Helter Skelter

About this song

Paul McCartney wrote the song in response to critics who said he wrote too many ballads. The heavy backing sound was inspired by Pete Townshend calling The Who's "I Can See for Miles" the loudest rock and roll record he had heard, and McCartney decided to outdo it. McCartney only began playing the song live in 2004, and it has since become a regular part of his setlist, while many other artists covered it earlier.

What it's about

McCartney used the helter skelter, a spiral slide at an amusement park, as an image of a descent from top to bottom, comparing it to the rise and fall of the Roman Empire. The song's notoriety also comes from Charles Manson, who built his beliefs around it, which led to eight murders.

Summary written with AI, based on the song's page on Genius.

Fun facts

• Sampled in 14 other songs, like “December 23rd by TheGal101”.
• Covered 42 times, including “Helter Skelter by NovaSlicers”.
• Written by Lennon–McCartney, Paul McCartney and John Lennon.
• Produced by George Martin.
• Recorded at EMI Recording Studios.