Octopus's Garden

An Octopus's Garden

Octopus's Garden is a song from Abbey Road, The Beatles' second-to-last album. It is known for being the second song Ringo Starr wrote for the Beatles. The song was inspired by a boating trip he took in 1968 with his family, during which he learned the fact that octopodes are fond of collecting stones and shiny objects underwater, which they build "gardens" with. Ringo, who thought that an octopus's garden was one of the happiest things he'd heard, was inspired to write the song.

Ringo admits that he had a hard time showing this song to his fellow bandmates, as they usually mocked his compositions.

Love version

The version on the album Love (created by George Martin and his son, Giles, for Cirque du Soliel) has the strings from Good Night, the sound effects/vocal elements from Yellow Submarine, guitar elements from Sun King (which had been used earlier as Gnik Nus) and some elements from Helter Skelter and Lovely Rita. It comes after Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds and transistions into Lady Madonna.

Lyrics

I'd like to be under the sea

In an octopus's garden in the shade

He'd let us in, knows where we've been

In his octopus's garden in the shade

I'd ask my friends to come and see

An octopus's garden with me

I'd like to be under the sea

In an octopus's garden in the shade

We would be warm below the storm

In our little hideaway beneath the waves

Resting our head on the sea bed

In an octopus's garden near a cave

We would sing and dance around

Because we know we can't be found

I'd like to be under the sea

In an octopus's garden in the shade

We would shout and swim about

The coral that lies beneath the waves (Lies beneath the ocean waves)

Oh what joy for every girl and boy

Knowing they're happy and they're safe (Happy and they're safe)

We would be so happy you and me

No one there to tell us what to do

I'd like to be under the sea

In an octopus's garden with you (3x)

Credits

• Ringo Starr – Lead Vocals,Drums and Piano
• George Harrison – Backing Vocals and Lead Guitar (1957 Gibson Les Paul Standard and 1968 Fender Telecaster), Hammond Organ
• Paul McCartney – Backing Vocals,Bass Guitar (1964 Rickenbacker 4001S) and Piano
• John Lennon – Backing Vocals (over Chrous and Coda), and Rhythm Guitar (1965 Epiphone 230TD Casino)

Trivia

• Is one of the first 45 songs on The Beatles: Rock Band.
• Is know as Ringo Starr's most popular song through his career.
• The song was used in a parody/tribute by College Humor called "Ringo Wants to Sing More".