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Length: 2:56
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One of the beautiful people
Now that you know who you are
What do you want to be
And have you traveled very far
Far as the eye can see
How does it feel to be
One of the beautiful people
How often have you been there
Often enough to know
What did you see when you were there
Nothing that doesn't show
Baby you're a rich man
Baby you're a rich man
Baby you're a rich man, too
You keep all your money in a big brown bag
Inside a zoo, what a thing to do
Baby you're a rich man
Baby you're a rich man
Baby you're a rich man, too
How does it feel to be
One of the beautiful people
Tuned to a natural E
Happy to be that way
Now that you've found another key
What are you going to play
Baby you're a rich man
Baby you're a rich man
Baby you're a rich man, too
You keep all your money in a big brown bag
Inside a zoo, what a thing to do
Baby you're a rich man
Baby you're a rich man
Baby you're a rich man, too
![angel](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/eusa_angel.gif)
![clap](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/eusa_clap.gif)
![dance](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/eusa_dance.gif)
It was a lifetime ago.
1967 was a different time, it even felt different.
I often think that RP is the closest thing to what it felt like to listen to the radio because it has a collective-experience-vibe that's been long lost.
"you're a rich gay jew" - where's that in the lyrics?
The poster got it wrong: The story was that he's saying "Baby, you're a rich fag jew", but let's face it, he's not.
I have no doubt that Lennon was frank and sardonic (and funny) about things we'd consider politically incorrect nowadays, but I've read more about his affection for Brian Epstein than any disdain. One story suggested that they may have had a tryst themselves. Is it true? Don't know. Don't care.
Beatles songs have to be rated differently. I can only rate them compared to other Beatles songs, not the general pool...
I just give 10s to all Beatles songs
I can't hear those lyrics at all. I love the analog psychedelia of this period. It was also very accessible to regular pop fans. I can understand people that don't like psychedelic music or 60's pop not liking it. A lot of lyrics were whimsical and you can interpret them how you like, but I always thought that in this song was "rich man" refers to people taking acid.
This is what I hate about music journalism. Irresponsible journalist with sketchy sources will not hesitate to misconstrue, distort or otherwise misrepresent if it improves the likelihood of being published. This is an example where no one but John knew what he intended. The fact that Epstein was gay obviously didn't bother the Four too much as they were making more money with Epstein than they ever made in their entire lives. Epstein unfortunate suicide had nothing to do with the fact he was gay or may have been attracted to John. It's manifestly unfair to lay it at John's feet as depressed persons are recognized by the fact they have everything they want but can't enjoy any of it. Brian found financial and professional success insufficient to sustain him. Period.
Not in the slightest.
I know! Neat, eh?
I read somewhere that that story was not true.
You may not like this song but none of your descriptions are accurate in any way.
The mirror is telling you lies.
"you're a rich gay jew" - where's that in the lyrics?
Sure Dazzerb. That's why the Beatles never passed the audition and failed as a band to make a dent on musical history.
But seriously folks...Surely this was posted solely to solicit responses that shit on the originator. After all, no sane person really thinks that way.
"you're a rich gay jew" - where's that in the lyrics?
I agreed. Wonder why?
![{#Naughty} {#Naughty}](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/eusa_naughty.gif)
1967 was a different time, it even felt different.
It's almost like you were 50 years younger . . . oh, wait. ; )
1967 was a different time, it even felt different.
nuf ced
actually this is both,
verse by Lennon, chorus by McCartney of unfinished songs they each had
Actually, I agree with this viewpoint. They were so amazingly different and cutting-edge in their time. So there is that in their favour - and also it applies to this song especially. I think I also love this because of memories.... I think we are all guilty of that sometimes
How can anyone like U2?
Lol!!! this is the BEATLES! Rave on Britannia!!!!
hail the first British non violent musical revolutionaries!!!!! They are GODLIKE. :-D
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baby,_You%27re_a_Rich_Man
worth a read. it does seem to have a dual meaning - i thought it could be sarcasm aimed at the materialistic, or about inner riches.
![{#Hearteyes} {#Hearteyes}](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/icon_hearteyes.gif)
Everybody in my mushrooming multitude of churches loves this song, and this entire album... we be dancing...
![](https://www.google.ca/url?sa=i&source=images&cd=&docid=iflvqrSNKyR4-M&tbnid=JHrjAr_00OapaM:&ved=0CAUQjBwwAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.5orangepotatoes.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2009%2F10%2F015-girl-in-dress-mushroom-hookah-smoking-caterpillar.jpg&ei=361tUsejHMS8yAGV-4CgCA&psig=AFQjCNG9gTec10YZphdYmB4vh1RcP4w-xg&ust=1383006047632114)
nuf ced
Everybody in my mushrooming multitude of churches loves this song, and this entire album... we be dancing...
And some of the lyrics are SO good:
"What did you see?"
"Nothing that couldn't be seen"
"And now that you've got the key,
"what are you going to play?"
I was with you up to this point. Kind of hard to see a racist slur as a "tribute". Perhaps "tongue in cheek" would be more accurate?
Nonetheless, it was interesting to read your post; I was unaware of any of this until now.
"BABY YOU'RE A RICH MAN"
The Beatles, Magical Mystery Tour
RUMOR: On one of the tracks the line "Baby you're a rich man too" is sung as "Baby you're a rich fag Jew," a dig at Brian Epstein. Or some think it's "rich fat Jew" and claim it as evidence of Beatle anti-Semitism.
FINDINGS: Negative. The two stereo tracks are nearly identical. It's always possible to hear words as similiar-sounding words, but basically, the lyrics jibe with the published version.
QUOTED EXERPT FROM William Poundstone's Big Secrets, (c) 1983.I have to add my two cents to this thread. First, John DID have an anti-Semitic streak to him. I say this as a fan of Lennon's, not a Lennon hater. Suggest you read Larry Kane's book about the Beatle's 64 and 65 tours. Kane is Jewish and a huge Lennon fan, but he discusses the anti-Jewish sentiment in the group. I also suggest you read an early edition of "Lennon Remembers" where John made a very nasty anti-Semitic statement about the Eastman family, claiming that the Eastman's changed their name from "Epstein". But you won't find it in later editions of the book. I wonder why. As for "rich fag Jew" at the end of BYARM, one needs the original mono single to clearly hear it. Later pressings of the single won't help you much. You must have the original single. My theory as to why this line was at first masked (on the MMT vinyl album) and virtually eliminated on the remastered CD is that what was considered a semi-private, inside joke in May of '67 (when it was recorded), was deemed tasteless by August of '67, the month Brian died. Personally, I don't believe John was being unnecessarily mean. True, John was both anti-Semitic and a homophobe at that point in his life, but John's friendship with Brian was complicated, to say the least. For other reasons, I could make the case that the entire song, from start to finish, was about Brian. I think John added the "offending" phrase as a way of telling Brian, "Yes, Brian. This song is about you. Love, John" Strangely, it was not a dig at Brian, but a tribute. In the words of Dr. Winston O' Boogie: "You should have been there."
.....wasn't a big 'I Wanna Hold Your Hand' era guy, but the rest of it post that was great!!!!
Is that a bad thing, I ask u?
"BABY YOU'RE A RICH MAN"
The Beatles, Magical Mystery Tour
RUMOR: On one of the tracks the line "Baby you're a rich man too" is sung as "Baby you're a rich fag Jew," a dig at Brian Epstein. Or some think it's "rich fat Jew" and claim it as evidence of Beatle anti-Semitism.
FINDINGS: Negative. The two stereo tracks are nearly identical. It's always possible to hear words as similiar-sounding words, but basically, the lyrics jibe with the published version.
QUOTED EXERPT FROM William Poundstone's Big Secrets, (c) 1983.![{#Daisy} {#Daisy}](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/daisy.gif)
Yeah, thinking about the "spaghetti scene" photos in the album insert still freaks me out to this day!
![{#Eek} {#Eek}](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/icon_eek.gif)
Oh... I do know...you naughty boy you!!!
![{#Beat} {#Beat}](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/icon_beat.gif)
![{#Dancingbanana_2} {#Dancingbanana_2}](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/dancingbanana_2.gif)
![{#Dancingbanana} {#Dancingbanana}](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/dancingbanana.gif)
![{#Bananajam} {#Bananajam}](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/bananajam.gif)
![{#Drummer} {#Drummer}](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/icon_drummer.gif)
![{#Dancingbanana_2} {#Dancingbanana_2}](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/dancingbanana_2.gif)
Musta been between the 300th and 1000th hit of Ozley's.
![{#Cheers} {#Cheers}](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/icon_cheers.gif)
Hmm, perhaps you mean Owsley?
![{#Daisy} {#Daisy}](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/daisy.gif)
Musta been between the 300th and 1000th hit of Ozley's.
![{#Cheers} {#Cheers}](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/icon_cheers.gif)
![{#Bananajumprope} {#Bananajumprope}](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/bananajumprope.gif)
/hangs head in shame
![{#Daisy} {#Daisy}](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/daisy.gif)
Unparalleled segue from the Pixie’s “Greens and Blues” into this song.
My goodness, this was brilliant indeed.