Summary: On the 40th anniversary of the recording and release of The Beatles song "Norwegian Wood," commentator Sarah Karni says the song's been a riddle to her for many years.
My whole life I didn't think it was a question. my interpretation was the same as Karni's: John made a fire in the fireplace, brooded, reflected and groused. It wasn't until a couple years ago I read the "burning down the house" interpretation, which struck me as preposterous and out of keeping with the tone of the song.
This was a great peice on a great song. Well done, Sarah Karni. I've always thought the "fire" the singer lights at the end of the song could have been a fire in the fireplace, but just as easily (perhaps more likely) was a euphimism for a hand-rolled marijuana cigarette--how else could a jilting end in "...isn't it good, Norwegian Wood." Seems more into the spirit of the times and Lennon's word play, to me.
Lennon was probably in his Dylan mode at the time the song was written, although a bit removed from Hide Your Love Away. Capo on 2nd fret with the D chord becoming E, as compared to Dylan's E flat style. Use of the sitar is spacy, melodic, experimental. Thus, the song speaks more than the lyric, like a landscape behind the portrait. The broadcast piece was excellent, but one thinks the answer to the song questioned in the lyrics is in the music itself. We all shine on.
Deconstructing songs is something friends and I have done for years so I'm a sucker for this kind of piece.
And it's fun to hear other people do it, whether one agrees with their conclusions or not. Makes me long for the late, great Pop Vultures (still available on PRX?)
Towards the end there is, however, a search for lyrical depth in places where I think there's just an excuse for a cool sitar lick. But that's subjective.
And one technical remark: the fades between music and text are jarringly quick. Perhaps a softer touch in the future?
Overall, this is a solid, short vignette for between larger programs and is equally suitable within a light magazine format.
PS
I always thought Lennon chickened out of having sex and "crawled off to sleep in the bath." and not the other way around as the presenter here suggests. Maybe that says more about me than Lennon.
I understand John Lennon's song a bit more after hearing this piece. But at the end of the piece, I was left with even more wonder at the enigma of this song in particular, and John Lennon's life in general. The simple production technique, fitting the commentary within the instrumental passages of the song while letting the lyrics stand, is probably a lot harder than it sounds -- but it works fabulously. Hearing this piece tempts me to provide the producer with a list of about 20 other songs I'd enjoy hearing the same treatment on!
Comments for Norwegian Wood Deconstructed
Produced by Sarah Karni / Paul Ingles
Other pieces by Paul Ingles
Rating Summary
5 comments
Peter Reed
Posted on March 22, 2010 at 12:15 AM | Permalink
The fireplace!
My whole life I didn't think it was a question. my interpretation was the same as Karni's: John made a fire in the fireplace, brooded, reflected and groused. It wasn't until a couple years ago I read the "burning down the house" interpretation, which struck me as preposterous and out of keeping with the tone of the song.
Cody Maxwell
Posted on January 21, 2010 at 12:12 PM | Permalink
Review of Norwegian Wood Deconstructed
This was a great peice on a great song. Well done, Sarah Karni. I've always thought the "fire" the singer lights at the end of the song could have been a fire in the fireplace, but just as easily (perhaps more likely) was a euphimism for a hand-rolled marijuana cigarette--how else could a jilting end in "...isn't it good, Norwegian Wood." Seems more into the spirit of the times and Lennon's word play, to me.
morgan lyman
Posted on June 13, 2007 at 02:46 PM | Permalink
Review of Norwegian Wood Deconstructed
Lennon was probably in his Dylan mode at the time the song was written, although a bit removed from Hide Your Love Away. Capo on 2nd fret with the D chord becoming E, as compared to Dylan's E flat style. Use of the sitar is spacy, melodic, experimental. Thus, the song speaks more than the lyric, like a landscape behind the portrait. The broadcast piece was excellent, but one thinks the answer to the song questioned in the lyrics is in the music itself. We all shine on.
Jonathan Groubert
Posted on October 24, 2005 at 04:17 AM | Permalink
Review of Norwegian Wood Deconstructed
Deconstructing songs is something friends and I have done for years so I'm a sucker for this kind of piece.
And it's fun to hear other people do it, whether one agrees with their conclusions or not. Makes me long for the late, great Pop Vultures (still available on PRX?)
Towards the end there is, however, a search for lyrical depth in places where I think there's just an excuse for a cool sitar lick. But that's subjective.
And one technical remark: the fades between music and text are jarringly quick. Perhaps a softer touch in the future?
Overall, this is a solid, short vignette for between larger programs and is equally suitable within a light magazine format.
PS
I always thought Lennon chickened out of having sex and "crawled off to sleep in the bath." and not the other way around as the presenter here suggests. Maybe that says more about me than Lennon.
Steve Sergeant
Posted on October 22, 2005 at 12:03 PM | Permalink
Review of Norwegian Wood Deconstructed
I understand John Lennon's song a bit more after hearing this piece. But at the end of the piece, I was left with even more wonder at the enigma of this song in particular, and John Lennon's life in general. The simple production technique, fitting the commentary within the instrumental passages of the song while letting the lyrics stand, is probably a lot harder than it sounds -- but it works fabulously. Hearing this piece tempts me to provide the producer with a list of about 20 other songs I'd enjoy hearing the same treatment on!