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Across the Universe

This article is about the song by the Beatles. For other uses, seeAcross the Universe (disambiguation).

"Across the Universe"is a song by the English rock bandthe Beatles.It was written byJohn Lennonand credited toLennon–McCartney.The song first appeared on the 1969 various artists' charitycompilation albumNo One's Gonna Change Our Worldand later, in a different form, on their 1970 albumLet It Be,the group's final released studio album. The original version featured on two different albums both titledRarities:a 1978 British release and a 1980 US release. It was also included on their 1988 albumPast Masters, Volume Two. The song has been covered by many artists, includingDavid Bowieon his 1975 albumYoung Americans,which featured contributions from Lennon.

"Across the Universe"
Songbythe Beatles
from the albumNo One's Gonna Change Our World
Released12 December 1969(1969-12-12)
Recorded
  • 4 and 8 February 1968
  • 2 October 1969
StudioEMI,London
GenrePsychedelia[1]
Length3:49
LabelRegal Starline
Songwriter(s)Lennon–McCartney
Producer(s)George Martin

Composition

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One night in 1967, the phrase "words are flowing out like endless rain into a paper cup" came to Lennon after listening to the voice of his then-wifeCynthia:

I was lying next to my first wife in bed, you know, and I was irritated, and I was thinking. She must have been going on and on about something and she'd gone to sleep and I kept hearing these words over and over, flowing like an endless stream. I went downstairs and it turned into a sort of cosmic song rather than an irritated song, rather than a "Why are you always mouthing off at me?"[2][The words] were purely inspirational and were given to me asboom!I don't own it you know; it came through like that.[3]

The flavour of the song was heavily influenced by Lennon's and the Beatles' interest inTranscendental Meditationin late 1967 – early 1968, when the song was composed. Based on this, he added themantra"Jaigurudevaom"(Sanskrit:जय गुरुदेवॐ) to the piece, which became the link to the chorus. TheSanskritphrase is a tribute to the lateMaharishi Mahesh Yogi's spiritual teacher, "All glory toGuru Dev".[4][5]

The song's lyrical structure is straightforward: three repetitions of a unit consisting of a verse, the line "Jai guru deva om" and the line "Nothing's gonna change my world" sung four times. The lyrics are highly image-based, with abstract conceptsreifiedwith phrases like thoughts "meandering", words "slithering", and undying love "shining". The title phrase "across the universe" appears at intervals to finish lines, although it nevercadences,always appearing as a rising figure, melodically unresolved. It finishes on theleading note;to the Western musical ear, the next musical note would be the tonic and would therefore sound complete.

In his1970 interviewwithRolling Stone,Lennon referred to the song as perhaps the best, most poetic lyric he ever wrote: "It's one of the best lyrics I've written. In fact, it could be the best. It's good poetry, or whatever you call it, without chewin' it. See, the ones I like are the ones that stand as words, without melody. They don't have to have any melody, like a poem, you can read them."[6]

Musical structure

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On a standard-tuned guitar (EADGBE) the song is played in the key of D; however, the recording was slowed electronically, resulting in a lower C♯tuning to the ear. The verse beginning "Wordsare flowing out "(I (D) chord) is notable for a prolonged vi (Bm)–iii (F♯m) to ii7(Em7) minor drop to the dominant chord V7(A7) on "across the universe" in the 4th bar.[7]On the repeat of this chord sequence a turn following the ii7(Em7) through a iv minor (Gm) brings the verse to a close before moving on directly to the tonic on the "Jai Guru Deva Om" refrain. The vi–ii minor drop leading to V was also used in "I Will"(on" how long I've loved you ") andGeorge Harrisonhad utilised a shorter vi–iii minor alternation to delay getting back to the dominant (V) in "I Need You".[7]The verse beginning "Words are flowing out like endless rain... "is also notable for the suitably breathless phrasing and almost constant 8th-note rhythm (initially four D melody notes, then C♯,B, A, B).[8]

Recording and version history

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Complete recording and mixing history
Date Activity
4 February 1968 Takes one–two and four–seven recorded.Overdubonto take seven. Reduction into take eight. Overdub onto take eight.Sound effectson tracks one–three.[9]
8 February 1968 Overdub onto take eight. Monomixingfrom take eight.[10]
January 1969 Overdubs onto take eight. Mono mixing from take eight. Version planned for the albumNo One's Gonna Change Our World.[11]
2 October 1969 Bird sounds overdubbed onto take eight. Stereo mixing from take eight. Version released on the albumNo One's Gonna Change Our Worldand later onPast Masters.[12]
5 January 1970 Stereo mixing from take eight. Version to have been released on 5 JanuaryGet Backalbum.[13]
23 March 1970 Stereo mixing from take eight.[14]
1 April 1970 Reduction into take nine. Orchestral and choral overdubs onto take nine.[15]
2 April 1970 Stereo mixing from take nine. Version released on theLet It Bealbum.[15]

February 1968 recordings

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In February 1968, the Beatles convened at the EMI Abbey Road studios to record a single for release during their absence ontheir forthcoming triptoIndia.Paul McCartneyhad written "Lady Madonna",and Lennon had" Across the Universe ". Both tracks were recorded along with Lennon's"Hey Bulldog"and the vocal track for Harrison's"The Inner Light"between 3 and 11 February.

The basic track was taped on 4 February. Along with acoustic guitar, percussion andtambura,it featured an overdubbed sitar introduction by Harrison. Deciding the song needed a high-pitched voice to sing the refrain "Nothing's gonna change my world", McCartney approached fans waiting outside the studio and asked if anyone could hold a high note.[16]Lizzie Bravo and Gayleen Pease answered yes. Shortly after, the band's road manager,Mal Evans,came out and ushered the two girls into the recording studio to record the backing vocals. Although the girls' voices are not heard on the version of "Across the Universe" on the albumLet It Be,their background vocals are heard on the albumsNo One's Gonna Change Our World,RaritiesandPast Masters.[17]

Lennon was still not satisfied with the feel of the track, and several sound effects were taped, including 15 seconds of humming and a guitar and a harp-like sound, both to be played backwards; however, none of these were used on the released version. The track was mixed to mono and put aside as the group had decided to release "Lady Madonna" and "The Inner Light" as the single. On their return from India, the group set about recording the many songs they had written there, and "Across the Universe" remained on the shelf. In the autumn of 1968, the Beatles seriously considered releasing anEPincluding most of the songs for theYellow Submarinealbum and "Across the Universe", and went as far as having the EP mastered.[18]

World Wildlife Fund version

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During the February 1968 recording sessions,Spike Milligandropped into the studio and, on hearing the song, suggested the track would be ideal for release on a charity album he was organising for theWorld Wildlife Fund.At some point in 1968, the Beatles agreed to this proposal. In January 1969, the best mono mix was remixed for the charity album.[11]In keeping with the "wildlife" theme of the album, sound effects of birds were added to the beginning and end.[19]The original (mono) mix from February 1968 is 3:37 in length. After the effects were added, the track was sped up so that even with 20 seconds of effects, it is only 3:49. Speeding up the recording also raised the key to E-flat.[19]By October 1969, it was decided that the song needed to be remixed into stereo. This was done byGeoff Emerickimmediately prior to the banding of the album. "Across the Universe" was first released in this version on the Regal Starline SRS 5013 albumNo One's Gonna Change Our Worldin December 1969.

This version was issued, in its stereo form, on four Beatles compilation albums: the British version ofRarities,the different American version ofRarities,The Beatles Ballads,and the second disc of the two-CDPast Mastersalbum, released in 1988. The January 1969 mono mix, which had been considered for an abortedYellow SubmarineEP, was finally released onMono Masters,part ofThe Beatles in Monobox set, in 2009.

Let It Beversion

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"Across the Universe"
Sheet music cover
Songbythe Beatles
from the albumLet It Be
Released8 May 1970(1970-05-08)
Recorded
  • 4 and 8 February 1968
  • 1 April 1970
StudioEMI,London
GenrePsychedelia[1]
Length3:47
LabelApple
Songwriter(s)Lennon–McCartney
Producer(s)Phil Spector

The Beatles took the song up again during theGet Back/Let It Berehearsal sessions of January 1969; footage of Lennon playing the song appeared in theLet It Bemovie. Bootleg recordings from the sessions include numerous full group performances of the song, usually with Lennon–McCartney harmonies on the chorus. To ensure the album tied in with the film, it was decided that the song must be included on what by January 1970 had become theLet It Bealbum.

Although the song was extensively rehearsed on the Twickenham Studios soundstage, the only recordings were mono transcriptions for use in the film soundtrack. No multitrack recordings were made after the group's move to Apple Studios. Thus in early January 1970Glyn Johnsremixed the February 1968 recording. The new mix omitted the teenage girls' vocals and the bird sound effects of the World Wildlife Fund version. As neither of the Glyn JohnsGet Backalbums were officially released until 2021, the most well-known version of the song came fromPhil Spector,who in late March and early April 1970 remixed the February 1968 recording yet again and added orchestral and choral overdubs. Spector also slowed the track to 3:47, close to its original duration. According to Lennon, "Spector took the tape and did a damn good job with it".[20]

Other versions

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A previously unreleased February 1968 alternative take of the song (recorded before the master), without heavy production, appeared onAnthology 2in 1996.[21]This is often referred to as the "psychedelic" recording because of the strong Indian sitar andtamburasound, and illustrates the band's original uncertainty over the best treatment for the song.

The February 1968 master was remixed again for inclusion onLet It Be... Nakedin 2003, at the correct speed but stripped of most of the instrumentation and digitally processed to correct tuning issues.

In 2018, take 6 of the song was released onThe Beatles: 50th Anniversary Edition(also known as the "White Album" ). This version is a bit more sparse than theLet It Be... Nakedversion and lasts 15 seconds longer.

Later reflections

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Lennon was unhappy with the song as it was recorded. In his 1980Playboyinterview, Lennon says that the Beatles "didn't make a good record of it" and says of theLet It Beversion that "the guitars are out of tune and I'm singing out of tune... and nobody's supporting me or helping me with it and the song was never done properly ".[22]He further accused McCartney of ruining the song:

Paul would... sort of subconsciously try and destroy a great song... usually we'd spend hours doing little detailed cleaning-ups of Paul's songs; when it came to mine... somehow this atmosphere of looseness and casualness and experimentation would creep in. Subconscious sabotage.[23]

Personnel

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Critical reception and legacy

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Music criticRichie UnterbergerofAllMusicsaid the song was "one of the group's most delicate and cosmic ballads" and "one of the highlights of theLet It Bealbum ".[27]Neil FinnofCrowded HouseandSplit Enznamed the song as possibly his favorite written song of all time.[28]

Music criticIan MacDonaldwas critical of the song, calling it a "plaintively babyish incantation" and saying "its vague pretensions and listless melody are rather too obviously the products of acid grandiosity rendered gentle by sheer exhaustion".[24]

NASA transmission

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On 4 February 2008, at 00:00UTC,NASAtransmitted theInterstellar Message"Across the Universe"[29]in the direction of the starPolaris,431light-yearsfrom Earth.[30]The transmission was made using a 70-metreantennain the Deep Space Network'sMadrid Deep Space Communication Complex,located outside ofMadrid,Spain.It was done with an "X band"transmitter, radiating into the antenna at 18 kW. This was done to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the song's recording, the 45th anniversary of theDeep Space Network(DSN), and the 50th anniversary of NASA. The idea was hatched by Beatles historianMartin Lewis,who encouraged all Beatles fans to play the track as it was beamed to the distant star. The event marked the first time a song had ever been intentionally transmitted intodeep space,and was approved by McCartney,Yoko Ono,andApple Corps.[31]

Certifications

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Region Certification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[32]
2010 release 		Silver 200,000‡

‡Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Cover versions

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David Bowie version

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"Across the Universe"
SongbyDavid Bowie
from the albumYoung Americans
Released7 March 1975(1975-03-07)
Recordedc. 12–15 January 1975[33]
StudioElectric Lady,New York
GenreBlue-eyed soul[34]
Length4:29
LabelRCA
Songwriter(s)Lennon–McCartney
Producer(s)David Bowie,Harry Maslin

"Across the Universe" was covered by English singer-songwriterDavid Bowiein 1975 on his ninth studio albumYoung Americans.He recorded his cover atElectric Lady Studiosin New York City in January 1975, on the same day as "Fame".[34]Ablue-eyed soulreworking, his cover is notable for featuring Lennon on guitar and backing vocals. The cover also featuresCarlos AlomarandEarl Slickon guitar and backing vocals, Emir Ksasan on bass guitar, andDennis Davison drums.[33]

Reflecting on his contribution, Lennon later said: "I thought, great, because I'd never done a good version of that song myself. It's one of my favourite songs, but I didn't like my version of it."[34]Bowie concurred, calling the Beatles' original version "very watery" and wanting to "hammer the hell out of it."[33]

Bowie's cover of "Across the Universe" has received predominantly negative reviews from music critics and biographers.Douglas WolkofPitchforkcalls it "the album's one genuine embarrassment, Vegas-y and bathetic."[35]Biographer Chris O'Leary agrees, calling it "one of his most utterly tasteless recordings."[33]AuthorPeter Doggettsimilarly describes it as "bombastic", "mannered", and a "bizarre way of impressing Lennon."[36]Despite being generally regarded as one of Bowie's low points in his "golden years", biographerNicholas Pegggave the recording a positive review, calling it "exquisitely beautiful".[34]

Personnel

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According to Chris O'Leary:[33]

Technical

Other versions

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The song was released as a single in 1988 from albumLet It BebyLaibachwith a music video appearing in next year.[37][38][39]

In 1998,Fiona Applerecorded and released the song as part of thePleasantvillemotion picture soundtrack.[40]Pitchforknamed it Apple's best cover, highlighting how it suits the film.[41]

In 2002,Rufus Wainwrightrecorded a cover version for the filmI Am Sam.[42]

In 2005,Alicia Keys,Alison Krauss,Billie Joe Armstrong,Bono,Brian Wilson,Norah Jones,Steven Tyler,Stevie Wonder,Tim McGrawandVelvet Revolverperformed a cover at the47th Grammy Awards.The performance was recorded as a tribute to the2004 tsunami victims.It was released on 13 February 2005 and debuted at number 22 on theBillboardHot 100chart as a digital download.[43]

In 2011,Beady Eyereleased a cover of "Across the Universe" as a charity single available to download through their website from 4 April 2011 until 17 April 2011.[44]All proceeds from the sale of the track went directly toward theBritish Red CrossJapan Tsunami Appeal. The single charted at #88 in the UK.[45]

In 2019, Norwegian singerAurorarecorded aLike a Versionfor Australian radio stationTriple J.In 2023, this version was voted by the public as one of the100 best Like a Versions of all time.[46]

Notes

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  1. ^abMacDonald, Ian(2002). "The Psychedelic Experience".Mojo Special Limited Edition: 1000 Days That Shook the World (The Psychedelic Beatles – April 1, 1965 to December 26, 1967).London: Emap. p. 34.Lennon is the main author of nearly all of The Beatles' psychedelic classics: Tomorrow Never Knows, I'm Only Sleeping, Rain, She Said She Said... I Am the Walrus, Across the Universe.
  2. ^Sheff 2000,p. 265.
  3. ^Sheff 2000,p. 267.
  4. ^Woo, Elaine (6 February 2008)."Maharishi Mahesh Yogi; founded Transcendental Meditation movement".Los Angeles Times.Retrieved24 June2012.
  5. ^Mossman, Kate (11 September 2023)."Across the Universe — how John Lennon found peace amid trauma".Financial Times.Retrieved11 August2024.
  6. ^"Across The Universe".The Beatles Bible. 14 March 2008.Archivedfrom the original on 8 August 2010.Retrieved16 August2010.
  7. ^abPedler 2003,p. 76.
  8. ^Pedler 2003,p. 538.
  9. ^Lewisohn 1988,p. 133.
  10. ^Lewisohn 1988,p. 134.
  11. ^abHowlett 2009.
  12. ^Lewisohn 1988,p. 193.
  13. ^Lewisohn 1988,p. 196.
  14. ^Lewisohn 1988,p. 197.
  15. ^abLewisohn 1988,pp. 198–99.
  16. ^"4th February 1968 - Recording Across the Universe – With a Little Help..."Beatles in London.4 February 2018.Retrieved7 October2021.
  17. ^"Lizzie Bravo, Teenager Who Sang on Beatles Recording, Dies".Best Classic Bands.5 October 2021.Archivedfrom the original on 5 October 2021.Retrieved6 October2021.
  18. ^Lewisohn 1988,p. 164.
  19. ^abPollack, Alan W."Alan W. Pollack's Notes on" Across The Universe "".rug.nl.
  20. ^"84 – 'Across the Universe'".Rolling Stone.Retrieved16 June2012.
  21. ^Lewisohn 1996,pp. 44–45.
  22. ^Sheff 2000,pp. 266–67.
  23. ^Sheff 2000,p. 266.
  24. ^abMacDonald 2005,pp. 276–277.
  25. ^Winn 2009,pp. 152, 329.
  26. ^Winn 2009,pp. 153, 329, 380.
  27. ^Unterberger 2009.
  28. ^Baltin, Steve."Q&A: Neil Finn On Resurrecting Crowded House, The Talking Heads, And The Art Of Songwriting".Forbes.Retrieved10 September2024.
  29. ^Karimi, Faith."Will.i.am premieres song – from Mars".CNN.
  30. ^NASA 2008.
  31. ^MSNBC 2008.
  32. ^"British single certifications – The Beatles – Across The Universe".British Phonographic Industry.
  33. ^abcdeO'Leary 2015,chap. 9.
  34. ^abcdPegg 2016,pp. 14–15.
  35. ^Wolk, Douglas(22 January 2016)."David Bowie:Young AmericansAlbum Review ".Pitchfork.Retrieved5 September2020.
  36. ^Doggett 2012,p. 274.
  37. ^"Laibach - Across the Universe".Discogs.1988.
  38. ^"Laibach - ACROSS THE UNIVERSE".
  39. ^"Laibach: Across the Universe".IMDb.
  40. ^"Revisit Fiona Apple's dreamy cover of The Beatles song 'Across the Universe'".Far Out Magazine.20 December 2020.Retrieved10 March2021.
  41. ^Torres, Eric (28 January 2019)."Fiona Apple's Best Covers".Pitchfork.Retrieved10 March2021.
  42. ^"100 best covers: #90 Rufus Wainwright" Across the universe "".My (life in) music lists.6 February 2018.Retrieved22 July2021.
  43. ^"The Hot 100 Chart".Billboard.2 January 2013.Retrieved22 April2021.
  44. ^"Beady Eye: Official Website: News".Beadyeyemusic.com. Archived fromthe originalon 3 March 2012.Retrieved28 February2012.
  45. ^"Beady Eye Official Charts".Official Charts Company.Retrieved28 February2012.
  46. ^"Triple J's Hottest 100 Like a Version".Australian Broadcasting Corporation.Retrieved16 September2023.

References

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Further reading

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  • Lewisohn, Mark (1996).The Complete Beatles Chronicle.Chancellor Press.ISBN0-7607-0327-2.
  • Sulpy, Doug; Schweighhardt, Ray (2003).Get Back: The Beatles Let It Be Disaster.Helter Skelter Publishing.ISBN1-900924-83-8.
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