Think for Yourself
"Think for Yourself" is a song written and sung by George Harrison for the English rock band the Beatles' sixth studio album, Rubber Soul, released in December 1965.[1][2] The lyrics urge listeners to exercise independent judgment, rejecting lies and pretensions from others, reflecting Harrison's budding interest in philosophy amid personal or societal influences he later described as sources of insincerity.[2][3] Recorded over two days in November 1965 at Abbey Road Studios, the track stands out for its harmonic complexity and Paul McCartney's application of fuzz tone to the bass guitar, creating a layered, aggressive low-end sound that complemented the song's assertive message.[4][5] As Harrison's fifth original composition released by the Beatles, it signified his increasing songwriting maturity and willingness to challenge conventional thinking, paving the way for his later contributions infused with Eastern spiritual themes.[6][2]Origins
Historical Context
The song "Think for Yourself" was recorded amid the Beatles' strategic retreat from live performances following their final North American tour, which ended on August 29, 1965, at San Francisco's Candlestick Park amid escalating security concerns and artistic fatigue from Beatlemania. This period marked the band's pivot toward studio creativity, with Rubber Soul's sessions commencing on October 12, 1965, at EMI Studios (later Abbey Road) in London and concluding by November 11. The album's rushed timeline—spanning roughly one month—reflected pressures from manager Brian Epstein to capitalize on momentum before a holiday market, yet it enabled a departure from earlier pop-oriented output toward folk-influenced introspection, drawing from Bob Dylan's lyrical depth and the Byrds' folk-rock innovations.[7][8] Harrison's track was committed to tape on November 8, 1965, during these late sessions, featuring his lead vocal and rhythm guitar alongside Paul McCartney's distinctive fuzz bass on a Rickenbacker 4001. As Harrison's sole original composition on the album, it highlighted his emerging songwriting voice at a time when Lennon and McCartney still dominated contributions, though Harrison had previously released minor works like "Don't Bother Me" in 1963. The recording incorporated artificial double tracking (ADT), a novel technique co-developed by McCartney and engineer Geoff Emerick, prefiguring more experimental production in future albums.[2][9] This historical juncture coincided with subtle shifts in the band's creative process, including occasional marijuana use during sessions, which Lennon later described as enhancing relaxation without overwhelming the work. Released on Rubber Soul on December 3, 1965, in the UK (and December 6 in the US with a variant tracklist), the song encapsulated early signs of the 1960s counterculture's emphasis on personal autonomy, aligning with Harrison's nascent philosophical inquiries—later deepened by Eastern influences—amid broader Western skepticism toward institutional conformity.[8][2]Inspiration and Songwriting
"Think for Yourself" was written by George Harrison in late 1965, during the creative buildup to the Beatles' album Rubber Soul, which was recorded primarily between October 12 and November 11, 1965, at EMI Studios in London. As Harrison's second composition for a Beatles album that year—following "If I Needed Someone"—it marked a step in his evolution as a songwriter, moving beyond simpler love songs toward more introspective themes.[9] By this point, Harrison had composed four songs for prior albums, but "Think for Yourself" showcased his emerging lyrical assertiveness amid the band's internal dynamics, where John Lennon and Paul McCartney dominated song contributions.[9] In his 1980 autobiography I, Me, Mine, Harrison offered limited recollection of the song's specific origins, stating, "'Think For Yourself' must be written about somebody from the sound of it," while clarifying that the core message urged listeners to "do your own thinking" rather than follow others blindly.[10] [1] He did not identify a particular individual or event as the catalyst, though the lyrics' admonitions against "your life's rewards" being "selfish" and calls to "try thinking more" reflect a philosophical bent consistent with Harrison's reading in Eastern thought and Bob Dylan's influence on Beatles songcraft during this era.[9] This vagueness underscores Harrison's focus on universal principles over personal anecdote, distinguishing it from more narrative-driven Beatles tracks. The songwriting process itself remains sparsely documented, with no surviving demos or detailed contemporaneous accounts from Harrison or bandmates detailing its composition stages. Harrison likely crafted it at home or during travels, as was typical for his early efforts, drawing on acoustic guitar foundations before band arrangement. Its inclusion on Rubber Soul—an album noted for introspective maturity—positioned it as Harrison's bid for creative parity, though Lennon later critiqued the lyrics' phrasing in a 1980 interview as overly didactic.[10] Despite such reservations, the track's emphasis on intellectual independence foreshadowed Harrison's later solo explorations of spirituality and self-reliance.[1]Lyrics and Themes
Lyrical Content
"Think for Yourself" features lyrics written by George Harrison, emphasizing personal autonomy and skepticism toward misleading guidance.[1] The song's text critiques conformity and deception, using direct address to challenge the listener's reliance on others' opinions.[2] Harrison employs straightforward language with repetitive refrains to reinforce the central message of self-reliance.[3] The structure includes three verses, a recurring chorus, and a bridge, with rhyme schemes that alternate between AABB and ABAB patterns for rhythmic emphasis.[2] Key phrases like "Do what you want to do" and "Think for yourself" appear multiple times, creating a mantra-like quality.[1] Metaphors such as "Your love is sugar-free / But it tastes so good to me / Although it's artificial / Sweet substitute" illustrate insincere or hollow appeals disguised as beneficial.[3] Verse 1I've got a word or two
To say about the things that you do
You're telling all those lies
About the good things that we can have
If we close our eyes [1] Chorus
Do what you want to do
And go where you're going to
Think for yourself
'Cause I won't be there with you [1] Verse 2
I get bored with this
I get bored with that
I get bored
'Cause I am the only one
They come to me and say
"Give me your opinion"
But who do they want?
They want me to agree [1] Bridge
Try and see it my way
Only time will tell
If you persist
You may succeed
But you may equally fail
Don't change your mind
Don't let it go [1] Chorus
Think for yourself
'Cause I won't be there with you [1] Verse 3
Your love is sugar-free
But it tastes so good to me
Although it's artificial
Sweet substitute [1] Bridge (repeated)
Try to see it my way
Only time will tell
If you persist
You may succeed
But you may equally fail
Don't change your mind
Don't let it go [1] Chorus (outro)
Think for yourself
'Cause I won't be there with you
Do what you want to do
And go where you're going to
Think for yourself
'Cause I won't be there with you [1] The lyrics total approximately 150 words, with Harrison's delivery conveying frustration through short, punchy lines that avoid elaborate poetry in favor of conversational directness.[3] This approach aligns with the song's recorded vocal style, where Harrison's lead is supported by Lennon and McCartney's backing harmonies on select phrases.[2]