6 Secret Facts Hiding In The Beatles’ Abbey Road album cover
Iain Macmillan, courtesy Apple Corps
The Beatles’ Abbey Road album cover is one of the most iconic images in the history of music. It features the four members of the band walking across a zebra crossing in London, with John Lennon leading the way in white, followed by Ringo Starr in black, Paul McCartney in bare feet and George Harrison in denim. However, there are some secret facts hiding in this famous image that you may not have noticed before. Here are six of them:
1. Paul McCartney’s bare feet
One of the most famous aspects of the Abbey Road cover is that Paul McCartney is barefoot. Many people have speculated about the reason for this, but the truth is that McCartney simply took off his shoes and socks because it was a hot day. The other members of the band followed suit, but their footwear was not as noticeable as McCartney’s bare feet.
2. The Volkswagen Beetle
In the background of the Abbey Road cover, you can see a white Volkswagen Beetle. This car belongs to a woman named Annie Mawson, who parked it on the street while she went to work. The car has since become a popular spot for Beatles fans to take photos.
3. The cigarette
If you look closely at the Abbey Road cover, you can see that Paul McCartney is holding a cigarette in his right hand. McCartney was a heavy smoker at the time, and it is unclear why the cigarette was not edited out of the image.
4. The police car
In the distance of the Abbey Road cover, you can see a police car with its lights flashing. This car was not part of the original plan for the photo shoot, but a real police officer happened to be passing by and stopped to help control the traffic.
5. The license plate
The license plate on the white Volkswagen Beetle in the background of the Abbey Road cover reads “LMW 28IF.” Many people have speculated that this is a reference to Paul McCartney’s supposed death, with “LMW” standing for “Linda McCartney weeps” and “28IF” representing the age that McCartney would have been if he had not died. However, this is just a coincidence, as the car’s owner, Annie Mawson, had purchased the car before the rumor of McCartney’s death began.
6. The white suit
John Lennon is wearing a white suit on the Abbey Road cover, and many people have speculated that this was a deliberate reference to death or burial. However, Lennon simply chose to wear the suit because he liked it, and there was no deeper meaning behind it.
The Abbey Road album cover is full of secrets and hidden details that are still being discovered and debated by Beatles fans around the world. From the bare feet to the cigarette to the license plate, every aspect of this iconic image has a story behind it. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just appreciate good music and art, the Abbey Road cover is a fascinating piece of pop culture history that will continue to captivate us for generations to come.