Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown) - The Beatles - 1965
Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown) - The Beatles - 1965
Introduction
Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown) is a song by The Beatles from their 1965 album Rubber Soul. It is known for its distinctive use of the sitar, played by George Harrison, marking one of the first instances of rock music incorporating traditional Indian instrumentation.
Background
The song was written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney. It showcases the band's evolving musical style and experimentation with new sounds and lyrical themes. The lyrics tell a story of a man who spends the night at a woman's apartment and wakes up to find she has left.
Composition and Recording
"Norwegian Wood" was recorded in October 1965 at EMI Studios in London. George Harrison's sitar playing was a significant feature of the song, influenced by Ravi Shankar. This experimentation added a unique flavor to the Beatles' sound and opened the door for further exploration of non-Western music in popular music.
Lyrics and Interpretation
The song's lyrics have been the subject of much interpretation. The narrative suggests a fleeting romantic encounter, with the ambiguous ending leaving listeners to speculate about the man's actions. The title "Norwegian Wood" refers to cheap pinewood, which was a popular material in 1960s London.
Cultural Impact
"Norwegian Wood" has been influential in popularizing Indian music and instruments in Western pop music. It also marked a shift in The Beatles' songwriting, incorporating more introspective and mature themes.
Trivia
o The sitar used in the recording was purchased by George Harrison from a London shop. o The song's working title was "This Bird Has Flown." o It is one of the earliest examples of raga rock, a genre combining rock music with Indian classical music elements.
Interactive Tasks
Quiz: Questions on the Song
What instrument is prominently featured in "Norwegian Wood"? (Sitar) (!Tabla) (!Veena) (!Sarod)
Which album features "Norwegian Wood"? (Rubber Soul) (!Revolver) (!Help!) (!A Hard Day's Night)
Who primarily wrote "Norwegian Wood"? (John Lennon) (!Paul McCartney) (!George Harrison) (!Ringo Starr)
What year was "Norwegian Wood" released? (1965) (!1964) (!1966) (!1967)
What does "Norwegian Wood" refer to in the song? (Cheap pinewood) (!A forest in Norway) (!A type of Norwegian furniture) (!A Norwegian musical instrument)
Quiz: Questions on the Performer
Which Beatle played the sitar on "Norwegian Wood"? (George Harrison) (!John Lennon) (!Paul McCartney) (!Ringo Starr)
Who were the main songwriters for The Beatles? (John Lennon and Paul McCartney) (!George Harrison and Ringo Starr) (!John Lennon and George Harrison) (!Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr)
Which Beatles album marked their first major use of non-Western instruments? (Rubber Soul) (!Revolver) (!Help!) (!Abbey Road)
Which Indian musician influenced George Harrison? (Ravi Shankar) (!Alla Rakha) (!Anoushka Shankar) (!Ali Akbar Khan)
Which year did The Beatles disband? (1970) (!1969) (!1971) (!1972)
Quiz: Questions on the Lyrics
What does the protagonist notice about the woman’s apartment in the lyrics? (It’s made of Norwegian wood) (!It has a beautiful garden) (!It’s very large) (!It’s filled with books)
What happens when the protagonist wakes up in the song? (The woman is gone) (!He finds a letter) (!The apartment is on fire) (!He hears a strange noise)
What is the protagonist offered to sit on? (A rug) (!A chair) (!A sofa) (!A cushion)
What does the protagonist do at the end of the song? (Lights a fire) (!Leaves the apartment) (!Calls a friend) (!Goes back to sleep)
How does the protagonist describe the bird (woman) in the song? (This bird has flown) (!This bird is caged) (!This bird is lost) (!This bird is free)
Memory
| George Harrison | Sitar |
| Norwegian Wood | Pinewood |
| 1965 | Rubber Soul |
| John Lennon | Lyrics |
| Ravi Shankar | Influence |
Open Tasks
Easy
- Write a summary: Summarize the song's story in your own words.
- Create a drawing: Draw a scene inspired by the song's lyrics.
- Make a list: List other songs by The Beatles that include non-Western instruments.
Standard
- Research project: Investigate the influence of Indian music on Western pop music.
- Essay: Write an essay on how "Norwegian Wood" represents a shift in The Beatles' music style.
- Presentation: Create a presentation about the making of "Rubber Soul".
Difficult
- Music analysis: Analyze the use of the sitar in "Norwegian Wood" and compare it to its use in other songs by The Beatles.
- Creative writing: Write a short story inspired by the song's lyrics, imagining what happens next.
- Interview project: Conduct interviews with people who experienced the 1960s and ask about their memories of The Beatles and "Norwegian Wood".
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Oral Exam
- Discuss the impact: Discuss how "Norwegian Wood" influenced Western music.
- Analyze the lyrics: Analyze the lyrics and discuss the possible interpretations of the story.
- Historical context: Explain the cultural and historical context of The Beatles' experimentation with Indian music.
- Personal reflection: Reflect on how "Norwegian Wood" makes you feel and why.
- Connect themes: Connect the themes of "Norwegian Wood" with other songs by The Beatles.
OERs on the Topic
Links
MUSIC QUIZ
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