In 1966 the Beatles released their last album before they retired as live performers. It marked the beginning of their psychedelic period. It was titled "Revolver". 

A double A-side single was released to promote the album "Yellow Submarine/Eleanor Rigby". A non-album single was also released titled "Paperback Writer/Rain" before the album was released.
Original single cover
Original single cover
The album cover was made by bass player and artist Klaus Voormann based on the "Yellow Book" by Aubrey Beardsley. The title of the album refers to the handgun and the revolving motion of a record playing at the turntable. Other ideas for the album title that didn't make it were "Abracadabra" (Steve Miller Band already used it), Four Sides to the Circle (in response to Paul's magic circle), After Geography (as a response to the album "Aftermath" by the Rolling Stones) and Pendulum.

Beatles in 1966
Taxman
Written by George was a protest against the high tax rates paid by top earners like the Beatles. 

Eleanor Rigby
Written by Paul is about loneliness. Noone exists with that name. It was about somebody named Daisy Hawkins

I'm only sleeping
This was written by John. In those days he slept a lot trying to lose or forget himself or experience the use of drugs.

Love You To 
A song by George introduces us for the first time to Hindustani classical music. He already played sitar on "Norwegian Wood" on Rubber Soul. 

Here, There And Everywhere
This is a ballad by Paul inspired by "God Only Knows" from the Beach Boys.

Yellow Submarine
This is the best known song by Ringo. He wrote the lyrics with the help of folk artist Donovan.

She Said Se Said 
A song by John. The first line of the song was based on something actor Peter Fonda said to him at a party. He told how it is like to be dead. An experience Peter had as a schild in a shooting accident when his heart stopped beating for awhile.

Good Day Sunshine
This song was written by McCartney influenced by the Lovin' Spoonful.

And Your Bird Can Sing
This song is by both Lennon and McCartney which was actually about Frank Sinatra. Originally to be titled "You Don't Get Me" which are also words in the song.

For No One
By Paul was inspired by his relationship with actress Jane Asher. Which was clearly near ending. Original title was "Why Did It Die" which sums up the situation more clearer.

Doctor Robert
By John and Paul is possibly about a New York physician (Robert Freymann) known for dispensing Vitamin B12 with amphetamine injections to his patients and was also known as Robert Dylan. John claimed it was about himself since he carried all the pills during the tours. Other speculations are Bob Dylan who introduced the band in 1964 to marijuana.

I Want To Tell You
By George was about the avalanche of thoughts that he found hard to express in words.

Got To Get You Into My Life
By Paul was inspired by the Motown sound after seeing Stevie Wonder perform at the Scotch of St. James.
Cover for the Bardo Thodol
Tomorrow Never Knows
By John was supposed to sound like music they play at Tibetan Buddhist ceremonies and was inspired by the Bardo Thodol (Tibetan Book Of The Dead).

The album reached #1 in the UK and US. Also the single "Paperback Writer" reached #1 in the UK, US and the Netherlands. The single "Yellow Submarine" was also #1 in the UK and the Netherlands but in the US it only reached #2 and missed the #1 position. Two years later the song "Yellow Submarine" was rewarded with a animation movie that takes place in Pepperland including a lot of hits and also songs from "Revolver".

Original album cover
Revolver (1966)
Taxman / Eleanor Rigby / I'm Only Sleeping / Love You To / Here, There and Everywhere / Yellow Submarine / She Said She Said / Good Day Sunshine / And Your Bird Can Sing / For No One / Doctor Robert / I Want to Tell You / Got to Get You into My Life / Tomorrow Never Knows

Videos


Paperback writer
Yellow Submarine
Eleanor Rigby
Good Day Sunshine