Text · Motif
Violence
The lyrics reference or describe physical violence, aggression, or harm
5
songs
It is in the words of five songs, from 1965 to 1969, and 1968 has more of them than any other year, with three. 'Run for Your Life' came first, on Rubber Soul, and 'Maxwell's Silver Hammer' last, on Abbey Road. 'Revolution 1' ('Destruction', 'minds that hate') and 'Helter Skelter' use it too. On 'The Continuing Story of Bungalow Bill': tiger hunting with a gun. On 'Helter Skelter': aggressive sonic and lyrical violence, and "coming down fast". Of those, 'The Continuing Story of Bungalow Bill' has whistling, and only two other recordings do.
See alsoRecurring words:well youUnique personnel:Beatles teamLyric shape:[ADV] youVocabulary:Dark lyricsBacking vocals:Ringo StarrRecurring words:headChord shape:C → GmAlbum:The Beatles (The White Album)
Analysis
By Year
Song count per year
By Songwriter
% of each member's catalogue with this tag (by writing credit)
By Era
Early0 · 0%
Mid-period1 · 20%
Late4 · 80%
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Songs(5)
Year
Album
Writer
Lead vocal(s)
| # | Title | Year | Album | Lead Vocal(s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Run for Your Life | 1965 | Rubber Soul | John | Threatens to kill if she strays |
| 2 | Helter Skelter | 1968 | The Beatles (The White Album) | Paul | Aggressive sonic and lyrical violence; "coming down fast" |
| 3 | The Continuing Story of Bungalow Bill | 1968 | The Beatles (The White Album) | John | Tiger hunting with a gun |
| 4 | Revolution 1 | 1968 | The Beatles (The White Album) | John | 'Destruction', 'minds that hate' |
| 5 | Maxwell's Silver Hammer | 1969 | Abbey Road | Paul | Hammer murders of three victims |
Run for Your Life
1965·Rubber Soul·John
Threatens to kill if she strays
Helter Skelter
1968·The Beatles (The White Album)·Paul
Aggressive sonic and lyrical violence; "coming down fast"
The Continuing Story of Bungalow Bill
1968·The Beatles (The White Album)·John
Tiger hunting with a gun
Revolution 1
1968·The Beatles (The White Album)·John
'Destruction', 'minds that hate'
Maxwell's Silver Hammer
1969·Abbey Road·Paul
Hammer murders of three victims
Updated