“I Am the Walrus’: What it means….,” states that: “…Lennon’s experiences with hallucinogenic drugs gave him the necessary insight…Where images succeed others at random, and where impossible things really happen (‘sitting on a cornflake’, etc.)” (3). Granville’s analysis reinforces the claim that Lennon uses drugs to gain motivation for his nonsensical lyrics. Not only did acid trips directly inspire lyrics for “I Am the Walrus,” but Lennon’s arrest for possession of drugs sparked inspiration as well. The line “Semolina pilchard climbing up the Eiffel Tower” (Line 28) refers to Lennon’s arrest by Norman Pilcher for possession of drugs. Tim Riley, in his book, Lennon, writes, “Busting Lennon suggested that Pilcher understood
rock’s rough pecking order – nobody brought bigger headlines. John and Yoko were taken to Paddington Green police station and charged with possession…” (419). Riley’s statement affirms that Lennon’s arrest for drugs provides additional fodder for his song. Drugs prove as a key method of creativity for Lennon in song writing.
John Lennon’s song, “I Am the Walrus,” stands as not just a bunch of random words and phrases thrown together, but rather a carefully thought out compilation of words and reality gathered from a lifetime of experiences, including children’s poetry, acid trips, and arrest for drug possession. Lennon’s genius revolves around his ability to draw inspiration from a variety of resources when creating a song. Past art and literature influence subsequent art and literature with no regard to time. John Lennon drew off of British literature written in 1872. Almost one hundred years later, Carroll’s book provides inspiration for one of the leaders of the 1960’s cultural revolution. In turn, John