S2 E11: Something About Raccoons and Cowboys

This week on Something Will Happen Melissa is joined again by Emily. The two of them discuss the song Rocky Raccoon. They analyze the style and lyrics. They also bring up interesting stories about how the song was written and background information on the characters of the song. This episode is full of interesting critique and fun facts you can use on your friends when you hear the song!

Emily brings forward the lyrics of Rocky Raccoon from the White Album. They start by analyzing the musical style of the song. The Beatles were a group known for their experimentation. A common reason for why the music of the Beatles has stood the test of time is that no two songs sound alike. In their short time as a band, they were able to produce a wide and varied mix of music for fans like us! Rocky Raccoon is no exception. The song is reminiscent of a western, with Paul McCartney sing-talking the lyrics over the music. The song feels more like a spoken word poem with a musical accompaniment.  

Emily also shares her research of the songwriting process. The song was created with Paul McCartney, John Lennon, and Donovan Leitch ad libbing over a melody made up by Paul. They threw lines in, added characters, and created the story of Rocky Raccoon during a jam session on a roof in India. Paul has said in interviews how he viewed Rocky Raccoon as a one act play more than a song. 

Although the style is unique and differs from other Beatles’ songs, it still includes common themes found throughout many McCartney lyrics. The song is a story of love, loss, and revenge. The themes of love and relationships are common figures among many of McCartney’s songs. Emily also shares the story of how Paul included a personal memory in the form of one of the characters. The doctor who “comes in stinking of gin” is a callback to a real inebriated doctor who gave Paul stitches after a moped accident. 

This episode is full of fun facts and tidbits that are sure to impress your Beatles or raccoon loving friends! Keep an ear out at the festival to see if this funny western song is performed by one of our Abbey Road on the River artists! 




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Producers: Gary Jacob, Melissa Brumm

Editor: Emily Clopton

Theme Music: King Mixer



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Melissa Brumm