Paul McCartney's Passion for Bird-Watching and Its Influence on His Music

Paul McCartney, the iconic Beatles member and rock legend, has a lesser-known hobby that has significantly influenced his musical creations: bird-watching. His affection for birds is highlighted in the McCartney: A Life in Lyrics podcast which delves into his avian-inspired songs, 'Blackbird' from 1968 and 'Jenny Wren' from 2005.

Early Beginnings as a Birdwatcher

McCartney fondly recalls his early days of bird-watching, which he considered an escape from life's routine. Growing up within a mile of the deep countryside, he cherished his solitary excursions into nature, where he could step away from the pressures of school and family life. This love for birds eventually spilled over into his songwriting.

The Classical Inspiration Behind 'Blackbird'

Famous for its intricate acoustic guitar work, 'Blackbird' was somewhat influenced by Johann Sebastian Bach's 'Bourrée in E Minor.' McCartney, inspired by this classical piece, tweaked it to create something uniquely his own. The song began simply as a tune about a bird singing at night but evolved into a powerful piece with profound political overtones, reflecting on the civil rights movement, particularly the events in Little Rock, Arkansas.

'Jenny Wren' - Echoing 'Blackbird's' Musicality

Similar to 'Blackbird' in its finger-picked guitar style, 'Jenny Wren' was McCartney's conscious attempt to craft another song in the same vein. The tune carries a message of hope and call for a better world. It narrates the struggles of a character who is both bird and girl and who loses her voice to the world's troubles, only to find optimism in the promise of a brighter future where she will sing again.

Podcast Delving into McCartney's Lyrics

The podcast series dedicated to exploring McCartney's life and lyrics is a collaboration between iHeartPodcasts and Pushkin. Spanning two seasons, fans can listen to published episodes, which include weekly installments presenting deep insights into McCartney's prolific songwriting career.

McCartney, bird-watching, music