The Meaning Behind The Song: Cry Baby Cry by The Beatles
The Beatles’ song “Cry Baby Cry” was released in 1968 as part of their self-titled album, also known as the “White Album.” The song was written primarily by John Lennon but, like many of The Beatles’ songs, was credited to Lennon-McCartney. “Cry Baby Cry” tells a story of a broken love affair and the protagonist’s attempts to fix it. However, the lyrics are cryptic, and the interpretations of the song’s meaning among fans and critics have varied greatly over the years.
The Lyrics
The lyrics of “Cry Baby Cry” are enigmatic and open to a wide range of interpretations. They begin with the lines, “Cry baby cry, make your mother sigh / She’s old enough to know better.” From there, the song tells the story of a love affair gone wrong, with lines like “Your mother’s eyes in your eyes cry, don’t you see them / Open your head, open up and let me in.” The chorus repeats the phrase “Can you take me back where I came from? / Can you take me back?”
Theories About The Meaning Behind The Song
There are many theories about the meaning behind “Cry Baby Cry.” Some fans and critics believe that the song is simply about a man trying to fix a broken relationship with his love interest, while others suggest that the lyrics are more sinister. Here are some of the most commonly cited interpretations:
An Allegory For The Beatles’ Breakup
One interpretation of “Cry Baby Cry” is that it is an allegory for The Beatles’ breakup. According to this theory, Lennon was the protagonist of the song, trying to fix the broken relationship between him and Paul McCartney. The lines “Your mother’s eyes in your eyes cry, don’t you see them” were seen as a reference to McCartney’s mother, who had recently died. The chorus, with its repeated plea to “take me back,” was interpreted as a desire to return to a time when the band was still together.
A Comment On The Vietnam War
Another theory about “Cry Baby Cry” is that it is a commentary on the Vietnam War. Some fans and critics believe that the song’s lyrics, with lines like “The king of Marigold was in the kitchen cooking breakfast for the queen” and “The Duchess of Kircaldy always smiling,” are references to political figures of the time. The chorus, with its plea to “take me back,” is seen as a criticism of the war and a desire to return to a time of peace.
A Response To The Beatles’ Critics
Finally, some fans and critics suggest that “Cry Baby Cry” was a response to The Beatles’ critics. The song’s lyrics, with their cryptic and often nonsensical imagery, were seen as a way of mocking those who criticized the band’s use of drugs and their perceived lack of seriousness. The plea to “take me back” was interpreted as a criticism of those who wanted The Beatles to return to the more straightforward, upbeat style of their earlier music.
FAQs
1. Was “Cry Baby Cry” a hit for The Beatles?
“Cry Baby Cry” was never released as a single and did not chart on its own. However, it was one of the standout tracks from The Beatles’ self-titled White Album and has remained a fan favorite.
2. Who wrote “Cry Baby Cry”?
“Cry Baby Cry” was primarily written by John Lennon but was credited to Lennon-McCartney, as were most of The Beatles’ songs.
3. What is the meaning of the line “The king of Marigold was in the kitchen cooking breakfast for the queen”?
The meaning of this line is unclear, and it has been the subject of much speculation among Beatles fans and critics. Some suggest that it is a reference to British political figures of the time, while others see it as simply a nonsensical image.
4. What inspired the lyrics of “Cry Baby Cry”?
The inspiration for “Cry Baby Cry” is unclear. Some have suggested that it was inspired by Lennon’s own love life, while others see it as a more abstract commentary on the state of the world at the time.
5. Was “Cry Baby Cry” a favorite of The Beatles?
It’s unclear whether “Cry Baby Cry” was a favorite of The Beatles as a group, but it is widely regarded as one of their strongest songs from the later part of their career.
6. What do the lines “Can you take me back where I came from? Can you take me back?” mean?
The meaning of these lines is open to interpretation. Some see them as a desire to return to a time of innocence, while others see them as a plea to return to a previous love affair.
7. What is the overall mood of “Cry Baby Cry”?
The overall mood of “Cry Baby Cry” is one of melancholy and yearning. The protagonist of the song is trying to fix a broken love affair but is unable to do so.
8. Was “Cry Baby Cry” intended as a message to anyone in particular?
The intended message of “Cry Baby Cry” is unclear. Some fans and critics have suggested that it was intended as a response to The Beatles’ critics or a commentary on the Vietnam War.
9. How does “Cry Baby Cry” fit into The Beatles’ overall discography?
“Cry Baby Cry” is considered one of the standout tracks from The Beatles’ self-titled White Album and is often cited as one of the band’s strongest songs from the later part of their career.
10. How have interpretations of “Cry Baby Cry” changed over time?
Interpretations of “Cry Baby Cry” have varied widely over time. Initially, it was seen as simply a love song, but over time, fans and critics have suggested that it was a commentary on The Beatles’ breakup, the Vietnam War, or the band’s critics.
11. Have other artists covered “Cry Baby Cry”?
“Cry Baby Cry” has been covered by several artists over the years, including Carly Simon, Marc Cohn, and Grace Potter & The Nocturnals.
12. What is the legacy of “Cry Baby Cry”?
“Cry Baby Cry” is considered a classic Beatles track and has remained a fan favorite over the years. It is often cited as one of the strongest tracks from The Beatles’ self-titled White Album and as an example of the band’s more experimental style in the later part of their career.
