Piggies

The Beatles

About Piggies

"Piggies" is a song by the English rock group the Beatles from their 1968 album The Beatles (also known as "the White Album"). Written by George Harrison as a social commentary, the song serves as an Orwellian satire on greed and consumerism. Among several elements it incorporates from classical music, the track features harpsichord and orchestral strings in the baroque pop style, which are contrasted by Harrison's acerbic lyrics and the sound of grunting pigs. Although credited to George Martin, the recording was largely produced by Chris Thomas, who also contributed the harpsichord part. In the context of the turbulent political climate of 1968, "Piggies" was adopted by the counterculture as an anti-establishment theme song. It was also among the tracks on The Beatles that cult leader Charles Manson used as the foundation for his Helter Skelter theory of an American race-related countercultural revolution. Inspired especially by the line "What they need's a damn good whacking", Manson's followers left clues relating to the lyrics at the scenes of the Tate–LaBianca murders in August 1969. 


Year:
1968
2:04
218 
#27

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Have you seen the little piggies
Crawling in the dirt?
And for all the little piggies
Life is getting worse,
Always having dirt to play around in

Have you seen the bigger piggies
In their starched white shirts?
You will find the bigger piggies
Stirring up the dirt,
Always have clean shirts to play around in

In their styes with all their backing
They don't care what goes on around
In their eyes there's something lacking
What they need's a damn good whacking

Everywhere there's lots of piggies
Living piggy lives
You can see them out for dinner
With their piggy wives
Clutching forks and knives to eat the bacon

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The Beatles

The Beatles were an English rock band formed in Liverpool in 1960. They became the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed act in the history of popular music. Their best-known lineup consisted of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr. Rooted in skiffle and 1950s rock and roll, they later utilised several genres, ranging from pop ballads to psychedelic rock, often incorporating classical and other elements in innovative ways. In the early 1960s, their enormous popularity first emerged as "Beatlemania", but as their songwriting grew in sophistication, they came to be perceived by many fans and cultural observers as an embodiment of the ideals shared by the era's sociocultural revolutions. more »

57 fans

Written by: George Harrison

Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Song Origin
"Piggies" is a song by the English rock band The Beatles. It was released in 1968 as part of their double album, commonly referred to as "The White Album".
Songwriting Credit
Despite most Beatles songs being credited to the songwriting partnership of John Lennon and Paul McCartney, "Piggies" was solely written by the band's lead guitarist, George Harrison.
Lyrics Satire
The song is a satire that mocks the selfishness and greed often displayed by high society and people in power. It is understood as a socio-political commentary of the time.
Iconic Harpsichord
The song features a distinctive harpsichord part, played by Chris Thomas, a producer and assistant to the band's producer, George Martin.
Sound Effects
Various sound effects are included in the song, such as pig noises created by the band members and members of their entourage during its recording.
Violent Imagery Change
Harrison initially penned more violent lyrics in the last verse - “clutching forks and knives to eat their bacon” as opposed to “having their bacon”, which was thought to be less offensive.
Impact on Charles Manson
Frighteningly, Charles Manson, the cult leader, saw hidden messages in "Piggies" and other songs on "The White Album", that he claimed led him to orchestrate the infamous Manson Family murders.
First Live Performance
The song was not performed live by The Beatles; however, Harrison performed it at his 1992 Japan tour, years after the original release.
Reused Verse
A verse featuring the line "everywhere there's lots of piggies" was originally part of an earlier, unreleased song by Harrison titled "Thinking About My Life."
Cover Versions
Numerous artists have covered "Piggies", showing its enduring appeal and influence decades after its first release.

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