Helter Skelter started as a chaotic Beatles rock song, but it took on a terrifying meaning in the hands of Charles Manson.
Most artists leave it up to fans to interpret the meaning behind their songs, allowing people to make each lyric their own based on their imagination and lived experience. Yet, what happens when an ambiguous track is taken out of context and in turn incites violence and bloodshed? The Beatles saw one of the singles from their self-titled album (also known as the White Album) gain a life of its own, when a cult leader interpreted it as an apocalyptic sign.When Paul McCartney wrote "Helter Skelter", he simply wanted to create a song that channeled the chaos of an amusement park ride and as proof that he could do more than just ballads. However, the hardcore production and gritty vocals didn't achieve the intended response when the tune later became associated with Charles Manson and his crimes.
