Sun King

Zoo Freaks, get ready to groove with the Zoo Crew as we spin "Sun King" by The Beatles from their iconic Abbey Road album. This dreamy track, nestled in the album’s famous medley, has a vibe that’s perfect for chilling out. Written by John Lennon, "Sun King" was initially titled "Here Comes the Sun King" but shortened to avoid confusion with George Harrison’s "Here Comes the Sun" on the same album. Lennon later called it “a piece of garbage I had around,” but fans and critics adore its lush, multi-tracked vocal harmonies by Lennon, Paul McCartney, and George Harrison, which create a serene, almost mystical atmosphere. The song’s outro is a playful mix of faux Romance languages—English, Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese. Lennon explained in a 1969 interview, “We just started joking, you know, singing ‘cuando para mucho,’” revealing the lyrics were mostly gibberish strung together for fun.

Another cool tidbit about "Sun King" is its musical influences. In a 1987 interview, George Harrison noted that the song was inspired by Fleetwood Mac’s instrumental "Albatross," saying, “We said, ‘Let’s be Fleetwood Mac doing Albatross, just to get going.’ It never really sounded like Fleetwood Mac... but that was the point of origin.” The track was recorded back-to-back with Lennon’s "Mean Mr. Mustard" on July 24, 1969, at EMI Studios, with 35 takes to nail the basic track. Ringo Starr’s understated drumming, using tea towels over the drums for a softer sound, adds to the song’s intimate feel, while George Martin’s Lowrey organ and the band’s triple-tracked harmonies elevate its ethereal quality. Fun fact: a reversed snippet of the vocals was used in the 2006 Love album as “Gnik Nus,” and the instrumental section appeared in the “Octopus’s Garden” remix.

The song’s recording process was a vibe of its own. On X, @beatlesstory posted in 2019 about the 50th anniversary of "Sun King" and "Mean Mr. Mustard" sessions, highlighting how The Beatles worked on these tracks as one for the Abbey Road medley. Paul McCartney recalled in an interview that he and Lennon jokingly tossed in phrases like “Los Paranoias,” a nod to their nickname for the band, though only a version of this made it to Anthology 3. The song also features stereo panning, with the guitar line moving from right to left, creating a trippy effect for headphone listeners. Some speculate Lennon drew inspiration from Nancy Mitford’s 1966 book The Sun King about Louis XIV, but Lennon claimed the title came to him in a dream.

Now, let’s rewind to how The Beatles got their start. Formed in Liverpool, England, in 1960, the core lineup—John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr—began as a skiffle group called The Quarrymen, founded by Lennon in 1956. McCartney joined in 1957, followed by Harrison in 1958. After cycling through names like Johnny and the Moondogs and The Silver Beatles, they settled on The Beatles. Their early days were spent honing their craft in Liverpool’s Cavern Club and Hamburg’s gritty club scene, where they played marathon sets of rock ‘n’ roll covers. By 1962, with Ringo replacing drummer Pete Best, they signed with EMI’s Parlophone label under producer George Martin. Their first single, “Love Me Do,” sparked Beatlemania, and by 1963, albums like Please Please Me topped UK charts. Their innovative songwriting, blending rock, pop, and later psychedelia, revolutionized music, making them global icons.

Connect with The Beatles’ legacy online! Their official website is www.thebeatles.com, packed with discography and history. Follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and X for updates and throwback content. Fans can dive deeper at The Beatles Bible, a treasure trove of song facts and recording details, or join vibrant discussions on the Beatles Fans Facebook group. For tribute vibes, check out The Sun Kings, a California-based Beatles tribute band that captures their live energy. Zoo Freaks, keep spinning those records and stay groovy!