Log In
Register
Read the original blog post
8.14am
4 November 2010
Offline
Although it only clocks in at 23 seconds (their shortest ever, I believe), Her Majesty was the final track on the final Beatles album (since technically Abbey Road was recorded after Let it Be). It was also the first hidden track (song not mentioned on track listing).
So, what do you think of the Beatles' parting words? Should the album have ended with 'The End '?
And who told everybody what the song was actually called??? The Beatles could have titled it The End of The End , and nobody would know since it wasn't listed…
1.24pm
13 November 2009
Offline On vinyl, I think it's a fun surprise. On cd, it is a bit of a let down. I usually have my zune set to random so it doesn't matter. 
Ad hoc, ad loc, and quid pro quo! So little time! So much to know!
4.44pm
19 September 2010
Offline I never thoughtof it that way
Thanks paulsbass
As if it matters how a man falls down.'
'When the fall's all that's left, it matters a great deal.
5.51pm
1 May 2010
Offline
Mhh I always thought it was Macca's ego to say the final word… but yeah, it can also be the tongue in cheek Beatle humor.
I never thought of it that way either…
Here comes the sun….. Scoobie-doobie……
Something in the way she moves…..attracts me like a cauliflower…
Bop. Bop, cat bop. Go, Johnny, Go.
Beware of Darkness…
7.33pm
14 December 2009
Offline
When Abbey Road was brand-new and being played for the first time, and especially since it wasn't listed on the back cover, “Her Majesty ” would've been a fun little surprise – another false ending from a band that LOVED fake endings (“Strawberry Fields Forever “, “Helter Skelter “, “Sgt Pepper “'s locked-groove.) Also, conceptually, the extended silence after “The End “'s end makes for a clever mirror image to Side One, which ends before “I Want You (She's So Heavy)” is entirely finished. And like everyone else who knows his Beatles lore, I love knowing about the happy accident that resulted in its inclusion on the album. But really, unfortunately, the surprise factor obviously only works the first time you play the album; and after that, the extended silence followed by “Her Majesty “'s unconnected-to-anything crash opening become mildly irritating, at least to me. Also, since the CD era begun, about 9000 other artists have done the hidden-track-after-a-long-silence thing, and it's no longer clever or surprising or amusing, just annoying as hell. (Just like all those horror movies where the supposedly-dead killer makes one last appearance near the end before he's REALLY killed) But my biggest problem is this: Since “Her Majesty ” features Paul alone, its placement at the very end gives the uncomfortable impression of being the ultimate ego trip – an encore for Paul and Paul alone. It's like the band plays their last song ever, with triumphant guitar & drum soloing to remind everybody what a great band they were, then leaves the studio; and then Paul bides his time and sneaks back in to have the last word all to himself. (“Don't worry folks, I've still got lots of music left in me, with or without the others!”) Certainly that wasn't Paul's intention at all, but the impression is unavoidable nonetheless.
So, no: I much prefer the album to end with, duh, “The End “, and I think “Her Majesty ” works so much better in its original placement, between “Mean Mr. Mustard” and “Polytheme Pam”. And that's the way I re-edited it as soon as I had the software to do so. (I also cross-faded the end of “…Bathroom Window” with the beginning of “Golden Slumbers “, but that's another story.) The whole thing's now one long 16-minute track on my computer; and when I want to hear that big medley, that's what I play instead of the CD.
(Only one minor problem I have with the “Mustard/Majesty/Pam” sequence: John's “His sister Pam…” no longer immediately preceding “Polytheme Pam” eliminates a tiny bit of thematic continuity. But at least “Mustard” also has a reference to the Queen, so following that with a song about “Her Majesty ” partially compensates for the “Pam” discontinuity.)
Paul: Yeah well… first of all, we’re bringing out a ‘Stamp Out Detroit’ campaign.
8.11pm
19 September 2010
Offline Von Bontee said:
When Abbey Road was brand-new and being played for the first time, and especially since it wasn't listed on the back cover, “Her Majesty ” would've been a fun little surprise – another false ending from a band that LOVED fake endings (“Strawberry Fields Forever “, “Helter Skelter “, “Sgt Pepper “'s locked-groove.) Also, conceptually, the extended silence after “The End “'s end makes for a clever mirror image to Side One, which ends before “I Want You (She's So Heavy)” is entirely finished. And like everyone else who knows his Beatles lore, I love knowing about the happy accident that resulted in its inclusion on the album. But really, unfortunately, the surprise factor obviously only works the first time you play the album; and after that, the extended silence followed by “Her Majesty “'s unconnected-to-anything crash opening become mildly irritating, at least to me. Also, since the CD era begun, about 9000 other artists have done the hidden-track-after-a-long-silence thing, and it's no longer clever or surprising or amusing, just annoying as hell. (Just like all those horror movies where the supposedly-dead killer makes one last appearance near the end before he's REALLY killed) But my biggest problem is this: Since “Her Majesty ” features Paul alone, its placement at the very end gives the uncomfortable impression of being the ultimate ego trip – an encore for Paul and Paul alone. It's like the band plays their last song ever, with triumphant guitar & drum soloing to remind everybody what a great band they were, then leaves the studio; and then Paul bides his time and sneaks back in to have the last word all to himself. (“Don't worry folks, I've still got lots of music left in me, with or without the others!”) Certainly that wasn't Paul's intention at all, but the impression is unavoidable nonetheless.
So, no: I much prefer the album to end with, duh, “The End “, and I think “Her Majesty ” works so much better in its original placement, between “Mean Mr. Mustard” and “Polytheme Pam”. And that's the way I re-edited it as soon as I had the software to do so. (I also cross-faded the end of “…Bathroom Window” with the beginning of “Golden Slumbers “, but that's another story.) The whole thing's now one long 16-minute track on my computer; and when I want to hear that big medley, that's what I play instead of the CD.
(Only one minor problem I have with the “Mustard/Majesty/Pam” sequence: John's “His sister Pam…” no longer immediately preceding “Polytheme Pam” eliminates a tiny bit of thematic continuity. But at least “Mustard” also has a reference to the Queen, so following that with a song about “Her Majesty ” partially compensates for the “Pam” discontinuity.)
another interesting theory
thanks
As if it matters how a man falls down.'
'When the fall's all that's left, it matters a great deal.
9.14pm
1 May 2010
Offline Von Bontee said:
When Abbey Road was brand-new and being played for the first time, and especially since it wasn't listed on the back cover, “Her Majesty ” would've been a fun little surprise – another false ending from a band that LOVED fake endings (“Strawberry Fields Forever “, “Helter Skelter “, “Sgt Pepper “'s locked-groove.) Also, conceptually, the extended silence after “The End “'s end makes for a clever mirror image to Side One, which ends before “I Want You (She's So Heavy)” is entirely finished. And like everyone else who knows his Beatles lore, I love knowing about the happy accident that resulted in its inclusion on the album. But really, unfortunately, the surprise factor obviously only works the first time you play the album; and after that, the extended silence followed by “Her Majesty “'s unconnected-to-anything crash opening become mildly irritating, at least to me. Also, since the CD era begun, about 9000 other artists have done the hidden-track-after-a-long-silence thing, and it's no longer clever or surprising or amusing, just annoying as hell. (Just like all those horror movies where the supposedly-dead killer makes one last appearance near the end before he's REALLY killed) But my biggest problem is this: Since “Her Majesty ” features Paul alone, its placement at the very end gives the uncomfortable impression of being the ultimate ego trip – an encore for Paul and Paul alone. It's like the band plays their last song ever, with triumphant guitar & drum soloing to remind everybody what a great band they were, then leaves the studio; and then Paul bides his time and sneaks back in to have the last word all to himself. (“Don't worry folks, I've still got lots of music left in me, with or without the others!”) Certainly that wasn't Paul's intention at all, but the impression is unavoidable nonetheless.
So, no: I much prefer the album to end with, duh, “The End “, and I think “Her Majesty ” works so much better in its original placement, between “Mean Mr. Mustard” and “Polytheme Pam”. And that's the way I re-edited it as soon as I had the software to do so. (I also cross-faded the end of “…Bathroom Window” with the beginning of “Golden Slumbers “, but that's another story.) The whole thing's now one long 16-minute track on my computer; and when I want to hear that big medley, that's what I play instead of the CD.
(Only one minor problem I have with the “Mustard/Majesty/Pam” sequence: John's “His sister Pam…” no longer immediately preceding “Polytheme Pam” eliminates a tiny bit of thematic continuity. But at least “Mustard” also has a reference to the Queen, so following that with a song about “Her Majesty ” partially compensates for the “Pam” discontinuity.)
Nice rant, I agree with that statement. Abbey Road was mostly Paul's baby, or, as John put it, his attempt to keep the “myth” alive. I must admit that my liking for the medley and Abbey Road in general has gone down quite consiberably since I first heard it. There are still some spectacular tracks on the album and I still really like each individual song in the medley, but I don't know, when I compare it to Revolver and Rubber Soul it just feels different, like it's sort of fabricated. Her Majesty is okay, but I don't really wait for it anymore.
I sat on a rug, biding my time, drinking her wine
10.01pm
4 November 2010
Offline Von Bontee said:
When Abbey Road was brand-new and being played for the first time, and especially since it wasn't listed on the back cover, “Her Majesty ” would've been a fun little surprise – another false ending from a band that LOVED fake endings (“Strawberry Fields Forever “, “Helter Skelter “, “Sgt Pepper “'s locked-groove.) Also, conceptually, the extended silence after “The End “'s end makes for a clever mirror image to Side One, which ends before “I Want You (She's So Heavy)” is entirely finished. And like everyone else who knows his Beatles lore, I love knowing about the happy accident that resulted in its inclusion on the album. But really, unfortunately, the surprise factor obviously only works the first time you play the album; and after that, the extended silence followed by “Her Majesty “'s unconnected-to-anything crash opening become mildly irritating, at least to me. Also, since the CD era begun, about 9000 other artists have done the hidden-track-after-a-long-silence thing, and it's no longer clever or surprising or amusing, just annoying as hell. (Just like all those horror movies where the supposedly-dead killer makes one last appearance near the end before he's REALLY killed) But my biggest problem is this: Since “Her Majesty ” features Paul alone, its placement at the very end gives the uncomfortable impression of being the ultimate ego trip – an encore for Paul and Paul alone. It's like the band plays their last song ever, with triumphant guitar & drum soloing to remind everybody what a great band they were, then leaves the studio; and then Paul bides his time and sneaks back in to have the last word all to himself. (“Don't worry folks, I've still got lots of music left in me, with or without the others!”) Certainly that wasn't Paul's intention at all, but the impression is unavoidable nonetheless.
So, no: I much prefer the album to end with, duh, “The End “, and I think “Her Majesty ” works so much better in its original placement, between “Mean Mr. Mustard” and “Polytheme Pam”. And that's the way I re-edited it as soon as I had the software to do so. (I also cross-faded the end of “…Bathroom Window” with the beginning of “Golden Slumbers “, but that's another story.) The whole thing's now one long 16-minute track on my computer; and when I want to hear that big medley, that's what I play instead of the CD.
(Only one minor problem I have with the “Mustard/Majesty/Pam” sequence: John's “His sister Pam…” no longer immediately preceding “Polytheme Pam” eliminates a tiny bit of thematic continuity. But at least “Mustard” also has a reference to the Queen, so following that with a song about “Her Majesty ” partially compensates for the “Pam” discontinuity.)
Oh, I've never heard the story about the original placement of Her Majesty before, that's neat. Having the album on CD ruins everything, since you can see it coming and everything.
It does seem that “And in the end the love you take is equal to the love you make” would have been a much more powerful ending, and even a bit ironic considering their animosity towards each other in the later years. Her Majesty can sometimes feel very anti-climatic.
10.10pm
1 December 2009
Offline 
CranberrySauce said:
Oh, I’ve never heard the story about the original placement of Her Majesty before, that’s neat.
Yeah, it’s interesting! Joe’s writeup goes into more detail, of course.
GEORGE: In fact, The Detroit Sound. JOHN: In fact, yes. GEORGE: In fact, yeah. Tamla-Motown artists are our favorites. The Miracles. JOHN: We like Marvin Gaye. GEORGE: The Impressions PAUL & GEORGE: Mary Wells. GEORGE: The Exciters. RINGO: Chuck Jackson. JOHN: To name but eighty.
3.18am
9 June 2010
Offline 
All I can really say is it made me jump!
But I do laugh when I listen to Abbey Road and it comes up.
If I seem to act unkind, it's only me, it's not my mind that is confusing things.
3.08pm
7 November 2010
Offline Von Bontee said:
When Abbey Road was brand-new and being played for the first time, and especially since it wasn't listed on the back cover, “Her Majesty ” would've been a fun little surprise – another false ending from a band that LOVED fake endings (“Strawberry Fields Forever “, “Helter Skelter “, “Sgt Pepper “'s locked-groove.) Also, conceptually, the extended silence after “The End “'s end makes for a clever mirror image to Side One, which ends before “I Want You (She's So Heavy)” is entirely finished. And like everyone else who knows his Beatles lore, I love knowing about the happy accident that resulted in its inclusion on the album. But really, unfortunately, the surprise factor obviously only works the first time you play the album; and after that, the extended silence followed by “Her Majesty “'s unconnected-to-anything crash opening become mildly irritating, at least to me. Also, since the CD era begun, about 9000 other artists have done the hidden-track-after-a-long-silence thing, and it's no longer clever or surprising or amusing, just annoying as hell. (Just like all those horror movies where the supposedly-dead killer makes one last appearance near the end before he's REALLY killed) But my biggest problem is this: Since “Her Majesty ” features Paul alone, its placement at the very end gives the uncomfortable impression of being the ultimate ego trip – an encore for Paul and Paul alone. It's like the band plays their last song ever, with triumphant guitar & drum soloing to remind everybody what a great band they were, then leaves the studio; and then Paul bides his time and sneaks back in to have the last word all to himself. (“Don't worry folks, I've still got lots of music left in me, with or without the others!”) Certainly that wasn't Paul's intention at all, but the impression is unavoidable nonetheless.
That's such an interesting way to look at it! I've never thought about it like that, and it does really give the impression that at the end of the day, Paul will always have the last word.
At the time it was released, when people didn't know that Abbey Road would be the last Beatles album recorded, I'm sure audiences saw Her Majesty in the same way they saw the end of Sgt Peppers; The Beatles were surprising the listener, and adding a bit of their charm and humour in the process.
I think it's only 40 years on that we can look back and and get frustrated at how much potential The End had at being the final send off of The Beatles! “And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make.” I don't think anything could have been more fitting.
I think it's great you're going through a phase,
and I'm awfully glad it'll all be over in a couple
of days
2020
4.37pm
18 April 2010
Offline If it's that big a deal to you that Her Majesty is right there, don't listen to it.
4.42pm
9 June 2010
Offline paulsbass said:
It has George's best songs and Ringo's best song and my favourite John song (I want you) and, indeed, many great Paul songs. So it's EVERYONE at their peak.
Really? Your favorite John song is “IWY(SSH)?”
*eyebrows become stuck on top of face*
If I seem to act unkind, it's only me, it's not my mind that is confusing things.
4.50pm
19 September 2010
Offline paulsbass while it was an accident Paul approved the medley and HE was the one who approved the idea of him and him alone having the final word
Check your facts next time to save some time
Btw congrats on hitting the roof
As if it matters how a man falls down.'
'When the fall's all that's left, it matters a great deal.
5.08pm
7 November 2010
Offline paulsbass said:
kelicopter said:
I think it's only 40 years on that we can look back and and get frustrated at how much potential The End had at being the final send off of The Beatles! “And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make.” I don't think anything could have been more fitting.
Can't agree more:
If it frustrates you, don't listen to it. I think it's great that the biggest band ever didn't end with the biggest and most pretentious song ever – but with a charming and quiet piece of acoustic guitar and solo vocals – which wasn't even planned but happened by accident.
And for all the haters:
Since it was Paul's line in “The end”, he would have had the last word anyway – and a GREAT last word.
So I can't see the point in trying to make him look like that guy with the huge ego again. Lennon's ego was at least as big as his!
I think the truth is: They were both intimidated by each other, especially John, so he always had to make these big speeches. And Paul always had to “fight” against a legend, especially after John was dead. So he felt the urge to get some more respect for his work.
But please don't put evil meanings into innocent and funny accidents.
Don't get me wrong, I do quite like Her Majesty , it is a really nice piece of music. It's just that in my opinion, it would have fitted better somewhere mid album.
I mean, none of us will ever know the exact reasons as to why they decided to keep Her Majesty at the end. These are all just theories, we're all just having our opinion. Even if the “evil meaning” wasn't intentional on Paul's behalf, that is just how some people perceive the song. And they're entitled to think that.
The following people thank kelicopter for this post:
vonbonteeI think it's great you're going through a phase,
and I'm awfully glad it'll all be over in a couple
of days
2020
5.08pm
19 September 2010
Offline I wrote my post after the post by Mean Mrs Mustard so I didn’t see that post
The recording of the end was a collaborative effort whereas Her Majesty was Paul doodling by himself. This comes down to this question: Would you prefer to end the career of the Beatles with an Solo recording by 1 of it’s members or a song with solos by all 4 members of the group? To me the choice is obvious. It should have ended with the end
As if it matters how a man falls down.'
'When the fall's all that's left, it matters a great deal.
5.12pm
7 August 2010
Offline paulsbass said:
kelicopter said:
Don't get me wrong, I do quite like Her Majesty , it is a really nice piece of music. It's just that in my opinion, it would have fitted better somewhere mid album.
I mean, none of us will ever know the exact reasons as to why they decided to keep Her Majesty at the end. These are all just theories, we're all just having our opinion. Even if the “evil meaning” wasn't intentional on Paul's behalf, that is just how some people perceive the song. And they're entitled to think that.Fair enough.
We're all entitled to opinions, and I just expressed mine as well.
I just realized that you were here.
Dear Prudence
Giving you quality -Facepalms- , since August 7, 2010.
6.03pm
19 September 2010
Offline Her Majesty would have been a fine addition to the medley (although I would have preferred another verse added). My problem is that their final album is ended a solo recording. I hate the fact that John and Paul chose Good Night to end the White Album . An album should be ended with a group hoorah! Not with a solo recording.
As if it matters how a man falls down.'
'When the fall's all that's left, it matters a great deal.
6.58pm
19 September 2010
Offline paulsbass said:
mr. Sun king coming together said:
Her Majesty would have been a fine addition to the medley (although I would have preferred another verse added). My problem is that their final album is ended a solo recording. I hate the fact that John and Paul chose Good Night to end the White Album . An album should be ended with a group hoorah! Not with a solo recording.
You can hate what you want. HM would have been nothing special in the medley.
I LOVE Good Night as the last song! I think it's nice that (according to YOU) John and Paul choose a Ringo song to close the album! And the way he says “Good night everybody. Everybody, everywhere” at the end brings tears to my eyes. Perfect ending to an almost perfect album.
Oh, and wait, they closed “Love” with it as well. Wasn't that a musical about – The Beatles???
The end as the very last song would have been great, and it WAS intended to be that, obviously.
Then the accident with the tape happens – and they stay true to themselves and keep the mistake instead of going “NONONO, we are the biggest band ever, our last song is sooooo important, we need a PERFECT, lush last song!!!”
That's my opinion. You have yours. Nuff said.
No, not enough.
According to YOUR concept the perfect ending for “Sgt. Peppers” would have been “Sgt Pepper 's reprise”.
But that would have been WAY too obvious for the Fab Four. Instead, after the official end, they put one of their greatest songs (practically without any George effort, by the way. Any complaints about ADITL not being a group effort?), and AFTER the last chord of all last chords they put ANOTHER “trick”.
The Beatles don't do obvious things. That's why they're the greatest ever.
I have nothing against them picking a Ringo Tune to end the White Album
A Day In The Life is the best song EVER by anyone IMO.
I DON't Hate Her Majesty . However to equate that Her Majesty is the same as the dog tone/gibberish talking after ADITL is Absurd beyond Belief
Also If 3 or more Members play on the track it is a Group effort.
This is ridiculous.
Somebody please please help me, cause I'm drowning in a sea of hatred called paulsbass
As if it matters how a man falls down.'
'When the fall's all that's left, it matters a great deal.
7.16pm
19 September 2010
Offline First Ringo doesn't drum How Do you Sleep
Secondly, I love Good Night , I just disagree with the placement.
Thank you for enlightening me on the Good Night Anthology 3 version.
however I didn't say it must have 3 or more members for it to count, but if it has 3 or more it definitely counts
i repeat “Somebody please please help me, cause I'm drowning in a sea of hatred called paulsbass”
As if it matters how a man falls down.'
'When the fall's all that's left, it matters a great deal.
4 Guest(s)