We don't control our thoughts directly, we need help. Squeaky sounds from ZapSplat.com, though they are highly mutated and unrecognizable, at this point.
Story behind the song
I was thinking about compulsive thought, fear, faith, and struggle. You might not get that from listening, but that's what I was thinking about. I've always admired Lennon's lyrics, and this has that disconnected, deeply connected, feeling that he managed to create. At least it does to my ears.
Lyrics
When you think about,
Not thinking 'bout this,
In the effort to resist,
You discover that, you already do so.
Say, "Don't think about a butterfly,"
You will see it in your inner eye,
If you say that you don't
Then you lie, Inspector Clouseau?
So, don't think that you're
Sitting on the bow,
Of a submarine.
That's going down,
Going down,
If you know what I mean:
'Cause you're gonna get wet!
Don't imagine a beach at sunset,
And lounging in the sand.
A lizard staring languidly,
Martini grasped in hand.
Don't consider what he's doing there,
Don't consider why I ask,
Don't think about the lizard,
That's your only task!
But you know you see a lizard on the beach.
And the mermaids singing, calling each to each.
And now you hear their song.
I wasn't thinking about martinis
Or lizards in the sand.
I wasn't dreaming of mermaids,
Or submarines, you understand.
I was only thinking of thinking,
And trying not to think.
That's just the sort of nonsense,
That makes my You Boat sink.
So now we sink down slowly in the west,
As you boat and my boat come to rest,
On the bottom of the sea!