The Beatles Unveil Early Sitar-Laden Take of ‘Norwegian Wood’ Before Rubber Soul Reissue

The Beatles released a previously unheard early take of “Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)” on September 14, 2026, giving fans a raw look at how George Harrison’s sitar found its way into the song. Labeled “Second Version, Take 2,” the recording will appear on the expanded Special Edition of Rubber Soul, due out October 2, 2026.

This marks the third song shared ahead of the reissue, following the earlier releases of “Michelle (Take 1)” and an early songwriting work tape of “Day Tripper.” The newly issued take was recorded on the very first day of sessions for Rubber Soul, and it captures Harrison’s sitar before the band scrapped that arrangement and cut three additional takes nine days later.

• The new take was mixed by producer Giles Martin and engineer Sam Okell.
• Its first track pairs John Lennon’s acoustic guitar, Paul McCartney’s bass and Ringo Starr’s drums with Harrison sustaining drone notes on sitar.
• Harrison layered in more sitar on tracks two and three, with Lennon and McCartney’s vocals captured on the third track.
• Unlike the finished song, which opens on an instrumental verse melody, this version opens with double-tracked sitar playing the bridge.

How George Harrison Brought the Sitar to ‘Norwegian Wood’

Harrison’s connection to the instrument traces back to the set of the Beatles’ 1965 film Help!, where he first tried playing a sitar during a restaurant scene involving Indian musicians. He later bought his own sitar, describing it as “a real crummy-quality one,” from a London shop called Indiacraft during the summer of 1965.

Harrison recalled folding the instrument into “Norwegian Wood” almost on instinct. “When we were working on Norwegian Wood, it just needed something and it was quite spontaneous. I picked the sitar up and kind of found the notes. We put it on and it seemed to hit the spot and that was it,” he said.

John Lennon, who wrote the song, remembered struggling to land on the right arrangement before Harrison’s sitar became part of it. “We went through many different versions of the song. It was never right, and I was getting very angry about it,” Lennon said, adding that he asked Harrison to double his acoustic guitar part on the instrument.

What’s Included in the Rubber Soul Special Edition

The reissue will arrive in several configurations for collectors and casual listeners alike. The Special Edition Standard carries 14 songs, while the Special Edition Deluxe expands to 30 tracks.

A Blu-ray Edition will include 16 tracks along with four videos. The most extensive option, the Special Edition Super Deluxe, comes as either a 5-LP or 4-CD box set holding 68 tracks in total, featuring a new stereo mix, two discs of session recordings and demos, the original mono master, the original Capitol US pressing of the album, and the 7-inch A-side single.

More Info

• The Beatles share early version of ‘Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)’ featuring George Harrison sitar mastery | nme.com
• The Beatles release fresh take on ‘Norwegian Wood’ | faroutmagazine.co.uk
• The Beatles share an early recording of “Norwegian Wood” — Hear the moment the sitar changed rock | guitarplayer.com
• The Beatles release new recording ‘Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)(Second Version-Take 2)’ | hotpress.com
• The Beatles share alternate take of “Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)” ahead of Rubber Soul reissue | uncut.co.uk