The Beatles often took inspiration from unlikely sources: their catalog owes an equal debt to the I Ching as it does to a Corn Flakes commercial. But maybe the weirdest is a wordy 1843 poster advertising a Victorian circus.
Meanwhile, I’m sitting here writing an entire concept album about the Step By Step episode where Dana gets her driver’s license. It’s not going well.
I don’t have any particular gripes with this song, other than feeling like the story behind its conception is more intriguing than the actual end product. The lyrics paint a vivid, fascinating picture–who doesn’t want to see a waltzing horse?–and the music is a perfectly hypnotic and horrifying blend for the wildest big top adventure this side of a disappointing Pee-wee Herman sequel. For better or worse, it’s one of the least Beatles-sounding songs they ever did and perhaps the most psychedelic moment on Sgt. Pepper’s. But I never really have the urge to listen to it, much in the same way I could go the rest of my life without ever watching the Step By Step episode where Mark takes karate lessons again.
Anthony Cusumano 