“Maxwell’s Silver Hammer,” is a McCartney-Lennon master piece, sung by the Beatles. Paul McCartney sings the lead vocals, with John, Ringo, and George singing back-up. The meaning behind the lyrics differs from person to person. Beatles band member George Harrison described the song in 1969 as "one of those instant whistle-along tunes which some people hate, and other people really like. It's a fun song, but it's kind of a drag because Maxwell keeps on destroying everyone like his girlfriend then the school teacher, and then, finally, the judge." The true meaning is about the ups and downs life throws at us. The unexpected things, or the moments in life when things happen out of the blue, are examples of what the song describes.
The song was recorded in 1968 but missed being put on the album The Beatles by only a few weeks. It can be found on the Beatles’ Abbey Road album. The phrase “Maxwell’s Silver Hammer,” is still used by Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr today when unexpected things happen. In the lyrics it mentions pataphysics, which deals beyond metaphysics. Metaphysics is the branch of philosophy dealing in reality. McCartney said the song was meant for fun, and not for any bad reasons.
Maxwell's Silver Hammer" Lyrics Joan was quizzical,
Studied metaphysical science in the home
Late nights all alone with a test tube
Oh, oh-oh, oh
Maxwell Edison, majoring in medicine
Calls her on the phone
"Can I take you out to the pictures, Jo-oh-oh-oan?"
But as she's getting ready to go
A knock comes on the door
Bang, bang, Maxwell's silver hammer
Came down upon her head
Clang, clang, Maxwell's silver hammer
Made sure she was dead
Back in school again
Maxwell plays the fool again
Teacher gets annoyed
Wishing to avoid an unpleasant sce-e-e-ene
She tells Max to stay when the class has gone away
So he waits behind
Writing fifty times "I must not be so, oh-oh, oh"
But when she turns her back on the boy
He creeps up from behind
Bang, bang, Maxwell's silver hammer
Came down upon her head (do-do do-doo-doo)
Clang, clang, Maxwell's silver hammer
Made sure that she was dead
(Do-do do-doo-doo)
P.C. 31 said "We've caught a dirty one"
Maxwell stands alone
Painting testimonial pictures, oh, oh-oh, oh
Rose and Valerie, screaming from the gallery
Say he must go free ("Maxwell must go free")
The judge does not agree, and he tells them so, oh-oh, oh
But as the words are leaving his lips
A noise comes from behind
Bang, bang, Maxwell's silver hammer
Came down upon his head (do-do do-doo-doo)
Clang, clang, Maxwell's silver hammer
Made sure that he was dead
Whoa, whoa, whoa-oh
(Do-do do-doo-doo)
Silver hammer man
Studied metaphysical science in the home
Late nights all alone with a test tube
Oh, oh-oh, oh
Maxwell Edison, majoring in medicine
Calls her on the phone
"Can I take you out to the pictures, Jo-oh-oh-oan?"
But as she's getting ready to go
A knock comes on the door
Bang, bang, Maxwell's silver hammer
Came down upon her head
Clang, clang, Maxwell's silver hammer
Made sure she was dead
Back in school again
Maxwell plays the fool again
Teacher gets annoyed
Wishing to avoid an unpleasant sce-e-e-ene
She tells Max to stay when the class has gone away
So he waits behind
Writing fifty times "I must not be so, oh-oh, oh"
But when she turns her back on the boy
He creeps up from behind
Bang, bang, Maxwell's silver hammer
Came down upon her head (do-do do-doo-doo)
Clang, clang, Maxwell's silver hammer
Made sure that she was dead
(Do-do do-doo-doo)
P.C. 31 said "We've caught a dirty one"
Maxwell stands alone
Painting testimonial pictures, oh, oh-oh, oh
Rose and Valerie, screaming from the gallery
Say he must go free ("Maxwell must go free")
The judge does not agree, and he tells them so, oh-oh, oh
But as the words are leaving his lips
A noise comes from behind
Bang, bang, Maxwell's silver hammer
Came down upon his head (do-do do-doo-doo)
Clang, clang, Maxwell's silver hammer
Made sure that he was dead
Whoa, whoa, whoa-oh
(Do-do do-doo-doo)
Silver hammer man
