The song Blackbird was written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney and released by the Beatles in 1968 on their double album The Beatles (commonly known as the “White Album”). Performed solo by Paul McCartney on acoustic guitar, the recording also features the sound of a tapping foot and recorded bird effects. The lyrics were inspired by the Civil Rights Movement in the United States and use the image of a blackbird as a metaphor for freedom and social change. With its simple arrangement and fingerpicking guitar style, Blackbird became one of McCartney’s most frequently performed live songs.