Came across this story about the Beatles’ song “Across the Universe” being blasted into outer space in commemoration of its and NASA’s anniversaries. Like many others my age, I “discovered” John Lennon and The Beatles sometime around my 17th birthday. I remember hanging out in Strawberry Fields in Central Park and feeling a deep, personal connection to their music, especially their later stuff, and its message of peace, awareness and whimsy. Like other surreal artists, the Beatles’ music makes sense on an intuitive level, even when its hard to decipher its literal meaning (if there even exists one). Across the Universe is undoubtedly one of my favourite songs of all time. And probably the only decent cover of a Beatles song, specifically by Fiona Apple, featured in the film Pleasantville.
The Beatles
“Across The Universe”Words are flying out like endless rain into a paper cup
They slither while they pass, they slip away across the universe
Pools of sorrow waves of joy are drifting thorough my open mind
Possessing and caressing meJai guru deva om
Nothing’s gonna change my worldImages of broken light which dance before me like a million eyes
That call me on and on across the universe
Thoughts meander like a restless wind inside a letter box
They tumble blindly as they make their way across the universeJai guru deva om
Nothing’s gonna change my worldSounds of laughter shades of life are ringing through my open ears
Exciting and inviting me
Limitless undying love which shines around me like a million suns
It calls me on and on across the universeJai guru deva om
Nothing’s gonna change my world
Jai guru deva