Strawberry Fields Forever

By John T. Marck

Another classic by Lennon, it has been said that Strawberry Fields Forever was and is the greatest pop record ever recorded. To make this record even better, it was released with Penny Lane. Which was the A-side and which was the B? Too close to call. However, it has been further said that the most disgraceful statistic in chart history was that of the British record buying public when Engelbert Humperdinck's "Release Me" prevented this offering genius by The Beatles from reaching number one when it was released on February 17, 1967. Strawberry Fields Forever never reached number one, but Penny Lane did in the United States for one week upon it's release here on February 13, 1967. In Britain, Penny Lane reached number two.

Lennon received his inspiration for the title from a Salvation Army orphanage known as Strawberry Field. It was a large Victorian building located on Beaconsfield Road, in Woolton, about a five minute walk from Lennon's home on Menlove Avenue. It would be here that John used to play among the trees, and attended events which his Aunt Mimi took him to. This song was Lennon's attempt to map out the process of consciousness and understanding, through lyrical images. When he played at Strawberry Field, it was a place where he could be alone with his thoughts, and let his imagination take over. When he says in the song, No one I think is in my tree, I mean it must be high or low, he is saying his feelings are set apart from his contemporaries. Originally, he used the word "wavelength," but changed it to "tree," so as not to appear pretentious.

There were two different versions of this song, recorded in entirely different tempers and keys. George Martin, a brilliant producer, edited them together, and quite cleverly, used variable tape speeds to come up with the final version. It's a great song; it speaks for itself.

Let me take you down, cause I'm going to, Strawberry Fields,

Nothing is real, and nothing to get hung about,

Strawberry Fields Forever

Living is easy with eyes closed, Misunderstanding all you see

It's getting hard to be someone, but it all works out,

It doesn't matter much to me Let me take you down, cause I'm going to, Strawberry Fields

Nothing is real, and nothing to get hung about,

Strawberry Fields Forever

No one I think is in my tree, I mean it must be high or low

That is you can't you know tune it, but it's all right

That is I think it's not too bad

Let me take you down, cause I'm going to, Strawberry Fields,

Nothing is real, and nothing to get hung about,

Strawberry Fields Forever

Always know sometimes think it's me, But you know I know when it's a dream

I think a "No" will mean a "Yes" but it's all wrong, That is I think I disagree

Let me take you down, cause I'm going to, Strawberry Fields

Nothing is real, and nothing to get hung about,

Strawberry Fields Forever Strawberry Fields forever,

Strawberry Fields Forever

NOTE: At the end of this song, there is a spoken phrase that for years people believed Lennon was saying "I buried Paul," in furtherance of the "Paul is dead," theory and rumor. In fact, he is saying "cranberry sauce."

All lyrics contained herein are © Copyright Northern Songs. All Rights Reserved. International Copyright Secured. The lyrics contained herein are for the sole use of educational reference for the readers of this article. All other uses are in violation of international copyright laws. This use for educational reference, falls under the "fair use" sections of U.S. copyright law. Copyright © 2000-2022 by John T. Marck. All Rights Reserved. This article and their accompanying pictures, photographs, and line art, may not be resold, reprinted, or redistributed for compensation of any kind without prior written permission from the author, or the registered copyright holders. Except as otherwise stated above, all information contained in this article, EXCEPT song titles, lyrics, and photographs © John T. Marck.