Reading all of these postings I became fascinated - OK obsessed -with all of the interpretations of this song. I thought I knew what the song was about, but apparently not. I decided to send out a poll to family and friends (ages 28 through 60) to get their opinions. I asked them 3 questions:
1) Was one person seducing the other, and if so which one?
2) Did they have sex>
3)What does “Norwegian wood” refer to, and how does it relate to the fire at the end?
Suprisingly enough - with the 15 responses I got as many - maybe more - than are found here.
1) 7 people thought that she was seducing him, 1 thought he was seducing her, the remainder thought it was either mutual or weren't sure.
2)10 thought they did not have sex, while 5 thought they did.
3) 3 people thought he burned furniture in the fireplace, 2 people thought he was smoking marijuana, 2 people though he burned the place down, 4 people thought that that Norwegian wood referred to logs in the fireplace, and 2 people thought the setting was Norway and that it referred to the forest outside.
Despite the relatively few answers to these questions, it resulted in a myriad of combinations, so only a few peoples' interpretations of the song coincided : e.g. she seduced him, they had sex and he threw a table in the fire vs. she seduced him, they didn't have sex and he lit the fire in the morning, vs.....
And interesting point, a couple reserached the song, were surprised by the arson theory, and flat out rejected it.
As for my own interpretation - - it was similar to azaud’s. I also feel compelled to discount the arson theories based on the meoldic nature of the tune and the tone of the lyrics.
Reading all of these postings I became fascinated - OK obsessed -with all of the interpretations of this song. I thought I knew what the song was about, but apparently not. I decided to send out a poll to family and friends (ages 28 through 60) to get their opinions. I asked them 3 questions: 1) Was one person seducing the other, and if so which one? 2) Did they have sex> 3)What does “Norwegian wood” refer to, and how does it relate to the fire at the end?
Suprisingly enough - with the 15 responses I got as many - maybe more - than are found here. 1) 7 people thought that she was seducing him, 1 thought he was seducing her, the remainder thought it was either mutual or weren't sure. 2)10 thought they did not have sex, while 5 thought they did. 3) 3 people thought he burned furniture in the fireplace, 2 people thought he was smoking marijuana, 2 people though he burned the place down, 4 people thought that that Norwegian wood referred to logs in the fireplace, and 2 people thought the setting was Norway and that it referred to the forest outside.
Despite the relatively few answers to these questions, it resulted in a myriad of combinations, so only a few peoples' interpretations of the song coincided : e.g. she seduced him, they had sex and he threw a table in the fire vs. she seduced him, they didn't have sex and he lit the fire in the morning, vs..... And interesting point, a couple reserached the song, were surprised by the arson theory, and flat out rejected it.
As for my own interpretation - - it was similar to azaud’s. I also feel compelled to discount the arson theories based on the meoldic nature of the tune and the tone of the lyrics.
Great discussion on everybody's part.