Some songs I have to listen to a few times to like and some the first time. This one was love at first listen. It’s not a masterpiece by the Beatles but if you like catchy guitar riff driven songs then you can’t go wrong with this one. The song was written primarily by John. He described it as “a horror” and “throwaway.” I disagree with John…
The song was released on the UK version of Revolver and the “Yesterday and Today” compilation in America in 1966.
George Harrison said “I think it was Paul and me, or maybe John and me, playing in harmony,” it’s “quite a complicated little line that goes through the middle-eight.” Most people agree that it is George and Paul playing the riff together.
The song was never released as a single. I think it perfectly encapsulates the mid-sixties sound.
John or Paul never said what the song was really about or what inspired it. Fans have speculated that the “bird” was Mick Jagger’s then-girlfriend Mariane Faithful…but unless Paul opens up about it…even if he knows… we will never know.
I’ve always remembered the Joe Walsh story about this song…He said he worked for weeks to master this solo by himself. Only to find out later that it was two guitars playing the riff, not one after Ringo told him.
The dual guitar solo rates in at #69 on the “100 Greatest Guitar Solos” list done by Rolling Stone magazine.
And Can Your Bird Can See
You say you’ve got everything you want
And your bird can sing
But you don’t get me
You don’t get me
You say you’ve seen the seven wonders
And you bird is green
But you can’t see me
You can’t see me
When your prized possessions
Start to weigh you down
Look in my direction
I’ll be round, I’ll be round
When your bird is broken
Will it bring you down
You may be awoken
I’ll be round, I’ll be round
You tell me that you’ve heard every sound there is
And your bird can swing
But you can’t hear me
You can’t hear me
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A good tune I think I only became aware of about a decade back when I heard the Matthew Sweet/Susanna Hoffs cover of it. Certainly not an overplayed one from the Beatles catalog
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It is a complicated little riff… very catchy with those vocals
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John said a lot of foolish things without thinking- this is a great song. How many Beatles songs did it take you a couple listens to like? Most of their stuff I loved immediately. Strawberry Fields Forever took a few times though- there is so much in that song to absorb- after three listens I loved it. Maybe I Am The Walrus too…. I am still waiting for Maxwell’s Silver Hammer to kick in..
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Just a few took me more than one listen… and because I was younger… Happiness is a Warm Gun, She’s Leaving Home and I Am the Walrus… like you said a lot to absorb… after a few listens… I was hooked….
Maxwell may take a lifetime!
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Some of the chords in this song remind me of Taxman.
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It does sound one of the chords before the riff…at the beginning of the riff ….
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Maxwell silver Hammer went in reverse for me…loved it back in the day (when it was on radio & I was about 3 or4) , don’ t think it stands the test of time too well though
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I just popped out to the kitchen where Mrs Wdeod and both daughters were. “What do you think of the phrase ‘bird’ for a woman” I said.
Mrs Wdeod glared at me and Daughter no 2 is still, five minutes later, railing. ‘Do I have a beak? Do I lay eggs?’ Her boyfriend apparently uses it frequently and she is most vocally annoyed about that.
We’ve brought her up well.
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Wdeod…you just made me really laugh…I told my wife and she laughed and said they were brought up right!
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I think bird is a way more tender term for a female than so many other terms men refer to women as. My sons call me “old hen” sometimes and I love it. To each their own, I guess.
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One of my favourite Beatles tracks. That riff! 8 bars of absolute awesomeness
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Isn’t it? Some Beatle fans kinda scoff at the song…I love it. That riff should be included in the riff hall of fame…complicated little riff
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Definitely in the hall of frame… Spent ages figuring it out back in the 90s
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I’ve never tackled this one. You have to play it with two strings right?…well unless you have a doubling effect?
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Well that’s two guitars playing so there’s that… But just playing the line is satisfying enough. Some string doubling I think yes
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I need to attempt it… it’s crazy I haven’t before
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It’s in E I think, so there’s open string opportunities to lighten the load lol
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I will give it a shot…I’ll keep you updated…I’m ashamed I haven’t tried.
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