Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)

The Beatles

About Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)

"Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)" is a song by the English rock band the Beatles from their 1965 album Rubber Soul. It was written mainly by John Lennon and credited to the Lennon–McCartney songwriting partnership. Influenced by the introspective lyrics of Bob Dylan, the song is considered a milestone in the Beatles' development as songwriters. The track features a sitar part, played by lead guitarist George Harrison, that marked the first appearance of the Indian string instrument on a Western rock recording. The song was a number 1 hit in Australia when released on a single there in 1966, coupled with "Nowhere Man". Lennon wrote the song as a veiled account of an extramarital affair he had in London. When recording the track, Harrison chose to add a sitar part after becoming interested in the instrument's exotic sound while on the set of the Beatles' film Help!, in early 1965. Further to several British bands, including the Beatles, using guitars to imitate the drone and other musical textures of the sitar in their recordings, "Norwegian Wood" was influential in the development of raga rock and psychedelic rock during the mid 1960s. The song also helped elevate Ravi Shankar and Indian classical music to mainstream popularity in the West. Many other rock and pop artists, including the Byrds, the Rolling Stones and Donovan, began integrating elements of the genre into their musical approach. "Norwegian Wood" is also recognised as a key work in the early evolution of world music. 


Year:
1977
2:06
67 
#3

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I once had a girl
Or should I say she once had me
She showed me her room
Isn't it good Norwegian wood?

She asked me to stay
And she told me to sit anywhere
So I looked around
And I noticed there wasn't a chair

I sat on a rug biding my time
Drinking her wine
We talked until two and then she said
"It's time for bed"

She told me she worked
In the morning and started to laugh
I told her I didn't
And crawled off to sleep in the bath

And when I awoke I was alone
This bird had flown
So I lit a fire
Isn't it good Norwegian wood?

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The Beatles

The Beatles were an English rock band formed in Liverpool in 1960. They became the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed act in the history of popular music. Their best-known lineup consisted of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr. Rooted in skiffle and 1950s rock and roll, they later utilised several genres, ranging from pop ballads to psychedelic rock, often incorporating classical and other elements in innovative ways. In the early 1960s, their enormous popularity first emerged as "Beatlemania", but as their songwriting grew in sophistication, they came to be perceived by many fans and cultural observers as an embodiment of the ideals shared by the era's sociocultural revolutions. more »

57 fans

Written by: John Lennon, Paul McCartney

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

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18 facts about this song

Beatles First
"Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)" was the first song by The Beatles to incorporate a sitar, an Indian string instrument, played by George Harrison.
Influence on Music
This song is credited with helping to popularize the use of Indian instrumentation in Western pop music.
Lyrics Influence
John Lennon, the song's co-writer, admitted that the song was about an extramarital affair he had in London.
Music Album
The song is featured on The Beatles' 1965 studio album "Rubber Soul".
Continuous Popularity
The song, despite its age, continues to be celebrated as a defining example of 'world music' crossover.
Variations in Lyrics
Lennon and McCartney had slightly differing memories of their contributions to the song, adding a level of mystery to the song's creation.
Unique Modest Tone
While many Beatles songs were based on guitars and drums, "Norwegian Wood" is noted for its acoustic texture, mainly the result of George Harrison's sitar.
Song Duration
The song is 2 minutes and 5 seconds long, a fairly short duration compared to most songs.
Music Genre
The song is a prime example of raga rock, a genre of music that combines rock music with aspects of Indian classical music.
Memorable Song Line
One of the most remembered lines from the song is "She once had me, yes, she showed me her room, isn't it good, Norwegian wood?"
Official Recording
The official recording of the song took place in October 1965 at the Abbey Road Studios in London.
Song Cover
Over the years, the song has been covered by numerous artists across several different music genres, showcasing its wide influence and enduring popularity.
Metaphorical Meaning
The term "Norwegian Wood" is thought to be a metaphor for a cheap kind of pine, commonly used to make furniture. This was interpreted as a wry comment on the mundane nature of the character's secretive affair.
Unique Ending
The song ends with the subject of the song burning down the woman's apartment, a drastic and somewhat dark twist that has prompted much debate among fans.
Sitar Inspiration
George Harrison's use of the sitar on this track was inspired by his burgeoning interest in Indian classical music, which later played a significant role in shaping the band's overall sound.
Template for Future Songs
Many consider "Norwegian Wood" to have set the template for future Beatles songs, serving as a stepping stone toward their more complex works in later years.
Remastered Release
Like many Beatles tracks, "Norwegian Wood" has been remastered and re-released on several occasions, most recently as part of the 50th-anniversary edition of "Rubber Soul".
Cinema Reference
The song's title was used as the name of a novel by Haruki Murakami, which was later adapted into a film.

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