10 Things You Might Not Know About The Beatles’ Revolver
The Beatles were pioneers in every sense—musically, culturally, and technologically. By 1966, they had already reshaped pop music several times over, but with the release of Revolver, they changed the game yet again. Widely regarded as one of the most innovative and influential albums of the 1960s, Revolver pushed the boundaries of what a rock album could be.
To honor this groundbreaking masterpiece, here are 10 fascinating facts about Revolver you might not know:
10. The Album Cover Only Earned Klaus Voormann £50
Klaus Voormann, a longtime friend from the band’s Hamburg days, spent three weeks creating the album’s iconic cover art. While Revolver earned him a Grammy for Best Album Cover, he only received £50 for his efforts.
Voormann later said he didn’t mind:
“I would have done it for nothing… They said 50 pounds is the absolute limit for a record sleeve. That’s what I got.”
9. Revolver Was Almost Called Abracadabra
Before settling on Revolver, The Beatles considered naming the album Abracadabra. The idea was dropped when they learned another band had already used it.
8. None of the Songs Were Performed Live
By 1966, The Beatles had grown tired of touring—and Revolver made that decision even easier. The album’s intricate production techniques and studio effects made the songs nearly impossible to perform on stage with the technology of the time.
7. The “Seagull” Sound in “Tomorrow Never Knows” Is Actually Paul McCartney’s Laughter
That strange, looping sound in “Tomorrow Never Knows”? It’s not a seagull—it’s Paul McCartney laughing. The team distorted it using tape loops, adding to the psychedelic feel of the track.
6. Celebrity Cameos in “Yellow Submarine”
During the recording of “Yellow Submarine,” friends and rock royalty joined in the studio singalong. According to engineer Geoff Emerick, the session turned into a party, with Mick Jagger, Brian Jones, Marianne Faithfull, Pattie Boyd, and Donovan all contributing background vocals.
5. All Four Beatles Helped Write “Eleanor Rigby”
Though Paul McCartney wrote the bulk of it, “Eleanor Rigby” featured lyrical contributions from all four members:
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Lennon helped with the first verse
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Harrison added the iconic line: “Ah, look at all the lonely people”
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Ringo contributed: “Writing the words of a sermon that no one will hear”
4. Paul McCartney Played the Guitar Solo on “Taxman”
Though it was George Harrison’s song, the fiery solo on “Taxman” was played by Paul McCartney. Harrison admitted later that Paul stepped in when he couldn’t quite nail it in the studio.
3. Most Songs Are Under 3 Minutes
Except for “Love You To” and “Tomorrow Never Knows,” every track on Revolver clocks in at under three minutes. Short, punchy, and endlessly inventive
2. Revolver Inspired Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody”
The innovative studio tricks and songwriting techniques The Beatles used on Revolver echoed through rock history. Brian May of Queen once said:
“The Beatles built our bible as far as musical composition, arrangement, and production went.”
1. Pope Benedict XVI Named Revolver His Favorite Album
Yes, even the Vatican showed Revolver some love. In 2010, L’Osservatore Romano, the official Vatican newspaper, published a list of the greatest albums of all time—with Revolver sitting proudly at No. 1.
Still Ahead of Its Time
From its striking cover to its sonic experimentation, Revolver remains a towering achievement in music history. Whether you’ve listened to it 100 times or are just discovering its brilliance, it’s an album that always offers something new.