And Your Bird Can Sing: Introduction
“And Your Bird Can Sing” is a Beatles’ song from their 1966 album, “Revolver.” We will review the track later, but first we will go into more detail.
In Detail
- Publisher: Northern Songs
- Release Date: August 5, 1966 (UK) and June 20, 1966 (US) (Yesterday and Today album)
- Recorded: April 20 & 26, 1966
- Studio: EMI Studios, London
- Genre: Power pop, psychedelic pop
- Track Duration: 2:01
- Record Label: Parlophone
- Songwriters: Lennon-McCartney
- Producer: George Martin
Performers And Instruments
- John Lennon: lead vocal, rhythm guitar, handclaps
- Paul McCartney: harmony vocal, bass, lead guitar, handclaps
- George Harrison: harmony vocal, lead guitar, handclaps
- Ringo Starr: drums, tambourine, handclaps
Where To Find “And Your Bird Can Sing”
At this time, you are able to buy the song on the following albums:
What They Said About “And Your Bird Can Sing”
Written primarily by John Lennon, but with credit going to the Lennon-McCartney partnership, “And Your Bird Can Sing” once had the working title of “You Don’t Get Me.” Paul McCartney says he wrote about 20% of the song, while John Lennon wrote 80%.
“And Your Bird Can Sing was John’s song. I suspect that I helped with the verses because the songs were nearly always written without second and third verses. I seem to remember working on that middle eight with him but it’s John’s song, 80-20 to John.”
Paul McCartney
Many Years From Now, Barry Miles
Lennon says that it was just another one of his “throwaways.”
“Another of my throwaways … fancy paper around an empty box.”
John Lennon
All We Are Saying, David Sheff
Although Lennon was dismissive of the song, many people still adore it for what it is. For example, English academic Toby Litt once said it was “the birth of all power pop, from Big Star through Cheap Trick to Fountains of Wayne.” Despite Lennon’s negativity, “And Your Bird Can Sing” has a beautifully extended dual-guitar melody played by Paul McCartney and George Harrison.
Also, Lennon never revealed the meaning behind the song lyrics. But some believe it is referring to the rivalry between The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, which was prevalent at the time. The “bird” could also be a reference to Marianne Faithfull, whom Mick Jagger would often boast about being his girlfriend.
Recording And Your Bird Can Sing
The Beatles recorded 2 takes of this song on April 20, 1966, in Studio Two of the EMI Studios, London, during the 2.30 p.m.–2.30 a.m. session. Take 2 is what we hear on their 1996 “Anthology 2” album, complete with Lennon and McCartney laughing together uncontrollably. Their giggle starts as soon as they start recording and continues throughout the song.
On the 26th of April, in the same studio, during the 2.30pm–2.45am session, they attempted a re-make of the song. The band recorded takes 3–13, and take 10 became the master rhythm track. However, what we hear on their “Revolver” album is mostly take 10, with the ending being that of take 6. The song is track 2 on side 2 of the album after the opener, “Good Day Sunshine,” and before “For No One.”
In the 1960s, there was also a cartoon series featuring The Beatles, and in the third series, “And Your Bird Can Sing” became the theme tune. There have also been many groups covering the song, including the British band The Jam.
Take A Listen
After you hear the song, please leave your thoughts below.
