Paul broke down exactly what was on his mind while writing “Blackbird.” For starters, it had nothing to do with a bird.
“Those were the days of the civil rights movement, which all of us cared passionately about,” Paul said. “So this was really a song from me to a black woman, experiencing these problems in the States living in Little Rock’: ‘Let me encourage you to keep trying, to keep your faith, there is hope.’
Paul acknowledged that it wasn’t his style to write directly about the issue. “As is often the case with my things, a veiling took place. So rather than say ‘Black woman living in Little Rock’ and be very specific, she became a bird, became symbolic, so you could apply it to your particular problem.” (In Britain slang c.1300) a girl or young woman, esp one’s girlfriend.
Looking back at his career, Paul remarked about the satisfaction of writing a song that people ended up interpreting in many ways. When people told him “Blackbird” encouraged them — for whatever reason — he felt proud.
Paul said his ‘single greatest joy’ as a musician was helping lift people’s mood.
Paul McCartney – Blackbird (Live)
Blackbird lyrics (Key: G major)
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
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
Blackbird fly, blackbird fly
Into the light of a dark black night
Blackbird fly, blackbird fly
Into the light of a dark black night
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
You were only waiting for this moment to arise
You were only waiting for this moment to arise
Written by Paul McCartney and credited to Lennon–McCartney, and performed as a solo piece by McCartney.
Recorded: 11 June 1968 / Released: 22 November 1968
