"The Fool on the Hill" is a song written by Paul McCartney (credited to Lennon-McCartney) and recorded by The Beatles in 19676. It was released as part of the Magical Mystery Tour EP and album6.

The song describes a solitary figure who is misunderstood by others but possesses a unique wisdom7. The titular "fool" is portrayed as someone who sees the world differently, noticing things that others miss4. Despite being ridiculed and ignored by those around him, he remains steadfast in his perspective47.

McCartney has stated that the inspiration for the song came from multiple sources. He mentioned the Dutch design collective "The Fool" as one influence, as they had derived their name from the Tarot card of the same name7.Additionally, he suggested that the character might have been inspired by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, the Beatles' meditation teacher at the time7.

The song's composition began with McCartney playing a D6 chord on the piano at his father's house in Liverpool7. John Lennon, upon hearing an early version of the song, encouraged McCartney to write it down, recognizing its potential7.

"The Fool on the Hill" showcases McCartney's ability to craft introspective and poetic lyrics. It explores themes of isolation, perception, and the misunderstood visionary, presenting a character who, despite being labeled a fool, possesses a deeper understanding of the world47.

Citations:

1. https://www.songfacts.com/facts/the-beatles/the-fool-on-the-hill
2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0APf-uIbcpM
3. https://www.reddit.com/r/beatles/comments/tkfci8/is_fool_on_the_hill_a_song_paul_wrote_about/
4. https://newsoutherngentleman.wordpress.com/2017/02/19/the-fool-on-the-hill-mccartneys-ode-to-differentness/
5. https://www.the-paulmccartney-project.com/song/the-fool-on-the-hill/
6. https://www.thebeatles.com/fool-hill
7. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Fool_on_the_Hill
8. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsRatIMUSu8
9. https://www.beatlesbible.com/songs/the-fool-on-the-hill/

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