beatleswithwords's video: The Beatles Rocky Raccoon with Lyrics Highest Quality Audio

"Rocky Raccoon" is a 1968 folk rock song by The Beatles from the double-disc album The Beatles (also known as The White Album). The song was primarily written by Paul McCartney, who was inspired while playing guitar with John Lennon and Donovan in India (where The Beatles had gone on a retreat). The song, titled from the character's name, was originally "Rocky Sassoon", but McCartney changed it to Rocky Raccoon because he thought "it sounded more like a cowboy." Former 13th Floor Elevators' drummer Danny Thomas claims the name Rocky was inspired by Roky Erickson, the American rock band's then vocalist and guitarist. The Old West-style honky-tonk piano was played by producer George Martin.The lyrics describe a conflict over a love triangle. During Take 8 of the song (featured on Anthology 3), Paul McCartney flubbed the line "stinking of gin," singing "sminking" instead. This caused him to laugh, exclaim "Sminking?!?", and make up the remaining lines in the song. In this take, McCartney sings that Rocky is from "a small town in Minnesota," rather than the album version's "black mountain hills of Dakota". In Mojo magazine in October, 2008, McCartney acknowledged that the style of the song is a pastiche, saying, "I was basically spoofing the folksinger." Lennon attributed the song to Paul, saying "Couldn't you guess? Would I have gone to all that trouble about Gideon's Bible and all that stuff?" Paul McCartney -- vocals, acoustic guitar John Lennon -- backing vocals, harmonica, harmonium, 6-string bass George Harrison -- backing vocal Ringo Starr -- drums George Martin -- honky-tonk piano Personnel per Ian MacDonald Richie Havens, Ramsey Lewis, Jack Johnson, Andrew Gold, James Blunt, Phish and Maureen McGovern have recorded cover versions of this song. Folk/Jazz artist Jessie Baylin covered the song on her 2009 concert tour. Steel Train have covered the song in the past. Phish covered the song as part of their 1994 Halloween musical costume, the Beatles' white album. Lena Horne (with Gábor Szabó) recorded a memorable version in 1969, which was subsequently re-released on several LP and CD compilations. Crowded House covered the song live as an intro to "Chocolate Cake". This performance was later released on their single "Instinct". A bizarre allusion to the song was made by TISM on their 1990 album "Hot Dogma". The song entitiled "While My Catarrh Gently Weeps" tells the story of the Rocky Raccoon from the perspective of the victim of an unacknowledged plagarist - "An imposter Rocky, diabolical, hell-sent, had pinched my spot,and with it fame and glory." Now somewhere in the black mining hills of Dakota There lived a young boy named Rocky Raccoon And one day his woman ran off with another guy Hit young Rocky in the eye Rocky didn't like that He said I'm gonna get that boy So one day he walked into town Booked himself a room in the local saloon. Rocky Raccoon checked into his room Only to find Gideon's bible Rocky had come equipped with a gun To shoot off the legs of his rival His rival it seems had broken his dreams By stealing the girl of his fancy. Her name was Magil and she called herself Lil But everyone knew her as Nancy. Now she and her man who called himself Dan Were in the next room at the hoedown Rocky burst in and grinning a grin He said Danny boy this is a showdown But Daniel was hot-he drew first and shot And Rocky collapsed in the corner. The doctor came in stinking of gin And proceeded to lie on the table He said Rocky you met your match And Rocky said, Doc it's only a scratch And I'll be better I'll be better doc as soon as I am able. Now Rocky Raccoon he fell back in his room Only to find Gideon's bible Gideon checked out and he left it no doubt To help with good Rocky's revival.