TOP 100 SONGS OF THE BEATLES: 78

"And Your Bird Can Sing" (Lennon – June 20, 1966)

Revolver – Side 2, Track 2 (2:02)
YouTube (The Tribute)

From Wikipedia, Rolling Stone, About.com and Google –

History –

"And Your Bird Can Sing" is a song by the Beatles, released on their 1966 album Revolver in the United Kingdom and on Yesterday...and Today in the United States. The songwriting credit is Lennon–McCartney, though the song was written primarily by John Lennon. However, Paul McCartney claims to have helped on the lyric, estimating the song as "80-20" to Lennon. The working title was "You Don't Get Me". Lennon was later dismissive of the song, as he was of many of his compositions at the time, referring to it as "another of my throwaways...fancy paper around an empty box".

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. 

Recording  –

Takes: 10

Personnel

John Lennon – Lead vocal (double-tracked), rhythm guitar (1964 Rickenbacker "Fire-glo" 360-12), tambourine, hand claps
Paul McCa
rtney – Harmony vocal, lead guitar (1965 Epiphone E230TD(V) Casino), bass guitar (1964 Rickenbacker 400IS), hand claps
George Harrison – Harmony vocal, lead guitar (1965 Epiphone E230TD(V) Casino), hand claps
Ringo Starr – drums (Ludwig)

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 hand claps and guitar than its stereo counterpart.

This Day in Beatles History (From The Internet Beatles Album) January 22 –


1963 – First session of Gerry and the Pacemakers. Recording: 'How Do You Do It?'.

–The Playhouse Theatre, London. 4.00-5.00pm. Recording for BBC's 'Saturday Club': 'Some Other Guy'; 'Love Me Do'; 'Please Please Me'; 'Keep Your Hands Off My Baby'; 'Beautiful Dreamer'.

–BBC Paris Studio, London. 7.00-8.00pm. Recording for BBC's 'The Talent Spot': 'Please Please Me'; 'Ask Me Why'; 'Some Other Guy'.

1964 – Brian, Lionel Bart and Alun Owen go to the Cavern Club, looking for an actress for Bart-Owen's play 'Maggie Mae'.

– 'She Loves You', 21st and last week in the Top 10 (UK New Musical Express chart). 

– 'Please Please Me' LP, 44th week in the Top 10 (UK New Musical Express chart).

– 'With The Beatles' number 1, 9th week (UK New Musical Express chart).

– Performances at the Olympia, Paris. Filmed by French television.

1966 –'We Can Work It Out' number 2 (Billboard).

1968 – Apple Corps opens first London headquarters at 95 Wigmore Street, Marylebone, London, 4th floor.

1969 – 'Yellow Submarine' LP, 1st week in the ranking (UK New Musical Express chart).

– Apple Studios, 3 Savile Row. Time unknown. Recording: 'Going Up The Country'; 'All I Want Is You' (working title of 'Dig A Pony'); 'I've Got A Feeling'; 'Don't Let Me Down'; 'Rocker'; 'Save The Last Dance For Me'; 'Bathroom Window' (working title of 'She Came In Through The Bathroom Window'. Producer: George Martin?; Engineer: Glyn Johns; 2nd Engineer: not assigned. 

– Start of 'Let It Be' sessions.

– Start of shootings at 3 Savile Row.

– Billy Preston is casually at the Apple reception area, and is convinced by George to join the sessions.