Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

The burning question to all of you fellow Beatle fanatics out there: who played bass on 'Taxman'?

I think it has to be Paul. I've heard the theory that it's George...but, it sounds like a Rickenbacker bass. What would George have used? They didn't have the Fender VI or Fender Jazz bass yet...so, any thoughts?

thanks

Kevin: I believe that the style is that of Paul McCartney. Also, the lead break done in the East Indian style is also that of Paul McCartney. Harrison has acknowledged this and Paul has stated that it would have taken extra time to teach George the part and so he went with it himself. I don't have any doubt that Paul played bass and lead on Taxman. Harrison also had a lead riff on this recording.

Hey Peter-

Thanks. Yeah, I agree, the lead guitar break...Paul, but I've just heard so many opinions about who played the bass. The bass riff under the second verse is just so Paul! Thanks again.

I've never heard that rumour.Listen to the style
and tone of Rain and Paperback Writer; IMO, very much the same kind of feel happening as Taxman.
McCartney at his finest, for my money..

Certainly sounds like Paul on bass to me. Not to be difficult, but Paul threw in the Indian bit for George on the lead so could it be George on bass doing his best McCartney? George was certainly capable. I never rule out anything when it comes to The Beatles, unless we have it on film.

I'm still trying to figure how George allowed Paul to play lead in the first place. He did do an awesome job, though.

Not that you can believe everything that you read, but according to Ian MacDonald's Revolution in the Head The Beatles Records, McCartney played bass, lead guitar plus added background vocals to this great Harrison song.

Thanks Jon and I think that it was most likely Paul on lead and bass as Ian MacDonald said. It is funny that two great Harrison tunes(Taxman and While My Guitar Gently Weeps) have Paul and Eric Clapton on lead. George said it was the only way he could get John and Paul to shape up and get into While My Guitar Gently Weeps so maybe it was the same with Taxman. Then again, Paul did the leads on Another Girl and The Night Before. John had done the lead on You Can't Do That. I don't think they really minded stepping the line from rythmn to lead, bass to lead, etc., as long as the job got done. That was another cool thing about The Beatles, their egos weren't that huge that they couldn't allow Paul on lead, George on bass, etc..