The issue with The Beatles song ‘Revolution’, according to Nina Simone
‘Revolution’ is one of The Beatles‘ most polarising tracks. On the one hand, it’s undeniably catchy, with an energy that’s difficult not to be sucked into. On the other hand, it’s not really about a revolution at all. Or is it? At varying moments, the song’s lyrics both endorse and critique the concept of a revolution. However, the track maintains an ambivalent stance, simultaneously conveying reassurance that everything will eventually be fine.
According to various sources, when Nina Simone first discovered the song, she found it “interesting”. Like many fans, it’s likely that Simone took issue with the track’s optimism and its ignorance of the real-world challenges that persisted in society at the time. The song mentions subjects like changing the constitution and challenging institutions while arriving at the same conclusion each time: “Don’t you know it’s gonna be alright?”
Sensing the need to add to this sentiment, Simone penned an answer to the song that would not only do just that but one that would also challenge their positivity and instead encourage change. Her song, aptly named ‘Revolution’, critiques the original song while also specifically pointing a finger at John Lennon. It advises him and others to get up and actually do something. As evidenced by the line: “Well you know you got to clean your brain / The only way that we can stand in fact / Is when you get your foot off our back.”
The Beatles’ ‘Revolution’ took an apolitical stance, while Simone’s rendition passionately champions radical transformation. In her version, she voices: “Yeah, your Constitution / Well, my friend, it’s gonna have to bend / I’m here to tell you about destruction / Of all the evil that will have to end.” Despite addressing crucial topics, however, Simone’s rendition maintains a relatively upbeat tone through its instrumentation and her spirited vocal delivery.
In the track, Simone retained the chord structure from the original song, but the musical compositions of the two tracks diverge significantly. The Beatles’ rendition leans into a rock sound reminiscent of Chuck Berry’s music, while Simone’s interpretation adopts an old-school country feeling infused with her trademark rhythm and blues elements.
The end of Simone’s version references The Beatles’ ‘Revolution 9’ in an effort to demonstrate societal turmoil. “Revolution means what is going on all over the world,” Simone explained. “If you listen to the lyric, you will see that although it does include the racial problem, it includes all the revolts and rebellions going on all over the world … poor against rich, young against old, new breed against old establishment.”
Although the song may seem personal to The Beatles, Lennon was actually intrigued by it. In fact, Simone’s ‘Revolution’ resonated with Lennon, who frequently advocated unconventional or dissenting concepts in his musical works. “I thought it was interesting that Nina Simone did a sort of answer to ‘Revolution’,” Lennon once told Rolling Stone. “That was very good – it was sort of like ‘Revolution’, but not quite. That I sort of enjoyed, somebody who reacted immediately to what I had said.”
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