Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite

The Beatles

About Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite

"Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite!" is a song recorded by the English rock band the Beatles for their 1967 album Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. It was written and composed primarily by John Lennon and credited to Lennon-McCartney. Most of the lyrics came from a 19th-century circus poster for Pablo Fanque's Circus Royal appearance at Rochdale. It was one of three songs from the Sgt. Pepper album that was banned from playing on the BBC, supposedly because the phrase "Henry the Horse" combined two words that were individually known as slang for heroin. Lennon denied that the song had anything to do with heroin. 


Year:
1967
#2

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For the benefit of Mr. Kite
There will be a show tonight on trampoline
The Hendersons will all be there
Late of Pablo Fanques Fair-what a scene
Over men and horses hoops and garters
Lastly through a hogshead of real fire!
In this way Mr. K. will challenge the world!

The celebrated Mr. K.
Performs his feat on Saturday at Bishops Gate
The Hendersons will dance and sing
As Mr. Kite fly's through the ring don't be late
Messrs. K and H. assure the public
Their production will be second to none
And of course Henry The Horse dances the waltz!

The band begins at ten to six
When Mr. K. performs his tricks without a sound
And Mr. H. will demonstrate
Ten summer sets he'll undertake on solid ground
Having been some days in preparation
A splendid time is guaranteed for all
And tonight Mr. Kite is topping the bill

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The Beatles

The Beatles were an English rock band formed in Liverpool in 1960. They became the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed act in the history of popular music. Their best-known lineup consisted of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr. Rooted in skiffle and 1950s rock and roll, they later utilised several genres, ranging from pop ballads to psychedelic rock, often incorporating classical and other elements in innovative ways. In the early 1960s, their enormous popularity first emerged as "Beatlemania", but as their songwriting grew in sophistication, they came to be perceived by many fans and cultural observers as an embodiment of the ideals shared by the era's sociocultural revolutions. more »

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Written by: John Lennon, Paul McCartney

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


11 facts about this song

Inspiration Source
"Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite!" was largely inspired by a 19th-century poster for Pablo Fanque's Circus Royal that John Lennon bought at an antique shop.
Song Creation
It is known for its avant-garde style, and Lennon admitted in interviews that he hardly made any alterations to the language on the poster for making the lyrics of the song.
Album Inclusion
The song is included in The Beatles' 1967 album, ‘Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.’
McCartney's Contribution
Though it is credited to Lennon-McCartney, McCartney only had minor contributions in the lyrics, mainly in the final verse.
Sound Effects
The song is noted for its atmospheric production, with the use of Harmonium, and swirling sound effects that were created by cutting up and reassembling the tapes of recorded steam organs.
Tate And Brady
The song references ‘somersets’ (somersaults) by Mr. Kite, another name borrowed from the old circus poster. The line ‘Tate and Brady’ was also derived from the poster.
Musical Style
The song's style and the use of the words ‘somersets’ and ‘Hoopla!’ give it a fairground organ or calliope effect, thereby maintaining its circus theme.
Kite, the Character
While Mr. Kite is mentioned throughout the song, it is unclear whether this is the name of a performer or the master of ceremonies of the circus.
Prominent Beatles Members
The song prominently features John Lennon on harpsichord and lead vocals, while the other Beatles contribute on bass, mellotron flute sounds, harmonica, and guitar. Ringo Starr also performs a notable drumroll in the introduction.
Accidental Effect
During the sound-altering processes, a piece was inserted backwards by accident, but the effect was so liked that it was kept in the final production.
Lennon's Opinion
Despite its experimental style and atmospheric production, John Lennon himself was not particularly fond of the song. In a 1980 interview, he described the song as 'pure, like a painting, a pure watercolor.'

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