In 1966 The Beatles only released one album since the start of their chart-dominating career with their twice-a-year routine. “Revolver” was a colossal hit with famous iconic songs like “Eleanor Rigby” and “Yellow Submarine.” While the dynamic of the Fab Four was not completely fair, the main singer-songwriters being Bassist Paul McCartney and rhythm guitarist John Lennon, the opening track of the album, “Taxman,” was given to the lead guitarist George Harrison. “Revolver” was their seventh studio album and “Taxman” was only Harrison’s sixth song featured on an album. He also got track four, “Love You To,” and track twelve, “I Want To Tell You.”

The song iconically starts with a four-count and features a jaunty drum rhythm and a bassline that makes the song so recognizable. Aside from the gentle sitar on their 1965 song “Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown),” “Revolver” was the Beatles’ first delve into Eastern influence and instrumentation brought in from Harrison’s fascination with the Hindu religion and culture. “Taxman,” however, falls into Harrison’s other beloved musical genre, classic rock.

Harrison was bitter about paying UK taxes, hence the flippant lyrics poking fun at the tax system. The verse “Should five percent appear too small/Be thankful, I don’t take it all” perfectly establishes Harrison’s criticism in a sarcastic tone. It was an early political Beatles song, being anti-authoritarian and anti-establishment, which wasn’t an uncommon topic for the Fab Four’s music—especially in the midst of the Vietnam war, but they were preaching peace and love.