“Blackbird singing in the dead of night”

Blackbirds are one of those enchanting creatures that we all seem to have a soft spot for. You can spot these feathered friends in all sorts of habitats, from woodlands to our gardens. Interestingly, blackbirds have been part of our cultural consciousness for centuries – just think of the famous nursery rhyme that dates back to medieval times! Legend has it that live blackbirds were hidden under a pie crust, ready to surprise and delight diners. But for me, whenever I catch a glimpse of a blackbird, I can’t help but hear the opening line of that timeless Beatles classic echoing in my head:

“Blackbird singing in the dead of night”.

The blackbird that Paul McCartney sang about in that most iconic of his songs wasn’t the garden-variety bird we’re all familiar with. No, this blackbird was something else entirely. When McCartney was in America during the 60s, he witnessed something that would stay with him forever. While taking a rest, he heard a woman screaming and looked up to see a black woman being beaten and handcuffed by the police. Her crime? Sitting in a section that was reserved for whites. McCartney was shaken to the core. There was no legal segregation in England, but in “the land of the free”, this was how blacks were being treated.

The experience left an indelible mark on McCartney, and he returned to England with a heavy heart. He couldn’t forget what he had seen and the injustice he had witnessed. As he watched the news, he saw the race riots and the events unfolding in Little Rock, Arkansas. The image of 15-year-old Elizabeth Eckford being followed by an angry mob shouting racial slurs was seared into his memory.

Unable to ignore what was happening, McCartney sat down and started writing the song that he hoped would help those who were going through those difficult times. In 2016, he had the chance to meet two of the women who had inspired him, Thelma Mothershed Wair and Elizabeth Eckford, members of the Little Rock Nine. McCartney was moved by their courage and dedication to the civil rights movement, and he spoke about them at a concert¹Kreps, Daniel. 2016. ‘Paul McCartney Meets Women Who Inspired Beatles’ “Blackbird”’, Rolling Stone (Rolling Stone) <https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/paul-mccartney-meets-women-who-inspired-beatles-blackbird-57076/> [accessed 18 March 2023].

He explained that when he started writing the song, he had a black woman in mind, but in England in the 60s, women were frequently referred to as ‘birds’, although it sounds so derogatory today. And so, the song started to take shape. With its haunting melody and poignant lyrics, ‘Blackbird’ became one of McCartney’s most enduring songs, a testament to the strength and resilience of those who fought for civil rights in America.

“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.”

The Civil Rights movement was something that McCartney and the Beatles cared deeply about, and “Blackbird” was their way of showing their support. It was a message of hope and encouragement, a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is always a glimmer of hope. It was a powerful statement, one that still resonates with people today. For McCartney and the Beatles, it was their way of standing with those who were fighting for a better future, a future where all people are treated with dignity and respect.

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  Kreps, Daniel. 2016. ‘Paul McCartney Meets Women Who Inspired Beatles’ “Blackbird”’, Rolling Stone (Rolling Stone) <https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/paul-mccartney-meets-women-who-inspired-beatles-blackbird-57076/> [accessed 18 March 2023]