The Beatles, Strawberry Fields Forever - A Classical Musician’s In-Depth Analysis

This song might seem very simple on the surface, but when we begin to look at how the music is made, we find an astonishing level of sophistication and even complexity. It even shares a lot in common with the French impressionist music by classical composers.

Here’s the link to the original song by The Beatles:

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Special thanks to those who are keeping my ko-fi cup supplied:
I’ve formed the habit of publishing all the names of my supporters simply because I appreciate your appreciation of my work, and I want to recognize each one of you personally. But, unfortunately, YouTube allows a limited number of characters for the description, and I cannot fit all names anymore. So, this is my message to each one of my supporters personally:
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Amy Shafer, LRSM, FRSM, RYC, is a classical harpist, pianist, and music teacher, Director of Piano Studies and Assistant Director of Harp Studies for The Harp School, Inc., holds multiple degrees in harp and piano performance and teaching, and is active as a solo and collaborative performer. With nearly two decades of teaching experience, she teaches privately, presents masterclasses and coaching sessions, and has performed and taught in Europe and USA.

[VirginRock]

As usual, please write here your questions only.
It should have been published on November 24th to celebrate 56 years since The Beatles recorded it, but UMG who owns the copy right, not only blocked my first listen of this song, but didn’t even bother to answer back to my dispute which I filed a month ago. But I guess we can still celebrate The Beatles and Strawberry Fields Forever, even if we’re one month late.

[edwardthorne]

Can you imagine drumming to this piece? The singer goes off in triplets, you are playing to a tape (presumably) that has been both sped up and slowed down, There is an outro tag that is being played backwards (maybe), they reverse your cymbals, and you are working with John Lennon. And you still come up with such off-beat and creative fills. Amazing.
Ringo must be an absolute gem of a person.

[racinnut]

Much of the musical concepts you discuss can be done in a way that can fly way over the head of a lay person. However, you are a gifted communicator who can explain these concepts to a person with only a passing understanding of music theory. I love how you do your analysis and keep up the great work.

[reubensane]

When Amy breaks down her Analysis of one Beatles song it shows even more what Geniuses they were.

[GillD]

I had just turned 6 years old when I first heard this track on the radio. I was running through the kitchen to join my cousins playing on a swing in the garden. I never made it to the garden. I stopped short and at the end of the record my auntie slowly walked me back into the living room so I could sit quietly and recover.

[stefanb]

I don't even know exactly, why I enjoy watching people explain good music so much. I truly don't feel I am so much learning or understanding much, because, if you asked me about anything I was just told a minute later, I could not repeat anything. But just following along with the explanations makes me feel like I am for a moment deeper connected with the piece of music, like the emotional content is clearer and more touching for a moment.
I guess sharing the enthusiasm of the explainer has something to do with my experience, but there is always also a piece of watching an illusionist do stage magic, and opening up a small window into a world, that is actually filled with purpose and mystical beauty for a moment.

[TwoOnions]

It never fails to astonish me how Lennon could write such complex compositions that sound so simple.

[aBeatleFanever]

I simply like the way it sounds.... musically, vocally and lyrically.
John sings: "Let me take you down..." and then he does.

[williamkanegateshead]

My goodness, I stumbled upon these videos quite by chance and I am so glad I did. I'm very protective of The Beatles and their music and tend not to suffer fools gladly. Your understanding of your subject has opened my eyes to a whole new world of, oh, I don't know, a new world of discovering how other people appreciate The Beatles and for that I thank you.

[Mucci]

Amy, you have literally made me love this song even more than I already did. Excellent analysis. This is a song I have loved for decades, and it was a joy watching you discover this song and give your critique of it.

[HappyCodingZX]

Something I find remarkable about Strawberry Fields is that whilst Lennon wrote about a magical place that he would escape to as a child, the song itself, so many years later, has become that for millions of fans. It's always a strange and wonderful thing to go back to and to spend time with, escaping the stress or pressure of modern life and live in the moment - just as young John would do with the actual location itself.

[professoryaffle]

The introduction played on the harp was absolutely beautiful.

[mikeabike]

Thank you so much. One thing…you talk of mysticism and haze and floating. The right word, if I may, is psychedelic.

[Hartlor_Tayley]

I had the 45 single which had “Penny Lane” on the flip side which is more of a Paul song about his childhood neighborhood done in a completely different style. These pair of songs comprised the most amazing 45 single ever. Strawberry Fields Forever is a landmark song in the history of rock and a real stand out even for the Beatles.

[robertadcox]

Very well done. I had commented on your earlier post about this coming down the pipe. I said in that comment and I still say that this is a song that transcends music. It is a piece of art. I listen to this song every 9 to 12 months. Please listen to the excerpts of the demos on the Beatles Anthology release of this song. It is quite amazing how John introduced the song to the group on guitar. To me the music is a complete accompaniment for the lyrics. Another composition by Lennon, "Across the Universe" is very similiar in its feel except the music accompaniment is much more "raw". Bravo to you.

[freddonovan]

Thanks, Amy. I’m grateful to pick up these insights into an incredible artistic mind like Lennon’s.

Thank you so much for spending time pulling this analysis together for us.

[dondoan]

When this came out, there was no way to dig into the background of the songs lyrics or the space it was coming from. Years after “40 years later” I hopped the fence and wandered through Strawberry fields in Liverpool on a bright fall day as I walked through the city. I set myself down under a tree and imagined the lives that wander through this landscape and it finally set with me that this was a childhood memory. Very non-linear as childhood memories typically are for someone later in life. Was it impactful in my life, not, but a journey I had to complete.

[SchlockstarJoe]

I may have missed it, but did anyone else notice the literary implication of a song about an orphanage that avoids, hides, or makes its musically home hard to find? As you said, it drifts, it doesn’t settle, like the inhabitants of an orphanage. The song and the orphans can never go home.

[davidgagne]

Thanks for this reaction. I learned some new stuff. A couple months before Strawberry Fields was released I got my first radio. So I was just beginning my exploration of pop music. Out came Strawberry Fields and I was hooked. At the time I didn't know what it was about. But I knew I loved it. That was 1967 - an incredible year for popular music. A few months later out came Sgt Peppers. That album and the single before it were like a cultural super nova. Pop and rock were considered garbage. Disposable music. Even the cover of Sgt Peppers was revolutionary. The scope of the music on that one album was breath-taking. Side two started with Indian music. Not Indian influenced music but REAL Indian popular music about the meaning of life by George Harrison. The very next song is a delightful 1920's dance hall tune by Paul McCartney. Not just globe hopping but time hopping. Everything changed.

[larryfroot]

Thank you so much for a wonderful explanation of a song I have loved for decades. Understanding it deeper simply enhances my enjoyment and appreciation of both the song and its composer - with a very special mention to George Martin.