This picture of Paul, John and Ringo was taken in New York City’s Central Park during The Beatles first visit to the United States on February 8, 1964. Some years ago I noticed something strangely ominous about the shot.
Much in the same way the Paul-is-Dead clues diverted attention from the real story behind The Beatles death clues, here once again we see Paul throwing attention away from what should be the true focus of the picture, The Dakota Apartments with John directly in the foreground. The Dakota Apartments would be the site of John’s murder some sixteen years later.
The picture recently resurfaced when it was posted on their official website, TheBeatles.com.
"Revolution 9" was recorded for the White Album in May 1968. Opening words spoken in the song prove to foretell the date and the events of Tuesday morning, December 9, 1980 (Great Britain time). "number nine, number nine, number nine" When played backward, phonetically can be heard as "turn me on dead man" The reverse clip maintains a most fiendish tonal quality almost commanding. "turn me on dead man, turn me on dead man, turn me on dead man." "Turn me on dead man" is undeniably similar to the lyrics "I'd love to turn you on" from John's "A Day in the Life".
In one of John Lennon’s last compositions he sings a remorseful petition to the Lord. One can almost sense the anxiety expressed for what he had done and for what lie ahead in his not so distant future. The song is titled, “Help Me to Help Myself,” first released 20 years after his death on the Double Fantasy CD, October 9, 2000. John sings about being hounded by the Angel of Destruction; how in his heart they [the Lord] never really parted, and how he was never satisfied.
Like many of those who enter into a pact with the Devil they are aware of their allotted time, and as the time of the pact draws to a close, they begin to feel remorse, and start looking for a way out of their fatal pact. In this final song we hear John pleading with the Lord, “I’m asking this question in the hope that you’ll be kind, please help me Lord, help me to help myself.” In the song John uses the old adage ‘the Lord helps those who help themselves’. Was he hoping for a way out of his pact?
Eerily, if you listen closely, in the final moments of the song John can be heard talking to himself in a faint voice, saying, “I see, that’s how you’re going to do it, Huh, ok.” What could John possibly be talking about, “That’s how you’re going to do it,” DO WHAT?
If anyone has another interpretation, we’d be interested to hear what you have to say!
John Lennon, "The first backward tape on any record anywhere." When 'Rain' was released as a single, the U.K. advertisement used the 'butcher cover' photograph to promote the record. It was an eerie combination: crumbled baby-doll bodies depicting infanticide, blood and raw meat, together with words and music played backward. Backwardness, is commonly associated with demons and the occult, whether it be in fiction, literature or fringe religious practices. Ringo Starr later commented, "I think it's the best out of all the records I've ever made. 'Rain' blows me away. It's out of left field. I know me and I know my playing, and then there's 'Rain'." In Beatles Anthology he said, "The drumming on 'Rain' stands out for me because I feel as though that was someone else playing - I was possessed."
The blurry shadow to the right of "BEATLES" appears to be a skull with a crack and brick contour forming an "X" cross-bones. Together, they are the nearly universal symbol of death.
At the upper left, eight dots, resembling bullet holes, are inexplicably positioned on the wall immediately before "BEATLES". Connected, the holes form a "3" as in "3" Beatles. It is curious as to why the groups full name "THE BEATLES" was not used.
