This site uses cookies: Find out more.
This site uses cookies: Find out more.
Buy Tickets
24th November, 2016

Song Facts: Strawberry Fields Forever/Penny Lane

As we approach the 50th anniversary of ‘Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band’, we take a look back to its recording sessions, during which history was made and the psychedelic rock hits ‘Strawberry Fields Forever’ and ‘Penny Lane’ were created. Originally intended for inclusion on the album, The Beatles instead decided to release the hits as a double a-side single in February 1967.

The songs are a collection of the Fab Four’s childhood memories and a nostalgic look back to their past, growing up in their hometown of Liverpool. Strawberry Fields was the name of a Salvation Army children’s home situated close to where John Lennon lived in Woolton. Penny Lane on the other hand is a famous street in the city, nearby to Lennon and McCartney’s childhood homes.

 

Written by John in Spain during the autumn of 1966, ‘Strawberry Fields Forever’ is reminiscent of his youth and experiences of visiting the grounds of the children’s home. With his childhood friends, John Lennon would roam the gardens of Strawberry Fields, and he would especially look forward to a garden party held each summer at the grounds. His Aunt Mimi recalled him bouncing for joy when the annual party came around “Mimi, come on. We're going to be late”.

Although the song refers to an actual location, producer George Martin described it as a “hazy, impressionistic dreamworld”, enriched through its Mellotron introduction. ‘Penny Lane’, too, shared these surrealistic and psychedelic overtones, despite its reference to a real street in Liverpool.

 

 

‘Penny Lane’ was written by Paul McCartney at his London home. The song is resonant with the memories of McCartney and Lennon meeting at Penny Lane junction to catch a bus into the city centre. The lyrics capture what was seen through the eyes of the young Liverpool lads – the “barber showing photographs”, along with “the shelter in the middle of a roundabout”.

 

Following the creation of these Lennon-McCartney hits came the UK release of perhaps their finest single of all, the double a-side ‘Strawberry Fields Forever/Penny Lane’ on 17th February 1967. It climbed to number 2 on the UK charts, breaking the band's four-year run of chart-topping singles, and spent 11 weeks there.

George Martin later regretted not including the two songs on the ‘Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band’ album, saying that “We would have sold far more and got higher up in the charts” if they had, considering the songs were “two of the best tracks they’ve ever made.” Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band was later released in June 1967.

 

Millie Agnew

Millie is a second year Marketing student at Liverpool University and a Marketing Intern at The Beatles Story.

No comments exist

Subscribe for General Information

Subscribe for Educations

Subscribe for Travel Trade

Subscribe for Press

The Beatles Story turns 33
01st May, 2023

The Beatles Story turns 33

The Beatles Story today is celebrating its 33rd birthday since first opening its doors on 1st May 1990. The award-winning attraction was conceived in the minds of husband-and-wife team Mike and Bernadette (Bernie) Byrne in 1987 after a visit to Ameri
Interview: Les Maguire of Gerry and the Pacemakers
19th March, 2016

Interview: Les Maguire of Gerry and the Pacemakers

 Les Maguire was keyboard player for Gerry and the Pacemakers, an English ‘beat’ group prominent during the 1960s.In common with The Beatles, they also came from Liverpool, were managed by Brian Epstein and were recorded by George Ma
The Power of Music: a musical journey from Iranian war child to War Child UK.
07th December, 2022

The Power of Music: a musical journey from Iranian war child to War Child UK.

It was a typical Spring day when viewed from the outside looking in. The sun was shining. The skies were clear. The excitement of a family member’s birthday giving momentum to begin the day. But the only typical aspect of this day were the desc
SIGN UP

Sign up to our e-newsletter for the latest news, offers and updates.

Great Date Guide North West       Great Date Guide North West              

 

The Beatles Story - Britannia Vaults - Albert Dock - Liverpool - L3 4AD

 

This Website Was Designed By ALT Agency Birmingham