#79 – Taxman with Vinyl Benjy
What do George Harrison and Big Worm from the movie Friday have in common? Messing with their money is like messing with their emotions. But Big Perm, I mean Big Worm, doesn’t write banging rock tunes about it. George’s “Taxman,” the lead off track on Revolver, finds the guitarist squaring off against the greedy hand of the man for taking 98% (NINETY EIGHT) percent of the Beatles income, income they’d actually (unlike so many millionaires and billionaires) worked INCREDIBLY hard to achieve. It’s a fantastically sardonic lyric, with a brilliant performance by the band (Paul’s basically inventing psychedelic bass parts here while also providing a ripping guitar solo). It sets the tone for Revolver by moving away from the romantic theme of so many of their songs, into a new, cool, and darker world.
Joining us this week is the wonderful Vinyl Benjy! If you’re on social media and follow music accounts or record accounts, the odds are high you’ve seen his smiling, pleasant self showcasing records and cool trivia about them. His record collection is swoonworthy, and the dude knows his stuff! We talk about the joys of record collecting, the importance of chap stick, George’s financial gripes, and Julia’s got a real spicy hot take for us! Check Benjy out on Instagram @vinylbenjy and TikTok @vinylbenjy!
What do you think about “Taxman” at 79? Too high? Too low? Let us know in the comments on Facebook, Instagram, or find us now on Bluesky! Be sure to check out www.rankingthebeatles.com and grab a Rank Your Own Beatles poster, some of our new Revolver-themed merch, a shirt, a jumper, whatever you like! And if you’re digging what we do, don’t forget to Buy Us A Coffee!