Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite! |
Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite! is the title of a 1967 song
written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney for The Beatles album Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club
Band.
Lennon wrote the song, not quite word for word from an old 19th century
circus poster that he purchased in an antique shop, while filming the
promotional video for the song "Strawberry Fields
Forever" in Kent.
The poster begins:
"PABLO FANQUE'S CIRCUS
ROYAL,
TOWN-MEADOWS, ROCHDALE.
Grandest Night of the Season!
AND POSITIVELY THE
LAST NIGHT BUT THREE!
BEING FOR THE
BENEFIT OF MR.KITE,
(LATE OF WELLS'S CIRCUS) AND
MR. J. HENDERSON,
THE CELEBRATED SOMERSET THROWER!
WIRE DANCER, VAULTER, RIDER, &c.
On TUESDAY Evening, February 14th, 1843.
Mssrs. KITE and HENDERSON, in announcing the following Entertainments ensure (sic) the Public that this Night's
Production will be one of the most splendid ever produced in this Town, having been some days in preparation."
The poster also mentions "The Celebrated Horse Zanthus" (not Henry), contains several references to the Hendersons, and
advertises Mr. Henderson's "TRAMPOLINE LEAPS AND SOMERSETS! Over Men & Horses, through Hoops, over Garters and lastly through a Hogshead of REAL
FIRE!"
Lennon wanted the track to have a "carnival atmosphere" - he is even said to
have told producer George Martin that he wanted the song to smell like
sawdust. In the middle eight bars, multiple recordings of pipe organ, calliope, and harmonium music were edited
together to attempt to produce this request, and the result was then added to the backing track.
Later in his career, Lennon said that this was one of his least favourite songs.
External links
|