- Published in 1966
- Author: Lennon/McCartney
- Track 11 on “Revolver“
What the Beatles said about “Doctor Robert”
JOHN 1972: “Me. I think Paul helped with the middle.”
JOHN 1980: “Another of mine. Mainly about drugs and pills. It was about myself. I was the one that carried all the pills on tour… later on the roadies did it. We just kept them in our pockets, loose, in case of trouble.”
PAUL circa-1994: “John and I thought that was a funny idea– the fantasy doctor who would fix you up by giving you drugs. It was a parody on that idea.”
Info about “Doctor Robert”
“Doctor Robert” was released in 1966 on album Revolver, apart from in North America, where it instead appeared on their Yesterday and Today album. The song was written by John Lennon (and credited to Lennon–McCartney), although Paul McCartney has stated that he co-wrote it with him.
As musicologist Walter Everett notes, “Doctor Robert” contains the most overt drug references of any Beatles song until 1966, adding that the band “found musical ways to portray the doctor as a saint” in their recording. This character is reminiscent of a ‘Dr Feelgood’ who prescribed amphetamines under the guise of legitimate medical practice. According to music journalist Robert Fontenot, most agree the song is almost entirely John’s creation, even though McCartney might have helped him write the “Well, well, well” bridge.
According to Steve Turner’s book Beatles ’66, Lennon may have been inspired to write about a drug supplier after talking with Mick Jagger about “Mother’s Little Helper” from the Rolling Stones’ recent Aftermath album, after Jagger had attended Revolver sessions. Another song that may have served as an example for Lennon is Donovan’s 1965 track “Candy Man.” His friend Pete Shotton says Lennon seemed beside himself with glee when he played him the acetate of “Doctor Robert.”
Dr. Robert’s identity has been subject to multiple theories. Barry Miles identifies him as Dr. Robert Freymann, a New York doctor who dispensed vitamin B-12 shots laced with amphetamines to wealthy clients. Around the age of 60 in 1966, Freymann, a German-born Manhattan physician, offered vitamin B-12 injections that included amphetamines liberally. In 10 minutes, Freymann could recite 100 names of his celebrity patients (including Jackie Kennedy).
Recording of ‘Doctor Robert’ began on Sunday, April 17, 1966. Seven takes of the backing track were recorded: lead and rhythm guitar, bass and drums, as well as overdubs of maracas, harmonium, and piano. Vocals were added two days later, on 19 April 1966.
Personnel
- John Lennon – double-tracked lead vocal, rhythm guitar, harmonium
- Paul McCartney – harmony vocal, bass guitar
- George Harrison – backing vocal, double-tracked lead guitar, maracas
- Ringo Starr – drum
One thought on ““Doctor Robert””