priestess" part, im not too sure.
sgt1pepper, you are almost right..it was the reference to "knickers" that got the song banned. Makes me wonder how Paul got the word "breast" passed the censors in "Lady Madonna".
sgt1pepper, you are almost right..it was the reference to "knickers" that got the song banned. Makes me wonder how Paul got the word "breast" passed the censors in "Lady Madonna".
Simon, Thanks for knowing your stuff and posting it. You are correct, sir.
Simon, Thanks for knowing your stuff and posting it. You are correct, sir.
@butterfingersbeck Thanks for your take on this song. You say; Remarkably for such a druggy song, that there is nothing SPECIFICALLY drugs-related in the lyrics & I agree but at the same time I also feel that right from the beginning of the song which is repeated prior to each verse is the sound of John Lennon hissing the words “Shoot me…” which reminds me of someone that is pushing down the plunger of a syringe or "shooting dope" & the line; he shoot Coca-Cola is to me is referring to Cocaine because everyone knows that there was a time...
@butterfingersbeck Thanks for your take on this song. You say; Remarkably for such a druggy song, that there is nothing SPECIFICALLY drugs-related in the lyrics & I agree but at the same time I also feel that right from the beginning of the song which is repeated prior to each verse is the sound of John Lennon hissing the words “Shoot me…” which reminds me of someone that is pushing down the plunger of a syringe or "shooting dope" & the line; he shoot Coca-Cola is to me is referring to Cocaine because everyone knows that there was a time when Coca~Cola was made with Coca Leaves right up until 1929) & the line he got ju-ju eyeball could 'possibly mean' bloodshot eyes & then; hold you in his armchair, you can feel his disease (dis-ease) again to me is talking about addiction because often that's how it's referred to & then; he wear no shoeshine, he got 'toe-jam' football ('toe-jam') often means the crud between someones toes) & then; he got monkey finger which reminds me of someone who might have a personal hygiene issue like someone who looks dirty, wore out & tired or possibly even homeless which often would describe a dope addict or 'junkie" & then when I think about the song 'cold turkey' which is about John's ode to heroin or, more accurately, his withdrawal from it. The last thing I'll say is that I've been 'clean & sober' for over thirty five years & so obviously it has influenced my take on the song but irregardless it's only what I hear when listening to it. I also gotta say that I love the song & The Beatles even more & they'll always be my favorite band bar none. I apologize for being so long winded but after reading your take on the song it really inspired me to share my thoughts & feelings so thank you for that.