The Beatles - Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown) Reaction

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[@simply_psi]

The whole Rubber Soul album is fire, probably the first album to truly represent their genius

[@Paladin70]

After using the sitar on this song because of it’s unique sound (he figured out enough on his own to contribute it to this song), George Harrison spent time in India over the next couple years to learn how to master the instrument from Ravi Shankar, probably India’s best known musician at the time. Ravi is the father of blues and jazz singer Norah Jones who you should definitely check out for some incredible mood music.

[@simply_psi]

Not forgetting Anoushka Shankar, the other daughter of Ravi's, who followed her father to become a Sitar master and her music is fire too.

[@musicaficionado2974]

It's Sitar, baby! Thanks, BTW, for the reaction!

[@LeChaunce]

I see a lot of people talking about the backstory, but no one is bringing up the fact that John and Paul originally conceived of the song as a comedy song -- she rejects his advances, he's forced to sleep in the bathtub, he wakes up and she's gone so he sets her apartment on fire. They were having a laugh. McCartney talks about this extensively in his semi-autobiography Many Years From Now (co-written by Barry Miles).

[@stevejoshua9536]

There's nothing implied in the lyrics that she "rejected his advances", nor that he made any advances in any way, shape, or form. The only actions that can, even remotely, be described as "advances" were made by her, by way of her inviting him to her room. She simply invited him to her "room" or apartment, they conversed until 2AM, at which point she insinuated that she needed to get her sleep, resulting in her going to bed, while he slept in the bathroom.

[@LeChaunce]

@@stevejoshua9536 Just repeating what Paul said in the book, man.

[@stuartbloch28]

I frickin knew it. I always thought he burn her place down.

[@ktcarl]

I always thought he was lighting a fire in a fireplace not burning her apartment down. Lennon has said he was writing a song about an affair he had but for his wife's sake wrote that he didn't have sex with her. I'm sure the affair turned out different from what the song reveals.

[@nonrepublicrat]

Whatever, man. Paul is well known as the one to make stuff up, to try to take credit for everything that the Beatles ever did. NOT to be believed.

[@mariaportengen2959]

In one word : A fantastic song! 🎶🎶🎶❤️👍

[@Cynthia...]

One of my all time favourite Beatles songs and albums. Mind you, I say that about them all. ❤ And I love them all.

[@queenrosered]

One of my favorite Lennon compositions! Thank you!❤👍

[@dagmar.6954]

Great song! "Norwegian Wood" is on the Beatles' 1965 album Rubber Soul. Lots of great songs on that record such as "Michelle", "Girl", "Drive My Car", "Nowhere Man" etc.

[@ericanderson8886]

The journey down the Beatles rabbit hole is fun isn't it. Always something new and unexpected around every corner and that's why they were so great.

[@Bekka_Noyb]

One of my fave Beatles songs! ♥

[@robertthompson5908]

Great review of this amazing Beatles song.

[@antarcticorb9197]

This album had the most impact on me out of all their albums.

[@tomenrico6199]

The droning guitar-like instrument is the sitar, an Indian stringed instrument. George Harrison became a devotee of the sitar and was great friends with Ravi Shankar, the preeminent sitar player in the world. After the Beatles disbanded, Shankar went to George and asked him to help raise money to alleviate famine in Bangladesh, and in 1971, George organized the Concert for Bangladesh, a benefit in Madison Square Garden featuring George and Ringo and Ravi Shankar, as well as Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, Leon Russell, Billy Preston and many others. In the years that followed many other rockers produced songs or benefit concerts to relieve third world hunger, but George was there first, thanks to an appeal from his friend Ravi.

[@BOOMNERD51]

72 now, I used to think only the Beatles used sitar after George picked it up. A decade or two later I'm hearing how quickly it caught on BJ Thomas's "Hooked on a Feeling." When it first appeared it didn't have the mystical style George Harrison brought to the Beatles but pop songs started using it too. 😊

[@mikefetterman6782]

When asked in early 1966 by the press, "what do you say to the people who say Norwegian wood is about a lesbian, and Day Tripper is about a prostitue?" Paul chimed in, " Just tell them we write songs about lesbians and prostitutes.. " This song was mostly inspired by hanging out with Bob Dylan, and getting into marijuana, in 1964.

[@nellgwenn]

Actually if you remember Bob Dylan turned them onto tea.

[@davidkeller6156]

One of my favorites.

[@queenrosered]

This was a song John wrote about a one night stand he had (while married to Cynthia, his first wife)

[@keithmoore8702]

Apparently about Robert Freeman's wife. He was their photographer sometimes. His wife was from Norway 😉

[@JordiPujadesGirona]

​@@keithmoore8702 she was German. "Norwegian wood" was a euphemism about the fashion in that time of covering the room walls with cheap pine wooden panels.😅

[@keithmoore8702]

@@JordiPujadesGirona ok cool. Happy to be corrected!

[@cricketpitts3744]

Love this song my favorite ❤

[@hungfao]

As usual, no one had ever heard this kind of sound on a pop song. The Beatles were always surprising and innovative. But what's really amazing is that they had nearly no time to put this album together. They were on an aggressive tour schedule and were basically given about 2 weeks to writer the songs, record them, mix, and get it out for the holidays. That they were able to do this is remarkable. It is also the first time they were essentially given control of the studio. Back then, that was not protocol.

[@ktcarl]

I remember hearing George Harrison commenting that when recording the tune he felt like "It just needed something." So he added the sitar.

[@juliajohnston7145]

My husband's favorite Beatles song.

[@kestrelle5345]

A favorite and from a favored album.

[@jonstreng7850]

The other classics off this album include Nowhere Man, In my Life, Drive my Car and Michelle.

[@susanbeckmolloy9536]

Favorite Beatles song. Never released as a single or side B. Only available on vinyl on The Rubber Soul Album which I still have. ✌❤😎

[@edwardsadler3348]

It seems after this everyone had a sitar on their records...the boys leading the way again.. George, who played the Sitar on this, was around 23 or 24 .

[@JohnHazelwood58]

Yeah, I've been to the Norwegian Woods ... quite a long time ago! XD Thanks for your reaction. Have you done/heard their "Eleanor Rigby" yet? Might be one of their best work - in my opinion, of course! :)

[@garybradford8332]

Years ago I bought a 5 DVD set called "Beatles Anthology" which delves deep into their journey from start to finish. Vintage performances, tv interviews and music experts breaking down why their music was genius and you come away with a wealth of information. But when you try to peel away the levels of The Beatles, there is always another layer beneath. One of their biggest band competitors when they came to the US was The Beach Boys, who were also brilliant, but they had a style that was instantly recognized. The Beatles couldn't be put in a box. Like Forrest Gump said "You never know what you are going to get.".

[@pamelarathbone4657]

I like that song and versatility of the Beatles ! Could you possibly do a reaction video of John Denver's Calypso? I really think you might like it. It is a song honoring the life of Jacques Cousteau. He was an oceanography specialist and did so many amazing things to make everyone aware of how important our oceans to us. He had a tv show that was a documentary style showing the many forms of animal life in the sea. The best video of the song is done by Jeff Keller. It amazing. Thanks I love your videos!

[@edgarsnake2857]

The other instrument was an Indian sitar. I was lucky to meet George Harrison's sitar teacher, Ravi Shankar, shortly after Rubber Soul was released. Shankar went from being famous in India to having international touring and fame overnight due to his association with the Beatles.

[@charleskofflermusic9051]

I didn't know it was called 'Norvegian wood'. Amazing I think too is how they play in their band. Congratulations Michael for that sharing and work. I learned 'mold', lol 👍👍👍👍

[@geoffclarke3796]

I read somewhere that it was based on a time when a girl John was attracted flirted with him leading him to think he would get sleep with her but she was tormenting him and went to bed on her own leaving him looking stupid. In revenge when he woke up alone after she had gone to work, he set fire to her house.

[@По-моему]

This is classic FOREVER!

[@boosuedon]

The song was written by John and is about a girl that he was trying to "shagg". Rumor has it that the girl was Ronnie Spector, Phil Spectors' X-wife. Ronnie kept a room in New York but had a house in California. She had several hits with her group, courtesy of her husband, Phil who put the group together for her, and that was "The Ronnetts". Anyway, Poor ol' John struck out on this bird, and she flew away! Still, I love the melody and chord changes!

[@cojaysea]

Fabulous album . Fun fact nowhere on the album does it say “ The Beatles “ . Just rubber soul and a photo of them . I believe it was never done before . I also believe it was the first pop song with an Indian sitar .

[@christhornycroft3686]

The first use of sitar in a Beatles song. I believe it was Ravi Shankar playing it on this track, like Love You To from Revolver and Within You Without You from Sgt Pepper. John was married at the time to Cynthia Powell pre-Yoko and the song is literally about him having an affair with other woman, but it's masked by storytelling and flowery words. The Beatles were known as a 60 British Invasion Rock Band, but like Queen after them, they dabbled in a lot of different styles - usually inspiring other artists. Not that they weren't inspired by other artists as well. 1967's Sgt Pepper was inspired by the Beach Boys' 1966 album Pet Sounds. And then after that, I'm pretty sure the Stones released an album in 1967 after Mick Jagger heard Pepper.

[@Paladin70]

George Harrison played the sitar on Norwegian Wood. It was recorded in October 1965. In February 1965 The Yardbirds had recorded Heart Full Of Soul with a sitar (later re-recorded with Jeff Beck’s guitar replacing the sitar track. And this wasn’t the first Beatles release to feature a sitar. In August 1965 the North American version of the Help album was issued and it contained an instrumental called Another Hard Day’s Night, a medley of A Hard Day’s Night, Can’t Buy Me Love and I Should Have Known Better, and was performed on a sitar, tablas, flute and finger cymbals.

[@christhornycroft3686]

@@Paladin70 oh right. I remember.

[@williamwoodward280]

My wife and I love your videos! You’re getting into some great tunes! You have to hit the siren song of the 60’s, San Francisco by Scott Mackenzie (written by Papa Phillips of Mamas and Papas). God Bless from Western Cape, South Africa!

[@michaelwduffy]

I’ll add it to my list thank you guys so much means a lot!! 😃

[@joannparker1977]

Beautiful. John Lennon’s voice…

[@ronturner9850]

My steadfast favourite album!

[@JohnDoe-tw8es]

It's a sitar which George played. Suppose to be a story about John and a prostitute from what I remember.

[@billymcintosh888]

Thank you for a beautiful song and reaction, is back in the ussr next

[@scottwatson9453]

I saw your mayonnaise jar bopping along!

[@pierrebezukov5770]

That instrument is a sitar... it originated in India

[@barbaracline9064]

George Harrison plays a sitar in this song.

[@glennandadriansrocktalk]

Pyro John! Great song, but I didn't catch on to the criminal aspect for awhile. The Beatles did this sometimes - played a little joke on their audience.

[@hilogal1102]

Aloha! Just found your channel and enjoy your videos! Thank you for your kind words for Iam Tongi, we’re so proud of him here in Hawaii! A video suggestion, would love to see you do one of Lewis Capaldi Wish You the Best. I really think you’d enjoy it. Thanks!

[@michaelwduffy]

You got it my friend!!

[@rhondarees9488]

The instrument was the Sitar.

[@sherylhenley1931]

Greeat reaction..That was George Harrison playing the Sitar. Hope you check out the Abbey Road album-Paul McCartney is amazing doing Oh Darling. It's one you wouldn't expect from him.

[@deltabravo2678]

HE BURNED HER HOUSE DOWN! went to her room " isn't it good Norwegian wood?" thinking he was gonna get laid... she went to bed and he slept in the bath.. when he woke, she was gone and he lit a fire... " isn't it good Norwegian wood?"

[@ittamandarano8262]

Another great early-mid period song is YOU'VE GOT TO HIDE YOUR LOVE AWAY...another song song by John...a song in which he is talking about himself...might be reflecting the difficulty he had with fame when it first came and it felt out of control

[@coffee-xg6my]

He went to sleep in the bath because when she said "It's time for bed", he thought that meant it's time for sex. But the when he followed her into the bedroom, she told him, whoa buddy. when I said "It's time for bed" I meant, I need to go to sleep because I have to work in the morning". so she sent him off to sleep in the bath. And she started to laugh at him and he realized he'd been _had_ by her! ("I once had a girl or should I say she once had me") Then when he awoke in the morning, sure enough she was gone to work. He felt so betrayed and taken advantage of, that before he decided to leave, he'd get revenge and he burned her house down....."So, I lit a fire, isn't it good, Norwegian wood".

[@stephenbull5555]

Paul stayed with the Asher family in early years,his girlfriend then was Jane Asher and her bedroom was made of Norwegian wood hence the song brilliant.

[@mikefetterman6782]

This is about a girl who John goes home with., having high expectations (despite him being married) and finding out "she's just not into you, man", "she likes girls, go sleep in the bathtub"

[@timothyhites7016]

George on Indian Sitar

[@gidion4004]

There is also the Sitar....

[@joecleveland2338]

Try "A Day in the Life" from Sgt. Pepper. That will blow your mind!

[@lingoman1]

Mayoman. I think you missed the part where the guy burned down her house. "So I lit a fire, isn't it good Norwaigan wood." That's OK. You're still new to this. Distracted by your thoughts. Best to analyze at the end, not during. 😉

[@incognito4860]

He must have set fire to the table??????

[@tjdomerny4847]

George Harrison on the sitar

[@stevepaquette4534]

Sounds like you don't know the origin story to this song. It is about the first night John and Yoko spent together. Oh and that is a sitar. Not sure if it is spelled right. East Indian instrument.

[@labajadaman]

Not so. John met Yoko in November 1966, nearly a full year after this song was released.

[@stevepaquette4534]

@labajadaman that's funny could be true but in ALL the literature and in interviews what I stated is what I have read and heard from biographies and interviews. Thanks. I will do some more research. To bad I no longer have the book that has everything they did in timeliness. Even to who was at which recording session on which day. You could possibly be correct. But I highly doubt it. I don't usually spout off unless I know what I am talking about. If I still had my books I could look up the date they met. And thier first night together I know it was not long between

[@labajadaman]

@Steve Paquette Since you don’t have your books anymore I will help you out. I pulled out my copy of The Complete Beatles Chronicle (Mark Lewisohn): Entry for October 21, 1965: “‘Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)’, was re-made from start to finish during the afternoon”. Entry for September 19 thru November 6, 1966: “(John) returned home to England, flying from Madrid, on 7 November - and two nights later met Yoko Ono for the first time.” So, Norwegian Wood was recorded a year and two weeks BEFORE John met Yoko.

[@nickaquila7226]

That instrument your wondering about is a citar

[@lourall5390]

There was no romance here... I once met a girl... She showed me her room... They talked and drank wine,,, She said it was bedtime,,, She needed to be up in the morning and laughed about it so he slept in the tub. No romance or wicky-wicky. By the way, Norwegian wood is something you would make pallets from or use as firewood.

[@papercup2517]

Yes, just cheap pallet wood now, but, I believe that sort of pale natural wood was very fashionable for everything in the home in the mid-sixties and IIRC, the song was named after one of the wall cladding styles available that was called 'Norwegian Wood' in the catalogue. It indicated she was a fashion-conscious and probably quite rich girl who could afford to have her place decked out in the latest look... Which I guess became annoying after John didn't get what he was expecting/hoping for, thus the revenge fantasy of burning the whole lot down!

[@hollyjoann]

I'd rather sleep on the floor. Lol

[@jeffreyjenkins1242]

George on sitar.

[@richiewest7495]

sitar... George.

[@billwaddle6975]

Right. its about a guys response to his failed attempt at seduction.He is initially hopeful that he will see some action when invited to visit this girls home, Ever hopeful he engages with her in conversation and this continues until the early hours. He finds however that she appears more interested in telling him about the fact that she has had her property furnished with Norwegian wood paneling than him. She sees through his sexual attentions towards her and understands that he has been only persistent with this in the hope that he will be able to engage in sex with her. She mocks him with her laughter and basically tells him that he will not be sharing her bed and he "crawls off to sleep in the bath". When he awakes he finds she has left and gone to work. Annoyed that "this bird has flown" meaning he has put a lot of effort into his attempt to seduce her but she has escaped. So he finally acts out his frustration by lighting a fire and commenting on well it burns. A number of the early Beatles songs have elements of misogyny reflecting male attitudes in the 50s 60s and 70s

[@Vrealita]

Sitar

[@z0n0ph0ne]

SITAR

[@Retroearthling]

it's trippy because it's about drugs

[@bcoghill77]

The bird was a guy the girl was a guy.

[@montymason1647]

All the elements of Beatles' genius come to full fruition in this album and song. George Harrison's multicultural affinities take center stage via his sitar-played motif, which almost singlehandedly (at least among European-born pop musicians) created the multiracial genre of pop music we now know as World Music. The chord progression modulating between major and minor underscore and evoke the shifting moods of calm and melancholy regarding the in-the-moment warmth of a scene of seduction and the rueful, pensive sense of loss in the brief affair's aftermath. As for "lighting a fire," the "isn't it good," this "Norwegian wood," theories, interpretations, and the Beatles' own ambiguous and/or contradictory statements suggest (a) the breaking up and putting to the fireplace Norwegian modernist furniture in the melancholy wake of a momentary illicit affair, from which the narrator had wanted more OR (b) the narrator, in the melancholy moment of soaking in a warm bath, lights up a cannabis spliff and ponders the meaning -- or meaninglessness -- of the affair for which he harbours both disappointment and gratitude. I lean toward the notion that the narrator lights up the spliff, as he sits alone in his bathtub, grappling with his ambivalence about the affair. But whatever the "true" meaning, the fact that fans and scholars alike grapple with the myriad meanings and moods of this nearly sixty-year--old song and performance confirms the Beatles' enduring, paradoxically haunting and joyous genius. They are of the ages.

[@markofrontz1343]

Sitar

[@thomasmcdonough6642]

Sitar

[@howdyault7710]

Sitar