Hello all - just a quick disclaimer! In his interview with Rolling Stone, Lennon went out of his way to say he wished a book would come out detailing the Beatles' orgies etc, and the darker side of their rise. That interview made me feel he would be OK with me talking about it - because he literally expressed an open wish to have those things written about and published. The 'countless affairs' from the title is also a direct quote from him, which I also detail, with source, in the video. Also, almost every part of this story also actually came from John Lennon himself, from very open interviews in later years. This video has been made on the basis of what Lennon himself seemed to want - for the true story to be told. It's not, in any way, an attack on one of my musical heroes. Just so you know! Big love, JH
Your argument is most compelling. I'm convinced. The means, motive, and opportunity for an actual love affair, and then the sacking of their neighbor, friend, super photographer, and hip connection to Swinging London. The mind-boggling "Norwegian" beauty, the wood-paneled flat. I also wonder why would John try to wreck her life? She threw him over, that's why. The final, cold night in the bathtub and she gone in the morning. What can one say, John done wrong, and in a detestably (to me) passive-aggressive way. He's still a hero to me though.
@JamesHargreavesGuitar You made no mention of the rumor I heard on a different channel.. that John Lennon did indeed start this apartment on fire.. burning it down.... hence giving the lyrics "So... I lit a fire isn't it good Norwegian wood?".. an actual Literal flavor... or maybe.. that was John boasting of His conquest... alluding to "burning down".. the apartment by his torrid...love affair...
I had the fortune to meet Robert Freeman shortly before his death. While he was severely disabled he was mentally very alert with an impish sense of humour. He volunteered the information that indeed the song Norwegian Wood was about his wife. He told me that John along with the other Beatles had a housing problem when they moved down to London. Robert offered John to stay at his place / in his building while he looked for something more permanent. It was during this period that Robert says that John had an affair with his wife. One other thing: John must have felt guilty about the whole thing - abusing Robert''s hospitality under his own roof - because Robert told me that years later John sent him some of his small sketches, which Robert sold and which helped him financially in his old age. Hope this info helps.
I believe your rendition. It makes complete sense, plus Cynthia seems to corroborate the story by what she witnessed and surmised by the vibes. We finally have the satisfactory explanation. At least the world got a great song out of this. 🧐😌
It takes two to tango. If those women hadn't been willing to sleep with a man just because he was famous and popular, he wouldn't have been as successful at being promiscuous.
@dreammachine2013 How I met Robert Freeman itself was a bit strange. I was out walking in Battersea Park with Ebru, one of my Turkish stepdaughters and Alex, her Scottish partner. We heard an old man calling for help. As we came round the corner we saw this severely disabled man in a wheelchair that had got stuck in some mud off the pathway. Myself and Alex helped get the wheelchair back on to the path. But it seemed obvious that he was still having difficulty so I offered to push him where he wanted to go. As we pushed him along he started to tell us about his past when he was a famous photographer including taking those famous photos of the Beatles. We then arrived at a large cafe inside the Park where Robert told us he had a permanent table near the entrance. I was a bit sceptical but lo and behold there was a table next to the door with a laptop and other bits and pieces on it. I then asked if he and anyone else wanted a coffee and went up to the counter. I asked a young woman serving there if the table was indeed reserved for him and she confirmed it to be the case every day, with staff keeping an eye out for his laptop and other belongings. We then sat down together and chatted more with Robert telling us some of the famous people he had photographed including many beautiful women. During the conversation he implied that on many occasions he had done more than photograph the women. I recall him telling me how these had included Natalie Wood, a favorite icon of my youth. I asked if he had also bedded Natalie to which he grinned with a twinkle in his eye. Early on, I asked his name and then surreptitiously checked him out in Google which confirmed his story about the Beatles etc. I am not sure why the issue of John Lennon and Robert's wife came up but he certainly volunteered the story including how he had first met his wife while photographing for the Pirelli calendar. I felt that he was grateful to us for rescuing him and thankful to have an enthusiastic audience. The fact that I was a retired journalist meant I was able to ask a series of questions in a natural, fluid and enjoyable way. He then started to tell us about his life today (I think it was around 2018) and talked about his difficulties being very disabled. He told us that he lived right next to Battersea Park and how he held a party every year. And how he had a couple of young women who helped him. He gave us a business card with his email address on so we could stay in touch and so he could invite us to the next party. When we returned to Ebru's apartment near Battersea Bridge I looked Robert and Sonny his wife up more on the internet. And sent him an email. Sadly, we never did go to annual party as he died shortly after. Despite his age and condition he was a lot of fun and left a warm impression on the three of us.
@@blairhatton3066 Yes I agree. Especially during that era when you were in your teens and twenties. I'm not saying there's no consequences or it's a good thing to do but in his place who can say they wouldn't get up to mischief. Actually, the permissive society, really took off in WWII in the UK. People, probably felt that they could die anytime soon. So a lot of them went for it. I used to know an old guy that was a drummer in a swing band during the war. His stories would make a sailor blush.
Eric Clapton told Larry King on his show that he wouldn't be surprised to learn that he had more children "out there." It goes back to the Ancient Rule: A man is as faithful as the number of options that he has.
@@PuffyClouds-q2thimself. He was a really good looking guy until the drug and alcohol addiction took over. Far better looking than any of the Beatles bar Harrison
@@eddiealexander5276 interesting. And I do recall Patti being an object of desire for both Eric and George. It's surprising that they maintained their friendship.
@@PuffyClouds-q2tthey both married her. I believe if Eric hadn't interfered, they'd still be married. They certainly wrote many songs about her. Anyway, Eric was a raging junkie. He said it was never love. It was wanting something he couldn't have. Nobody knew Eric had a son until Conor died. He had been having an affair with his son's mother while married to Patti.
He was grief stricken when he met yoko.. Her tenuous grasp on sanity was probably a large enough distraction that it made him feel better. I think he paid a price for that.
John Lennon made great music but he treated his first wife like crap. He pushed Yoko right in her face. He was a real bastard actually. If he wanted to be free to fool around as much as he wanted why didn’t he seek a divorce. A real jerk.
@@grahamjarman I never said that John Lennon wasn’t a gifted musician and songwriter. Since he was murdered people have tried to make him out to be some kind of saint. He was no saint. Why don’t you get over it.
I used to hang out at Emperors Gate, I got John’s autograph one day, one day I went up to the top floor and knocked on door Cynthia holding Julian answered it and signed for me, inside the door was a pair of Beatle boots. One Saturday I went there and coming around the corner I saw an Austin Princess limo outside EG, no fans around and it took off before I got to it, all the Beatles were inside, if I was just a couple of minutes earlier I would got them all. I think they were on their way todo Blackpool Night out, months later I recognized Maureen Cleve outside the stage door at Prince of Wales theatre where the Beatles were performing as part of Epstein summer shows held there, she got me all there Autographs. 25 years later got George’s autograph at a video shoot., I got my mind set on you. Met Julian around 1992/3 at a wrap party for a Madonna movie, I worked in Camera at these times, I was outside the Pavilion for the premiere of Hard Days Night and a year later was inside for Help with the Beatles sitting below me.
did john burn that house down? facts fit , but i do not think he did it, i believe that he would get someone to do it for him! this is only speculation on my part! unless someone comess forward if possible with undeniable proof that he did it or paid some one to do it for revenge we will never know the truth about this! or maybe it was just an accidental fire, with nothing to do with john! that is another possibility!
Amazing stuff. Regardless if you’re arriving at the ”truth” or not, the detective work is highly convincing and entertaining! ❤️ Regarding the use of the terms middle eight/chorus I do agree with Paul in this case. A refrain serves as a climax, a release of tension built up during the verse . A middle eight is a stand-alone section that isn’t an immediate ”answer” to the verse but serves as a more independent variation/extension to the themes of the song. ”Norwegian wood”, ”Something” and ”While my guitar gently weeps” all lack choruses but have prominent, repeated middle eights. IMHO🙂!
@ Thanks! Yeah English is not my primary language so it makes it harder to formulate ideas clearly. Simpler put, middle eights and choruses have different musical functions. A repeated middle eight isn’t necessarily a chorus.
It’s mental how Liam G can have affairs and secret kids and we all go “you rascal, what are you like?!” Yet when Dave Grohl does it he’s essentially finished
That's down to a difference in culture. In the UK, no one would bat an eyelid at Grohl having affairs etc, and would likely be more surprised if he wasn't. Ludicrous to single out a rock star for behaving like a rock star. @@blairhatton3066
I think you've solved the Norwegian Wood mystery! I thought that it might have been about Alma Cogan until now. Then again, from such a number of women, it was difficult to pin down, so to speak. Lord, he was a Casanova though, wasn't he? It's such a sad story really, Well done and thank you. I love the research you do. As an aside, it's strange how John allegedly pressured Cynthia into bleaching her hair to satisfy his yen for Brigitte Bardot, yet he seemed to have a 'type', being ladies with darker hair.
Isn't it good, Natalie Wood...Wood was Russian, not Norwegian...Wood was in the movie "Love with the Proper Stranger" (1963) where she gets pregnant by a musician...Wood was in the movie "Inside Daisy Clover" (1965), which ends when she lights a fire and she burns down the house..."In the 1965 film Inside Daisy Clover, Natalie Wood's character Daisy Clover floats in a scene with wires to make her look like a bird"...Wood was a big fan of the Beatles, John Lennon in particular.
Nice theory, but it isn't right. Inside Daisy Clover was released on December 22, 1965 - two months *after* Norwegian Wood was recorded (and a month after it was released).
@@zakmartin Yes, but filming of Inside Daisy Clover occurred much prior to December. If they had an affair, she could have told him about her new movie. What are the odds? Norwegian Wood, with a revenge house fire at the end? Natalie Wood's new movie, with a revenge house fire at the end? Natalie Wood, with public affection for John Lennon?...It's actually Norway Pine, and the lyrics, "Isn't it fine, Norwegian Pine" would have worked. But it had to be Wood! Not much of a disguise, if you ask me. Maybe James can do a new video about Natalie Wood as "Norwegian Wood" and blow everyone away. He got it exactly right with Rita Tushingham as "Honey Pie."
A fine and informative piece pulling togeather many different strands . It is possible of course that the song is 'partly truth and partly fiction ' and that poetic licence has been employed all round.Thanks James.🎉
As a major Beatles fan whose favorite was John , I’ve come to like him less and less - he was a narcissist with a mean streak. His abandonment of Julian - emotionally and financially really did it for me.
You scored a bullseye here. Deepening tge the meaning of the song. Also there is an obvious and hilarious typical Lennon double entendre with " wood" lol
Robert Freeman was still taking pictures of the Beatles during the Revolver sessions. There are a few well known pictures of John wearing some cool shades and playing his Epiphone Casino that were taken by Freeman during those recordings. Freeman also released a book containing all the photos (it's a bit pricey now) and his album cover was finally included in the Revolver deluxe release last year. I guess he got over it pretty quickly :)
Love these types of videos from you - loved the Oasis ones and now the Beatles ones are also brilliant, please do more of these! With this song it was always kind of clear to me that it was about someone in an affair, maybe because when I was younger I cheated on someone and I resonated with the sections of this song…”we talked until two, then she said it’s time for bed”, “crawled in to sleep in the bath” “and when I awoke, I was alone, this bird had flown” seem too familiar to me even if they shouldn’t be taken literally.
Another fascinating video James, as I always say when I post, in a more enlightened age you would have your own BBC2 slot. Incidentally, why don't you ever cover the Stones - not a fan? Personally, I love them more the older I get, and they have one of the greatest 4 consecutive album runs from '68 - '72 in the history of rock. It's interesting that The Beatles and The Stones were antithetical to eachother but they somehow complimented eachother perfectly. A truly amazing duality, it doesn't get any better. Anyway, keep up the great work.
To me >Norwegian Wood< is one of the most beautiful melodies ever written, even without the sitar gimmick. The dreamlike quality, the simple, nevertheless beautifully poetic lyrics, John's orange voice - John's slightly raspy timbre infallible makes me see the colour orange, lets me even smell the scent of citrus fruits... the song is without a doubt one of John's greatest masterpieces.
Very interesting material and great detective work. On a personal note, in the picture of John and Robert Freeman at 27:23, John is wearing a shirt with a logo that says, "WPGC good guys ". This was a top 40 radio sration that broadcasted in the Washington, DC area during the 60s and into the early 70s. The 'PGC' stands for Prince George's County, Maryland, which was the actual physical location of the station. This was my go-to station in my early teens. Their jocks played a mix of British Invasion groups along with Motown artists. In the late 60s, they started playing a wider mix of new music, including songs by the Doors, Jefferson Airplane, Mamas and the Papas, Hendrix, etc., but only the hit singles. That introduced me to the whole world of psychedelic music emerging at that time. As I got older, I left the top 40 stations behind and started listening to 'underground' and 'progressive rock' radio like WHFS; but that's a story for another time. I wonder how John Lennon ended up with that shirt? Maybe he did an interview for the station; but more likely, some of their PR people brought it to one of the Beatles' east coast concerts and gave it to John. I would love to hear some other folks' memories or takes on this, especially if they grew up in the DC area during that time.
Superb detective skills! James Hargreaves strikes again! This all makes sense. So much so You need to get cracking on crime cases James. You could solve many of life’s mysteries - genius thinking. So well put together too. Love it!
Don't meet your heroes. For the most part, it's John who comes off the worst the more we get to know. His son Julian said he was treated more warmly by Paul than he was by John.
@@ryanjacobson2508thats just the snowflake narrative being dished out lately. all the beatles quit bc of paul. actually ringo 1st then george. lets not forget later what paul did to his handicapped wife
Apparently a huge reason why the Beatles only went back to West Germany once , during their fame , because there were serious claims about a woman chasing Paul over paternity , during the Hamburg days . Just remember West Germany would have a big market even though English wasn’t their first language . Unlike much of Britain, West Germany in the 1960-1970s , had large halls for concerts that could do 6000-8000 capacity so plenty of money to be made
What we need now, is a medical report, documenting all the cases of Beatles STDs, and just when and how did they find time and energy to actually be The Beatles.
I just loved that song, im Norwegian, lol, at that time the Beatles were on fire, the movie HDN , my Dad dropped us off ,and people were lined up for blocks, oh how he hated the boys, he was such a square, the next day he took me to the barber and , told him crew cut, I was so embarrassed, wat a narrow minded man , when I got home from overseas in the military, I grew it long, my old man wouldn't allow me in the yard, can you imagine, how things were in the 60s for some of us, 😮 , anything he said was law, if I argued he would attack, my friends wouldn't set foot in the yard, after seeing his temper fits , great show my friend sorry bout the reminisce
What an excellent analysis. Thoroughly enjoyable. However, I'm curious about what the line "Or should I say/She once had me". Was there actually an affair, or had she led him on and then turned him down?
Very well done on this, what an interesting story to accompany one of my favourite songs. Sound pretty good to me and as with other comments here seems so very true!
Norwegian Wood is about Stu Suttcliffe and Astrid Kirschher. Astrid's bedroom was commissioned with Norwegian wood when they were still In Hamburg. The opening verse is in past tense because the narrator is deceased implying its Stu. It could suggest that John had an affair with Astrid which could possibly be the reasoning for the fight John had with Stu which led to the brain hemorrhage. Possibly John wrote the song to project his guilt over the whole situation. Astrid did accuse John of killing Stu years later.
Just fyi: “Middle 8” is the bridge of the song, not the chorus. Named as such because they almost always kept it to 8 measures long. Good example (though you can use so many) is “You Won’t See Me” “Time after time you refuse to even listen\I wouldn’t mind if I knew what I was missing” a bridge of 8 measures.
I’m really enjoying your videos. They demonstrate an intelligent and probing mind, coupled with a love of The Beatles. They’re always fascinating. Thank you
Joan Baez has claimed several times that she turned down John and went to her own room to get some sleep because she was exhausted. She was reportedly the woman in Norwegian Wood. For some reason, I kind of buy her story. John might have indeed wanted revenge because his ego might have been fragile. People still believe they slept together. People would rather believe it, which is a sort of revenge from beyond the grave, perhaps? I think Alma Cogan is the inspiration for You've Got To Hide Your Love Away. John seems to have been angry with women and he may have been adding more women to his list to hurt Cynthia.
It reminds me of that famous scene in Casablanca with the Chief Inspector or something like that who was shocked that gambling was going on in Rick’s bar. 😮
He was probably more stoned than anything else. And she had control over him, it seems that was the most important thing. It appeared a big messed up facade.
Poor Cynthia went through hell with John and was left to raise her child alone. Yet she remained a loving individual who never spoke bad about anyone. RIP to a very sweet lady 🌹
So Bob Freeman did the photo cover for Rubber Soul and John wrote a song about having an affair with the photographer's wife? That really is not good on all levels.
Well done. It’s a convincing argument. Paul's interpretation that the narrator burns down the house is an uncharacteristically awkward contribution to the lyrics. I always interpreted the 'fire' as a careless cigarette - a symbol of meaninglessness, the boy's response to the girl's pretension.
Back then, we heard whispers about Norwegian Wood, that it was about Joan Baez. Joan lived in my community so it wasn't a far out possibility. We all just took it in our stride.
Being quite unacquainted with all the details, I think this conjecture/theory makes as much sense as anything else we might guess. I could never make sense of that song "Norwegian Wood" or "The Bird has Flown" - and it would have to be of some broader meaning than what the lyrics suggest on the surface. What would have been John's motive in coding such a thing into a song - if such were indeed the case? Paul's explanation of revenge seems most likely. The lady's rejecting of John's advances might have heavily stung the man's heart and ego - and so he subtly (or perhaps lyingly) informs her husband of an affair. The lady might have flirtatiously led him on - intentionally or otherwise - and then turned him down to sting him severely. But I get the impression that John Lennon was something of the weirdest of the Beatles - prone to play all kinds of silly (and dangerous) games - and he might have tried some weird kind of sport in testing whether the lady's husband would work out the hint/riddle.
I happened to be sitting with Cynthia at her home in December 1995 when the episode on the Beatles Anthology was on and NORWEGIAN WOOD was featured, she sat in silence and dragged on her cigarette as she watched it. My mind was wondering what she was thinking as I certainly knew what it was about and I am sure she did, as they mainly mentioned the first use of the sitar and so forth. She piped up though when Paul came on talking about the song Yellow Submarine.
John DID have relations with Eleanor Bron, according to Paul anyway. I think original source is from his narration of 'Many Years From Now', & can be heard @ 00:13:30 of 'The Revolver Recording Sessions' doc by Beatles Bible...FOR PRODUCTION GEEKS, are more about song facts, opposed to recording/engineering/production😑 **JAMES....LOVE your mixing work/vids!!...Plz, plz, plz, consider doing more of that content. It's ALWAYS great!!!
One of Elvis's Memphis mafia mentioned catching Joan Baez in a Beatles' room after the whole gang was being shown around the Beatles hotel shortly after Elvis met the Fabs.
According to Philip Norman, George Martin knew right away who the girl of Norwegian wood was, and yes, it was Robert Freeman's wife George Harrison: The Reluctant Beatle Page 219
Then why did John put out the story for Robert Freeman to find out? It could be many reasons. But he was a very cheeky guy and famous people often feel as they are above others and that they are untouchable.
Paul’s book “Many Years From Now” drove me crazy. He’s so eager to get every scrap of credit he can get, I just wasn’t buying it. Why compete with a dead man? Simply not fair. I was disappointed he would do that. He’s still a total genius, obviously!
Because for decades Paul was viewed as the happy pop guy of the group while John was viewed as the avant garde guy who pushed them into experimentation, so he wanted to correct the notion.
@@steveconn I was given Paul's book as a gift, being a big Beatles fan. I couldn't help but feel the same as you put it so well: "He’s so eager to get every scrap of credit he can get" I just wasn’t buying it either
Amazing research man , that’s fantastic, yeah- I think your conclusion is what the song was about- but why don’t you interview Yoko about it ? She’s still here - just ,
Hello all - just a quick disclaimer!
In his interview with Rolling Stone, Lennon went out of his way to say he wished a book would come out detailing the Beatles' orgies etc, and the darker side of their rise.
That interview made me feel he would be OK with me talking about it - because he literally expressed an open wish to have those things written about and published.
The 'countless affairs' from the title is also a direct quote from him, which I also detail, with source, in the video.
Also, almost every part of this story also actually came from John Lennon himself, from very open interviews in later years.
This video has been made on the basis of what Lennon himself seemed to want - for the true story to be told. It's not, in any way, an attack on one of my musical heroes.
Just so you know!
Big love, JH
Wow, amazing story, 🕵️ detective 🤯
Misled, mate. S'ok. Everyone does it. ~ JOHN 4:41 P.M. #9
Your argument is most compelling. I'm convinced. The means, motive, and opportunity for an actual love affair, and then the sacking of their neighbor, friend, super photographer, and hip connection to Swinging London. The mind-boggling "Norwegian" beauty, the wood-paneled flat.
I also wonder why would John try to wreck her life? She threw him over, that's why. The final, cold night in the bathtub and she gone in the morning. What can one say, John done wrong, and in a detestably (to me) passive-aggressive way. He's still a hero to me though.
Your succinct presentations keep me spellbound. Great work. 😊
@JamesHargreavesGuitar
You made no mention of the rumor I heard on a different channel.. that John Lennon did indeed start this apartment on fire.. burning it down.... hence giving the lyrics
"So... I lit a fire isn't it good Norwegian wood?".. an actual Literal flavor...
or maybe.. that was John boasting of His conquest... alluding to "burning down".. the apartment by his torrid...love affair...
I had the fortune to meet Robert Freeman shortly before his death. While he was severely disabled he was mentally very alert with an impish sense of humour.
He volunteered the information that indeed the song Norwegian Wood was about his wife. He told me that John along with the other Beatles had a housing problem when they moved down to London. Robert offered John to stay at his place / in his building while he looked for something more permanent. It was during this period that Robert says that John had an affair with his wife.
One other thing: John must have felt guilty about the whole thing - abusing Robert''s hospitality under his own roof - because Robert told me that years later John sent him some of his small sketches, which Robert sold and which helped him financially in his old age.
Hope this info helps.
I believe your rendition. It makes complete sense, plus Cynthia seems to corroborate the story by what she witnessed and surmised by the vibes. We finally have the satisfactory explanation. At least the world got a great song out of this. 🧐😌
It takes two to tango. If those women hadn't been willing to sleep with a man just because he was famous and popular, he wouldn't have been as successful at being promiscuous.
@@patbyrneme007 ! Thanks !
@@patbyrneme007 Thanks for your interesting story 👍
@dreammachine2013 How I met Robert Freeman itself was a bit strange. I was out walking in Battersea Park with Ebru, one of my Turkish stepdaughters and Alex, her Scottish partner. We heard an old man calling for help. As we came round the corner we saw this severely disabled man in a wheelchair that had got stuck in some mud off the pathway. Myself and Alex helped get the wheelchair back on to the path. But it seemed obvious that he was still having difficulty so I offered to push him where he wanted to go. As we pushed him along he started to tell us about his past when he was a famous photographer including taking those famous photos of the Beatles.
We then arrived at a large cafe inside the Park where Robert told us he had a permanent table near the entrance. I was a bit sceptical but lo and behold there was a table next to the door with a laptop and other bits and pieces on it. I then asked if he and anyone else wanted a coffee and went up to the counter. I asked a young woman serving there if the table was indeed reserved for him and she confirmed it to be the case every day, with staff keeping an eye out for his laptop and other belongings.
We then sat down together and chatted more with Robert telling us some of the famous people he had photographed including many beautiful women. During the conversation he implied that on many occasions he had done more than photograph the women. I recall him telling me how these had included Natalie Wood, a favorite icon of my youth. I asked if he had also bedded Natalie to which he grinned with a twinkle in his eye. Early on, I asked his name and then surreptitiously checked him out in Google which confirmed his story about the Beatles etc.
I am not sure why the issue of John Lennon and Robert's wife came up but he certainly volunteered the story including how he had first met his wife while photographing for the Pirelli calendar. I felt that he was grateful to us for rescuing him and thankful to have an enthusiastic audience. The fact that I was a retired journalist meant I was able to ask a series of questions in a natural, fluid and enjoyable way.
He then started to tell us about his life today (I think it was around 2018) and talked about his difficulties being very disabled. He told us that he lived right next to Battersea Park and how he held a party every year. And how he had a couple of young women who helped him. He gave us a business card with his email address on so we could stay in touch and so he could invite us to the next party.
When we returned to Ebru's apartment near Battersea Bridge I looked Robert and Sonny his wife up more on the internet. And sent him an email.
Sadly, we never did go to annual party as he died shortly after.
Despite his age and condition he was a lot of fun and left a warm impression on the three of us.
i bloody love these James...keep them coming!
Cheers, will do 👍👍
He was an idiot...Cynthia was a classy lady who deserved better.
All those goregeous women, and who does he end up with. No wonder people say she hypnotised him and was an intelligence asset.
Maybe some truth in that, however, when you can literally pump any woman on earth you can’t blame a guy for being tempted
@@normanby100literally nobody with a functioning brain says that you absolute crackpot
@@blairhatton3066 Yes I agree. Especially during that era when you were in your teens and twenties. I'm not saying there's no consequences or it's a good thing to do but in his place who can say they wouldn't get up to mischief. Actually, the permissive society, really took off in WWII in the UK. People, probably felt that they could die anytime soon. So a lot of them went for it. I used to know an old guy that was a drummer in a swing band during the war. His stories would make a sailor blush.
So was Jacqueline Kennedy.
Eric Clapton told Larry King on his show that he wouldn't be surprised to learn that he had more children "out there." It goes back to the Ancient Rule: A man is as faithful as the number of options that he has.
The line is: a man is as faithful as his options.
Was Eric talking about Lennon or himself?
@@PuffyClouds-q2thimself. He was a really good looking guy until the drug and alcohol addiction took over. Far better looking than any of the Beatles bar Harrison
@@eddiealexander5276 interesting. And I do recall Patti being an object of desire for both Eric and George. It's surprising that they maintained their friendship.
@@PuffyClouds-q2tthey both married her. I believe if Eric hadn't interfered, they'd still be married. They certainly wrote many songs about her. Anyway, Eric was a raging junkie. He said it was never love. It was wanting something he couldn't have. Nobody knew Eric had a son until Conor died. He had been having an affair with his son's mother while married to Patti.
I must say this makes a lot of sense. You've done a real detective work. Congratulations.
It does!
Lennon met Yoko 2 weeks after Cogan's funeral. Both were opder women.
He was always looking for a mother.
Older women?
He was grief stricken when he met yoko.. Her tenuous grasp on sanity was probably a large enough distraction that it made him feel better. I think he paid a price for that.
And he called her "mother'.
@jnagarya519 Lennon as a musical version of Norman Bates?
I think she was his minder. He went off the rails and became a problem.
Great research and video. So much died with John in December 1980. We missed out on so many more great songs and all the stories and inspirations.
Yep, I can imagine him still making fascinating music as an oap
Great show! Thanks for putting this all together, for us ♥️
John Lennon made great music but he treated his first wife like crap. He pushed Yoko right in her face. He was a real bastard actually. If he wanted to be free to fool around as much as he wanted why didn’t he seek a divorce. A real jerk.
Norwegian Wood was not cryptic. Anyone knew what it was about.
Maybe, but no more so than 99% of all male rock stars, politicians, actors, etc
the guy is beloved by the world over, get over it 😃
And he has described himself many times as a “hitter”. He didn’t feel much remorse about slapping or punching Cynthia and others.
@@grahamjarman I never said that John Lennon wasn’t a gifted musician and songwriter. Since he was murdered people have tried to make him out to be some kind of saint. He was no saint. Why don’t you get over it.
I used to hang out at Emperors Gate, I got John’s autograph one day, one day I went up to the top floor and knocked on door Cynthia holding Julian answered it and signed for me, inside the door was a pair of Beatle boots. One Saturday I went there and coming around the corner I saw an Austin Princess limo outside EG, no fans around and it took off before I got to it, all the Beatles were inside, if I was just a couple of minutes earlier I would got them all. I think they were on their way todo Blackpool Night out, months later I recognized Maureen Cleve outside the stage door at Prince of Wales theatre where the Beatles were performing as part of Epstein summer shows held there, she got me all there Autographs. 25 years later got George’s autograph at a video shoot., I got my mind set on you. Met Julian around 1992/3 at a wrap party for a Madonna movie, I worked in Camera at these times, I was outside the Pavilion for the premiere of Hard Days Night and a year later was inside for Help with the Beatles sitting below me.
So what was your point? You were around the Beatles allot?
did john burn that house down? facts fit , but i do not think he did it, i believe that he would get someone to do it for him! this is only speculation on my part! unless someone comess forward if possible with undeniable proof that he did it or paid some one to do it for revenge we will never know the truth about this! or maybe it was just an accidental fire, with nothing to do with john! that is another possibility!
we cannot blame john with out actual proof in hand!
@@cameronstewart1483I like reading about people who have had encounters with The Beatles
When's your book coming out, liar?
Amazing stuff. Regardless if you’re arriving at the ”truth” or not, the detective work is highly convincing and entertaining! ❤️ Regarding the use of the terms middle eight/chorus I do agree with Paul in this case. A refrain serves as a climax, a release of tension built up during the verse . A middle eight is a stand-alone section that isn’t an immediate ”answer” to the verse but serves as a more independent variation/extension to the themes of the song. ”Norwegian wood”, ”Something” and ”While my guitar gently weeps” all lack choruses but have prominent, repeated middle eights. IMHO🙂!
Thanks for the music lesson
Even though I don't understand it all.
@ Thanks! Yeah English is not my primary language so it makes it harder to formulate ideas clearly. Simpler put, middle eights and choruses have different musical functions. A repeated middle eight isn’t necessarily a chorus.
I feel for cynthia. She was a very good person. 🎉
How do you know?
Me too
Dave Grohl should cover Norwegian Wood
No. Nooooooooo!!!
Grohl needs to go away
It’s mental how Liam G can have affairs and secret kids and we all go “you rascal, what are you like?!” Yet when Dave Grohl does it he’s essentially finished
That's down to a difference in culture. In the UK, no one would bat an eyelid at Grohl having affairs etc, and would likely be more surprised if he wasn't. Ludicrous to single out a rock star for behaving like a rock star. @@blairhatton3066
Hilarious
I think you've solved the Norwegian Wood mystery! I thought that it might have been about Alma Cogan until now. Then again, from such a number of women, it was difficult to pin down, so to speak. Lord, he was a Casanova though, wasn't he? It's such a sad story really, Well done and thank you. I love the research you do.
As an aside, it's strange how John allegedly pressured Cynthia into bleaching her hair to satisfy his yen for Brigitte Bardot, yet he seemed to have a 'type', being ladies with darker hair.
Isn't it good, Natalie Wood...Wood was Russian, not Norwegian...Wood was in the movie "Love with the Proper Stranger" (1963) where she gets pregnant by a musician...Wood was in the movie "Inside Daisy Clover" (1965), which ends when she lights a fire and she burns down the house..."In the 1965 film Inside Daisy Clover, Natalie Wood's character Daisy Clover floats in a scene with wires to make her look like a bird"...Wood was a big fan of the Beatles, John Lennon in particular.
Very possible you'd think.
Nice theory, but it isn't right. Inside Daisy Clover was released on December 22, 1965 - two months *after* Norwegian Wood was recorded (and a month after it was released).
@@zakmartin Yes, but filming of Inside Daisy Clover occurred much prior to December. If they had an affair, she could have told him about her new movie. What are the odds? Norwegian Wood, with a revenge house fire at the end? Natalie Wood's new movie, with a revenge house fire at the end? Natalie Wood, with public affection for John Lennon?...It's actually Norway Pine, and the lyrics, "Isn't it fine, Norwegian Pine" would have worked. But it had to be Wood! Not much of a disguise, if you ask me. Maybe James can do a new video about Natalie Wood as "Norwegian Wood" and blow everyone away. He got it exactly right with Rita Tushingham as "Honey Pie."
Bridget Bardot, I think
Everything Russian stinks.
Great work organizing the info and filling in the spaces!
A fine and informative piece pulling togeather many different strands . It is possible of course that the song is 'partly truth and partly fiction ' and that poetic licence has been employed all round.Thanks James.🎉
Another great video James. All your videos are always well researched and interesting 😊
As a major Beatles fan whose favorite was John , I’ve come to like him less and less - he was a narcissist with a mean streak. His abandonment of Julian - emotionally and financially really did it for me.
Me too - but he obviously had serious issues and that makes his music fascinating. Bit of a git though 😂
all the girls in the world, and he picked Ono. Bro sold
I think you nailed it my friend. Great work!
These are the things I love to hear about The Beatles! Great story, thanks so much.
You scored a bullseye here. Deepening tge the meaning of the song. Also there is an obvious and hilarious typical Lennon double entendre with " wood" lol
That’s the first thing I thought of! 😂
There's loads - she once had me etc - such a clever song
Interesting how he pressured Cyn to bleach her mane yet every bird's got rich dark locks.
Genius!!! I so enjoyed this video and the ones on "And Your Bird Can Sing" and "Sgt Pepper's... " Great work. Thank you.
Great one James. Don't know you but it made me smile and added to my Beatle knowledge. thank you
Glad to hear it!
Robert Freeman was still taking pictures of the Beatles during the Revolver sessions. There are a few well known pictures of John wearing some cool shades and playing his Epiphone Casino that were taken by Freeman during those recordings. Freeman also released a book containing all the photos (it's a bit pricey now) and his album cover was finally included in the Revolver deluxe release last year. I guess he got over it pretty quickly :)
I was gonna say he did the original revolver cover and his photos are on the cover still. Not buying I was her. Im sayin Jane mansfield.
I guess so! Money is a great healer
Very much enjoyed your work here, yes much of it is speculation, but certainly well informed, and very nicely put together.
Thank you kindly
Its amazing how little info there is about their life on tours in the early years, esp the content of this video!
@@johnmc3862 The subject took a long time to broach! Taboos linger.
Love these types of videos from you - loved the Oasis ones and now the Beatles ones are also brilliant, please do more of these!
With this song it was always kind of clear to me that it was about someone in an affair, maybe because when I was younger I cheated on someone and I resonated with the sections of this song…”we talked until two, then she said it’s time for bed”, “crawled in to sleep in the bath” “and when I awoke, I was alone, this bird had flown” seem too familiar to me even if they shouldn’t be taken literally.
Another fascinating video James, as I always say when I post, in a more enlightened age you would have your own BBC2 slot. Incidentally, why don't you ever cover the Stones - not a fan? Personally, I love them more the older I get, and they have one of the greatest 4 consecutive album runs from '68 - '72 in the history of rock. It's interesting that The Beatles and The Stones were antithetical to eachother but they somehow complimented eachother perfectly. A truly amazing duality, it
doesn't get any better.
Anyway, keep up the great work.
Wonderful analysis. Thank you.❤
Glad you enjoyed it!
To me >Norwegian Wood< is one of the most beautiful melodies ever written, even without the sitar gimmick. The dreamlike quality, the simple, nevertheless beautifully poetic lyrics, John's orange voice - John's slightly raspy timbre infallible makes me see the colour orange, lets me even smell the scent of citrus fruits... the song is without a doubt one of John's greatest masterpieces.
Very interesting material and great detective work. On a personal note, in the picture of John and Robert Freeman at 27:23, John is wearing a shirt with a logo that says, "WPGC good guys ". This was a top 40 radio sration that broadcasted in the Washington, DC area during the 60s and into the early 70s. The 'PGC' stands for Prince George's County, Maryland, which was the actual physical location of the station. This was my go-to station in my early teens. Their jocks played a mix of British Invasion groups along with Motown artists. In the late 60s, they started playing a wider mix of new music, including songs by the Doors, Jefferson Airplane, Mamas and the Papas, Hendrix, etc., but only the hit singles. That introduced me to the whole world of psychedelic music emerging at that time. As I got older, I left the top 40 stations behind and started listening to 'underground' and 'progressive rock' radio like WHFS; but that's a story for another time. I wonder how John Lennon ended up with that shirt? Maybe he did an interview for the station; but more likely, some of their PR people brought it to one of the Beatles' east coast concerts and gave it to John. I would love to hear some other folks' memories or takes on this, especially if they grew up in the DC area during that time.
I grew up in the county, and my eye went straight to that shirt, too! Listened for years!
This is the first time I’ve seen any of your videos. Your sleuthing research capabilities are amazing as is your deductive prowess.
Very interesting analysis of a beautiful song. Thanks for sharing!
Superb detective skills! James Hargreaves strikes again!
This all makes sense. So much so
You need to get cracking on crime cases James. You could solve many of life’s mysteries - genius thinking. So well put together too. Love it!
Enjoyed your video James. When I saw the video’s title I said to myself I know about this as I had read about it in Philip Norman’s book.
I’m sure that there are quite a few dark stories about The Beatles from that era.
Don't meet your heroes. For the most part, it's John who comes off the worst the more we get to know. His son Julian said he was treated more warmly by Paul than he was by John.
@@ryanjacobson2508 isn’t it usually the case, especially in the 60’s that dads are pretty rough on there kids… especially if the parents are divorced.
@@ryanjacobson2508thats just the snowflake narrative being dished out lately. all the beatles quit bc of paul. actually ringo 1st then george. lets not forget later what paul did to his handicapped wife
@rahamjarman what did he do?
Immaculate research - compelling narrative - a gem of a video mate!
People have a hard time separating the art from the artist unfortunately.
Apparently a huge reason why the Beatles only went back to West Germany once , during their fame , because there were serious claims about a woman chasing Paul over paternity , during the Hamburg days . Just remember West Germany would have a big market even though English wasn’t their first language . Unlike much of Britain, West Germany in the 1960-1970s , had large halls for concerts that could do 6000-8000 capacity so plenty of money to be made
Very interesting video & likely correct james,
Keep the beatles storys coming...✌🏼
His 2nd wife ignored the fact he was a married man while claiming she had no idea who he was!
Super interesting! Thanks for sharing
I thought this was some click bait, but found it very interesting..Well done
TY JAMES. Very well done.
Yep, Harrison was no saint either. Hate the way he is portrayed as some spiritual guru.
Great video James - proper Columbo
I think you're right James.
I read a book years ago that mentioned any time a groupie got pregnant Brian would "fix it".
Amazing research. You did a lot of work. Makes sense.
“ Beatlemania Happened “
Not quite and it most certainly wasn’t organic. To put it mildly, they had a lot of ‘ help ‘
maybe yeah but it was organic
With this level of detail, who needs Lewisohn?
Hahaha thanks!
Nice job dude, I would of never guessed who it was, if not for this.
Would have - not would of!
What we need now, is a medical report, documenting all the cases of Beatles STDs, and just when and how did they find time and energy to actually be The Beatles.
I just loved that song, im Norwegian, lol, at that time the Beatles were on fire, the movie HDN , my Dad dropped us off ,and people were lined up for blocks, oh how he hated the boys, he was such a square, the next day he took me to the barber and , told him crew cut, I was so embarrassed, wat a narrow minded man , when I got home from overseas in the military, I grew it long, my old man wouldn't allow me in the yard, can you imagine, how things were in the 60s for some of us, 😮 , anything he said was law, if I argued he would attack, my friends wouldn't set foot in the yard, after seeing his temper fits , great show my friend sorry bout the reminisce
What an excellent analysis. Thoroughly enjoyable. However, I'm curious about what the line "Or should I say/She once had me". Was there actually an affair, or had she led him on and then turned him down?
Awesome video James have a wonderful day and also I have lost my voice from a cold 😥🤧👃❤
Get well soon 👍
Very well done on this, what an interesting story to accompany one of my favourite songs.
Sound pretty good to me and as with other comments here seems so very true!
Glad you enjoyed it
Norwegian Wood is about Stu Suttcliffe and Astrid Kirschher. Astrid's bedroom was commissioned with Norwegian wood when they were still In Hamburg. The opening verse is in past tense because the narrator is deceased implying its Stu. It could suggest that John had an affair with Astrid which could possibly be the reasoning for the fight John had with Stu which led to the brain hemorrhage. Possibly John wrote the song to project his guilt over the whole situation. Astrid did accuse John of killing Stu years later.
It would be quite anomalous for John to write as someone other than himself.
@@globalheartwarmingprobably true. I mean nowhere man is in third person but still about him
@@Tsa-SONGS-ABOUT-BEING-a-DAD Except that he always had a point of view! Including the song.
@@globalheartwarming yep
The original title was meant to be, 'I knew she would', but George Martin deeded it to risqué.
Just fyi: “Middle 8” is the bridge of the song, not the chorus. Named as such because they almost always kept it to 8 measures long.
Good example (though you can use so many) is “You Won’t See Me” “Time after time you refuse to even listen\I wouldn’t mind if I knew what I was missing” a bridge of 8 measures.
Already a classic
I’m really enjoying your videos. They demonstrate an intelligent and probing mind, coupled with a love of The Beatles. They’re always fascinating. Thank you
Cool, thanks!
Your videos are fascinating! best beatle videos out there for sure!
Thanks for that 😎
Joan Baez has claimed several times that she turned down John and went to her own room to get some sleep because she was exhausted. She was reportedly the woman in Norwegian Wood. For some reason, I kind of buy her story. John might have indeed wanted revenge because his ego might have been fragile. People still believe they slept together. People would rather believe it, which is a sort of revenge from beyond the grave, perhaps? I think Alma Cogan is the inspiration for You've Got To Hide Your Love Away. John seems to have been angry with women and he may have been adding more women to his list to hurt Cynthia.
Amazing video. Great topic
World famous young men having innumerable opportunities for sex? Who would have thought? I'm appalled.
It reminds me of that famous scene in Casablanca with the Chief Inspector or something like that who was shocked that gambling was going on in Rick’s bar. 😮
The myth that John was single in the 60s was shattered very early on; pictures of he, Cynthia, and Julian were spread everywhere.
It takes two to tango. The women aren't innocent virgins that were taken advantage of.
Yoko was like a mother to John ..He seemed a tortured soul
Yoko was NOBODY'S mother. She was a scam artist and drug mule!
He was probably more stoned than anything else. And she had control over him, it seems that was the most important thing. It appeared a big messed up facade.
Most men marry their mothers without realizing it.
he never really got over the death of his mother, listen to the yearning in 'Julia.'
As you said, we'll probably never know, but you make a very convincing case.
Poor Cynthia went through hell with John and was left to raise her child alone. Yet she remained a loving individual who never spoke bad about anyone. RIP to a very sweet lady 🌹
So Bob Freeman did the photo cover for Rubber Soul and John wrote a song about having an affair with the photographer's wife?
That really is not good on all levels.
Well done. It’s a convincing argument. Paul's interpretation that the narrator burns down the house is an uncharacteristically awkward contribution to the lyrics. I always interpreted the 'fire' as a careless cigarette - a symbol of meaninglessness, the boy's response to the girl's pretension.
How very interesting, I think you’re absolutely right, it all fits. Thank you for sharing
Very interesting story! Or series of stories and insights?! Well done.
Back then, we heard whispers about Norwegian Wood, that it was about Joan Baez. Joan lived in my community so it wasn't a far out possibility. We all just took it in our stride.
Being quite unacquainted with all the details, I think this conjecture/theory makes as much sense as anything else we might guess. I could never make sense of that song "Norwegian Wood" or "The Bird has Flown" - and it would have to be of some broader meaning than what the lyrics suggest on the surface.
What would have been John's motive in coding such a thing into a song - if such were indeed the case? Paul's explanation of revenge seems most likely. The lady's rejecting of John's advances might have heavily stung the man's heart and ego - and so he subtly (or perhaps lyingly) informs her husband of an affair. The lady might have flirtatiously led him on - intentionally or otherwise - and then turned him down to sting him severely.
But I get the impression that John Lennon was something of the weirdest of the Beatles - prone to play all kinds of silly (and dangerous) games - and he might have tried some weird kind of sport in testing whether the lady's husband would work out the hint/riddle.
I happened to be sitting with Cynthia at her home in December 1995 when the episode on the Beatles Anthology was on and NORWEGIAN WOOD was featured, she sat in silence and dragged on her cigarette as she watched it. My mind was wondering what she was thinking as I certainly knew what it was about and I am sure she did, as they mainly mentioned the first use of the sitar and so forth. She piped up though when Paul came on talking about the song Yellow Submarine.
John DID have relations with Eleanor Bron, according to Paul anyway. I think original source is from his narration of 'Many Years From Now', & can be heard @ 00:13:30 of 'The Revolver Recording Sessions' doc by Beatles Bible...FOR PRODUCTION GEEKS, are more about song facts, opposed to recording/engineering/production😑 **JAMES....LOVE your mixing work/vids!!...Plz, plz, plz, consider doing more of that content. It's ALWAYS great!!!
Very slick and convincing detective work
One of Elvis's Memphis mafia mentioned catching Joan Baez in a Beatles' room after the whole gang was being shown around the Beatles hotel shortly after Elvis met the Fabs.
One of my favorite Beatles songs! ☮️💟😊
Nice detective work! Do more please!
According to Philip Norman, George Martin knew right away who the girl of Norwegian wood was, and yes, it was Robert Freeman's wife
George Harrison: The Reluctant Beatle Page 219
There are photos of Sonnie and John at the ski slopes. You might be right.
Then why did John put out the story for Robert Freeman to find out? It could be many reasons. But he was a very cheeky guy and famous people often feel as they are above others and that they are untouchable.
I used to work in a call centre where Norwegian wood was the hold music, i still love it in spite of that
How many times they catch crabs? 🦀🦀😂😂😂
Paul’s book “Many Years From Now” drove me crazy. He’s so eager to get every scrap of credit he can get, I just wasn’t buying it. Why compete with a dead man? Simply not fair. I was disappointed he would do that. He’s still a total genius, obviously!
Because for decades Paul was viewed as the happy pop guy of the group while John was viewed as the avant garde guy who pushed them into experimentation, so he wanted to correct the notion.
@@steveconn I was given Paul's book as a gift, being a big Beatles fan. I couldn't help but feel the same as you put it so well: "He’s so eager to get every scrap of credit he can get" I just wasn’t buying it either
The longer time goes on since John’s death the more credit he takes.
john is the master beatle, always has been and always will be
I don’t think anyone at his age and in his position could have remained faithful.
Great vid James 👍
Eleanor Bron. She’s in the film Help !
Yes. She was gorgeous! 'I can say no more'.
Amazing research man , that’s fantastic, yeah- I think your conclusion is what the song was about- but why don’t you interview Yoko about it ? She’s still here - just ,
The English actress was the beautiful Eleanor Bron who appeared in the Beatles movie "Help"
Man. I just discovered your channel. Wow! You are great!!
Subscribed because of this video with such a great story