THE BEATLES - BLACKBIRD | REACTION

[@TheDivayenta]

Paul’s tribute to the Civil Rights Movement. The Beatles were mortified by the segregation they saw in the US. They even threatened to cancel any concerts in the South if the audience set up was segregated. I love your interpretation, Chod!

[@edwardwalling2444]

Karen nyere you are right

[@NoExitLoveNow]

I'm skeptical. I don't know any contemporaneous mention linking the song to the civil rights movement. Only, later had Paul made that linkage. Perhaps, there was some inspiration, but the song itself is not about that and really lends no support. That said, yes, even in their young age, to their great credit, they did refuse to play to segregated audiences.

[@debjorgo]

@@NoExitLoveNow Paul says he sang the song to Diana Ross around the time it was being released. She took offense to it. I think he must had backed off on talking about it for a while.

[@scurvybro8850]

@@NoExitLoveNow "The song itself is not about that?" Meaning, there's no specific or literal mention of the U.S. civil rights movement? That's because the song is a metaphor.

[@NoExitLoveNow]

@@scurvybro8850 If it is a metaphor for the civil rights movement, it isn't an especially good one.

[@robertjewell9727]

Paul said he wrote this song to illuminate racial injustice in the U.S. in the sixties and that the word "bird" is a vernacular English term for a girl and that Blackbird he made as a metaphor for a young Black woman trying to fly beyond injustice, the broken wing representing both injustices done and strength to fly regardless. It's a beautiful metaphor.

[@woedan48]

There is an iconic photo from the sixties that shows a young black woman being escorted to her university class while being shouted at by the white students. I read that it was the inspiration for this song. I like to think it’s true. Bless The Beatles !

[@Reno_Slim]

It was a public high school, not a university.

[@charliecochran3035]

Basically correct, but it was a high school as stated above. I should add that the "Blackbird" was, Paul being a British and all, the African American girl being shouted at. Brits refer, or at least used to refer, to women as "bird" which always cracks me up.

[@eddiewillers1442]

@@charliecochran3035 " Brits refer, or at least used to refer, to women as "bird" which always cracks me up." We use "chicks".

[@ashleydixon4613]

Specifically, Paul’s 15 yr-old reaction to the photos he saw from the incidents during the integration of Little Rock Central HS in 1957.

[@JerisEve]

So beautiful in its seeming simplicity. The chords are actually quite complicated. These guys were phenomenal. Someone did a documentary after asking the question Did the Beatles understand music theory. He concluded that they discovered music theory as they learned. They had unbelievable musicality. In other words they discovered music theory on their own. They will never be matched. I feel so blessed to have grown up in the shadow of the Beatles.

[@tdsims1963]

Lolol! You are SO right about the "seeming simplicity"! It took me a while to learn this one. Classic. Everyone should have this in their collections.

[@sharidyer4332]

George Martin graduated from a school of music. He was an invaluable help in that regard.

[@ChrisMaxfieldActs]

@@sharidyer4332 Paul was also influenced by the Asher family. He moved into their home at the start of Beatlemania, with his girlfriend Jane Asher's family, and Asher's mother was a professor at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. George Martin was one of her students. He never learned to read music, but Paul did learn some theory along the way.

[@terrysnyder8577]

Paul wrote "Blackbird" as allegory to blacks' civil rights struggle in '60s America, having experienced segregation issues while Beatles toured American south

[@NoExitLoveNow]

I'm skeptical. I don't know any contemporaneous mention linking the song to the civil rights movement. Only, later had Paul made that linkage. Perhaps, there was some inspiration, but the song itself is not about that and really lends no support. That said, yes, even in their young age, to their great credit, they did refuse to play to segregated audiences.

[@MrDiddyDee]

Yeh--hhhh, but I think that's one interpretation that's been spread around. When it was first suggested I think Paul took that and ran with it. Paul was not someone, (unlike John) that was that politically minded at the time to put it into song. The segregation issue was definitely something they hated when they toured The States, and as a band they took a stand on it for sure. But that was early 1964, this song wasn't written until 4 years later. But there's also an elderly relative he used to visit who was too ill to go out but loved the sound of birdsong outside her window, and Paul is also reported to have written it for her. He was also taken with the birdsong every morning whilst he was in India with the Maharishi, so it could just be a poetic song generally about just fulfilling your potential.

[@samuelmregister]

@@NoExitLoveNow need it be contemporaneous? if he said nothing or was not directly asked in 1968, does thatsomehow disqualify an author's later explainations?

[@NoExitLoveNow]

@@samuelmregister It would add to the credibility. Also, what is the point of a song about the civil rights movement, which no one recognizes as such at the time, which you only tell them later about the inspiration. The song itself is not about that and really lends no support.

[@NoExitLoveNow]

@@One.Zero.One101 All that is not related to anything I wrote. What I wrote is what I mean.

[@dannyweemes1031]

Appreciate that you wait to comment after the song is over!

[@jenniferjacobs228]

Ditto...big time. The others drive me nuts..lol...

[@JackW467]

Yez .. Thnk you Wilburn 👍

[@Tuesdays_Gone]

Paul is such a genius; they all were. Great assessment of this song.

[@johnandrews3151]

Paul McCartney wrote Blackbird and it was included on the Beatles White Album. It was written at the height of the Civil Rites Movement of the 1960's.

[@RadCenter]

One of the most beautiful songs ever written.

[@roberthaines1227]

Paul’s homage to the civil rights movement. He wrote it shortly after he saw black school girls being escorted by the Arkansas National Guard.

[@kierstenridgway4634]

When my best friend died there were a flock of blackbirds sitting outside her room. That day, I didn't know she passed, there were at least fifty blackbirds that flew over my house and perched on the trees behind the house. It was freaky. ❤✌

[@benhinds2971]

On the way back from the cemetery when my mom died the sky was huge and clear blue except for this one tiny little cloud. My brother said look at that. That's your mom right there looking down on us

[@kierstenridgway4634]

@@benhinds2971 ❤️

[@JerisEve]

Your interpretation is very intelligent. There will be someone who can explain this better than I can, but I do know that it's about racism. So glad that you are less depressed and are getting back in shape. Like you, I have been eating my way through quarantine. I'm losing weight and doing better. We have to do it. Hang in there.

[@antarcticorb9197]

It's very tough to keep it simple....this song is a perfect example...simple yet exquisite.

[@chaosandcreation4118]

His hymn to the Civil Rights movement.

[@jeffmartin1026]

A great interpretation of this song - thanks for your view on this.

[@Peter-oh3hc]

My brother had the album and this song always struck out of everything he played. I didn't know what it meant, but I knew how it made me feel. I think of my brother and feel that feeling every time i hear this song. Wouldn't change that for anything

[@megf8124]

One of my favorite Beatles songs.

[@michaelgreskamp1093]

Love you positive attitude! McNartney was interviewed about the racial injustice in the 60s and this was his inspirsartion for this song. The Beatles were four fun loving young men that had the immense talent of communicating through song that will continue on for future generations.

[@nikolozsuladze7446]

Definitely react to “here there and everywhere ” and “mother nature’s son”

[@dunismith3045]

I second that!

[@smittybenzo4693]

This song is about the racial inequality that black people were experiencing in America during the civil rights movement.

[@volatilemolotov2298]

Yeah, Paul said that he specifically wrote the song with black females in mind. Bird is British slang for girl.

[@thomasmurray7615]

the song was about two young women trying to go to school and where being threatened because of the color of their skin, Paul met them back stage at one o his concerts 40 or so years later and told them th song was written for them and their bravery

[@dalebaker9109]

The Beatles were really it, they were only really doing albums and singles for just 6/7 years yet did every type of music possible, even groups like Yes and Genesis were moved by them, as was ELO. Beatles were the group it went too or came from. This is an astounding song, and the meaning behind it was so real! What you said was incredible!

[@dantofthegenxfamily9529]

Beatles are renowned for writing songs of reassurance.

[@jenniferjacobs228]

The seeming simplicity of Paul and Johns songs was their genius.

[@alanarakelian5021]

Beatles unplugged. Masterpiece.

[@fjpapp7952]

The Beatles also refused to play a show in front of a segregated crowd in Jacksonville Florida in 1964, forcing the concert officials to back down and do away with the segregated seating. The first pop band to ever do this I believe and certainly the most popular.

[@Thomas-aka-TomD]

Appreciate your interpretation and what it meant to you. It is why a guy like Dylan has always resisted explaining what his songs meant because he felt they will mean what they mean differently to people and that is how it should be.

[@benoitrenaud519]

And when the night is cloudy, there is still a light that shines on me... Let it be.

[@Frankincensedjb123]

If you play guitar, this song (among many others) will give you an indication of McCartney's genius. Not complex, but it's open-runs are innovative genius. One of our true original song writers, few like him.

[@mosaiceyes2020]

I love this song!!!!!

[@martintayler23]

Whether it is a song of enlightenment, a reference to the Civil Rights Movement or simply a song about a Blackbird outside Edith Stopworth's (McCartney's step-mother's mother) room, the simplicity of the song (although not so simple as it based on the harmonic structure of Bach's Bouree) resonates with you and is a delight. I love your interpretation too, Chod!

[@bobwowk8440]

What a beautiful interpretation. Wow! Thank you, Chod.

[@zwieseler]

Paul McCartney considered Kenny Rankin’s cover of this to be the definitive interpretation apparently. When John Lennon and Paul McCartney were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, McCartney asked Rankin to perform his version of Blackbird .

[@bemused9522]

Crosby, Stills and Nash do a beautiful cover of this song. Their vocal harmonies incredible. They were huge fans of The Beatles. Of you ever get a chance, treat yourself to their cover

[@robertsaul234]

CSN were brand new and their recording was an audition tape for The Beatles newly formed Apple recording label. For some odd reason, CSN were rejected.

[@mz5458]

For me listening to your analysis, while at the same time already knowing the backstory (as I'm sure you also now do) of Paul's inspiration/motivation, was really a beautiful experience. Thanks. :)

[@bigneon_glitter]

Nice. Paul wrote "Blackbird" in tribute to the Little Rock Nine, a group of nine Black students who faced violent discrimination after enrolling in the all-white Little Rock Central High School in 1957, following Brown vs. the Board of Education. Paul invited two living members of the nine backstage to meet after a 2016 show in Little Rock, Thelma Mothershed Wair & Elizabeth Eckford.

[@rjayzee52]

At the time this song was written 'bird' was slang for young English girls/women. The song is to young, black English women and their struggle to live.

[@vertigo0105]

I like your interpretation, as it fits and brings another good mean to the song. I think Paul McCartney would probably agree. I would have also liked to have seen your reaction had you known that the word 'bird' in 1960's England was slang for 'girl', so the song literally was saying 'black girl'. The biggest clue to what the song is about is in the lyric "You were only waiting for this moment to be free" IMHO Great message! I love that the Beatles were always about love, peace, freedom and acceptance for everyone!!

[@dexstewart2450]

During the Civil Rights times in the US, Paul saw 3 young black women walking to one of the Beatles gigs...3 black birds (women). Decades later, they were at one of his gigs and he found out they were there. Live on stage, he told those women that he wrote the song about them.

[@Bassman2353]

When the Beatles were growing up, "birds" was a slang word for "girls". The Civil Rights movement in America affected them; some of their favorite songs were sung by black girl groups. Here's a beautiful article about it: Paul McCartney Meets Women Who Inspired Beatles' 'Blackbird' - Rolling Stone

[@rickmitchell9655]

My interpretation is that we are all, at some time in our lives, like a blackbird with broken wings..facing a dark time in our life..but now we can take these broken wings and learn to fly, all our lives..we've been waiting for this moment to arise. Now we can arise!

[@jeffschielka7845]

The Beatles are in my top 6 favorite bands of all time. Probably would of picked 40 or 50 songs before Blackbird, but still a great song.

[@davidmelton3690]

This was about the civil rights movement in the 1960’s. In the UK Black women were referred to as blackbirds in those days among the youth.

[@dawnpilkington]

I love your interpretation of this stunning song

[@ranman4336]

That light, the one star, this is the hope. The hope to realize, broken wing, that you fly now. It is time.

[@Wolfinger1935]

A little known artist named Kenny Rankin did a cover of this tune. McCartney was so impressed that he had him perform at the Beatles Induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. He is an amazing artist... guitar and voice... He also did While my Guitar Gently Weeps and some others. When you have the time, check him out.

[@lisarainbow9703]

He's excellent!

[@bangmon1000]

Thank you for sharing your story. I have noticed that you are not dropping as many videos as you use to. It is important to take care of yourself and your family and I'm happy that you are doing that.

[@sherryneal6575]

I'm with you bro. Thanks for the inspiration. Think I'll go out for a walk now.

[@davidroberts4769]

McCartney was inspired while reading a newspaper account of U.S. race riots in mid-1968 and wrote this as a metaphor of the struggle for black civil rights.

[@SonicProfessor_a.k.a._T._Andra]

"You were only waiting for this moment to arrive." 🤔🤘

[@marymargaretmoore9034]

A beautiful song written by Paul McCartney about the civil rights movement in the U.S.

[@mickeyhank]

Very impressive, Chod, to hear of your recent rebound from depression and your current active lifestyle. That is tremendous. I could use it for motivation as this Covid period has gotten me a bit lazy myself. And I liked your interpretation of the song.

[@TheDivayenta]

Look for radiance in the dark🌹

[@bradb3248]

Total respect for getting back in the gym, not easy to do. Great job!

[@hippiejoe969]

Great Song! And I'm glad to hear your shakin' off the Covid blues. Its always good when you can, Get Up and Get Back on Your feet, your the one they Can't Beet and (I) know it! I'm getting ready to watch your Styx video, so this song reference to what you just talked about seemed fitting. I'll keep fighting too! PEACE

[@brunob8478]

Great to hear... bless you brother!

[@hcgenerator]

In England, girls are often referred to as 'birds'. This is about a young black girl learning to spread her wings and find her freedom in this world.

[@dougoneill7266]

Aside from the obvious metaphor, blackbirds are actually one of the few bird species that sing at night.

[@anthonyblakely399]

My interpretation was that John was talking about "Black People" especially in America.....do you know how many times Black folks especially black men in the closet of their home or in the bathrooms of their home have cried because they feel such much suppression and hate from white folks and they still have to find a way to survive and succeed!!! I'm thinking like that when I first heard the song and it turned me on to The Beatles.

[@marckustin9531]

Paul

[@anthonyblakely399]

@@marckustin9531 Okay....Paul...wow.....didn't that.

[@ezelaunchezelaunch8294]

Thunderstorm Artis from the Voice did an amazing cover of this song. Definitely worth viewing.

[@mariaportengen2959]

A great song from a great album, the white album. Enjoy the whole album. Fantastic music. 🎸🎼🎶💕

[@TheDivayenta]

Chod, many jazz musicians have done this song- you can do anything with it.

[@benoitrenaud519]

You made me cry!

[@davidgale7384]

So simple, so beautiful, Paul at his best... have always loved the foot tapping....(was it Ringo?)

[@Scatherfirst]

Dear Prudence has been covered by many bands, but it is a Beatles original.

[@ArniePorter]

Well said. Love your work.

[@georgegwoolston1730]

Hey W...This is just Paul, his acoustic, and clapping his lap/thigh. Oh and birdie noises.

[@damonhines8187]

If Paul McCartney had done nothing else of note over the course of 6-plus decades in music, I'd still give him mad props both for the musicality and the intent, the core motivation of this song.

[@mjpellec]

In England, at least in the 1960's, a girl was a bird. So the song is about black women. Paul was inspired to write the song when he heard about some black women who were being harassed trying to attend a segregated school. The song is about the Civil Rights Movement in general and about these women in particular. I saw a picture where Paul actually met two of the women many years later.

[@richardrader6427]

Paul has said the blackbird was a metaphor for the black race

[@peteypete1216]

Bird is what they used to call girls in England and Paul wrote this about the civil rights struggle in the 60s when black students werent going to be allowed into the high school little rock in Arkansas by the Governor which inspired this song...

[@benhinds2971]

Your interpretation is a good analogy of the Civil Rights struggle.

[@beverlyjones4020]

Beautiful interpretation 🙂

[@happymethehappyone8300]

Speaking Of Blackbirds,, Trust Me On This One My Music Lovin Brother,, THE BLACKBYRDS "WALKING IN RHYTHM"..A CLASSIC SMOOTH GROOVE..TRUTH!!

[@toots19]

Beautiful toe tapper, he was so awesome live❤

[@srbaran]

The tapping is Paul's feet, if I'm not mistaken. One man band in this song.

[@bobangell1679]

Tapping on a sheet of linoleum. There is a video of the actual recording of this song. Paul had an all-star audience in the studio while he recorded this.

[@duncantanguay4820]

Live UK so never far from the sea transport hard work !

[@Weyland_Yutani_Corp]

For context, 'blackbirds' are not the crows and ravens that you're thinking of. The common blackbird in Britain is a thrush with one of the most beautiful bird songs, perhaps second only to nightingales. kzbin.info/www/bejne/e3OUnZqgnJ6Yars&ab_channel=hebrideanwild Blackbirds will sing at night and there's nothing quite like living in a city when it's quiet and all you can hear is a blackbird's magnificent song. Their bird song is also a sign that spring is not long off as they start singing at night at the end of January/early February. The blackbird in the Beatles' song operates as a symbol of the hope for transcendence of pain and injury in the face of adversity, which of course, functions beautifully as a metaphor for the Civil Rights Movement.

[@paleryder]

See if you can slide "If I Needed Someone" "If I Fell" and "Paperback Writer", past the bean counters.

[@jefffoster1626]

We call girls birds in Liverpool hence Blackbird , civil rights for our sisters back in 65

[@boosuedon]

Paul wrote this after Dr. M.L. King was assassinated in Memphis, TN. The after effects of black unity and riots prompted the; "you were always waiting for this moment to arrive..." Again, UNITY which did not hold. Then, two months later Robert Kennedy was assassinated in California. As a country we were shocked and confused last just what in the hell was happening!

[@charleslively1714]

Congratulations on your health!!

[@peterbooth1525]

Oddly enough Charles Manson convinced his "family" that this was the Beatles telling the black man to rise up and take over the world.

[@robc.8269]

This song is off the White Album, double album. Please listen to "the story of Bungalow Bill", ""Rocky Raccoon" & "Happiness is a Warm Gun" off the same album. Thx. won't be disappointed.

[@CCDzine]

Those chords!

[@markwilliams5606]

Norwegian Wood 👍✌️☕! The Beatles enough said 🇺🇸🇬🇧🇨🇦🍷

[@renechateaubriand2645]

Indeed, The Beatles' "Blackbird" is a shout-out of solidarity to the precursor of Black Lives Matter: the Black Arts and Civil Rights Movements of the 1960s. The haunting lyric's meaning is absolutely clear and poignantly prescient, "All your life, you've only waiting for this moment to be free." Stunning. Shimmering. Sorrowful. That the song "Blackbird" is as relevant today as it was in 1968 makes the irrefutable case as to how astonishingly aware, "woke," and ahead-of-the-game the Beatles were--and how damnable our Western societies' failure to overcome our all-too-apparent addiction to racism remains.

[@barbsmith5465]

This was about segregation. The Beatles wouldn't do concerts that were segregated. The handlers changed their minds very quickly. Also, Paul saw a woman ( they are called birds in England ) being pushed around and that was such an inspiration to him because he was furious.

[@Bill_Jones.]

Back in the day, we actually got quality for our money. Today, I’m not sure what you get for your money.

[@dilandilanjoao4310]

I bielive he's talking about segregation and anti racism. Paul way of sending a sutle message and still play on the radio waves.

[@428chase]

Budgie - Black velvet stallion Scorpions - Yellow Raven Robin Trower - Bluebird MANFRED MANN'S EARTH BAND - Starbird Bad Company - Seagull Nightbird · Stevie Nicks Stevie Nicks - White Wing Dove Stevie Wonder - Bird of Beauty

[@astonsfan]

The Beatles sang about how the world should be.........the Stones sang about how the world is.

[@matthansen758]

The title fooled me and I thought you'd react to Alter Bridge - Blackbird so here's hoping I can get some peeps to back me up when I say I hope we'll see a reaction to that song!

[@jasongraham5648]

The song is about the plight of the black man in the 1960’s.

[@edwardcapobianco2975]

Great take on Blackbird my brother, even though Paul McCartney meant something totally different I have to give credit for your interpretation.

[@duncantanguay4820]

The Jim is bad outside is good!

[@sherrygarza3312]

Paying homage to the civil rights movement.✌💙

[@ron88303]

They were pretty good.

[@porkindorthy]

This song is about your ancestors fighting for their rights in the 60s.

[@Kruegerisgod]

This song is about the Civil Rights and Black Liberation Movements.