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About

Genius Annotation

“Blackbird” is Paul McCartney’s hopeful essay on the Civil Rights Movement and the “End of Racism in America”.

The tune was inspired by J.S. Bach’s Bourrée in E minor, a well known lute piece.

McCartney’s explanation of the song’s origin has changed over the years.

McCartney’s foot can be heard tapping throughout the song.

Q&A

Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning

Translations
Genius Answer
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"?
Credits
Produced By
Acoustic Guitar
Tape Loops
Foot Percussion
Recorded At
EMI Recording Studios, St. John's Wood, City of Westminster, Greater London, England (June 11, 1968)
Release Date
November 22, 1968
Blackbird Covers
Blackbird by Emily Beattie, Blackbird by Karima Ammar, Blackbird by Jaco Pastorius, Blackbird [Live] by Marillion, Blackbird (Acoustic) 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 - The Beatles 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 & BLACKBIIRD by Beyoncé, Tanner Adell, Brittney Spencer, Tiera Kennedy & Reyna Roberts
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