☝️ Key Points
- The song is about the tax authority and the taxes that people have to pay.
- The lyrics illustrate how taxes are allocated and how the government takes a large portion of people's income.
- The chorus emphasizes that the tax authority has control over people's money and uses it for its own purposes.
- The lyrics show that the tax authority could take even more money from people, but is kind enough not to take it all.
- The song highlights how the tax authority is present in almost every aspect of people's daily lives and how it interferes in people's lives.
Interpretation
'Taxman' is a song by
The Beatles, released in 1966 on their album 'Revolver'. The lyrics of the song are about the tax authority and the taxes that people have to pay.
The song begins with the singer explaining how the taxes are divided: 'There's one for you, nineteen for me'. This indicates that the government takes a large portion of people's income.
The chorus of the song repeats the line 'I'm the taxman'. This conveys the impression that the tax authority has control over people's money and uses it for its own purposes.
Throughout the song, the singer notes that the taxes could be even higher: 'Should five per cent appear too small, be thankful I don't take it all'. This shows that the tax authority could take even more money from people, but is gracious enough not to take it all.
The lyrics also include a series of quotes that illustrate how the tax authority interferes in people's lives. For example, it says: 'If you drive a car, I'll tax the street; if you try to sit, I'll tax your seat'. This highlights that the tax authority is present in almost every aspect of people's daily lives.
The song ends with the singer emphasizing that people ultimately work for no one but the taxman: 'And you're working for no one but me'. This illustrates the notion that people primarily work to pay taxes and finance the livelihood of the state.
Overall, 'Taxman' is about people's frustrations and dissatisfaction with taxes and the tax authority. The song conveys the message that people feel that too much of their money is being used for taxes and that the tax authority has too much power over their lives. It is a critical song that questions tax policy and the role of the state.