Why Did the Beatles Make "Revolution 9"?

"Revolution 9" is a highly experimental and avant-garde piece featured on The Beatles' 1968 self-titled album, commonly known as "The White Album." The creation of "Revolution 9" was primarily the work of John Lennon, with assistance from Yoko Ono and producer George Martin.

The motivations behind the creation of "Revolution 9" are multifaceted:

1. Experimentalism: The Beatles were known for their willingness to push the boundaries of popular music and experiment with new sounds and techniques. "Revolution 9" reflects their interest in avant-garde and experimental music, incorporating elements of musique concrète, tape manipulation, and sound collage.

2. Artistic Freedom: The recording sessions for "The White Album" were marked by a high degree of creative freedom and experimentation. Each member of the band was given the opportunity to explore their individual artistic visions, resulting in a diverse range of musical styles and genres on the album.

3. Social Commentary: "Revolution 9" can also be seen as a reflection of the turbulent political and social climate of the late 1960s. The chaotic and dissonant nature of the piece has been interpreted by some as a commentary on the chaos and violence of the era, including protests, riots, and the Vietnam War.

4. Personal Expression: For John Lennon, "Revolution 9" was a means of expressing his own artistic ideas and interests, as well as his growing fascination with avant-garde and experimental music. Lennon was deeply influenced by artists such as Karlheinz Stockhausen and Yoko Ono, whose avant-garde works inspired him to explore new sonic possibilities.

"Revolution 9" represents a departure from conventional songwriting and production techniques, serving as a bold and provocative statement of artistic freedom and experimentation for The Beatles. While it remains one of the most controversial and polarizing tracks in their catalog, it also stands as a testament to their willingness to challenge conventions and explore new creative territories.

The slow version of ‘Revolution’ on the album went on and on and on and I took the fade-out part, which is what they sometimes do with disco records now, and just layered all this stuff over it. It was the basic rhythm of the original ‘Revolution’ going on with some 20 loops we put on, things from the archives of EMI.

John Lennon, Playboy Interviews (1980)