Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)
John Lennon began writing the song in January 1965 while staying at Badrutt's Palace Hotel in St. Moritz, Switzerland. He was on holiday with his wife Cynthia and record producer George Martin when he started composing what would become Norwegian Wood. The lyrics describe an extramarital affair that Lennon had in London during that period. Writer Philip Norman speculates the woman involved might have been journalist Maureen Cleave or Sonny Freeman. Paul McCartney later explained the title as an ironic reference to cheap pine wall panelling popular in London homes. The opening couplet states I once had a girl or should I say she once had me. This line sets up a narrative where the singer stays until two am talking with the woman but finds no sexual intimacy. The final verse depicts him burning down her house as revenge before leaving. McCartney claimed this ending meant he lit a fire for warmth but also suggested burning the place down as an act of anger.
George Harrison first encountered the sitar between five and six April 1965 while filming Help! at Twickenham Film Studios. A group of Indian musicians played various instruments including the sitar during a scene set inside an Indian restaurant. Harrison became fascinated by the instrument's exotic sound after seeing it performed live. Barry Fantoni told Ray Davies of the Kinks about the Beatles' interest in using Indian instrumentation. David Crosby of the Byrds discussed Ravi Shankar with Harrison during their American tour on twenty-five August 1965 in Los Angeles. Back in London Harrison purchased a cheap sitar from Indiacraft store located on Oxford Street. Ringo Starr later described the band's eagerness to incorporate new sounds that year. He said you could walk in with an elephant as long as it made a musical note. Harrison attributed his growing interest in Indian music to conversations with friends rather than direct exposure to other bands like the Kinks or Yardbirds.
The Beatles recorded an early version of Norwegian Wood on twelve October 1965 at EMI Studios in London. Producer George Martin oversaw sessions where the group rehearsed extensively before recording the rhythm track in one take. The initial version featured two twelve-string acoustic guitars bass guitar and faint cymbal sounds. Sound engineer Norman Smith recalled problems capturing the sitar due to nasty peaks and complex wave forms. Lennon overdubbed lead vocals double-tracked at the end of each verse line. This first attempt emphasized the drone quality more than the final release would. The band discarded this version after finding it unsatisfactory. On twenty-one October they recorded three new takes including the master recording. The second take introduced a double-tracked sitar opening complementing Lennon's acoustic melody. By the third take the song was renamed Norwegian Wood and shifted from D major to E major. The group skipped the rhythm section entirely for the final version. Harrison described adding the sitar as quite spontaneous from what he remembered. They miked it up and put it on because it seemed to hit the spot perfectly.
Norwegian Wood appeared on the Rubber Soul album released on three December 1965. It marked the first time a rock band played an Indian instrument on any Western recording. In Australia the song issued as a single with Nowhere Man reached number one status in May 1966. Both tracks listed together held the top position for two weeks during that period. The British Phonographic Industry awarded silver certification in 2021 for sales exceeding 200,000 units. Richie Unterberger wrote for AllMusic describing the track as possessing ambiguity and ingenious innuendo suitable even for Dylan fans. He noted how the group had come far since She Loves You just two years prior. Rolling Stone magazine ranked Norwegian Wood at eighty-three on its 2004 list of five hundred greatest songs. Scott Plagenhoef of Pitchfork called it one of Lennon's most self-evident pieces exemplifying his maturity as a songwriter. John Kruth referred to the tune as striking from the first listen transporting fans north to Scandinavian forests.
Although droning guitars mimicked sitar qualities before Norwegian Wood emerged generally credited as sparking mid-1960s craze for the novel instrument. The composition is often identified as the first example of raga rock within popular music history. Brian Jones of the Rolling Stones integrated the sitar into Paint It Black after receiving advice from Harrison. Donovan followed with Sunshine Superman while Yardbirds released Shapes of Things. The Byrds contributed Eight Miles High among other tracks exemplifying rapid growth in Indian musical interest. Jonathan Gould stated the impact transformed Ravi Shankar's career significantly. Shankar later wrote about noticing a great sitar explosion during spring 1966 concerts performed across the UK. Harrison developed fascination with Indian culture introducing mysticism to fellow Beatles members. He met Shankar in London during June 1966 becoming a student under the master sitarist. Harrison expanded upon initial efforts by writing Love You To showcasing immersion in non-Western forms. Before Sgt Pepper sessions he traveled to Bombay India continuing studies with yogis and contributing Within You Without You featuring uncredited musicians playing dilruba swarmandal tabla alongside string sections.
The popularity of Indian classical musician Ravi Shankar soared following Norwegian Wood releases. Harrison became his student after meeting him in London during June 1966. Shankar described awareness of a great sitar explosion occurring during spring 1966 performances throughout Britain. Harrison made pilgrimage to Bombay India before Sgt Pepper recording sessions studying further with Shankar. He introduced teachings from several yogis into his own creative process. For the remainder of his career Harrison evolved understanding of Indian musicianship particularly slide guitar techniques. Mojo placed Norwegian Wood at nineteen on its 2004 list of one hundred greatest Beatles songs compiled by critics and musicians. Roy Harper wrote about being envious yet inspired when hearing Rubber Soul arrive overnight. John Cale recalled how the song's mood felt very acid bombarding senses like flashbacks. Ted Montgomery commented perhaps no other rock song captures feel and nuance more succinctly than two minutes five seconds duration. Numerous artists covered the track including Hour Glass Waylon Jennings Tangerine Dream Cilla Black Hank Williams Jr Cornershop The Fiery Furnaces Rahul Dev Burman Buddy Rich P.M. Dawn Heather Nova. Chemical Brothers sampled it within their 1997 song The Private Psychedelic Reel.
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Common questions
When and where did John Lennon write Norwegian Wood?
John Lennon began writing the song in January 1965 while staying at Badrutt's Palace Hotel in St. Moritz, Switzerland.
What inspired George Harrison to play the sitar on Norwegian Wood?
George Harrison first encountered the sitar between five and six April 1965 while filming Help! at Twickenham Film Studios during a scene with Indian musicians.
How many takes were required to record the final version of Norwegian Wood?
The band recorded three new takes including the master recording on twenty-one October 1965 after discarding an earlier attempt.
On which album was Norwegian Wood released and when?
Norwegian Wood appeared on the Rubber Soul album released on three December 1965.
Why is Norwegian Wood considered significant for raga rock history?
The composition is often identified as the first example of raga rock within popular music history because it marked the first time a rock band played an Indian instrument on any Western recording.