Released in 1968, “Blackbird” by the Beatles was composed as a response to rising racial tensions in the United States—Blackbird should serve as “a metaphor for the black civil rights struggle” or be interpreted as black girl. In several televised interviews, Paul McCartney talks about the origin of the opening motive coming from a technically demanding ‘exercise’ piece by Johann Sebastian Bach: “Bourrée” a fast dance from Suite in E minor for Lute. My performance will begin with the original J.S. Bach lute piece, transcribed for the harpsichord. Then, I will improvise a bridge in the Baroque style before playing “Blackbird.” The “Blackbird” harpsichord transcription will feature the melody on the right hand while the chord accompaniment is played by the left hand on the upper manual, which is on a ‘buff stop’ that creates a lute-like timbre. I hope that my performance will show that the study the Baroque music gives us a more in-depth understanding of popular music today and helps us create more imaginative compositions.