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Overview
"Revolution 9" is a sound collage from the Beatles' 1968 self-titled double album. The composition, credited to Lennon–McCartney, was created primarily by John Lennon with assistance from Yoko Ono and George Harrison. Lennon said he was trying to paint a picture of a revolution using sound. [Wikipedia]
Background
Revolution 9 is a song by The Beatles, written by Lennon–Harrison–Ono and led on vocal by spoken/montage. Tape-loop and spoken-word collage; longest official Beatles track and the most divisive. The most experimental piece on the White Album, Revolution 9 continued Lennon's exploration of avant-garde sound effects and musical montage initiated with Carnival of Light in 1967. This soundscape composition compiled hundreds of audio snippets, sound effects, and vocal fragments layered across multiple tape generations. Lennon's interest in electronic music and dadaist artistic approaches found full expression in this nine-minute collage. (That version, renamed 'Revolution I, was included on the album, and with the single Kozinn 1995, p.180)
What's distinctive
At 8:22 it's among the very longest tracks in the canon (≥100th percentile). Recorded approximately 4 of 34 into the The White Album (1968) sessions. Carries the unique tag 'tape-collage' — no other song shares it. Take count: 35 (highest take number documented in Lewisohn (1988)).Opening line — "Number nine, number nine…" (brief identification excerpt; full lyrics © Sony Music Publishing — see Genius link in References.)
Pattern analysis
Recording
The session work falls within the band's The White Album (1968) period, recorded 30 May 1968 at EMI Studios + Trident Studios (Soho). George Martin (with Chris Thomas covering) produced; Ken Scott (early), Geoff Emerick walked off — replaced engineered. For session-by-session detail, see Mark Lewisohn's account on p.15 of The Complete Beatles Recording Sessions (excerpt below). Recorded piecemeal during 1968 sessions, Revolution 9 was constructed from collected sound effects, orchestral fragments, and vocal loops edited and assembled through multiple tape reductions. John Lennon compiled and organized the sound effects during sessions while George and Ringo were absent from Abbey Road in June 1968. The composition required unprecedented patience and creative editing.
(o the bait and didn’t argue—he simply said, “Well, let’s listen to the next playback Emerick 2006, p.629)
| Studio | EMI Studios + Trident Studios (Soho) — first Beatles 8-track sessions: 'Hey Jude' onward |
|---|---|
| Tape machine | Studer A80 8-track (Trident), 4-track at EMI until late 1968 |
| Console | REDD/TG12345 prototype; Trident A-Range |
| Microphones | U47/U48, AKG C12, U67 introduced |
| Outboard / effects | EMI RS124, EMT 140 & 250 (Trident), Fairchild 660, ADT, tape flanging, fuzz, wah (Vox/CryBaby) |
| Guitars | Epiphone Casino, Fender Strat (Rocky), Gibson J-200 acoustic, Martin D-28, Fender Telecaster Bass |
| Amplifiers | Fender Twin Reverb, Fender Bassman, Vox UL730 |
| Producer | George Martin (with Chris Thomas covering) |
| Engineer / 2nd | Ken Scott (early), Geoff Emerick walked off — replaced • John Smith, Mike Sheady, Barry Sheffield (Trident) |
| Estimated takes | 35 (highest take number documented in Lewisohn (1988)) |
Legacy & release history
In the canonical discography it appears on the LP The Beatles (White Album). Documented alternate versions include Mono Masters (2009 box), White Album 50th Anniversary (2018). Mono and stereo histories vary by era — see the dedicated section below. It represents one of the Beatles' most radical departures from song-based composition. The track exemplifies White Album innovation and experimental approach, establishing precedent for electronic music within the rock album canon. (ar in mono: "I would've gotten claret for you but I've realized I've forgotten all Daniels 2024, p.188)
Mono & stereo
- Both mono and stereo mixes were prepared; the UK mono White Album (PMC 7067/8) has many distinct edits, mixes and effects vs. the stereo (PCS 7067/8) — collectors prize the mono.
Documented alternate versions
- Mono Masters (2009 box) — Allan Rouse / Guy Massey remaster
- White Album 50th Anniversary (2018) — Giles Martin stereo remix
Released on
- The Beatles (White Album) — LP, 22 November 1968
Cross-references
Other songs sharing themes (tape-collage, spoken-word, longest, divisive, musique-concrete)
Other songs led by the same vocalist
Other songs from this era
tape-collagespoken-wordlongestdivisivemusique-concrete
References & external databases
Frequently asked
Who wrote Revolution 9?
“Revolution 9” was written by Lennon–Harrison–Ono.
Who sings lead on Revolution 9?
The lead vocal on “Revolution 9” is by spoken/montage.
When was Revolution 9 recorded?
“Revolution 9” was recorded 30 May 1968 at EMI Studios, Abbey Road.
How many takes did Revolution 9 require?
Mark Lewisohn's session log documents up to 35 numbered takes for “Revolution 9”.