Blackbird

Lyrics meaning of Blackbird by The Beatles

According to McCartney, racial tension in the South and the sound of a blackbird's call in Rishikesh, India, served as inspiration for the song's lyrics.

The guitar accompaniment for "Blackbird" was influenced by Johann Sebastian Bach's Bourrée in E minor, a well-known lute composition that is frequently played on the classical guitar, as McCartney revealed on Chaos and Creation at Abbey Road. He and George Harrison attempted to master Bourrée as a "show off" piece when they were youngsters. Melody and bass notes are played simultaneously on the top and lower strings, which sets the Bourrée apart.

The start of "Blackbird" had a section of the Bourrée that McCartney reharmonised into the relative major key of G. The melody was then used throughout the song. Bach provided the inspiration for the song's initial three notes, which were followed by the opening guitar riff.

For the crowd encamped outside his house, McCartney played "Blackbird" the first night his future wife Linda Eastman stayed there.

Blackbird lyrics by The Beatles

Blackbird singing in the dead of night

Take these broken wings and learn to fly

All your life

You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Blackbird singing in the dead of night

Take these sunken eyes and learn to see

All your life

You were only waiting for this moment to be free

Blackbird fly, blackbird fly

Into the light of the dark black night

Blackbird fly, blackbird fly

Into the light of the dark black night

Blackbird singing in the dead of night

Take these broken wings and learn to fly

All your life

You were only waiting for this moment to arise

You were only waiting for this moment to arise

You were only waiting for this moment to arise