The phrase “the walrus was Paul” is a reference to a popular conspiracy theory known as “Paul Is Dead” that emerged in the late 1960s. According to this theory, Paul McCartney, one of the members of the Beatles, had died in a car accident in 1966 and was secretly replaced by a look-alike.
The theory gained traction among fans who began analyzing the Beatles' lyrics, album artwork, and interviews for hidden messages and clues. One of the most famous clues was found in the song “I Am the Walrus,” where John Lennon sings the line “I am the walrus.” Some fans interpreted this as Lennon confessing that he was the walrus, while others believed it was a reference to McCartney being the walrus.
The association of McCartney with the walrus can be traced back to Lewis Carroll's book “Through the Looking-Glass,” where the walrus and the carpenter are characters who deceive and ultimately devour oysters. In the song “Glass Onion,” which was released after the “Paul Is Dead” rumors started circulating, Lennon sings the line “the walrus was Paul,” further fueling the speculation.
However, it's important to note that Lennon himself later debunked the theory and clarified that the line in “Glass Onion” was meant to confuse and mess with the conspiracy theorists. He stated that the walrus symbolized himself, as he was the one who wrote the song “I Am the Walrus,” not McCartney.
Lennon's song “God,” released in 1970, also addresses the “Paul Is Dead” theory. In the song, he sings the line “I was the walrus, but now, I'm John,” emphasizing that he was the one associated with the walrus, not McCartney.
The phrase “the walrus was Paul” is a reference to the “Paul Is Dead” conspiracy theory that circulated in the late 1960s. Despite the speculation and analysis of clues in Beatles' songs, album covers, and interviews, the theory has been debunked by both Lennon and McCartney themselves. It remains an intriguing part of Beatles' folklore and a testament to the impact and influence of their music.