I Am The Walrus

Oasis Oasis

Decoding the Surrealism of 'I Am The Walrus' by Oasis

Oasis's rendition of 'I Am The Walrus,' originally by The Beatles, is a kaleidoscope of surreal imagery and cryptic lyrics. The song opens with the line, 'I am he as you are he as you are me and we are all together,' suggesting a sense of unity and interconnectedness. This line blurs the boundaries between individual identities, hinting at a collective consciousness. The imagery of people running 'like pigs from a gun' and flying evokes a chaotic, almost dystopian world, while the repeated phrase 'I'm crying' adds an emotional depth, hinting at underlying distress or confusion.

The song is filled with nonsensical and whimsical elements, such as 'sitting on a cornflake' and 'yellow mellow custard dripping from a dead dog's eye.' These lines are not meant to be taken literally but rather to evoke a sense of absurdity and challenge conventional logic. The recurring motif of the 'Eggman' and 'Walrus' further adds to the song's enigmatic nature. The 'Eggman' could symbolize fragility or the beginning of something new, while the 'Walrus' might represent a figure of authority or wisdom, albeit in a nonsensical context.

Cultural references are sprinkled throughout the song, from 'Lucy in the sky' to 'kicking Edgar Allan Poe.' These references create a tapestry of literary and pop culture allusions, enriching the song's texture. The line 'Elementary Penguin singing Hare Krishna' juxtaposes Eastern spirituality with Western absurdity, adding another layer of complexity. The song's surrealism invites listeners to interpret it in myriad ways, making it a timeless piece that continues to intrigue and mystify.

Share on social media Share as link
  1. Don't Look Back In Anger
  2. Stop Crying Your Heart Out
  3. Wonderwall
  4. Slide Away
  5. Little By Little
  6. She's Electric
  7. Stand by Me
  8. I'm Outta Time
  9. Bittersweet Symphony
  10. Cast No Shadow
View all Oasis songs

Most popular topics in Oasis songs

Related artists

  1. The Beatles
    The Beatles
  2. Beady Eye
    Beady Eye
  3. Jet
    Jet
  4. Fool's Garden
    Fool's Garden
  5. Stereophonics
    Stereophonics
  6. Blur
    Blur
  7. Richard Ashcroft
    Richard Ashcroft
  8. Arctic Monkeys
    Arctic Monkeys