"One popular belief is that the song is a teasing jibe by Lennon at his friend Mick Jagger of The Rolling Stones, in reference to Jagger's pop star girlfriend ("bird" in British slang) Marianne Faithfull."

Anyone ever heard this before? Kick arse song with an even greater kick arse guitar riff and sound by Harrison. But I digress.....anyone ever read or hear Lennon mention anything with regard to the above quote found on Wikipedia?

I'm so glad that Lennon find his own "bird" who had a voice of Caruso's...

- Doxa

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squando
"One popular belief is that the song is a teasing jibe by Lennon at his friend Mick Jagger of The Rolling Stones, in reference to Jagger's pop star girlfriend ("bird" in British slang) Marianne Faithfull."

Anyone ever heard this before? Kick arse song with an even greater kick arse guitar riff and sound by Harrison. But I digress.....anyone ever read or hear Lennon mention anything with regard to the above quote found on Wikipedia?

At the time of writing the song and recording Mick and Marianne weren't an item.

On thing I have read in those famous Lennon interviews, where he goes through much of the Beatles catalogue song by song, and tells his recollections is that this one ranked down there with "Run for your life" with him: he did not seem to like it much.
That astounds me because besides that riff, there are other parts of the song e.g. the repetition of "I'll be round", that I think are fabulous.

"At the time of writing the song and recording Mick and Marianne weren't an item." The song was recorded around April 66 I think. Anyone know when Mick and Marianne fired up?

"On thing I have read in those famous Lennon interviews, where he goes through much of the Beatles catalogue song by song, and tells his recollections is that this one ranked down there with "Run for your life" with him: he did not seem to like it much.
That astounds me because besides that riff, there are other parts of the song e.g. the repetition of "I'll be round", that I think are fabulous."

Yeah Palace he refered to it once as a throwaway and "a cardboard box in fancy wrapping" Dunno why. I think it's a cracker.

Hahaha right you are Doxa...

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squando
Anyone know when Mick and Marianne fired up?

Late 1966/early 67... first photographed public appearance together as a couple was in the January 1967 at the San Remo song festival.

Interesting slant from wiki. I have never read that anywhere. I have read a hell of a lot of Beatles stuff too! But interesting. Yeah, the Playboy interviews he is down on it, but what a great track. I love the laughing version off Anthology where they are stoned out of their minds laughing trying to do the backing vocals. Great stuff.

May be some interesting comments here too, squando :

[oldies.about.com]


Largely composed by John, "And Your Bird Can Sing" features the singer insulting or "putting down" an acquaintance who's taken on a superior attitude; as such, the words of this song are some of the most speculated-upon of any Beatles track. The "bird" in this song is generally considered to be standard British slang for a girlfriend, leading some to speculate that the subject in question might be Mick Jagger (whose paramour, Marianne Faithfull, was just beginning her rise on the pop charts), or possibly Paul McCartney himself. A more popular theory in recent years identifies the subject as no less an icon than Frank Sinatra, whose press release announcing his nomination for a 1965 Grammy reportedly read, in part: "If you happen to be tired of kid singers wearing mops of hair thick enough to hide a crate of melons... 'Tell me that you've heard every sound there is,' crooned the world's greatest kid singer in his enigmatic reply, 'and your bird can swing. But you can't hear me. You can't hear me.'"
Whatever the point of the song, John was reportedly never pleased with it, considering it one of his "knockoffs" written just to fill a gap in the new album. (Paul is thought to have provided some melodic input in the bridge, as well as the suggestion of downward-moving harmonies at the beginning of the song's final verse.) For a supposedly throwaway song, however, more time than ever was spent on its creation: the band originally arranged and recorded a version, complete with final-stage vocal and instrumental overdubs, on April 20th, only to scrap the entire performance and rebuild the song entirely from scratch on the 26th. The final version -- which is in E, up from the original's D thanks to a capo -- features an overdubbed take 10 with the ending from take 6 spliced on.
The intricate signature guitar line that serves as the song's main hook is actually played by two guitarists: George and Paul, soloing in harmony at the same time on the two nearly-identical Epiphone Casino guitars given to John and George earlier in the year. Famed rocker and part-time Eagles member Joe Walsh has stated that he somehow learned to replicate the part without realizing that it was performed by two guitars.
Trivia:

One of the most famous outtakes in all of Beatles history, preserved for posterity on Anthology 2, is an abortive attempt at a vocal track on the original version's take 2. Throughout, John and Paul collapse in a giggling fit that is almost certainly brought about by the group's then-heavy use of marijuana.
Speaking of which, the line "you say you've seen seven wonders" is said to be a joking reference to the band's first use of marijuana, where Paul decided that life exists on "seven levels." Although this sounds like a bit of a stretch, it may account for the cryptic next line: "and your bird is green."
This was used as the theme song of the ABC-TV cartoon series The Beatles during its third season.
The original mono mix of "And Your Bird Can Sing" features louder handclaps and guitar than its stereo counterpart.



I am a Frenchie ,as Mick affectionately called them in the Old Grey Whistle Test in 1977 .

I think John's contributions to Revolver, I'm Only Sleeping; Dr. Robert; She Said, She Said; And Your Bird Can Sing; Tomorrow Never Knows [and you'd have to also include Rain, which was recorded at the same time] represent the absolute peak of his creative genius.

I very recently heard the fist takes of John writing "Strawberry Fields" on guitar. From one of the boots. My jaw dropped; but with me that is standard when I hear Lennon. That voice.
But so much was interesting: that he basically was just doing this chromatic kind of walkdown on guitar; and the way the open string worked against it would create the basic harmonic structure. He had one of the verses that he sang over and over, and it's not the opening line.
After many many takes the band comes in, and then after many more takes you plainly see why bands like Beatles and Stones earn this title of the greatest ever. Because once they got some basics ironed out, and did a 'real' take it became a whole other ballgame. and this is WAY pre-released form.
Another thing that struck me; on a song like this in particular, was just how huge George Martin's contributions were at times.
Sorry to go about this; but we got off on a Beatles thread somehow.

Tatters I could not agree more re "I think John's contributions to Revolver, I'm Only Sleeping; Dr. Robert; She Said, She Said; And Your Bird Can Sing; Tomorrow Never Knows [and you'd have to also include Rain, which was recorded at the same time] represent the absolute peak of his creative genius."

These songs are all sublime. I believe it is mostly these tracks that elevate Revolver to it's greatness. Strange how Lennon was so down on these songs in general and yet considered McCartney's "For no one", Here, there and everywhere" and "Got to get you into my life" as masterpieces. I like the Paul songs too but they are not better imo than Lennon's tracks.

Swaystones thank you for the great article. Hope it was directed at that musical non talent Sinatra. Thinking about it a little more (I maybe mistaken) but I think AYBCS appeared firstly on the US version of Rubber Soul in late 65 - so that really shoots down the theory of the Jagger girlfriend reference given he was still with Chrissie Shrimpton then I think.

And once again Whitem8 your are repleat with wisdom re "I love the laughing version off Anthology where they are stoned out of their minds laughing trying to do the backing vocals. Great stuff." It's hilarious. I also agree re the Lennon anthology version of "Jealous guy". Nicky is certainly up in the mix (which I prefer) than on the Imagine lp.

This is rock and roll at it's best. It's certainly heavier than anything (with the exception of "Satisfaction" and ironically "I wanna be your man") the Stones had done to that point.

>> (I maybe mistaken) but I think AYBCS appeared firstly on ... <<

it was on Yesterday and Today, released in june 1966.

Yeah I agree as well...Lennon's stuff is what makes it for Revolver, again, I like Macca's material, and Harrisons! But Lennon was really at a strong point in his writing craft. His melodies are so rich and intricate, with such vivid color. And his lyrics are great! Rain is one of my all time tracks by anyone, period! It is so rich in listing experience. So much going on from the great drumming, great guitar to the powerful vocals. And the lyrics! WHEW! This was not your average pop/rock song from the era, this is something special on so many levels. And it was a B side!!!!

In Barry Miles' book, Many Years From Now, Paul says he remembers helping with
the middle eight of this one ("When your bird is broken...") and that John "never had his middle eight."

As much as I love Lennon, I have to disagree with a few posters. Starting with Revolver McCartney really started taking control of the band and in my opinion, it shows (although he wouldn't really become the de facto leader till Sgt. Peppers). Eleanor Rigby, For No One, and Here, There, and Everywhere combine for some mind-blowing music. Macca and George Martin, and even Lennon seemed to go out of their way to praise Here, There, and Everywhere.

And on tracks that Macca didn't write, his presence is felt all over. He played lead on Taxman, shared the lead with Harrison on Your Bird Can Sing, and was responsible for a lot of the whacky experimentation on the Lennon songs. Though, I'm Only Sleeping is a great tune. Lennon's contributions were great, but I feel that after Rubber Soul, Macca became the more impressive songwriter. Just my own opinion.

Well I agree also with the above. The only weak tracks for me are "I want to tell you" - Harrison's other two are crackers however and I've never been huge on "Good day sunshine". McCartney's work on "Taxman" is brilliant and he was into loops at the time but so were the others, hence George's lead on "I'm only sleeping" being looped and played backwards. Never new however that Paul played lead as well as George on AYBCS.
I also believe Ringo's drumming was outstanding and McCartney's overseeing of the strings and the stacato used in "Eleanor Rigby" is simply genious.

As goood as Aftermath is it really is light years behind Revolver. Absolutely no hard edged rock on Aftermath and Revolver is filled with it. Yet some about these parts consider all Beatles tracks 'pop' and Stones 'rock'. I think Aftermath is more ecclectic but as far as stronger material and creativity is concerned the Beatles were way ahead at the time.

This is all highly subjective, but I prefer Lennon's contributions to "Revolver". But I honestly don't think one can say that "Revolver" shows Paul taking control of the band. If anything "revolver" showcases how they were growing apart as songwriters. Both (or all three) were growing at astronomic speed and in giant leaps. Take John with "Tomorrow never knows", "Sleeping" and "She Said" and put it next to "For No One", "Here There" and "Eleanor Rigby", and it clearly shows two paths diverging.
This is not a bad thing; but shows two writers reaching the top of their game. While every track on this album was brilliant, it seems that "Tomorrow Never Knows" made the biggest, deepest impact. It broke form more radically that other cuts from the album; and took you places.
I'm not doing the "John is better than Paul" thing; but I don't agree that this is where Paul took control.

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squando

Swaystones thank you for the great article. Hope it was directed at that musical non talent Sinatra. Thinking about it a little more (I maybe mistaken) but I think AYBCS appeared firstly on the US version of Rubber Soul in late 65 - so that really shoots down the theory of the Jagger girlfriend reference given he was still with Chrissie Shrimpton then I think.

I don't know since AYBCS was recorded in April 1965 ,wasn't it ?
Chrissie was the girlfriend of Mick until 1966 ,am I mistaken ? But he had already met Marianne before his love affair with Chrissie ended .



I am a Frenchie ,as Mick affectionately called them in the Old Grey Whistle Test in 1977 .

>> AYBCS was recorded in April 1965 ,wasn't it ? <<

april 1966

John was so stoned all the time it's a wonder he could move his lips at all.

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Palace Revolution 2000
This is all highly subjective, but I prefer Lennon's contributions to "Revolver". But I honestly don't think one can say that "Revolver" shows Paul taking control of the band. If anything "revolver" showcases how they were growing apart as songwriters. Both (or all three) were growing at astronomic speed and in giant leaps. Take John with "Tomorrow never knows", "Sleeping" and "She Said" and put it next to "For No One", "Here There" and "Eleanor Rigby", and it clearly shows two paths diverging.
This is not a bad thing; but shows two writers reaching the top of their game. While every track on this album was brilliant, it seems that "Tomorrow Never Knows" made the biggest, deepest impact. It broke form more radically that other cuts from the album; and took you places.
I'm not doing the "John is better than Paul" thing; but I don't agree that this is where Paul took control.

I agree with your disagreement! Paul really didn't start to "take over" until after Epstein's death. And even then he wasn't taking over. That is an urband legend. He filled the void where no one else in the group was willing too. And he had a love of playing and making more records and often the other three were content to sit around! Then as Lennon became more engrossed with Yoko, and the two of them developed a heroine addiction, Macca for the more prominent one. Now did he do it with grace and diplomacy? No...and in the process he alientated the other three. But this stuff started way back in the Hamburg days when Macca would fill in on drums and "teach" George guitar. A quote from George..."McCartney ruined me as a guitar player!" Best of friends and worst of enemies...

"A quote from George..."McCartney ruined me as a guitar player!" "

Never knew he said that Whitem8. When was that? Seems like a silly comment given Harrison was a very good guitarist.

That was during the early 70's. There is a great book called The Beatles After the Break-Up 1970-2000. It is not an embellished account, but a date by date tracking of what each fab was doing during their solo years. I read it there... Actually, George says quite a few harsh things about Macca... Also, in Geoff Emerick's book he recounts how often George had troubles in the studio nailing his leads, and often Macca would step in and "show" him how to do it. And not always in the most graceful way. Probably years and years of being taught wore George down. Then add into the fray Lennon's seemingly disinterest in Harrisongs. Anyhow! What was the original point...lol...?
And Your Bird Can Sing is yet another example of the four playing in perfect synchronicity. The guitars are beautiful! Double tracked with a great hook. Again I defer to the anthology version which has the guitars a bit more raunchy. Was it about Maureen? I have never read that! Never in any of the Beatles stuff I have poured over...but an interesting theory. More than likely it is about one of their girlfriends, and sing could mean a lot of things, hell the bird coulda been singing in bed! WHo knows... Also I believe at the time Macca was living at Jane Asher's parents house and doing a lot of writing there and hanging out. There was a piano there and there were many a sing-a-long, perhaps that is Lennon's take on it...

I was watching one of the late day Beatles documentaries. It was one of the official ones; sanctioned by the guys themselves. Must've been shortly before George's passing. And it has the scenes of the 3 of them sitting in the garden, or around the table, with Ukeleles. And even than, so late in the game, after all the stories etc - Paul was STILL acting so bossy. One could just see George bristling.

YEs, that is on Anthology...there are some weird vibes there. They are sitting around, but actually I see it differently, Paul seems to be trying too hard, and George seems to be ignoring him. Ringo asks about what songs George wrote during The Beatles (white album) and George mentions Derha Dunn. And starts playing it on the uke...and Paul says, "oh yeah, I remember that one..." and then he proceeds to hum along and make some really weird noises..strange scene. Yeah, Paul knows what he wants and doesn't tread lightly and George was probably pretty sensitive to it all with a bit of an inferiority complex. But you know, at the end of the day, they were all brothers, and love each other. There is a touching interview with Paul where he recounts holding George's hand during his last moments of the cancer. I am always intrigued though by The Beatles myths over reality. Such as the myth that Abbey Road was a harmonious session, and Paul and John becoming friends again before Lennon's death? The last issue of Mojo had a great article about the making of Abbey Road. I love that mag, such great stories and photos.

'And your bird can sing' is an excellent song. Not many bands from the sixties even has one song as good as that Beatle-example...

2 1 2 0

Thanks Whitem8 I'll track down the mag.

Yeah there's a current Rolling Stone issue (Australia) that goes into some reasons why they split. Read many books about them but this article had somethings I'd not seen before. Dunno why I bothered cos I fely miserable afterwards.

And yes the version on Anthology rocks. Pity Paul was such a bossy boots and John such a grump c*nt.....

Have any guitarists here attempted to tackle the Harrison/Lennon harmonized guitar riff? I've gotten close but getting the phrasing right using double stops is hard for me to do well.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2009-10-15 19:27 by ChrisM.

I met Jimmy Pou who played "George" in a few Beatle Tribute Bands including Beatlemania, & asked him if they ever played AYBCS & he said NO, it was too difficult for the other Guitarist To learn to Play it !

I sold Jimmy a Vox Amp

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tatters
I think John's contributions to Revolver, I'm Only Sleeping; Dr. Robert; She Said, She Said; And Your Bird Can Sing; Tomorrow Never Knows [and you'd have to also include Rain, which was recorded at the same time] represent the absolute peak of his creative genius.

What tatters said.

"No Anchovies, Please"