Tomorrow Never Knows

Tomorrow Never Knows is the title of a song recorded by The Beatles, initially released as the final track on the group's Revolver album in 1966. It was written primarily by John Lennon although officially credited, like the majority of the group's compositions, to Lennon–McCartney.

The track is notable mainly for its use of studio recording techniques producing "psychedelic" effects, and for its repetitive drum and bass pattern. For the lyrics, Lennon is said to have drawn heavily on his experience with hallucinatory drugs. The recording is also said to be one of the first to use "sampling" techniques, ie. taking short 'samples' of sounds and using and repeating them using "tape loops" at various tones and speeds. The harmonic structure of the song is derived from Indian music. George Harrison plays both sitar and tambura. Lennon's vocal is also given special electronic treatment, using an amplified speaker cabinet usually used for a Hammond organ.

Release
The track was released on side two, track 7, the closing track, on Revolver, released in August 1966. Studio out-takes appear on Anthology 2 (1996) while mixes in both stereo and mono appear on the 2022 re-issue of Revolver.

The song also features on the Love album (2006) mixed with the Harrison composition Within You Without You.

Cover versions
notable cover versions of Tomorrow Never Knows include:


 * Phil Collins - on Face Value (1981) - intended as a homage to the recently deceased Lennon.
 * Monsoon - 7"/12" released in October 1982 as the group's third single. Their previous single was entitled Shakthi (the Meaning of Within), a phrase which appears in the lyrics to Tomorrow Never Knows.