The Surprisingly Interesting Story Behind Strawberry Fields Forever

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The Beatles’ 1967 hit “Strawberry Fields Forever” has long been considered one of the greatest pop songs ever recorded. Released in February of that year as a double A side single along with Penny Lane, the song peaked at number eight on the US Billboard charts (The Turtles’ “Happy Together” was number one that week). In 2011, Rolling Stone named it the band’s third greatest song and the 76th greatest song ever. Written by John Lennon, it’s a true masterpiece, but what it isn’t is a song about fields full of strawberries.

Sources:

[drrettner]

John Lennon said to his Aunt Mimi "I want to go play in Strawberry Fields." His Aunt Mimi said "I don't want you going there to play with those orphans." John responded "What are they going to do, hang me for it?" Hence the line "Nothing to get hung about."

[soulagent]

"Strawberry Fields Forever/Penny Lane" - the best pop art/psychedelic single ever recorded and the only Beatles single which didn't reach #1 on the charts.

[claytongoode]

Honestly I was expecting a 5 second video of Simon looking into the camera and saying, "Acid, lots of acid."

[colinbaker]

The host is a Brit. I wonder why he didn’t mention that in the UK the double A side stalled at number 2 behind Release Me by Engelbert Humperdinck.
I was in Liverpool a few weeks ago. The original gates are on display at The Beatles Story in Albert Dock, while Strawberry Field itself is now being redeveloped.

[botanist]

Perfect! I hope we see more 60s-70s legendary song explanations.

[JC-ksyk]

We've been without John for nearly 40 years now, but his music is truly timeless.

[lowerbullens]

I was in strawberry field yesterday and found it to be a really tranquil place, it's now a visitor centre and cafe/gift shop with gardens to walk around.the cafe is reasonably priced and well patronised, come to Liverpool it's the finest city on the face of the planet

[forestsoceansmusic]

Very interesting, mostly Paul's reaction when he first heard it. Like how Paul helped John 'tidy up' one of John's songs from his first proper solo album ("Plastic Ono Band"), Paul really dug John's wild side, and was not really the 'cutesy commercial' one the media made him out to be. (Think of "Back In The USSR" and "Helter Skelter" -- both Paul songs.) From all the books I've read on The Beatles I don't think John ever saw Strawberry Field (the place) as "foreboding", but rather "magical", with maybe a hint of fear at being caught which makes all adventures truly magical. It also came at a time of over a year of regular LSD use by John, and for him it was NOT a Party drug, but a raising of his consciousness. Hence in "A Day In The Life" when he sings: "I'd love to turn, you, on..." he's NOT talking about sex -- he's wanting to wake us all up, as his early 1966 song "Tomorrow Never Knows" is also saying. (And there was "The Word" on Rubber Soul near the end of 1965, and even "There's A Place" on their very first album at the beginning of 1963.

[peterk]

"No one I think is in my tree,
I mean, I must be high or low". Very telling. RIP, John.

[vicbertfartingclack]

I was just at the site this week - it’s restored, amazing now and full of life. John would be proud I think.

[mindeloman]

"Living is easy with eyes closed ... Misunderstanding all you see." - - Lennon (1967)

[neiljumpinjackflash]

John was revealing what even today most can't see.. and fittingly it stands as an abandoned symbol of marginalized souls, that only John could see suffered in unloved silence.

[ruasunev]

Love the show, and I love the Beatles. And I love you too Simon, for being the only youtuber that doesn't say "smash that like button"

[bobstar]

I visited the site in 1994 (on board a bus full of pensioners) with my friend. Aged 17 we jumped the (old original) gate, to the gasp of 30 elderly, just like our musical hero once did years before. I accidentally bumped the edge of my Minolta 35mm camera on the gate, and it had a Strawberry Field red painted dent on it ‘forever’ (until it got stole in Chicago a few years later) still have the photos and the memory of that and more Liverpool trips.

[liverpix]

It's now open to the public again with a new visitor centre which includes a cafe and museum. There is a nice garden too. The original gates have returned. Well worth a visit.

[chriggle]

Woolton isn't a town, it's a district in the city of Liverpool. My inlaws lived in Woolton, not far from George Harrison's parents. My sister in law walked to their house to ask for an autograph in her teens.
I'm not sure if the Mendips house was actually in Woolton or not. It's on a very busy road, and that is the road where John's mother was killed. He was waving her goodbye as it happened.
2 years ago we took the magical mystery tour bus in Liverpool as part of my 40th birthday celebrations. Our tour guide was Holly Johnson's younger brother. He had lots of inside knowledge.

[chriscoleman]

Excellent...but ..i did read one thing about strawberry field..according to mimi..john used to climb the trees outside the girls orphange and peep on them(for want of a better term)..and mimi used to tell him off for it and shout "if they catch you john doing that..there gonna hang you"..hence the line..."NOTHING TO GET HUNG ABOUT.STRAWBERRY FIELDS FOREVER"...mimi was asked in the early 70s..did you used to say that to john..her reply was...yes..on many occasions 😉

[patzyooo]

It’s finally open !!! And it is beautiful in every corners ! As a planned young adults with learning difficulties are working there ! Wonderful ! Ps. I been there today ♥️

[googoogjoobgoogoogjoob]

It's hard to believe that wasn't an instant chart #1 in the UK. A double A-side of arguably 2 of the Beatles finest songs - one each and both uniquely different. And not available on the original LP. If they'd released them as 2 separate singles they should have both hit the top. Funny old game.

[tigr_lily]

I swear to God. Over the last few years of watching this channel and the others that Simon and his team run I feel like I have gained SO MUCH KNOWLEDGE! Is it useful... ? sometimes, but usually it just makes me better at having unique chats with people about things they didn't know.