by the Beatles (1965)
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The lyrics to “Norwegian Wood” are supremely good for a reason that applies to a number of songs by the Beatles, which is that of a double meaning simply and subtly expressed. At first, the lyrics might very much seem a riddle, but Lennon himself gave the key to understanding when he stated in an interview that the song was his attempt at writing about an affair in a sophisticated manner. What he did not outright state, however, is that the words of the song can be interpreted as referring to either side of a man’s affair, either his relations with the woman he is having the affair with or the woman he is cheating on — this, perhaps, was the mentioned sophistication. In short, the lyrics clearly refer to an affair coming to an end, which includes a talk until 2:00 a.m. so uncomfortable that it feels as if there is nowhere to sit and then the narrator’s final, near-comic attempt to sleep with she he is to no longer to see, but the greatness of the lyrics comes from the fact that it is left ambiguous whether this specific relationship coming to an end is that of the fellow cheater — perhaps ending things due to pangs of conscience — or the cheated on — perhaps ending things after learning of the affair. The ambiguity, in other words, is the artistry.