- Published on 1968
- Author: Lennon/McCartney
- Track 20 on “The Beatles – White Album“
PAUL 1968: “It says ‘Born a poor young country boy’ and I was born in Woolton hospital actually– so it’s a dirty lie.”
JOHN 1980: “Paul. That was from a lecture of Maharishi where he was talking about nature, and I had a piece called ‘I’m Just A Child Of Nature,’ which turned into ‘Jealous Guy’ years later. Both inspired from the same lecture of Maharishi.”
PAUL circa-1994: “I seem to remember writing ‘Mother Nature’s Son’ at my dad’s house in Liverpool… I’ve always loved the song called, ‘Nature Boy’ …’Mother Nature’s Son’ was inspired by that song. I’d always loved nature, and when Linda and I got together we discovered we had this deep love of nature in common. There might have been a little help from John with some of the verses.
About “Mother Nature’s Son”
The song was written primarily by Paul McCartney, and credited to Lennon–McCartney. It was inspired by a lecture given by the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi while the Beatles were in India.The same lecture inspired Lennon’s song “Child of Nature”, the tune of which he later re-used for “Jealous Guy”.Although credited to the group, the song was performed by McCartney alone (with a brass arrangement by George Martin), while the other Beatles were working on other “White Album” songs.
According to Paul McCartney he was inspired by Nat King Cole’s song “Nature Boy” he heard growing up. He wrote the song in Liverpool when he visited his father.
McCartney recorded the song during the height of the tensions that marred the sessions for the White Album. On 9 August 1968, he recorded 25 takes singing and playing acoustic guitar simultaneously. Take 24 was perceived to be the best (take 2 later appeared on Anthology 3).
McCartney recorded overdubs of timpani, another guitar, fingers slapping on a book and drums on 20 August, when George Martin’s orchestral contributions were also added. The drums were put halfway down an uncarpeted corridor with the microphones at the far end, resulting in a bongo-like staccato sound.
John Lennon did not play on the recording, but McCartney said he contributed some words to the song in India. When Lennon (who hated McCartney recording without the rest of the band) and Ringo Starr walked into the studio after McCartney had finished, “you could have cut the atmosphere with a knife”, recalled engineer Ken Scott.
Meaning of “Mother Nature’s Son”
The lyrics of “Mother Nature’s Son” evoke a deep connection with nature and celebrate the beauty and simplicity of the natural world. It portrays an individual who finds solace, inspiration, and a sense of belonging in the outdoors. The song conveys a sense of peace and contentment that comes from being in harmony with nature.
The persona in the song is presented as someone who appreciates the natural elements – the mountains, the trees, and the meadows. It’s a song that encapsulates a pastoral and idyllic view of life, drawing on themes of tranquility and oneness with the environment.
Overall, “Mother Nature’s Son” can be seen as a tribute to the restorative and nurturing qualities of the natural world, and it reflects a sentiment of finding a deeper connection and comfort in the embrace of nature.
Personnel
- Paul McCartney – double-tracked vocal, acoustic guitars, timpani, bass drum, book slaps
- Unknown – two trumpets, two trombones
