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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Would this surprise you?

81 replies

HmmNot · 16/05/2025 07:57

My 50yo husband (lived in the UK all his life) has never heard- or even heard of- the Beatles’ song Blackbird.

YABU- yeah it’s not that well known.
YANBU- has he been living under a rock?

OP posts:
Heylittlesongbird · 16/05/2025 22:54

EBearhug · 16/05/2025 12:39

Because an older brother was really into early Genesis.

I'd just like it to be known today's earworm is Blackbird...

Show quote history

Well at least it’s not what the hell just happened 😂

MrsBennetsPoorNerves · 16/05/2025 22:56

I grew up listening to the Beatles and thought I knew most of their stuff, but I wasn't really aware of that song until I heard it at one of my dd's dance shows around 10 years ago.

I love the song and wonder why it isn't better known.

sweeneytoddsrazor · 16/05/2025 22:57

@GrouachMacbeth

The Wurzles were my first thought as well.

GlitchStitch · 16/05/2025 22:58

namechangeGOT · 16/05/2025 08:34

I used to sing blackbird to my son to get him to sleep! It’s also on Bossbaby!

I only know this song from Boss Baby!

sweeneytoddsrazor · 16/05/2025 23:06

Just gone on to YouTube as I didn't know the song and won't lie I prefer the Wurzels

merryhouse · 16/05/2025 23:17

I'm 55, and listened to (among other things) Sergeant Pepper for a year while working for a friend in 1988.

The first time I heard Blackbird was when someone did a Classical Beatles album and Classic FM played it. Possibly about 2013?

The one that surprised me was 5 years ago, when 17yo son revealed he'd only just noticed the pun in Beatles - and 52yo husband blinked and admitted he'd never noticed it either...

EBearhug · 16/05/2025 23:48

Heylittlesongbird · 16/05/2025 22:54

Well at least it’s not what the hell just happened 😂

Show quote history

Oh yes, I have had far, far worse things, I don't mind this one at all!

JingsMahBucket · 17/05/2025 05:52

Redpeach · 16/05/2025 20:14

Hasn't beyonce covered it recently? Anyway, i know and love loads of music from before i was born

Yes she did and the original song is about Black American women fighting for civil rights in the 1960s. That’s why she covered it.

Bogeyes · 17/05/2025 06:30

The Beatles?

charlieandjenna · 17/05/2025 07:06

I’m 51 and only heard of it when it was on Gavin and Stacie. I grew up with my parents listening to the Beatles 🤷‍♀️

Goldenboysmum · 17/05/2025 07:18

I'm 61, and thought I'd listen to it on Spotify thinking I'd probably recognise it.

I've never heard it before either.

HotHoney · 17/05/2025 07:21

Never heard of it and I’m his age

ChessieFL · 17/05/2025 07:22

I’m mid 40s and only heard of it a couple of years ago when it was used at MIL’s funeral. And then on Gavin and Stacey last year.

tilypu · 17/05/2025 07:24

I know it, but only because my ex played guitar and it was one of the songs he played. I hadn't heard of it before that. I don't think it's all that well known, so even though I do know it, I've voted YABU.

Alwaystired23 · 17/05/2025 07:26

I hadn't until the Gavin and Stacey Christmas final.

B1indEye · 17/05/2025 07:35

Im of a similar age and it doesn't surprise me at all that anyone wouldnt have heard it. I have but only in passing, I don't suppose you're coming back to the thread now @HmmNot but I'm interested in why you think it's a cultural must know for someone of his age.

Daffodilsarefading · 17/05/2025 07:52

Dh just played it to me, and I said oh yeah I have heard that. Otherwise I would have said I didn’t know it.

bluesatin · 17/05/2025 08:00

sweeneytoddsrazor · 16/05/2025 22:57

@GrouachMacbeth

The Wurzles were my first thought as well.

Wrong sort of blackbird - the Wurzels one is a crow, and their song is a corruption of (or perhaps more kindly to say based on) an old Devonshire folk song.
I know the Beatles "Blackbird" well as I am so ancient I bought a copy of the White Album when it first came out 🙂

mewkins · 17/05/2025 08:02

MoistVonL · 16/05/2025 08:17

Wow. I thought everyone knew it, it’s such a beautiful song and used frequently in films and television shows.

Well, lucky for your husband, he’s got a new lovely song to enjoy.

I was in my forties the first time I heard Only Living Boy In New York (Paul Simon) and that felt like winning a prize - suddenly a delightful song I’d never heard of that I immediately lived.

I love when I discover an old song that I can't believe I've never heard. Guy Garvey's 6music show is great for this.

(I also love the only living boy in new York and only discovered it on the Garden State soundtrack).

MoistVonL · 17/05/2025 08:14

@mewkins - yes! It was Garden State for me too. I also love New Slang from that soundtrack

Moier · 17/05/2025 08:18

Well I'm 66 and know loads of The Beatles songs ( I'm not into them).. even ones not many know like Norwegian Wood or Fool on the hill..
Two of the best... but l would say Blackbird is probably the least known Beatles song.. so it doesn't surprise me.
He probably knows things you haven't heard of.. that's life.

NooNakedJacuzziness · 17/05/2025 08:33

I’m early 50s and I know it, I’ve having a bit of a Beatles moment though and discovering and rediscovering a lot of gorgeous lesser played songs. If you only know the Penny Lanes and All You Need is Loves there is so much more out there. My absolute favourite is And Your Bird Can Sing. They really were something special 😍

cosietea · 17/05/2025 08:35

My 16 year old son recently learnt this on guitar ( self taught) and I had no idea he knew or listened to them

Gundogday · 17/05/2025 08:52

This is making me want to go and discover the lesser known songs. For me, the Beatles represented the first modern pop group and along with Elvis Presley, were the fathers of modern music. I was never in to their music (80s was my era) but their music was always about.

Do know Norwegian wood though.

FiveShelties · 17/05/2025 08:59

I thought I did not know it, but went to Spotify and knew it straight away. It us a lovely song which I had forgotten.