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The Beatles — Within You Without You
Album: Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
Avg rating:
7.4

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1308









Released: 1967
Length: 4:57
Plays (last 30 days): 0
We were talking about the space between us all
And the people who hide themselves behind a wall of illusion
Never glimpse the truth
Then it's far too late
When they pass away

We were talking about the love we all could share when we find it
To try our best to hold it there
With our love
With our love we could save the world
If they only knew

Try to realise it's all within yourself
No one else can make you change
And to see you're really only very small
And life flows on within you and without you

We were talking about the love that's gone so cold
And the people who gain the world and lose their soul
They don't know
They can't see
Are you one of them?

When you've seen beyond yourself
Then you may find peace of mind is waiting there
And the time will come when you see
We're all one and life flows on within you and without you
Comments (223)add comment
When I first bought Pepper, I always skipped over this song. Now, about 50 years later, I wonder “wtf was I thinking?” Nice to hear this and have added to my favorites!
Are you one of "them" ? alexpohlenz wrote:
One of the worst Beatles' song ever! 
 

Every time I hear this song, and that includes many years of loving Indian classical, I just think the middle road it found was amazing.  You wonder what the Beatles might have been had they brought in Harrison as an equal partner.
i'm constantly fascinated by the rhythm/percussion on this song.
 sfyi2001 wrote:
Lol at retarded snowflakes attempting to rationalize this drivel to any semblance of significance.
Beatles been dead nearly 50 years, which is what serves them best.
'Sucko barfo' defined ~ 

 
Guess you're not going for that 'see beyond yourself' thing...
 sfyi2001 wrote:
Lol at retarded snowflakes attempting to rationalize this drivel to any semblance of significance.
Beatles been dead nearly 50 years, which is what serves them best.
'Sucko barfo' defined ~ 

 

Perhaps we need a comments rating system for the comments. Syfi's smug drivel is certainly sucko barfo.  One would think that, given his/her complete handle, there might be more expression of intellectual curiosity or free-thinking about the eternal mysteries, however they may be explored. Apparently not. 
As for The Beatles being dead, umm, no, they remain one of the world's best selling and most iconic catalogues and brands. ICYMI: year after year, very few contemporary acts match or surpass that volume of sales or cross-genre awareness.  Zeitgeist boffo, defined.  
I liked it when it came out because it was so different.  Now I know these are Ravi's men with George and take time to understand the lyrics, they are spiritual.  Many will never understand.
 sfyi2001 wrote:
Lol at retarded snowflakes attempting to rationalize this drivel to any semblance of significance.
Beatles been dead nearly 50 years, which is what serves them best.
'Sucko barfo' defined ~
 
Never been a big fan of this particular song, but see no reason to spew hate because of it.
Your comments say much more about you than they do about the Beatles.
Lol at retarded snowflakes attempting to rationalize this drivel to any semblance of significance.
Beatles been dead nearly 50 years, which is what serves them best.
'Sucko barfo' defined ~ 
 dragon1952 wrote:

Obviously a top 40 AM radio listener. Maybe you'd rather listen to Bachman fucking Turner Overdrive Takin' Care of Business? Jesus Christ take some fuckin' shroom's and kick back to this and then come back with some genuine knowledge.  Freakin' squares {#Rolleyes} And BTW, this isn't a "song", it's a journey.
 
“Students today depend upon paper too much. They don’t know how to write on a slate without getting chalk dust all over themselves. They can’t clean a slate properly. What will they do when they run out of paper?” 
50 years later and this song still gets my full attention
I had the opportunity to listen to the new 2017 stereo mix of Sgt. Pepper (as well as one listen to most of the album in surround).  It sounded very-very good.  Somehow the album sounded new and fresh.  The genius is even more apparent.
Very excited for the official release later this month.
 jimtyrrell wrote:
A masterpiece. The "Fab 4" at this time changed everthing. They were no pop band at this point but leaders of change in the whole music world. For us old guys this album was a wake up call that broadened our horizons to World Music.
 

 
Ditto. But aside from the sitar and tablas in a guitar-heavy world are/were the lyrics, the content and concept. Whether from smoking some kick ass weed or just meditating in his garden, George was writing and singing what many others were barely daring to think, and certainly few with this level of insight. A pop song almost only in the sense that it was popular. 
Ok, this is really crap.
More Beatles! More Beatles!!!!
It's hard to appreciate how radical this track was at the time of it's release. Fantastic lyric and for many of us a first taste of the exotic realm of world music. Most amazing, the whole album was done with 4-track recording, a testimony to the genius of the late, great George Martin.
A masterpiece. The "Fab 4" at this time changed everthing. They were no pop band at this point but leaders of change in the whole music world. For us old guys this album was a wake up call that broadened our horizons to World Music.
 
 dragon1952 wrote:

Obviously a top 40 AM radio listener. Maybe you'd rather listen to Bachman fucking Turner Overdrive Takin' Care of Business? Jesus Christ take some fuckin' shroom's and kick back to this and then come back with some genuine knowledge.  Freakin' squares {#Rolleyes} And BTW, this isn't a "song", it's a journey.

 

Oviously the spirit of this song, or journey as you prefer to call it, hasn't gotten into you yet.
Not many Fab Four tracks i don't like.  I do like this with the eastern influence.  Best thing is it flows into 'When I'm 64' :)
 
Now where cooking!!!
 alexpohlenz wrote:
One of the worst Beatles' song ever! 

 
Obviously a top 40 AM radio listener. Maybe you'd rather listen to Bachman fucking Turner Overdrive Takin' Care of Business? Jesus Christ take some fuckin' shroom's and kick back to this and then come back with some genuine knowledge.  Freakin' squares {#Rolleyes} And BTW, this isn't a "song", it's a journey.
 alexpohlenz wrote:
One of the worst Beatles' song ever! 

 

When you've seen beyond yourself
Then you may find peace of mind is waiting there


It's so delightful to know that you've entirely grasped the meaning of the track. 
 
One of the worst Beatles' song ever! 

We were talking about the space between us all ...

Almost 50 years on and "the space between us all" seems just as wide — or perhaps even wider.  It's a shame, really.


eloquent, brilliant, sublime, timeless.. {#Angel}
{#Kiss}
 VioletBuddha wrote:
Absolutely TIMELESS song - love it!!
 
I agree...  hope you are having a lovely time right now, VioletBuddha...
Please...enough Beatles, enough classic rock.  That's not why I come to RP.  I can get that old tired old stuff anywhere.
 ycb661 wrote:
pass the hookah

 
That's funny, I was going to write the same comment!

Instead, I'll write that this song brought the sitar mainstream and made it synonymous with smoking weed. 
 luv4music wrote:
Brilliant song.

 
I'm 73 y.o. My first impression when they first made the scene was ugghhh but I've grown to love them over time. Brilliant is as brilliant does! I would give it & them a 10+ but I reserve that for my favorites: Jethro and Pink.
The audio equivalent of Michael Jordan playing professional baseball.
Brilliant song.
Still simply fantastic...
i love beatle george - but this song (and "inner light") - ugh
Abbey Road is the other "...single best album of all time" for the same reasons.   



Lazarus wrote:

This is a brilliant song from the single best album of all time... Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band is a theme album—  all of the songs have collective meaning for the overall message of the album...

"Within You Without You" is the first song on the second side of the good old LP...  the lyrics are literal and they sum up the meaning of the songs on the first side of the album—

We were talking—about the space
between us all
And the people—who hide themselves
behind a wall of illusion
Never glimpse the truth—then it's far
too late—when they pass away.
We were talking—about the love we all
could share—when we find it
To try our best to hold it there—with
our love
With our love—we could save the world
—if they only knew.

the original vinyl LP for Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band has the lyrics printed on the back—  a list of poems that define the plot of the album...

 

 



Groovy!
great song

Lazarus wrote:

Everybody in my churches loves this song...
 

 

Absolutely TIMELESS song - love it!!
Everyone at the Ashram loves this tune.
But hey it's the Beatles.
Aren't they ALL 8+ tunes?   {#Meditate}

Everybody in my churches loves this song...
 
Allright.

All comments from the fall of 2012 must now be expunged from the official record.

This is the Beatles and this is manifestly brilliant.

Look - I can't be objective because I fell in love at 12, explored every aspect of the band deeply and the songs, the albums, the phenomenom and the individual lives mean so much more to me.

But the folks who were negative this fall are entitled to their er... opinions.
Of course I listen to it differently than I used to, but that doesn't mean it can't be meaningful, anymore.

BTW: If the cynical, blase comments represent what's new, than I maybe prefer what's dated. 
Oh my!  The haters are out in force.  But they're wrong.  This is genius.

This is a brilliant song from the single best album of all time... Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band is a theme album—  all of the songs have collective meaning for the overall message of the album...

"Within You Without You" is the first song on the second side of the good old LP...  the lyrics are literal and they sum up the meaning of the songs on the first side of the album—

We were talking—about the space
between us all
And the people—who hide themselves
behind a wall of illusion
Never glimpse the truth—then it's far

too late—when they pass away.
We were talking—about the love we all
could share—when we find it
To try our best to hold it there—with
our love
With our love—we could save the world
—if they only knew.

the original vinyl LP for Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band has the lyrics printed on the back—  a list of poems that define the plot of the album...

 
dated?? this is the most ridiculous remark posssible!
had to raise this from a 9 to a 10...
 
i was never a true fan of the beatles, but genius is genius is genius. period.
It sounds terribly dated now - and boring!
Boring
pass the hookah
C'mon, Bill.  This cut was only interesting back in the day when the Universal Light was lit and spinning along with the doobies.  Don't think I can listen to it without a lava lamp in the room.  There is FAR better Classical Indian to be played than George "Mediocre Guitarist" Harrison's efforts.  And the lyrics... "What trippy words, man! Far out, man!  Just dig on the MESSAGE**, man!  I mean, like, I am one, you are one, we are one, The West is Won, man!"  This is where John Lennon went all fatuous on us.

**We are wealthy occidentals who bought into this guru bullshit.
I know I'm in the minority, but I've always found this gimmicky sounding.
Oṃ maṇi padme hūṃ
How amazing this song was due to the fact that less than two years before they were those loveable mop-tops:  the impact of George Martin upon their maturing musicianship can never be underestimated
what a relief after Jane's Addiction
Certainly, one of the greatest songs of all time.
The very epitome of "Godlike."
{#Meditate}


 
romeotuma wrote:


This song sums up the thematic meaning of the album...  this is a seminal song from the greatest album in the history of humanity...  love it...


 
 


This song has traveled through time very well. 


Painful...
All bow to George's superior Kung Fu!  He was soooooooo far ahead of his time.  
{#Notworthy}
 


beautiful...sensuous...hypnotic...iconic.
A thousand years ago, when I bought my first copy of Sgt Pepper - I always skipped this song, cause I thought it didn't fit on the album. Much like "Money" on Dark Side of the Moon, or "Give A Little Bit" on Quietest Moments.  A 'black sheep' track.

Now, 40 years on, I love it...and strangely enough - it DOES fit on the album. 
 acolt wrote:
So I know pretty much every Beatles song on this site gets a 1-to-2 point ratings bump just by virtue of being by the Beatles, but I can't rate this any higher than a 2. It's just not fun or pleasing to listen to. To me at least.
 
I second that emotion.
So I know pretty much every Beatles song on this site gets a 1-to-2 point ratings bump just by virtue of being by the Beatles, but I can't rate this any higher than a 2. It's just not fun or pleasing to listen to. To me at least.
Love the Beatles. Hate this song with a passion. Horrible.
 ziakut wrote:
Gee...if this were not a Beatles tune...and NOT on Sgt. Pepper's album...it would most certainly NOT get such a high rating. These same voters would bow out of a high score for the tune if it were written and performed by some unknown middle eastern artist. Hmm..."It's the Beatles, man...gotta give it a high score!"....I personally like this...but it's not because it's Beatles.

 

"Middle Eastern??" Nuff said......
 romeotuma wrote:


"We were talking about the space between us all
And the people who hide themselves behind a wall of illusion..."


With this song, the Beatles define the literal meaning of the thematic structure of the album Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band...  the entire album is about the barriers people put between each other, and the illusions people hide behind...

the cover of the album, which shows the Beatles as real people alongside the Sergeant Pepper's band in full consume, symbolizes the masks people hide behind—  the real image of the Beatles versus the image of them in costume playing a part...

this is the best album of all time, not only because the music is soooo good, but because it is so profound...

Pink Floyd touches on the same theme, with The Wall representing the barriers that people wrap around themselves...

both albums are like Shakespeare in their high art...


 

 
Thanks, Romeo. Beside the wonderfully varied and vital music on RP, the reason I tune in is to learn something about the music I love and am being introduced to. Comments like yours make this a very fulfilling experience, day in and day out. It's grease for the grind.


 ziakut wrote:
Gee...if this were not a Beatles tune...and NOT on Sgt. Pepper's album...it would most certainly NOT get such a high rating. These same voters would bow out of a high score for the tune if it were written and performed by some unknown middle eastern artist. Hmm..."It's the Beatles, man...gotta give it a high score!"....I personally like this...but it's not because it's Beatles.

 

Yeppers.  {#Yes}
This music is timeless. George, you are still, and always will be, within us. {#Meditate}
I'm a huge Beatles fan.  Yet, when this song came on when I played the album, I always skipped it.  So sue me....  {#Eh}
Sublime!
Inexpressibly subtle, beautiful, spiritual, emotional, sublime...
I need something to cheer me up, too.
I was thinking earlier I needed some George to cheer me up. Thanks, Bill. It's funny though, I always used to skip this song when I was a kid playing Sgt. Pepper's on my parents' "low-fi".  For me, the side started with "When I'm 64". I dig it now.

And maybe all it takes is an appreciation for 'world' music.  I think George opened me up to that way back when and I've never looked back.  Man, there is so much great music coming from Asia, Africa, Europe, South and North America that I still don't get those folks stuck in the greatest hits of the 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s, 00's.

 
Carl wrote:

Maybe that's what it takes to appreciate this song.

 


The song "Half" by Soundgarden sounds like an (unbelievably awesome) evolution of this song.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHh-2T84gL8
 Cruithne3753 wrote:
Apparently, George Martin is to release an album of Beatles stuff mixed up... this to be "mashed" with Tomorrow Never Knows... Not sure if it is a good or bad idea.
 
Hopefully by now you've heard it. IMHO it's stunning.

 romeotuma wrote:


"Within You Without You" was written on a harmonium at the house of long-time Beatles friend Klaus Voormann, while "there were lots of joints being smoked..."

 
Maybe that's what it takes to appreciate this song.

Rates a 9-at least- just for the cool uniqueness factor.  Quintessential hippie stuff ;^)
 suebee3 wrote:

The only Beatles tune I could do without.


 
Number 9, Number 9, Number 9, Number 9, Number 9, Number 9, Number 9,





My favorite Beatles piece from my favorite Beatle. What a great arranger and student George was!

This was the first album I actually bought.  I had heard it many times since my uncle was a hugh Beatles fan, he was the prime age for it.  Still have it some where, also was the first CD I got many years later.
 calypsus_1 wrote:

The Beatles,London,Promo Party for Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band album,May 19,1967 by rising70
https://www.flickr.com/photos/the_first_rays/

.R.I.P you two on the R/H side of this picture
 


It gets a 10.  Just cuz—that's the benefits for being a Beatle song.
Usually found myself gravitating toward George songs for a bit of the "alternative" on Beatles efforts. Have grown to greatly appreciate his vision and ability to relay it through his timeless music...
...surprisingly, this is the first time i've heard the original played on RP, rather than that abomination from love - kudos!..

The Beatles,London,Promo Party for Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band album,May 19,1967 by rising70
https://www.flickr.com/photos/the_first_rays/

.
 peacockangel wrote:
Who is the guy at the top on the album cover ~ second from the left?
 
This website has a diagram of the cover photograph.


time is immaculate

The only Beatles tune I could do without.


Gee...if this were not a Beatles tune...and NOT on Sgt. Pepper's album...it would most certainly NOT get such a high rating. These same voters would bow out of a high score for the tune if it were written and performed by some unknown middle eastern artist. Hmm..."It's the Beatles, man...gotta give it a high score!"....I personally like this...but it's not because it's Beatles.

 Walrus_Gumbo wrote:

Quite a touchy wanker as well! {#Grumpy}
 

Not really ... I just think that namecallers should take their act to their local schoolyard and leave the RP comments pages to the adults.


could never get into this song...............
keller1 wrote:


And you just proved that you have an intellectual age of about twelve.


Quite a touchy wanker as well! {#Grumpy}
 Walrus_Gumbo wrote:


Yup! You just proved yourself a "wanker"!
 

And you just proved that you have an intellectual age of about twelve.

 peyotecoyote wrote:


hurry and find it...


  Dude, you gotta hook a brotha up!{#Cowboy}


 keller1 wrote:


Keith Moon was one of the most unique and talented rock musicians that ever lived.  Not sure I'd be looking to him for too much deep thought, though.

I think it's just as likely that people say they like this song because that somehow "sounds cool" or because it's from Sgt Pepper.  Makes me wonder who the "wankers" really are.

At the risk of being "uncool", I find the song pretentious and boring.
 

Yup! You just proved yourself a "wanker"!
Who is the guy at the top on the album cover ~ second from the left?
 toterola wrote:
I hope I never get so jaded that I can't listen to a Beatles song without making a disparaging comment so I can "sound cool".

In the words of Keith Moon: "What a load of wankers!" {#Roflol}
 

Keith Moon was one of the most unique and talented rock musicians that ever lived.  Not sure I'd be looking to him for too much deep thought, though.

I think it's just as likely that people say they like this song because that somehow "sounds cool" or because it's from Sgt Pepper.  Makes me wonder who the "wankers" really are.

At the risk of being "uncool", I find the song pretentious and boring.


I hope I never get so jaded that I can't listen to a Beatles song without making a disparaging comment so I can "sound cool".

In the words of Keith Moon: "What a load of wankers!" {#Roflol}
 CCinSB wrote:
wheres my hash pipe..damn
 

hurry and find it...


Many years ago, I used to carry the lyrics to the song in my wallet.  It helped me keep a perspective on life.  Not sure if that was a good thing.  Still, this is a great song.


 keller1 wrote:


I know what you mean.  There's a lot of great stuff on Sgt Pepper but I always found myself starting side 2 of the vinyl version at track 2 to give this one a miss.
 
Yes.  I wouldn't say I hated this song, but it never did much for me other than make me impatient for it to end, as did "Love You To".

 PacificNWPariah wrote:
I have always hated this song and I probably always will
 

I know what you mean.  There's a lot of great stuff on Sgt Pepper but I always found myself starting side 2 of the vinyl version at track 2 to give this one a miss.
 PacificNWPariah wrote:
I have always hated this song and I probably always will
 
I have always loved this song and I probably always will. {#Hearteyes}

Pass.
In my mind it's followed with "When I'm 64"
Cruithne3753 wrote:
Apparently, George Martin is to release an album of Beatles stuff mixed up... this to be "mashed" with Tomorrow Never Knows... Not sure if it is a good or bad idea.
I'm sure.
I have always hated this song and I probably always will
Apparently, George Martin is to release an album of Beatles stuff mixed up... this to be "mashed" with Tomorrow Never Knows... Not sure if it is a good or bad idea.
tony620d wrote:
...that's messed up..
Good for you, Tony. Not everyone would be so bold as to declare their sexuality out here in public. Though I'd appreciate it if you'd leave me out of your fantasies, thanks.
radiojunkie wrote:
When the album first came out I used to skip this song. Even though I liked George Harrison, I could never get into this one. Now that I'm over 50, it suddenly makes sense. Thanks, George.
My experience also......
When the album first came out I used to skip this song. Even though I liked George Harrison, I could never get into this one. Now that I'm over 50, it suddenly makes sense. Thanks, George.
dwhayslett wrote:
I'd love to fix your post
...that's messed up..
YourNameHere wrote:
I'm amazed how well most of the Beatles music holds up, truly brilliant even now, maybe more so. It certainly compares favorably to most of the drivel that passes for music these days. That's right, I said drivel. Thank "god" for Radio Paradise.
Amen!
wheres my hash pipe..damn
cheeesie wrote:
never knew they play like this style... this is the first time i hear that song.. wow
Really? What rock have you been under? Seriously, try the rest of the album... it'll blow your mind.
never knew they play like this style... this is the first time i hear that song.. wow
tony620d wrote:
RP is sucking today. our 5th helping to the beatles. IM FULL OF IT, THANK YOU!
I fixed your post.
RP is sucking today. our 5th helping to the beatles. IM FULL THANK YOU!
.
valtouf wrote:
Harrison was born in 43. Sgt. Pepper came out in 67. So he was about 24 when he wrote that... That's right... early 20's !
Yep!
PASS THE SHROOMS im ready to make the trip!