In 1968 the Civil Rights Movement had been growing over the past ten years. Different events kept revealing the worst behavior of people stood against Civil Rights, Racial Equality, and the Vietnam War. In 1968 both Martin Luther King and Bobby Kennedy had been assassinated.

Against this background The White Album by The Beatles was released. In 1968 everyone heard Blackbird for the first time. Paul McCartney wrote Blackbird to be an expression of hope to children trying to integrate schools in the southern United States. These children needed the protection of the National Guard and Military in order to go to school.

It is sad that the messages which helped bring about the writing of Blackbird are now being presented as “normal” by the current political powers.

In the past 55 years plus Blackbird is one of those songs that everyone knows. The opening guitar lick and words are embedded in our culture just like any folk song. Like any folk song Blackbird is being passed from generation to generation. Blackbird never made it on the pop charts (until the cast of Glee sang it). However, it has become truly iconic.

Cathy and I wanted to emphasize the melody in our instrumental version. We know everyone will naturally sing the words to Blackbird with their voices or in their heads and hearts.