I once had a girl/
Or should I say she once had me…

“Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)” is a song by The Beatles, written by John Lennon and released on their 1965 album “Rubber Soul.” The song is widely considered to be one of the first examples of psychedelic pop music, and its lyrics tell the story of a man who recalls a failed romantic encounter with a woman.

The song’s impact lies in its influence on the genre of psychedelic pop, which was a major movement in the 1960s. It’s also notable for being one of the first Western pop songs to incorporate elements of Indian classical music, with the use of a sitar in the instrumental section. The song’s imaginative and unconventional use of musical elements, combined with its introspective and somewhat cryptic lyrics, made it a hit among audiences and a standout track on “Rubber Soul”.

In terms of its lyrics, “Norwegian Wood” has been interpreted in a number of different ways over the years. Some have seen it as a simple love story, while others have interpreted it as a commentary on the changing social and cultural norms of the 1960s. The song’s ambiguous and open-ended lyrics have also contributed to its enduring popularity, as listeners are able to bring their own interpretations to the song.

Compare The Beatles’ “Norwegian Wood” with Dylan’s “Fourth Time Around”. It has the same theme and time signature. Both deal with uncomfortable encounters while trying to hook up with a new woman. Neither guy gets the girl. While “Norwegian Wood” is considered somewhat of an homage to Dylan, this song came out slightly before Fourth Time Around. The songs are so similar that it is hard to believe one was not inspired by the other.

Both are great. The Beatles’ “Norwegian Wood” is the more iconic song. “Fourth Time Around” is a deep track.

The presence of Harrison’s sitar provides the song with its signature sound. Supposedly this is the first rock song with a sitar. The sitar would become one of Harrison’s big contributions to rock—not just the sitar, but incorporating other culture’s music into Western music. In no time The Stones and The Byrds and others would also be incorporating a sitar into their songs.

“Norwegian Wood” is a little different from the typical Beatles love song in that it is really a story about a failed hookup. It is nice to know that even rockstars have off days.

Norwegian Wood Lyrics

I once had a girl
Or should I say she once had me
She showed me her room
Isn’t it good Norwegian wood?

She asked me to stay
And she told me to sit anywhere
So I looked around
And I noticed there wasn’t a chair

I sat on a rug biding my time
Drinking her wine
We talked until two and then she said
“It’s time for bed”

She told me she worked
In the morning and started to laugh
I told her I didn’t
And crawled off to sleep in the bath

And when I awoke I was alone
This bird had flown
So I lit a fire
Isn’t it good Norwegian wood?

written by lennon/mccartney

They come, they come to build a wall between us/
We know they won’t win.

“Don’t Dream It’s Over” by Crowded House  explores the idea that life is hard–and relationships are too. Together they seem impossible-it seems amazing that we make it through the day. There are problems that we will face that will make it difficult to go on and will challenge even the strongest relationships. Finn is pointing out this basic reality of life to his significant other while also encouraging her to remain strong. He says to her, “Don’t Dream its Over”. These external forces should not break them apart.

“Don’t Dream it’s Over” has a catchy chorus and phrase (“hey now, hey now! Don’t dream it’s over.”), and Finn’s vocal is great. The lyrics and sentiment are timeless–and are especially relevant to a young audience– so I assume this will always remain a classic. It is the only song that I can think of that uses an organ for its solo. And it works.

Even when performing solo, Finn uses the organ for the solo. Some artists will experiment with the solo instruments on tour; this tells me he thinks the instruments’ sound is intrinsic to the song. To be sure, whenever I hear a wailing organ I do think of this song.

This song is a great 80s song that manages to transcend the time period and is one of the best songs of the decade.

Don’t Dream It’s Over Lyrics

There is freedom within, there is freedom without,
Try to catch the deluge in a paper cup.
There’s a battle ahead, many battles are lost,
But you’ll never see the end of the road
While you’re traveling with me.

Hey now, hey now!
Don’t dream it’s over.
Hey now, hey now,
When the world comes in.
They come, they come
To build a wall between us.
We know they won’t win.

Now I’m towing my car, there’s a hole in the roof,
My possessions are causing me suspicion but there’s no proof.
In the paper today, tales of war and of waste,
But you turn right over to the T.V. page.

Hey now, hey now!
Don’t dream it’s over.
Hey now, hey now,
When the world comes in,
They come, they come
To build a wall between us.
We know they won’t win.

Now I’m walking again to the beat of a drum,
And I’m counting the steps to the door of your heart.
Only shadows ahead barely clearing the roof,
Get to know the feeling of liberation and release.

Hey now, hey now!
Don’t dream it’s over.
Hey now, hey now,
When the world comes in,
They come, they come
To build a wall between us.
We know they won’t win.

Don’t let them win (hey now, hey now, hey now, hey now),
Hey now, hey now.
Don’t let them win (they come, they come),
Don’t let them win (hey now, hey now, hey now, hey now).

written by Neil Finn

The other woman has time to manicure her nails/
The other woman is perfect where her rival fails.

Nina Simone’s “The Other Woman” shows she is one of the masters of covering other artist’s material. Another I would put in her league is Tori Amos. Interestingly, both are classically trained pianists. I think that has a lot to do with it. They can add nuance to a song where before there was none, by taking a standard chord and turning into a 6^th,7^th, or 9^th for flavor. Also, they can simply play the songs better and with more difficult and sophisticated arrangements.

“The Other Woman” is an old-school song. You wouldn’t hear this song written today…attitudes have changed. However, it was written by Jessie Mae Robinson, a woman. I suspected a man was the author. The story is that while the Other Woman looks better, and always meets my man smelling fresh like a daisy, she will end up spending her life alone, because he’s staying married to me.

If you are a girl/woman who is an aspiring singer, listen to Simone for clues on how to sing. She accentuates her lower octave and modulates her tone. Emotion is conveyed through the use of diction and slight variance in volume and barely any vibrato. It sounds like she is singing for an audience of one, not a stadium. There is one, short tasteful vocal run and that’s it. You might not win any contests with this style, but you will win an audience.

The Other Woman Lyrics

The other woman finds time to manicure her nails
The other woman is perfect where her rival fails
And she’s never seen with pin curls in her hair
The other woman enchants her clothes with French perfume

The other woman keeps fresh cut flowers in each room
There are never toys that’s scattered everywhere
And when her baby comes to call
He’ll find her waiting like a lonesome queen

Cos when she’s by his side
It’s such a change from old routine
But the other woman will always cry herself to sleep
The other woman will never have his love to keep

And as the years go by the other woman
Will spend her life alone
Written by Jessie Mae Robinson