Main Writer: Lennon
Recorded: April 20 and 26, 1966
Released: June 20, 1966
Not released as a single

The first time the Beatles recorded "And Your Bird Can Sing," they ended up with any other band's idea of a hit — a supercharged variation on the folk-rock sound of the Byrds' "Eight Miles High," built around Harrison's 12-string guitar and close harmonies. But they knew they could do better. Six days later, the Beatles trashed the original version (whose working title was "You Don't Get Me") and spent 12 hours constructing a new one, which tightened up Harrison and McCartney's daredevil dual-guitar leads and made them the centerpiece of a brighter, more propulsive new arrangement.

Lennon later described "And Your Bird Can Sing" as a "throwaway." Although its lyrics don't make a lot of sense, the line "You say you've seen seven wonders" may refer to the night the Beatles smoked pot with Bob Dylan in New York in 1964. The experience caused a stoned McCartney to excitedly pronounce what he had just learned was the key to life: "There are seven levels."

Appears On: Revolver

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• Ringo Starr, Confident and Sober: Rolling Stone's 1992 Feature Story