The Beatles' alternate Norwegian Wood take hailed as 'genius' by fans
An early version of Norwegian Wood from The Beatles‘ Rubber Soul album has been hailed as “genius” by fans.
Preference for the early version comes as a demo version of the song was uploaded to YouTube. Racking up nearly two million views over the last nine years, fans are still cropping up in the comments to share their love for the Norwegian Wood alternate. It’s a version that has people still left surprised by the song, while others have suggested this Norwegian Wood is superior to the one featured on the album. The Beatles’ Rubber Soul is considered a turning point for the band, with Norwegian Wood featuring lyrics influenced by Bob Dylan. The legendary artist would not, however, influence the sitar featured on the song.
John Lennon had asked George Harrison to add a sitar layer to the song, with the track suggested as a veiled account of an extramarital affair. Harrison’s additions to the song have been hailed as a “genius” inclusion on the track. One user wrote: “I can’t get over how much of a genius George is.”
Another agreed, adding: “Paul McCartney’s harmonies on this song get me every time. Their two voices together were something else…” A third praised the sitar work on the song, writing: “I love how the sitar note in the verses fits perfectly with bass and drum. They were changing everything in the world of music.”
Others believed this early version of Norwegian Wood highlighted how Harrison’s genius was overshadowed by McCartney and Lennon. The fan wrote: “George was the greatest. Very underrated, being overshadowed by the genius of John and Paul. There will never be another like him. Not afraid to think outside the box.
“This is a great example of that. Wish I could have met him. He was just a lad from Liverpool. RIP George. Blessings and peace to Olivia and Dhani.” Another hailed this versio as “groovy,” writing: “It makes you fly, you transport yourself to another dimension. Groovy.”
Source: cultfollowing.co.uk/Ewan Gleadow
