Natasha Bedingfield's Hit "Unwritten" Inspired by The Beatles' Indian Era

The pop song that dominated the mid-2000s was influenced by the Fab Four's spiritual period.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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Natasha Bedingfield's 2004 hit song "Unwritten" was heavily influenced by The Beatles' Indian period, according to the singer herself. In a 2024 interview, Bedingfield revealed that the song's verse was modeled after the sound and harmonic structure of George Harrison and Paul McCartney's work during The Beatles' spiritual and experimental phase in the late 1960s.

Why it matters

This new insight into the inspiration behind one of the biggest pop songs of the 2000s provides an interesting connection between the modern era of music and the iconic sound of The Beatles. It also highlights the ways in which contemporary artists can draw from the past to create something fresh and timeless.

The details

Bedingfield explained that the "Unwritten" verse was meant to evoke the "tinny guitar and Eastern harmonic structure" of The Beatles' Indian-influenced work. She noted the similarities in the lyrical sentiment as well, with lines like "I am unwritten, can't read my mind, I'm undefined" echoing the Fab Four's own explorations of spirituality and self-discovery.

  • Natasha Bedingfield released her debut album, which included "Unwritten", in 2004.
  • "Unwritten" became one of the most-played songs in the U.S. in 2006.
  • Bedingfield discussed the Beatles influence in a 2024 interview with The Guardian.

The players

Natasha Bedingfield

An English singer-songwriter who released the hit song "Unwritten" in 2004.

The Beatles

The iconic British rock band, known for their influential work in the 1960s, including their Indian-influenced period in the late 1960s.

George Harrison

The lead guitarist of The Beatles, known for his interest in Indian music and spirituality.

Paul McCartney

The primary songwriter of The Beatles, who collaborated with Harrison on many of the band's Indian-influenced songs.

Joshua Bedingfield

Natasha Bedingfield's younger brother, whom she wrote the song "Unwritten" for as a birthday gift.

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What they’re saying

“For the verse, I had the Beatles' Indian period in mind.”

— Natasha Bedingfield (The Guardian)

“Unwritten" started as a poem. Then I found the right songwriter in Danielle Brisebois, who'd had amazing experiences as a child actor and in the band New Radicals. She helped me with the idea that every child is a blank page and can write their own future.”

— Natasha Bedingfield (The Guardian)

The takeaway

Natasha Bedingfield's hit song "Unwritten" demonstrates how contemporary pop music can be influenced by the iconic sounds of the past, in this case the spiritual and experimental work of The Beatles during their Indian period. This connection highlights the timeless appeal of great songwriting and the ways in which artists can build upon the musical legacy that came before them.