The instrument is a sitar. It was one of the first rock songs to incorporate its sound. After this the sitar sound became ubiquitous in Western popular music, especially psychedelic rock from the late 60’s and early 70’s.

Rubber Soul is their sixth studio album and is considered their first big masterpiece.

One of my favorite Beatle's tunes. It always had that warm, cozy romantic vibe to it. Almost more of a Paul-type song, but it's John's baby.

Silas, just do the whole discography. Get it done. The Beatles are worth it. You should know this music, you should know the history. Time to step up, young sir. :)

Rubber Soul and Revolver where their best albums!

Welcome to the Wonderful world of the Beatles. Oh the places you'll go...

The twangy buzzing sound you hear is an Indian classical instrument called a sitar and The Beatles went to India often and George Harrison saw a sitar and was intrigued by the sound of it and learned how to play it and he used it on songs like “Love You To” and “Within you Without you” but not to be confused with a tambura, a droning (just means to play one note and hold it out) instrument, and you can hear that instrument in “Tomorrow Never Knows” were it just drones the note of C for the whole thing

The Beatles started out as "The Quarrymen" around mid 50's. Then they changed their name to "The Silver Beatles". Then in the early 60's just "The Beatles" Pete Best was their original drummer, but he was fired when (Sir) George Martin became their recording producer and Ringo Starr was brought in to replace Pete Best. Ringo knew John, Paul and George when he was in another band in Liverpool, "Rory Storm and the Hurricanes" as their drummer. The Beatles did 5 feature films 1964 "A Hard Day's Night" which is a song of theirs and it was Ringo who came up with the title. 1965 "Help!", 1967 "Magical Mystery Tour" which was a concept idea by Paul McCartney and it was shown on British TV around Christmas time. The critics at that time hated it. Now it is a classic film and it is shown in some film study classes. 1968 "Yellow Submarine" (Ringo sings lead vocals of this song title on their 1966 album "Revolver") which is an animated film, but The Beatles did not do their own voices. It was voice actors that did the voices. And 1970 Their last and final film at the time they were splitting up "Let It Be". The strange instrument that you hear on "Norwegian Wood" is a sitar, a string instrument from India and it is George Harrison, the lead guitarist is playing it. It was the first time that a rock oriented band used the sitar on a recording album. George Harrison was just barely learning how to play it at that time.

One of the earliest Beatle songs where the lyrics were just ambiguous enough to cause people to make up theories as to what it meant.

One my favorite Beatles tracks instrument was a sitar it’s an Indian instrument George played in multiple songs

Glad a young guy is interested in the Beatles music. I"m 64 now and grew up with them as they started out. Actually seen them when they visited my city. 1964 ( a great time for burgulars as the whole city was in the city !) Take time and listen to their music, as they had probably THE most major impact to music in the last century! like others have said, once you get into them, there is hardly a loser song amongst the plethora they sung.

This is their 6th album when they were entering a more sophisticated phase in their music . Good that young guys like you are listening to these classics.

Of The Beatles early works, "You Got to Hide Your Love Away" was always a favorite because it was different. It was like a waltz (3/4 time) as opposed to most of their stuff being either bluesy or straight, 4/4 back then.

As others have pointed out, "Rubber Soul" is a point where the Beatles seemed to step up, and they kept stepping up higher and higher with succeeding albums like "Revolver", "Sergeant Pepper", the so-called "White Album", etc. Their earlier ones had some good stuff, don't get me wrong, but this Is where they really went to a new level of creativity. Also - this is an album. Some of the songs became hits in their own right, but most were only ever released on the album. It's worthwhile to just sit and hear the album all the way through. You don't need to "react" to it all, but give yourself a chance to hear the range of music that they could put out on even one album. No two songs on this and the remaining Beatles albums are alike.

IMO, Rubber Soul and Revolver were their two best albums for songs. The later albums were more musically creative.

The Beatles are so good that when you started listing all the songs you said you didn't know, they were all bangers.

This was John Lennon's song describing him having an affair during his first marriage. He was trying to disguise it in the lyrics, but it was kind of obvious.

Before this album is when they did their pop type of rock music. Fun but hot especially ambitious. Rubber Soul is where they started to reach higher. So if you've heard mostly their pop hits, it would likely be music from earlier on in their career. Their next album, Revolver, is my favorite. I like this song because I like the mood it creates.

How weird, was just humming the song and then got your notification 😂

It’s a sitar from India when they had visited the Maharishi…George played it after he was taught by Ravi Shankar….who just happens to be Norah Jones’ father

Check out these songs from rubber soul: girl, u wont see me, Michelle, wait, drive my car......rubber soul rules.....the instrument in norweigen was an indian instrument called a sitar

They did this album, Revolver, Sgt, pepper in 18 months. Incredible work ethic. That would be a respectable career for most bands.

Rubber Soul was the Beatles' 6th album, and IMO, one of their two best, along with its successor, Revolver. The instrument you asked about is the sitar, which soon after this, The Rolling Stones used in "Paint It, Black". Limiting myself to the songs that you said you haven't heard, I would say do either "I Saw Her Standing There" or "All My Loving" next, but eventually, you should also hear "I Feel Fine", "And I Love Her", and "You've Got to Hide Your Love Away" at least, and I'm sure there are many other good ones that you didn't mention that you haven't heard. I would listen to "Golden Slumbers" as part of the Abbey Road medley rather than individually.

Your young so I'll explain the SLANG used here to you. NORWEGIAN WOOD was a term for WEED, and BIRD is the same as CHICK in America, it's a reference to a girl. The INSTRUMENT was a SITAR. It was the first time it was used in POPULAR MUSIC (Pop Rock) in the West. It was played by the 'Quiet' Beatle George Harrison.

A great easy song to play as well on acoustic. One of my favs to play along with Michelle, Blackbird. So many awesome songs.

Fun MUST HEAR Classics By Them,, The Beatles "Rocky Raccoon",, "Ob-La-Di,, Ob-La-Da" & "Octopus's Garden"

This album widely considered one of the best ever…with no big hits,just wonderful songs like this one.

TRUST ME Silas On These Classic Rockin' Jams In Order,, The Beatles #3 "Back In The U.S.S.R."..#2 "Taxman" & Finally This Banger At #1 "Revolution"

He burnt down her flat in the end. "So i lit a fire, isn't it good, Norwegian wood" 🔥🔥🔥

So simple and so marvelous.

Great reaction....tons and tons of Beatle stuff out there, you can't go wrong with any of them!

The Beatles are a must for a well rounded musical education. The instruments that in the forefront are John playing acoustic guitar and the other instrument is a sitar, an Indian musical instrument, played by George Harrison

This is their 6th album and the beginning of their middle period which would last into the beginning of 1968 before their trip to India.

Honestly, good choice, compliments on sticking with this album for now and taking it a bit step by step. I've loved this song since I was a child, didn't understand it at the time, a quote by George Harrison (was on a trip to India for the first time), just too short, but common at the time. I wish you a good start into the week. The sitar hero Ravi Shankar played later by the Concert For Bangla Desh 1971 with George Harrison (organiser), a triple live album, also with a whole side by Bob Dylan and Eric Clapton, Ringo Starr, Billy Preston, Leon Russell ... .

In the 1960's Britain cheap flat-pack furniture was coming in from Norway, so young folks would buy this stuff to decorate their Flats. John was hoping to score with this bird but she had to go to work the next morning when John woke up " this bird had flown" which pissed him off, so he lit a fire of Norwegian Wood.....he lit her flat on fire I've heard John tell the story

Ringo is playing what they call Finger Cymbals on this song, often mistaken for the Tambourine.

Actually my fave song off that album

The Beatles released so much material in a relatively short amount of time and they evolved really rapidly. There is such a huge difference from their earliest stuff to this album which I think of is kind of their middle. And then of course to the really advanced stuff later on. They are one of those few bands like Lynyrd Skynyrd for me where I literally like every song they ever released. It's all just so good and its own way. What's this song gets inside your head, I promise you it will never leave. I mean years and years later it might suddenly pop into your head. It's just so catchy and simple. And it's funny because of every song You rattled off there at the end, it was jumping around in time from their early stuff to their late stuff, but every one of those songs was on the radio a lot at some point. And most of us went out and bought some or all of their albums. I had all of their vinyl plus a couple bootlegs that were pretty fascinating. This is definitely a band that you could do an album and group a couple songs together for each reaction. The Beatles are a rabbit hole that is very well worth going down.

It's so great to see you react so so incredible songs, why doesn't anyone thank you ! Maybe they have and I missed it but I want to say thank you

Great review, this song was big on the radio when it was released. Other must hear songs to check out: definitely check out Tomorrow Never Knows, it's spectacular, I Am the Walrus, Strawberry Fields Forever, Baby You're a Rich Man (a favorite of mine) and Eight Days a Week, another favorite of mine.

The second instrument is the sitar played by George.

Actually, this is their sixth album and most people consider it the turning point where the albums became works of art themselves.

This is the album that took them from she loves you to you won't see me. More introspective than can't buy me Love

The Rubber Soul album was released in 1965. They started releasing music 3 years before in 1962. They have 12 albums total. *Albums released in order* Please Please Me 1963 With the Beatles 1963 Hard Day's Night 1964 Beatles for Sale 1964 Help! 1965 Rubber Soul 1965 Revolver 1966 Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band 1967 The White Album 1968 Yellow Submarine 1969 Abbey Road 1969 Let it Be 1970

This is classic FOREVER!

I think the sitar was introduced by George, and he plays it in the song

Start at the beginning, young friend, and keep going. We will fill you in on information. Some of us have known Beatle music for a VERY long time. I'm 54, but my mom saw them live in concert when she was a teenager. 😊

Realized my age when my head immediately went to the next songs lyrics..."When I call you up..."

One Of My MANY Personal Favorites By Them.❤

I wore out my copy of Rubber Soul! I was a teenager when the Beatles hit the states. They put out new and different music with every album 👵🏼☮️💜

That sound is from the citar, an indian instrument played by George.

This is their first album to move away from standard he loves you she loves me pop songs, branching out thematically and musically. They also had learned enough from George Martin to begin making their own production decisions. And the band also admits their introduction to cannabis had a big impact beginning with this album. This and Revolver are just a stunning transition. Then they did it again with Sgt Peppers, and once more with their final 3 albums.

"Rubber Soul", and the following associated album "Revolver", were from the same basic time period, mid 1960s. I generally call it the "We discovered weed" period. It was before the "We discovered acid" period.

Rubber Soul is the album that turned around music. Just go for it and listen to it all. You won’t be disappointed

George on the sitar.

It is an amazing Song absolutely GENIUS 👍👌👏🙌🫶🇬🇧

This is an incredible album and this along with their next Lp "Revolver" are two of my favorite Beatles albums. Also check out Lennon's "Nowhere Man" which is just incredible on every level and his song "Girl" also. Both top notch songs where John was at the top of his game."Rubber Soul" is so much better than anything out there today. You should also check out their single "Day Tripper"/"We Can Work It Out" which was released as a double A-side because both songs were so good and both shot right up to #1 on the Billboard chart in thr US and both #1 in the UK also. Here's the kicker, this single was released on December 2, 1965 the same day as "Rubber Soul" was released. Who the hell does that? Release a double A-side single on the same day as an Lp. The Beatles, that's who. They were that great. There's also two videos for these songs and are really a great watch, check them out. Peace ❤

They are sooo good! So different all the time! Thanks!

This album is 58 years old, get with it man !!!

SILAS, another excellent use of the sitar is the Beatles song “Within You, Without You” from the Sgt. Pepper album. That song would make a great reaction video, and the lyrics are extremely profound.

The "Rubber Soul" album was the beginning of the Beatles changing their music in a more sophisticated music style. That led to their later albums like "Revolver", "Sgt. Pepper's Lionly Hearts Club Band", "Magical Mystery Tour", "Abbey Road" and "Let it Be".

Nowhere Man....great song

It is also a pun in that Norwegian Wood sounds similar to 'knowing she would'.

Rubber soul is their best album to many...the one that changed everything, the one where they got serious....they were smoking a lot of grass by this point

the lyrics have been confused for years, but the song is telling a story of a man going to a lady's apartment hoping for a romantic encounter, apparently it doesn't go so well so she says she has to go to bed, has work in the morning, he ends up sleeping in the bath tub. when he wakes up, she is gone, so he lights the place on fire.

Rubber Soul launched them into the next stratosphere where no one could keep up.

Considering it's about a guy burning down a woman's house out of spite (leaving him in the tub)... ! Might want to check out Bob Dylan's response to this song - "4th Time Around" - off his "Blonde on Blonde" double album.

Dude, the Beatles were not a band with a few hits. They made great music. Even their bsides were awesome.

All those songs you read off are all amazingly wonderful songs! You can't go wrong with any of them! Try Strawberry Fields Forever or I Am the Walrus or I'm Only Sleeping, if you like John songs. Listen to Eleanor Rigby, Yesterday, Penny Lane and Here, There and Everywhere if you like Paul songs. Listen to Taxman and While My Guitar Gently Weeps or Savoy Truffle if you like George songs!

Got to go further into the lyrics, they're fun. The first thing he notices is the wood in his Norwegian girlfriend's house or appartment. When the evening disappoints, he goes off to sleep in the bath (!). The next morning, the girl (in English parlance the "bird") has left, leaving him with the temptation of torching the place. Beautifully revengeful ode to a bizarre night in Scandinavia.

Oh to be at the start of this musical journey again with John, Paul, George and Ringo (and George Martin their producer). Their band and solo careers are full of magical discoveries that when you first hear them you instantly connect with the song.

Love this one

You have a great ear for music and you should start at the beginning to see how the Beatles' music evolved and in turn also profoundly influenced rock music and a whole generation in the process.

original title of this song was knowing she would, i once had a girl or should i say she once had me, she showed me her room, isn't it good knowing she would, he also scrambled up the lyrics at the end of the song.

Later album my favorite

It is an Indian instrument known as a Sitar.

Lots of great songs. Just jump in with both feet. You won't be disappointed. 🙂

I bet you never heard the Beatles' "You Know My Name (Look Up the Number)." 😃

one of the best

John making a confession about an affair - He was married to Cynthia at the time

It's an Indian instrument called a "Sitar".

The whole Rubber Soul album is fire, as others have said the guitar sound was a Sitar and George Harrison learnsd how to play this complex string instrument from one of it's masters, Ravi Shankar when The Beatles were in India

This is their 5th LP. And it wouldn't be what it is without the first 4.

This strange instrument (Indian) is a citar. Norah Jones's father, Ravi Shankar, taught George Harrison to play it.

This is the POT, album. Revolver was the acid album.

Thought You Might Want To Know Silas,, Back In The Day Some Would Call Girls/Women A "Bird" Or A"Chick"..This Bird Has Flown = She Took Off/Left/Flew The Coop🐔🐤🤪

Start listening from the beginning

This album wasn't that early. About 2/5 of the way through their career.

Amazing song with Indian style. Keep it up with more Beatles reactions, bro!

This album, Rubber Soul and the next album Revolver are considered to be the best albums the beatles ever made, along with SGT. Pepper and Abbey Road. This is when The Beatles started to become The Beatles everyone knows.

You are hearing a sitar, a string instrument similar to a guitar from India.

George was played it on sitar

Yeah, it was their second album, right after Abbey.Road.

Это хорошо, что ты ещё не знаешь столько хороших песен, потому что когда ты их будешь познавать, ты люто кайфанёшь. А вот мы эти песни уже знаем и так как ты, уже не кайфанём.)) It's good that you don't know so many good songs yet, because when you get to know that, you'll get really high. But we already know these songs and, we won't get high anymore like you'll do.))

Rubber Soul is my favourite Beatles album. 🇨🇦🔥🔥🔥🥇💖. It's a Sitar, East Indian instrument, due to the the big Indian influence at that time. The Beatles went to India and had a favorite guru, like many others of that day. New Age was becoming a thing.

It's a sitar, a Indian instrument.

A lot of metaphors in this song. Norwegian WOOD, (we all know what WOOD is, right?) She was Norwegian after all. Bird is a British term for a woman.

What you say IS a guitar is really a Sitar

I think about the sitar George Harrison was one of the first rock ‘n’ roll people to incorporate the sitar because for one thing he used to hang on with Peter Sellers who was one of the goon show members very famous in England the group listen to the comedy of the GOON shows also Ravi Shankar was friends with Peter Sellers how do used to hang around together Peter Sellers and ended up selling his mansion to Ringo Starr because he was in a movie with Ringo Starr called the magic Christian Peter sellers named his mansion “FRED”

Another big hit done in a 3/4 waltz time signature is " she's always a woman" by Billy Joel.