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A group of Harvard students took one of the most untouchable songs ever written—and somehow made millions hear it in a completely new way. Using nothing but their voices, they transformed “Blackbird” into a breathtaking a cappella masterpiece, layering every harmony with such stunning precision that some longtime Beatles fans admitted they preferred this version to the original

Harvard Opportunes Transform Beatles Classic Into Ethereal Acapella Delight

We know the majority of Music Man readers will be familiar with ‘Blackbird’ by the Beatles. One of the most beautiful and critically lauded acoustic songs to come out of the 1960s, the song was originally released on the band’s self-titled 1968 album (also frequently referred to as The White Album), and is so iconic that it is difficult to imagine it being covered successfully by any other artist.

Harvard Opportunes Transform Beatles Classic Into Ethereal Acapella Delight - The Music Man

This, however, is where Harvard acapella group the Opportunes come in. Known for their stunning vocal-only arrangements of popular songs, when the group uploaded their version of ‘Blackbird’ to YouTube a few weeks ago, its popularity instantly exploded online. People were unable to believe how the singers had captured the richness and emotion behind the lyrics using only their voices, leading some to declare the cover to be as good as, if not better than, the original Beatles recording.

The real strength of the cover lies in its multi-layered arrangement, with beautiful, delicate vocal lines weaving around one another to create a rendition that sounds truly jaw-dropping. The high point of the cover comes with the “blackbird, fly” refrain, which sees the singers stripping everything back and then building the vocal parts up again one by one. I don’t often cry at songs, Music Man readers, but this one definitely left me with tears in my eyes!

The Harvard Crimson

Music Man readers who are already fans of the Harvard Opportunes might argue that some of the group’s previous covers are just as good, if not better, than their take on ‘Blackbird’. Check out the video below, for instance, which shows the talented singers putting their own fun and distinctive spin on Walk the Moon’s ‘Shut Up and Dance’.

For me, however, I really think that their cover of ‘Blackbird’ is the best video the Harvard Opportunes have on YouTube at the moment. It takes something truly special to not only have the guts to cover a song that is so well-loved and iconic in the first place, but also to do it successfully and leave even some die-hard Beatles fans claiming it is their new favourite version of the track!

I Choose You (Sara Bareilles) - The Harvard Opportunes

Harvard’s Opportunes have delivered a truly moving, voice-only take on “Blackbird” that proves a cappella can be transcendent. If you want to explore more from this remarkable ensemble and watch the viral performance, check out the useful links to discover more below.

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