The Beatles have unveiled a previously unheard alternate take of “Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)”.
Released today by UMG and Apple Corps Ltd., “Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown) (Second Version – Take 2)” features on the forthcoming expanded edition of the band’s 1965 album Rubber Soul, due on October 2.
The first version of what was then called ‘This Bird Has Flown’ was recorded during the first day of sessions for Rubber Soul and featured George Harrison’s new discovery, the sitar. The band were not happy with this version, so nine days later they taped three more performances.
On take two, track one featured John Lennon’s acoustic guitar, Paul McCartney’s bass, Ringo Starr on drums and George playing drone notes on sitar. George added more sitar on tracks two and three, with John and Paul’s vocals also recorded on track three. Rather than starting with an instrumental version of the verse melody, as the final version does, this arrangement opens with double-tracked sitar playing the tune of the bridge section.
The release follows the recent unveiling of “Michelle (Take 1)” and “Day Tripper (Songwriting Work Tape)”.
The collection will be available in a range of formats, including standard 1CD and 1LP editions, 2CD and 2LP deluxe editions, 4CD and 5LP Super Deluxe box sets and a Blu-ray edition featuring the new Dolby Atmos mix, high-resolution stereo audio and promotional films for “Day Tripper” and “We Can Work It Out”. Limited-edition orange vinyl and Zoetrope vinyl editions will also be available.
You can pre-order here.