The Beatles' acid anthem that inspired Brian Wilson and The Velvet Underground

The Beatles’ Rubber Soul accelerated the cultural upheaval of the 1960s, with the Fab Four landing in America and releasing Rubber Soul 664 days later. Their 1965 album marked a shift toward more adult themes and worldly sounds, embodied in one curious track that fused electrified folk, divorce, acid, and sitar: Norwegian Wood. Artists like Lou Reed would later note mixed feelings about the Beatles’ influence, sometimes critiquing them while acknowledging the inspiration they provided. The Velvet Underground admired the band, and John Cale recalled that Rubber Soul’s daring spirit boosted their own avant-garde approach. In the American vanguard, Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys stood at the forefront of a counterculture that Rubber Soul helped redefine.