45
Track 11 on
Nov. 22, 19681 viewer1.2M views
Blackbird Lyrics
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
[Verse 2]
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
[Chorus]
Blackbird fly, blackbird fly
Into the light of a dark black night
Blackbird fly, blackbird fly
Into the light of a dark black night
[Verse 3]
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
[Outro]
You were only waiting for this moment to arise
You were only waiting for this moment to arise
About
Song Bio
“Blackbird” is Paul McCartney’s hopeful folk anthem about the Civil Rights Movement and the end of racism in America.
The tune itself was inspired by J.S. Bach’s “Bourrée in E minor,” a well-known lute piece from 1717.
1
Q&A
Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning
Can you please put a video with it
Genius Answer
There isn’t an official music video for this song, but you can watch a video of Paul McCartney rehearsing the song here:
You can also listen to the full song here:
What is the symbolism of "Take these broken wings and learn to fly"?
Genius Answer
Paul McCartney stated that the song uses symbolism to describe the struggle of Southern Black Americans for civil rights. The broken wings could symbolize how broken down and discriminated against African Americans were, and for them to learn to fly would be to try to overcome what they were going through. This is further evidenced by the following lines “All your life / You were only waiting for this moment to be free”. Even though equality exists, it is still more difficult for Black Americans in America than their white peers.
What did The Beatles say about "Blackbird"?
- 1.1.Back in the U.S.S.R.
- 1.2.Dear Prudence
- 1.3.Glass Onion
- 1.4.Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da
- 1.5.Wild Honey Pie
- 1.9.Martha My Dear
- 1.10.I’m So Tired
- 1.11.Blackbird
- 1.12.Piggies
- 1.13.Rocky Raccoon
- 1.14.Don’t Pass Me By
- 1.16.I Will
- 1.17.Julia
- 2.1.Birthday
- 2.2.Yer Blues
- 2.3.Mother Nature’s Son
- 2.5.Sexy Sadie
- 2.6.Helter Skelter
- 2.7.Long, Long, Long
- 2.8.Revolution 1
- 2.9.Honey Pie
- 2.10.Savoy Truffle
- 2.11.Cry Baby Cry
- 2.12.Revolution 9
- 2.13.Good Night
Credits
Released on
November 22, 1968
Producer
Writers
Mixed At
Engineer
Vocals
Acoustic Guitar
Tape Loops
Percussion
Publisher
Label
Recorded At
EMI Recording Studios, St. John's Wood, City of Westminster, Greater London, England, United Kingdom (June 11, 1968)
Songs That Sample Blackbird
We both knew i wasn't enough by Shittyoldshirt, Because / Blackbird by Julian Dürr, Blackbird/Yesterday (LOVE Version) by The Beatles (Ft. George Martin), Whatsername (Susanna Hoffs) by Dean Gray, Blackbird by Left Boy, Bathroom Sign by Copycat, Overload (Demo) (Bonus Track) by Spider The Band & Flying Fish by Shadrow
Songs That Interpolate Blackbird
Como o Diabo Gosta by Belchior, La follia della donna (Parte I) (Gattini Version) by Elio e le Storie Tese (Ft. Nicola Savino & Roger Waters), La follia della donna (Parte I) by Elio e le Storie Tese (Ft. Nicola Savino & Roger Waters), Broken Wings by Mr. Mister, Gimme Some Truth/Blackbird by Skeleton Staff & angel by hikko.
Blackbird Covers
Blackbird by Emily Beattie, Blackbird by Karima Ammar, Blackbird by Jaco Pastorius, Blackbird [Live] by Marillion, Blackbird (Stripped Raw and Real) by Jesse McCartney, Blackbird by Peter Hollens & Tim Foust, Mother Nature's Son (Live) by Bobbie Gentry, Blackbird by Midnite String Quartet, Blackbird by Sarah Vaughan, Blackbird by Cory Wong, Blackbird (Live) by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, Blackbird by Rick Wakeman, Blackbird by Dion, Blackbird by Sheila E., Blackbird by Chris De Burgh, Melro (Black Bird) by Tetê Espíndola, Blackbird by Crosby, Stills & Nash, Blackbird / All My Loving by Jesse Daniel Smith, Blackbird by The Gray Havens, Blackbird by Pedro Aznar, Blackbird by The Anchoress, Blackbird by Ellem, Blackbird by Al Di Meola, Blackbird by KIDZ BOP Kids, Blackbird by Cosmos (LVA), Blackbrid by Tiffany Alvord, Blackbird by Morgan James, Blackbird by Justin Hayward, Blackbird by James Smith (UK), Blackbird by Anderson .Paak, Black Bird by The Guess Who, Blackbird by Conan Gray, Blackbird by Hot Water, Blackbird by Delta Rae, Blackbird by MonaLisa Twins, Blackbird by Foo Fighters, Blackbird by Cameron Mitchell, Blackbird by Boyce Avenue, Blackbird by The Beat Bugs (Ft. Sia), Blackbird by Jess Greenberg, Blackbird by Victoria Vox, Blackbird by Glee Cast, Fade to Blackbird by Beatallica, Blackbird by Judy Collins, Blackbird by Cassandra Wilson, Blackbird by Elliott Smith, Blackbird by Emmerson Nogueira, Blackbird by Doves, Blackbird by Collin Raye, Lon-dubh (blackbird) by Julie Fowlis, Blackbird by Evan Rachel Wood, Blackbird Singing by The Paragons, Blackbird by Neil Diamond, Blackbird by Raul Midón, Blackbird by Terri Lyne Carrington, Blackbird by Kenny Rankin, Blackbird by Ramsey Lewis, Blackbird by Bobby McFerrin, BLACKBIRD by BONNIE PINK, Blackbird by Arturo Sandoval, Blackbird by Brad Mehldau, Blackbird by Sarah McLachlan, Blackbird by Dionne Farris, Blackbird by Micky Dolenz, Blackbird by Anne Sofie von Otter & Brad Mehldau, Blackbird by The Dandy Warhols, Blackbird by Willow Pattern, Blackbird by Gerónimo Rauch, Blackbird by L.A. Workshop, Black Guy Having Sex With My Wife by Yolo Swag Studios, Beyoncé Bowl (NFL Halftime Show Performance) by Beyoncé (Ft. Brittney Spencer, Dolly Parton, Post Malone, Reyna Roberts, Shaboozey, Tanner Adell & Tiera Kennedy), BLACKBIRD by RICHJAY$, Blackbird by Elizabeth Rose Bloodflame, Blackbird by Tony Williams & BLACKBIIRD by Beyoncé, Tanner Adell, Brittney Spencer, Tiera Kennedy & Reyna Roberts
Blackbird Translations
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