Choosing Reverence: The Beatles' "Because"

One of the interesting things about songwriting is how the same lyrics can take on different implications depending on the music they are set to. A perfect example is John Lennon's "Because" from Abbey Road. The lyrics present a classical stoned epiphany, an elaboration on "Oh wow!" But because of the reverent musical setting, a state of gravitas and profundity is achieved, leaving one to contemplate the mysterious, uncanny beauty of existence. Yet, I could also imagine these words being presented in the John Prine style of Zen whimsy. Accompanied by some jaunty finger-picked guitar and plunking bass, the epiphany now would arrive in the form of a chuckle. But we are grateful they chose the reverential treatment, of course, because it resulted in some of the most gorgeous vocals the Beatles committed to record. Curious about how they achieved this choral effect, I went to the indispensable Beatles Bible website, which informs us that Lennon, McCartney, and Harrison sang the three part harmony together, and then "overdubbed their voices twice more, giving the effect of nine voices." To which I uttered a whispered, "Oh, wow."