All the Beatles smoked.  But then, who didn’t have a ciggie ‘tween their fingers in those days?  Keith Richards of The Stones was simply incapable of playing guitar without a cigarette dangling from his lips. But John Lennon obviously cursed his cigarette habit. In two of his Beatles’ songs he makes references to the evil cancer sticks.

In “I’m So Tired” from The White Album he sings:
Although I’m so tired, I’ll have another cigarette
And curse Sir Walter Raleigh, he was such a stupid get.

British explorer Sir Walter Raleigh is well known for popularizing tobacco in the United Kingdom in the 17th century. “Get” is Liverpool slang for jerk.

In the Beatles’ song “I AmThe Walrus” from the “Magical Mystery Tour” LP, John sings:
expert texpert choking smokers, don’t you think the joker laughs at you?

Smoking has certainly wrecked havoc in my family, hence today’s post.

Here are John and George, circa 1964, endorsing Marlboro cigarettes. Choking, smoking jokers.

© Dana Spiardi, Sept 5, 2012