Helter Skelter (song)
November 22, 1968
Helter Skelter ( dt [ mutatis mutandis ]: head over heels ' or ' helter-skelter ') is a song by British rock band The Beatles, which was mainly written by Paul McCartney, although all of his and John Lennon's Beatles compositions under the joint copyright Lennon / McCartney were published. It was taken on September 9, 1968, published on 22 November of the same year on the White Album. An alternative, recorded on July 18 version of the play was released in 1996 on the third part of the Anthology.
Genesis
McCartney had read that the group The Who had claimed in the British music magazine Melody Maker, they were the loudest and hardest rock song ever written ( I Can See for Miles ). Packed In his ambition decided McCartney, the loudest and heaviest song must be a song by the Beatles, and then wrote Helter Skelter. In fact, the piece, three different versions were received by the July 18, 1968, the longest of which a playing time of 27:11 minutes having a distinct beings relationship to the in his time just evolving styles of music Hard Rock and Heavy Metal has: This is due to mainly the extensive use of distortion and feedback on the electric guitars and scream at McCartney's vocals. Also, Ringo Starr wears with his very hard driven percussion to this. You can put it with the exclamation "I got blisters on my fingers" at the end of the recording ( "I 've got blisters on the fingers " ) to hear. John Lennon plays the fender VI bass. In addition, even a piano was used. Saxophone and trumpet have been added by John Lennon and roadie Mal Evans in the overdubbing process, who gave himself for this occasion the name The Two Harrys. It was the first title, which was recorded entirely with the new eight-track unit of Abbey Road Studios ( previously four-track equipment had been used).
The piece wraps the reflection on a relationship in visiting an amusement park: In the very first line the image of a slide (slide ) will be used. Originating from the 1920s, big slide at the end of the pier in British seaside resort of Brighton is called Helter Skelter. McCartney took this as a symbol for the " frenzied ride from the top to the bottom. "
Effect story
Charles Manson used the song for his Helter Skelter - theory, which is about an apocalyptic race war, to be able to begin he and his followers believed by brutal killings of the actress Sharon Tate and other members of the high society of Los Angeles. Don McLean played in his song American Pie it with the line " Helter Skelter in a summer swelter ".