Few people realized it at the time, but August 5, 1966, marked a seismic shift in music, culture, and politics. That was the day The Beatles dropped their album Revolver along with the double A-side single 'Eleanor Rigby/Yellow Submarine.' What made this single so remarkable? It stands as perhaps one of the only tracks to win over adults and young children in equal measure. John Lennon and McCartney penned the song specifically to serve as Starr's vocal showcase on the album.
A Scottish singer lent a hand with the lyrics, which paint a picture of a seafaring adventure shared among friends.
Though originally conceived as a lighthearted nonsense tune aimed at kids, the song quickly attracted a range of political and social interpretations. This unexpected depth was matched by an equally distinctive recording process, one that leaned heavily on sound effects and overdubs to conjure up a vivid nautical atmosphere.
George Martin, who produced the single, channeled his background in comedy recordings — particularly his work on projects like The Goon Show and Beyond the Fringe — into shaping the track's playful sonic landscape. Among the special effects deployed were whistles, hooters, thunderstorm machines, dancing mats, a ship's bell, chains and a cash register.
A number of figures from the band's inner circle pitched in on backing vocals, among them Brian Jones, guitarist for the Rolling Stones. At its core, the track sprang from Paul's original concept, idea and title.
The song went on to feature in The Beatles' United Artists film in 1968, a movie that itself carried the name Yellow Submarine. Meanwhile, upon its release, the groundbreaking companion track stunned pop audiences by confronting the darker dimensions of human existence — loneliness, death — all set against a haunting, funeral-like melody.
Climbing to the top of the U.K. singles chart on August 23, 1966, the single held a presence on the charts for 13 weeks. It marked The Beatles eleventh No. 1.