The Beatles’ self-titled album, known to most fans as The White Album, is one of the band’s most daring and wide-ranging works. Released in 1968, it stretched across two records and explored rock, folk, blues, and even avant-garde sounds. But beneath the music, there’s a trove of odd, hidden, and often overlooked stories. Here are 10 surprising facts you may not know about this iconic album.

1. It Almost Had a Very Different Name

Before settling on the minimalist title, The Beatles, there were ideas floating around like A Doll’s House. But that title was dropped when the band Family released an album with a similar name earlier that year.

2. Ringo Starr Quit the Band During Recording

Tensions ran high during the sessions. Ringo got so fed up that he left for two weeks. During his break, the rest of the band played the drums on a few tracks. When he returned, he found his drum kit covered in flowers as a peace offering.

3. It Was Mostly Recorded Separately

Unlike earlier albums where the band worked together, many of The White Album’s songs were recorded with just one or two members in the studio at a time. This gave it a patchwork feel but also let each Beatle’s voice shine.

4. Eric Clapton Played on “While My Guitar Gently Weeps”

George Harrison invited his friend Eric Clapton to play lead guitar on this track. It marked one of the few times a guest artist appeared on a Beatles record, and Clapton’s solo added an emotional punch.

5. Charles Manson Misinterpreted the Album

Sadly, the album was dragged into dark territory when cult leader Charles Manson believed it contained hidden messages meant for him. He used songs like “Helter Skelter” to justify violent acts, a connection the Beatles strongly rejected.

6. It Includes a Song About a Killer Dog

“Martha My Dear” sounds sweet, but it’s not about a woman. Paul McCartney wrote it about his sheepdog, Martha. He said the lyrics just flowed from the comfort she gave him during tough times.

7. “Revolution 9” Was a Sound Experiment

Most fans remember “Revolution 9” as the strange, nearly 8-minute sound collage. It was influenced by avant-garde music and was largely crafted by John Lennon and Yoko Ono. Its repeated phrase, “Number nine,” became a mystery for many fans.

8. It Had the First Beatles Song Written About Yoko Ono

John’s “Julia” was mostly about his late mother, but it also included references to Yoko. The line “ocean child” is a nod to her name, which translates to that meaning in Japanese.

9. The Album Cover Was a Radical Statement

After the colorful collage of Sgt. Pepper, the band wanted a stark contrast. The cover is pure white with just “The Beatles” embossed on it. Each original copy had a serial number, making them collector’s items today.

10. It Marked the Beginning of the End

While The White Album is full of brilliant music, it also showed the growing cracks in the band. Creative differences and personal issues became clearer, setting the stage for their breakup in 1970.