Revolver (1966) — Full UK Tracklist in Order

Revolver is widely considered one of the most innovative and influential albums in the history of popular music. Released on 5 August 1966, it marked a dramatic shift in The Beatles' creative approach — the band abandoned touring sounds and embraced studio experimentation, tape manipulation, orchestral arrangements, and psychedelic influences. Working with producer George Martin and engineer Geoff Emerick, they pushed the Abbey Road equipment far beyond its intended limits. The result was an album that still sounds startling today. Explore the Beatlemania Era

Full UK Tracklist

Side One

1. Taxman
2. Eleanor Rigby
3. I'm Only Sleeping
4. Love You To
5. Here, There And Everywhere
6. Yellow Submarine
7. She Said She Said

Side Two

8. Good Day Sunshine
9. And Your Bird Can Sing
10. For No One
11. Doctor Robert
12. I Want To Tell You
13. Got To Get You Into My Life
14. Tomorrow Never Knows

Songwriting Breakdown

George Harrison compositions (3): Taxman, Love You To, I Want To Tell You

Lennon–McCartney compositions (11): all remaining tracks

Lead vocal highlights:

• Paul McCartney: Eleanor Rigby, Here There And Everywhere, For No One, Good Day Sunshine, Got To Get You Into My Life
• John Lennon: I'm Only Sleeping, She Said She Said, And Your Bird Can Sing, Doctor Robert, Tomorrow Never Knows
• George Harrison: Taxman, Love You To, I Want To Tell You
• Ringo Starr: Yellow Submarine

Key Songs: The Story Behind the Tracks

Tomorrow Never Knows

Recorded on 6 April 1966 — the very first day of the Revolver sessions — Tomorrow Never Knows was unlike anything that had ever been recorded. Lennon's vocal was processed through a Leslie speaker cabinet (normally used for organ) to create the swirling, disembodied sound. The backing track was built from tape loops — segments of tape spliced into loops and played simultaneously on multiple machines by George Martin, McCartney, and others holding pencils against the reels. The lyrics were drawn from Timothy Leary's adaptation of the Tibetan Book of the Dead. It was the most radical thing the band had ever attempted, and they recorded it on day one.

Eleanor Rigby

One of the most celebrated songs in the Beatles catalogue, Eleanor Rigby features no Beatles playing instruments — only McCartney's vocal over a string octet arranged by George Martin. Martin's arrangement was inspired by Bernard Herrmann's film scores, particularly his work for Hitchcock. The song's subject — loneliness, isolation, the lives of people nobody notices — was a radical departure from pop convention in 1966.

Taxman

Written by George Harrison as a direct response to discovering that the band were paying up to 95% income tax under Harold Wilson's government. The opening guitar riff was played by McCartney. Lennon and McCartney contributed a line each to the lyrics. It was the first time a Harrison song had opened a Beatles album.

Love You To

The first Beatles recording to feature sitar and tabla as primary instruments rather than novelty additions. Harrison had been studying sitar with Ravi Shankar since 1965, and Love You To reflects a genuine engagement with Indian classical music rather than a passing interest. No other Beatles play on the track.

Historical Notes

• Eleanor Rigby featured a string octet arranged by George Martin, with no Beatles performing on the recording.
• Tomorrow Never Knows used tape loops, backwards recordings, and a Leslie speaker cabinet — techniques that pushed the boundaries of pop music production.
• Love You To reflected George Harrison's deepening interest in Indian classical music, featuring sitar and tabla with no other Beatles on the track.
• The album cover artwork by Klaus Voormann won the 1967 Grammy Award for Best Album Cover.
• Revolver was ranked No.1 in Rolling Stone magazine's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time list (2020 revision).
• The album was the last Beatles record released before they stopped touring permanently in August 1966.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Revolver considered important?

Revolver introduced groundbreaking studio techniques — tape loops, reversed recordings, Leslie speaker processing, and orchestral arrangements — that transformed modern music production. It was also the first Beatles album to be recorded after they stopped touring, giving them the freedom to create music that could never be performed live. Working with George Martin and engineer Geoff Emerick, the band effectively invented a new approach to record-making.

Who wrote Taxman?

George Harrison wrote Taxman after discovering the band were paying up to 95% income tax under Harold Wilson's government. It was the first Harrison song to open a Beatles album.

What is the final track on Revolver?

The album closes with Tomorrow Never Knows — recorded on the very first day of the Revolver sessions, 6 April 1966. It remains one of the most experimental recordings in the Beatles catalogue.

When was Revolver recorded?

The album was recorded at EMI Studios (Abbey Road) in London between April and June 1966, produced by George Martin.

What came before and after Revolver?

Revolver followed Rubber Soul (1965) and was followed by Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967). Together these three albums represent the peak of the band's artistic evolution.

Explore More Beatles Albums

Previous Album: ← Rubber Soul (1965)

Next Album: Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967) →

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