3 Things to Know About the Beatles’ “Sexy Sadie”

The song is about Maharishi Mahesh Yogi John Lennon wrote it after becoming disillusioned with the guru during the Beatles’ 1968 trip to India. The original title was literally “Maharishi,” but they changed it to avoid a lawsuit.

The lyrics are a bitter, sarcastic goodbye The line “Sexy Sadie, what have you done? You made a fool of everyone” was aimed at the Maharishi. Lennon felt he was more interested in fame and women than enlightenment.

It’s the only Beatles song directly about the Maharishi “Dear Prudence” is about Mia Farrow’s sister, not the guru. If someone asks which Beatles song came from a conversation with the Maharishi, it’s “Sexy Sadie.”