Sarah McLachlan - Blackbird Lyrics

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who originally wrote 'Blackbird'?

   The song 'Blackbird' was originally written by Paul McCartney of The Beatles. The lyrics credit both John Lennon and Paul McCartney, as was customary for Beatles songs.

2. What inspired Paul McCartney to write 'Blackbird'?

   Paul McCartney was inspired to write 'Blackbird' after reading about the civil rights struggles in the US during the 1960s. He particularly noted the racial desegregation events in Little Rock, Arkansas.

3. Which instruments and sounds are featured in the original recording of 'Blackbird'?

   The original recording of 'Blackbird' by The Beatles features only three sounds: Paul McCartney’s voice, his Martin D-28 acoustic guitar, and a tapping sound, which might be made by McCartney’s foot or a metronome. Birds were dubbed in later using sound effects from the Abbey Road collection.

4. Has 'Blackbird' by The Beatles been covered by other artists?

   Yes, 'Blackbird' by The Beatles has been covered by hundreds of artists, including notable renditions by José Feliciano, Billy Preston, Sarah Vaughan, Jaco Pastorius, Bobby McFerrin, and Beyoncé.

5. When was 'Blackbird' recorded?

   'Blackbird' was recorded by The Beatles in 1968 as part of their White Album sessions.

6. Which famous compositional work influenced the guitar accompaniment of 'Blackbird'?

   The guitar accompaniment for 'Blackbird' was inspired by Johann Sebastian Bach’s Bourrée in E minor for lute, which Paul McCartney and George Harrison tried to learn on classical guitar when they were younger.