This song has two different parts: the verse (which is clearly based on Motown, specially Smokey Robinson's "Tears of a clown") and the chorus (based on Beatles' "while my guitar gently weeps"). Even her voice sounds different in each part, so it could be interpreted like a conversation...
I think this song could be about the segregation and whitewashing of rock and roll, which had been created by african american musicians, and how the music industry tried to force labels on "black music", segregating it and considering it less serious in favour of white musicians who had actually copied and been inspired by them.
The Beatles always acknowledged that they had been inspired by african american musicians, and actually George Harrison admitted being highly influenced by (and dedicated a couple of songs to) Smokey Robinson, so I even dare to think that the choice of the two songs referenced here is not a coincidence.
This song has two different parts: the verse (which is clearly based on Motown, specially Smokey Robinson's "Tears of a clown") and the chorus (based on Beatles' "while my guitar gently weeps"). Even her voice sounds different in each part, so it could be interpreted like a conversation... I think this song could be about the segregation and whitewashing of rock and roll, which had been created by african american musicians, and how the music industry tried to force labels on "black music", segregating it and considering it less serious in favour of white musicians who had actually copied and been inspired by them. The Beatles always acknowledged that they had been inspired by african american musicians, and actually George Harrison admitted being highly influenced by (and dedicated a couple of songs to) Smokey Robinson, so I even dare to think that the choice of the two songs referenced here is not a coincidence.