Across the Universe (song)

Across the Universe is a song by the rock band The Beatles, first released in December of 1969 on the compilation album No One’s Gonna Change Our World. It also appeared alternatively on the Beatles' album Let It Be.

Writing
Credited to Lennon/McCartney. The song was written by Lennon in 1967 after an argument with his wife at the time, Cynthia Lennon, and after she had gone to sleep, Lennon wrote a line that was repeated through his head during the argument. He began writing the song and went to sleep. When he awoke, he forgot he had written it and found it later in the morning. He went to the piano and wrote the rest of the song.

Lyrics
[Verse 1]

Words are flowing 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 through my opened mind

Possessing and caressing me

[Chorus]

Jai guru deva, Om

Nothing's gonna change my world

Nothing's gonna change my world

Nothing's gonna change my world

Nothing's gonna change my world

[Verse 2]

Images of broken light which dance before me like a million eyes

They 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 universe

[Chorus]

Jai guru deva, Om

Nothing's gonna change my world

Nothing's gonna change my world

Nothing's gonna change my world

Nothing's gonna change my world

[Verse 3]

Sounds of laughter, shades of love are ringing through my opened ears

Inciting and inviting me

Limitless undying love, which shines around me

Like a million suns and calls me on and on across the universe

[Chorus]

Jai guru deva, Om

Nothing's gonna change my world

Nothing's gonna change my world

Nothing's gonna change my world

Nothing's gonna change my world

[Outro]

Jai guru deva

Jai guru deva

Jai guru deva

Jai guru deva

Jai guru deva

Jai guru deva

Credits

 * No One's Gonna Change Our World / Past Masters version:
 * John Lennon – lead vocal, acoustic guitar (1967 Martin D-28), electric Leslie-speaker guitar (1965 Epiphone Casino)
 * Paul McCartney – piano (1905 Steinway Vertegrand), backing vocal
 * George Harrison – tambura, backing vocal
 * Ringo Star r – maracas, bass drum (From 1964 Ludwig Super Classic Black Oyster Pearl)
 * Lizzie Bravo – backing vocal
 * Gayleen Pease – backing vocal Let It Be version:
 * John Lennon – lead vocal, acoustic guitar (1967 Martin D-28), electric guitar (1965 Epiphone Casino)
 * Paul McCartney – piano (1905 Steinway Vertegrand)
 * George Harrison – tambura
 * Ringo Starr – maracas, bass drum (From 1968 Ludwig Hollywood Maple)
 * Phil Spector – strings and choir
 * Let It Be ... Naked version:
 * John Lennon – lead vocal, acoustic guitar (1967 Martin D-28), electric Leslie-speaker guitar (1965 Epiphone Casino)
 * George Harrison – tambura
 * Ringo Starr – bass drum (From 1968 Ludwig Hollywood Maple)
 * Anthology 2 version:
 * John Lennon - Lead Vocals and acoustic guitar (1967 Martin D-28)
 * George Harrison – sitar and tambura
 * Ringo Starr – tom tom drum (From 1968 Ludwig Hollywood Maple) and swarmandal
 * "White Album" Anniversary Edition version:
 * John Lennon – lead vocal and acoustic guitar (1962 Gibson J-160E)
 * Ringo Starr – bass drum (From 1964 Ludwig Super Classic Black Oyster Pearl)
 * Production
 * George Martin – producer (original 1968 version)
 * Phil Spector – producer (1970 version)
 * Ken Scott, Martin Benge – engineers (original 1968 version)
 * Jeff Jarratt – remix engineer (1969 No One's Gonna Change Our World version)
 * Peter Bown, Mike Sheady – recording & remix engineers (1970 Let It Be version)
 * Personnel per Ian MacDonald Elements of the performance recorded on 8 February 1968 were replaced by an orchestra and choir recorded on 1 April 1970.
 * Ken Scott, Martin Benge – engineers (original 1968 version)
 * Jeff Jarratt – remix engineer (1969 No One's Gonna Change Our World version)
 * Peter Bown, Mike Sheady – recording & remix engineers (1970 Let It Be version)
 * Personnel per Ian MacDonald Elements of the performance recorded on 8 February 1968 were replaced by an orchestra and choir recorded on 1 April 1970.

Trivia

 * "Jai guru deva om", the mantra repeated in the song, means something to the equivalent of: "I give thanks to the great teacher, om". Jai meaning thanks, guru meaning teacher, and deva meaning great. Om is believed to be the sound of the harmony of the universe.
 * This song was transmitted into space on February 4, 2008 towards the direction of Polaris. This was meant to celebrate multiple anniversaries including the songs' 40th.
 * For the female chorus, two female Apple Scruffs were invited in to sing.
 * This was the first and only Beatles song to feature a female chorus, though the vocals were omitted by Phil Spector.