Norwegian Wood May 2026

Murakami’s novel takes its title from the Beatles song, which serves as a haunting motif throughout the story.

: The lyrics provide a veiled account of an extramarital affair Lennon was having at the time. The title "Norwegian Wood" reportedly refers to cheap pine paneling popular in London apartments, though some interpret it as a pun on "knowing she would". Norwegian wood

"Norwegian Wood" is most famously recognized as a landmark and a 1987 bestselling novel by Haruki Murakami . While the song broke ground by introducing Indian classical instruments to Western rock, the novel became a cultural phenomenon for its realistic and melancholic exploration of youth and loss in 1960s Japan. The Beatles: A Musical Revolution Murakami’s novel takes its title from the Beatles

Written primarily by John Lennon, the track is considered a milestone in the band's development as songwriters. "Norwegian Wood" is most famously recognized as a

: This was the first Western rock recording to feature the sitar , played by George Harrison after he discovered the instrument on the set of the film Help! .