In a 1970 interview, Lennon referred to this song as:

[…] one of the best lyrics I’ve written. In fact, it could be the best. It’s good poetry, or whatever you call it, without chewin' it. See, the ones I like are the ones that stand as words, without melody. They don’t have to have any melody, like a poem, you can read them.

Written during 1967-68, the lyrics are typical of Lennon’s songwriting during the time: dreamy, abstract and highly image-based.

The title of the song was used as that of a 2007 film based around Beatles songs.

The song was recorded on February 4, 1968. At the 40th anniversary of that day, NASA beamed “Across the Universe” into space in the direction of the North Star, Polaris.