Randoms by Rach

Taxman

Taxman
Album: Revolver, 1966
Lead vocalist: George




Lyrics ▼

One, two, three, four
One, two (one, two, three, four)
Let me tell you how it will be
There's one for you, nineteen for me
'Cause I'm the taxman
Yeah, I'm the taxman
Should five percent appear too small
Be thankful I don't take it all
'Cause I'm the taxman
Yeah, I'm the taxman
I'll tax the street
(If you try to sit, sit) I'll tax your seat
(If you get too cold, cold) I'll tax the heat
(If you take a walk, walk) I'll tax your feet
(Taxman)
'Cause I'm the taxman
Yeah, I'm the taxman
Don't ask me what I want it for
(Ah, ah, Mr. Wilson)
If you don't want to pay some more
(Ah, ah, Mr. Heath)
'Cause I'm the taxman
Yeah, I'm the taxman
Now my advice for those who die (taxman)
Declare the pennies on your eyes (taxman)
'Cause I'm the taxman
Yeah, I'm the taxman
And you're working for no one but me (taxman)

This song is credited solely to George Harrison. He wrote this. It is his. That said, John did assist him with some of the lyrics. I love the acerbic commentary on those reviled people we call “taxmen.” Or, actually, “tax people” I guess. The lyrics are so clever in this song. When I recently listened to this song for the first time in a few years, I was struck by the fact that nothing has changed. This song is spot on the money. No pun intended.

I love the “Ah, ah, Mr Wilson” and “Ah, ah, Mr Heath” which references the two leaders of the main political parties in the UK. Apparently, this song was a protest against the supertax that Harold Wilson’s government had imposed, meaning people like the Beatles were paying a 95% supertax. I’m not sure how it worked, but it does sound a little unfair. I like it when songs get a little political sometimes. Although, here, I think the protest was born out of the band’s own circumstances and not necessarily the wider public’s trials.