Discuss ion: Come Together meaning
Posted: Tue Nov 14, 2023 12:19 am
I recently got into an online debate over the lyrics of "Come Together." I believe each of the four verses refers in Lennon's unique literary style to one of the Beatles. It appears John is urging the band to coalesce around him, as was the case in the early days. I don't believe the song is wilthout meaning (though John has stated "half of what I say is meaningless," there enough lines in "Come Together" to make the connections I ser. But I welcome you input!
Lyrics & my interpretation:
Here come old flat top
He come groovin' up slowly
He got ju-ju eyeball
He one holy roller
He got hair down to his knee
Got to be a joker
He just do what he please
(References to George, "holy roller" with extremely long hair)
He wear no shoeshine
He got toe jam football
He got monkey finger
He shoot Coca-Cola
He say I know you, you know me
One thing I can tell you is
You got to be free
(Homage to Ringo, simple political philosophy, not into heavy drugs, football player as a child)
He bag production
He got walrus gumboot
He got Ono sideboard
He one spinal cracker
He got feet down below his knee
Hold you in his armchair
You can feel his disease
(References to John, bag production, Ono sidekick, walrus, band leader who worked others hard)
He roller coaster
He got early warning
He got muddy water
He one mojo filter
He say one and one and one is three
Got to be good looking
'Cause he's so hard to
(Speaking of Paul, "One and One is Two" Paul song never done by the Beatles; and sly References to Paul death (untrue but fascinating) rumors: careless driving, muddy water caused the wreck, the Paul lookalike is so good he's hard to see!
Lyrics & my interpretation:
Here come old flat top
He come groovin' up slowly
He got ju-ju eyeball
He one holy roller
He got hair down to his knee
Got to be a joker
He just do what he please
(References to George, "holy roller" with extremely long hair)
He wear no shoeshine
He got toe jam football
He got monkey finger
He shoot Coca-Cola
He say I know you, you know me
One thing I can tell you is
You got to be free
(Homage to Ringo, simple political philosophy, not into heavy drugs, football player as a child)
He bag production
He got walrus gumboot
He got Ono sideboard
He one spinal cracker
He got feet down below his knee
Hold you in his armchair
You can feel his disease
(References to John, bag production, Ono sidekick, walrus, band leader who worked others hard)
He roller coaster
He got early warning
He got muddy water
He one mojo filter
He say one and one and one is three
Got to be good looking
'Cause he's so hard to
(Speaking of Paul, "One and One is Two" Paul song never done by the Beatles; and sly References to Paul death (untrue but fascinating) rumors: careless driving, muddy water caused the wreck, the Paul lookalike is so good he's hard to see!