Artist(s): The Beatles
Released Date: November, 1967
Album: Magical Mystery Tour
Songwriters: Lennon/McCartney
Length: 3:00
Background: McCartney as stated that he wrote this with the Mahareshi Yogi in mind. The hill that Paul is standing on overlooks Nice, France.
Day after day alone on the hill
The man with the foolish grin
is keeping perfectly still
But nobody wants to know him
They can see that he’s just a fool
And he never gives an answerBut the fool on the hill
sees the sun going down
And the eyes in his head
See the world spinning roundWell on the way, his head in a cloud
The man of a thousand voices
is talking perfectly loud
But nobody ever hears him
Or the sound he appears to make
And he never seems to noticeBut the fool on the hill
sees the sun going down
And the eyes in his head
See the world spinning roundOh, round, round, round, round, round
And nobody seems to like him
they can tell what he wants to do
And he never shows his feelingsBut the fool on the hill
sees the sun going down
And the eyes in his head
See the world spinning roundOh, round, round, round, round, round
And he never listen to them
He knows that they’re the fools
But they don’t like himThe fool on the hill
sees the sun going down
And the eyes in his head
See the world spinning roundOh, round, round, round, round, round
oh
Music Maven 
shrewspeaks
June 7, 2008 at 12:38 pm
Very interesting song. I always thought there was a spiritual leader quality to the lyrics…but the one phrase…”He knows that they’re the fools” seems so inappropriate and judgmental for a spiritual guide.
I always thought when I was younger this also could apply to Paul wanting to be different from John. From what I have read, John could be almost cruel to Paul with regard to respect for his compositions. I always heard this song as Paul’s soft touch insult.
music maven
June 9, 2008 at 7:43 am
Funny, but I think that Paul showed that he was the better songwriter with his success after The Beatles. As I’ve often said, melodies are great, but the lyrics make the song and Paul definitely was a better lyricist.
Plus, I think that John lost some creativity when he jumped down the rabbit hole with Yoko Ono.
Paul & John were like brothers, to me. Fight like cats & dogs, disagree on everything but protect each other to the death if someone else dare criticize.
I miss The Beatles.
shrewspeaks
June 9, 2008 at 9:55 am
I don’t know…I believe none of the four Beatles did as well on their own. The standard they held each other to was what I believe made there songs so lasting.
As for Yoko…well…she made John happy. But like most business that totally consume people…there is only room for eith the business or family, John chose family.
Gawd…do you think John thought…stupid day job?
texan
June 11, 2008 at 11:45 am
Great post MM.
I have no idea of Paul’s interpretation, but, like all art, these lyrics send us on a personal interpretative journey.
As I spin this song, I almost always think of the “fool on the hill” as Moses on Mount Sinai speaking with the “Man of a thousand voices.” The fool on the hill hears the voice and understands.
… and the fool is no fool at all
Mark Jr.
June 12, 2008 at 6:43 pm
Heard this song yesterday at Karen’s dance review. Their company did a dance to a compilation of Beatles songs. This one was one of them. Sorry, but no insight. Great song though.