Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite

Plainview · 12-09-2014, 07:17 AM

It's pure genius. Has there ever been a pop song that melds that nostalgic Victorian era music hall waltz ideology with psychedelia? The actual elements of it are pretty simple, with Paul's Bass playing really making it what it is. Lennon's lyrics give it a really exciting, whimsical imagery. The whole song is one of Pepper's highlights in my opinion. If only pop music had such imagination nowadays.

Discuss.

Pet_Sounds · 12-09-2014, 07:43 AM

That organ bit in the middle is pretty amazing. I prefer the version on Love.

Plainview · 12-09-2014, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pet_Sounds

That organ bit in the middle is pretty amazing. I prefer the version on Love.

I'd forgotten about Love. Although I'm not huge fan of all of the renditions on there, it definitely works well for Kite. And yeah, the whole of the middle instrumental break part is brilliant.

ribbons · 12-09-2014, 12:52 PM

"And of course Henry the Horse dances the waltz!" I believe the waltz-middle of the song consisted of Lennon and George Martin playing different organ patterns recorded at half-speed, further condensed by overlaying more organs, harmonicas of different sizes, and harmoniums to create the carnival atmosphere. George Martin and Geoff Emerick (engineer) created an effects tape with snippets of real calliopes and steam organs playing various songs, with each snippet later distorted so that the original songs were unrecognizable. This culminated in an ingenious (for the time) aural recreation of “Pablo Fanque’s Circus Royal".

Plainview · 12-10-2014, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ribbons

"And of course Henry the Horse dances the waltz!" I believe the waltz-middle of the song consisted of Lennon and George Martin playing different organ patterns recorded at half-speed, further condensed by overlaying more organs, harmonicas of different sizes, and harmoniums to create the carnival atmosphere. George Martin and Geoff Emerick (engineer) created an effects tape with snippets of real calliopes and steam organs playing various songs, with each snippet later distorted so that the original songs were unrecognizable. This culminated in an ingenious (for the time) aural recreation of “Pablo Fanque’s Circus Royal".

Interesting post, thanks. I appreciate images too. What I wouldn't give for that poster.

DeadChannel · 12-10-2014, 08:44 AM

I used this as backing music for a talent show thing I did in the 3rd grade. Really terrific song

Zhanteimi · 12-11-2014, 03:51 AM

I like the version of "Kite" performed by Eddie Izzard in Julie Taymor's Across the Universe.

Jathon Delsy · 12-12-2014, 11:21 AM

A meeting of psychedelically variegation with music hall um-pa-pa. The middle section is a collage of various circus organ recordings, somewhat Stockhausenesque in its conception, and a precursor to modern sequenced sampled music. The nostalgic lyrics paint a vivid word picture to perfectly compliment the swirly-whirly colours. McCartney's ever creative bass line provides an earthy counterpoint to ground these airy soarings.
They certainly don't make them like this anymore. Or if someone did it would sound too contrived, too polished, not a naturally organic spontaneous happening like this magical music.

Black Francis · 12-13-2014, 09:22 AM

Great song, luv it but i don't agree it is the pinnacle of music excellence.

Paul's bass although fitting its pretty formulaic
It uses a traditional chord structure that's not really of their own invention the organ in the song is alot more original imo

What i like about the song is not really how original it is, it's how well they executed the concept of the song.
Right away the premise of the song is executed flawlessly and captures all the references that influenced the song perfectly and while i give them credit for that, the vibe of the song is not really something of their own invention.

The vibe and the music arrangement is something that has been done in other songs before they just used the format of it cause it fits the concept of the song.

I luv The Beatles and don't mean to diminish their talent but i don't consider them to be super human musicians that are above every influence that came before them.

This particular song while great for what it is to me it's just a concept song well executed

12-09-2014, 07:17 AM	#1 (permalink)
Plainview ⁣ Join Date: Dec 2014 Posts: 721	Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite It's pure genius. Has there ever been a pop song that melds that nostalgic Victorian era music hall waltz ideology with psychedelia? The actual elements of it are pretty simple, with Paul's Bass playing really making it what it is. Lennon's lyrics give it a really exciting, whimsical imagery. The whole song is one of Pepper's highlights in my opinion. If only pop music had such imagination nowadays. Discuss. Last edited by Plainview; 12-09-2014 at 07:27 AM.

12-09-2014, 07:43 AM	#2 (permalink)
Pet_Sounds Remember the underscore Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: The other side Posts: 2,488	That organ bit in the middle is pretty amazing. I prefer the version on Love. __________________ Everybody's dying just to get the disease

12-09-2014, 12:52 PM	#4 (permalink)
ribbons Music Addict Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 1,265	"And of course Henry the Horse dances the waltz!" I believe the waltz-middle of the song consisted of Lennon and George Martin playing different organ patterns recorded at half-speed, further condensed by overlaying more organs, harmonicas of different sizes, and harmoniums to create the carnival atmosphere. George Martin and Geoff Emerick (engineer) created an effects tape with snippets of real calliopes and steam organs playing various songs, with each snippet later distorted so that the original songs were unrecognizable. This culminated in an ingenious (for the time) aural recreation of “Pablo Fanque’s Circus Royal". Last edited by ribbons; 12-09-2014 at 01:00 PM. Reason: typo / added image

12-12-2014, 11:21 AM	#8 (permalink)
Jathon Delsy Groupie Join Date: Dec 2014 Posts: 25	Circus Canticle A meeting of psychedelically variegation with music hall um-pa-pa. The middle section is a collage of various circus organ recordings, somewhat Stockhausenesque in its conception, and a precursor to modern sequenced sampled music. The nostalgic lyrics paint a vivid word picture to perfectly compliment the swirly-whirly colours. McCartney's ever creative bass line provides an earthy counterpoint to ground these airy soarings. They certainly don't make them like this anymore. Or if someone did it would sound too contrived, too polished, not a naturally organic spontaneous happening like this magical music. __________________ The Twisted Troubadour of Fleeting Fantasia

12-13-2014, 09:22 AM	#9 (permalink)
Black Francis Out of Place Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: in an abstract house Posts: 4,111	Great song, luv it but i don't agree it is the pinnacle of music excellence. Paul's bass although fitting its pretty formulaic It uses a traditional chord structure that's not really of their own invention the organ in the song is alot more original imo What i like about the song is not really how original it is, it's how well they executed the concept of the song. Right away the premise of the song is executed flawlessly and captures all the references that influenced the song perfectly and while i give them credit for that, the vibe of the song is not really something of their own invention. The vibe and the music arrangement is something that has been done in other songs before they just used the format of it cause it fits the concept of the song. I luv The Beatles and don't mean to diminish their talent but i don't consider them to be super human musicians that are above every influence that came before them. This particular song while great for what it is to me it's just a concept song well executed __________________ "Hey Kids you got to meet the MIGHTY PIXIES!" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbRbCtIgW3A

12-10-2014, 08:44 AM	#6 (permalink)
DeadChannel Music Addict Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Canada Posts: 1,259	I used this as backing music for a talent show thing I did in the 3rd grade. Really terrific song

12-11-2014, 03:51 AM	#7 (permalink)
Zhanteimi Mord Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Tokyo Posts: 4,873	I like the version of "Kite" performed by Eddie Izzard in Julie Taymor's Across the Universe.