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The Girl With Kaleidescope Eyes
By Riverboat in Flotsam and Jetsam
October 5, 2009

Lucy Vodden (nee ODonnell), the inspiration behind Lucy In the Sky With Diamonds passed a few days ago at the age of 46. She had been diagnosed with lupus.

In case you don't know the story, Julian Lennon had brought home a picture he made at school. When asked what it was called, he said, "It's Lucy in the sky with diamonds." A light turned on in John Lennon's head, and a song was born.

For years controversy raged over the true meaning of the song with many asserting that the lyrics were a reference to LSD. The Beatles were no stranger to chemical alterations of reality, so this seemed like a logical conclusion at the time.

And yet the Beatles seemed deeply offended because they knew the true story behind the song. And what a simple inspiration it was! A little boy makes a picture of a girl in his class with a preternaturally inventive name. Should anyone be surprised that Lennon would turn it into a song?

I love all the songs of the Beatles, of course. But I also love hearing about the story of how a song came about. When Julian Lennon learned about his old chum's condition from others, he sent a bouquet of flowers to her. What a nice gesture!

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