Lady Madonna [Single] - Beatles (The) (CD 1991)

Lady Madonna and its' B-side, The Inner Light, provide an interesting example of how The Beatles could make opposing social, political or religious commentary within the confines of a single record. The themes of both songs deal with religion, but the message of each song is diametrically opposed to that of the other. How did The Beatles do this and get away with it? The answer is simple--because they COULD!

Lady Madonna takes a pretty good poke at religion--the very image of the religious icon of the Madonna is turned on its' head in this parody that's humorous, but really examines how the purity of spiritual doctrines fail to account for the temptations of the flesh. The ultimate irony of Lady Madonna is the religious hypocrisy that pretends that lust doesn't play a role in organized religion--"Lady Madonna, lying on the bed, listen to the music playing in her head" points up the earthly temptations that even the most religious person is exposed to in everyday life. Paul McCartney does his best, seductive Elvis Presley imitation on lead vocals, and the randy, bawdy saxes, accompanied by the honky-tonk piano, make the musical texture match the irreverant message.

Lady Madonna shouldn't be taken seriously at all--it's not meant as an attack on religion, just an adept commentary on how earthly pleasures and temptations conflict with the religious idea of purity.

On the other hand, George Harrison's The Inner Light is a serious devotional piece. The Indian influences are overt, but the melody of the song is gorgeous--an authority no less than Paul McCartney pronounced it one of the most beautiful melodies that he'd ever heard. Sitar and Indian percussion give it a unique flavor, but Harrison's lyrics are humble and admit his spiritual naivete'--"The further one travels, the less one knows". This song demonstrates his growth as a songwriter, and continues his fascination with serious religious themes and the entire Indian experience.

I really don't know if you can buy these two songs on a single anymore--it's been thirty years or so since I bought a single, so I don't really venture into that territory. I do know that you can get both songs on Past Masters-Volume II. These songs provide the perfect example of how The Beatles could send different messages in the context of a round piece of vinyl.