One good thing about lockdown is that on our walks we seem to see and hear more birds than usual.
I’ve got a chirpy €25 Golden Discs voucher to give away to a reader who lists their favourite song about our winged friends.
Here’s mine.
The winner will be chosen by my budgie.
Lines MUST close at 6.45pm EXTENDED until1 6am!
Please include video links where possible.
Nick says: Good luck.
Earlier: Last week’s winner
Sponsored Link
I like birds – Eels
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJnbmUnNNYo
Life can be pretty poopy, but you can always have some small positives
Only obvious because it’s so good
The Beatles – Blackbird
https://youtu.be/Man4Xw8Xypo
I came across this cover version of the Beatles Blackbird about a year ago by some First Nations/ Native American students in the same vein as Coláiste Lurgan does cover versions in Irish. In one year it has had millions of views, got the thumbs up from Paul McCartney and has created an upsurge of interest in their native Mi’kmaq language which was on the brink of extinction… fair play to them!
https://youtu.be/99-LoEkAA3w
Nice, thanks Ado
Kate Bush Prelude
https://youtu.be/74XPObUCIG4
“Mummy
Daddy
The day is full of birds
Sounds like they’re saying words”
Always gets me right in the feels….
Wings, The Fall.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3JKwyFjx5Q
(MES wears them now in Punk heaven [where the pubs are not closed until Aug.] )
Has to be Dodo by David Bowie
Rime of the Ancient Mariner. This song got me into reading poetry when I was a teen. Based on the Samuel Taylor Coleridge poem. He supposedly wrote while off his nut on marijuana.
https://youtu.be/NA2cGy_iDTk
By Iron Maiden!
Excellent call….Brilliant on the Live after death album.
So very true :)
+1 from me. Classic Maiden :)
You probably know about this already but if not, enjoy.
https://www.ancientmarinerbigread.com/reading/1
That’s cool. Thanks
Ostensibly about a bee but also featuring a very helpful starling: “Honeybee” by Connie Converse.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FSdwGjQfLM
That and ‘The Wren, The Wren’ by Lisa O’Neill
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4y3zvJst6kk
I remember Nick Hornby raving about this song in his 31 songs book and being surprised, but he’s right, it’s a tune
Nelly Furtado – I’m like a bird
https://youtu.be/roPQ_M3yJTA
Has to be Dodo by David Bowie
https://youtu.be/0MebaCpcq50
I’m like a bird, nelly furtado
It’s in your head now and it won’t get out!
Have a good weekend
The Beatles – Free as a Bird
1995 studio re-working and release of John Lennon’s 1977 demo. Huge build up to the release.
Was totally mesmerised by the song and video when it came out. Pure nostalgia!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ODIvONHPqpk
Sure while we’re at it –
The Beatles – And your bird can sing
https://youtu.be/fH-3y_Ike5E
Three hours ago, and nobody has made a tacky, juvenile comment on “huge build up to the release”.
Damn
Damn.
The Holy Modal Rounders – If you want to be a bird
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4qkGf3q7gA
Great video from Easy Rider
One of my favourite songs ever is Songbird by Fleetwood Mac from Rumours.
Written and performed by Christine McVie, it was a very personal song for McVie. She said it was about the self-sacrifice of true love said that this song held Fleetwood Mac together during their difficulties while recording Rumours.
It’s just a gorgeous song.
https://youtu.be/wTi19MPOvDw
If Fleetwood Mac – Albatross poo wins this I’m boycotting the site.
Agree with that alright. Songbird a completely different proposition tho! See above.
Try this instead. Same title but a glorious racket.
The Besnard Lakes – Albatross
https://youtu.be/RXB87SRv8Yg
https://youtu.be/RXB87SRv8Yg
Birds by Neil Young.
Also on my shortlist of most beautiful songs ever.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qqsOFvQslms
The Steve Miller Band – Fly Like An Eagle:
https://youtu.be/6zT4Y-QNdto
The Nightingale – Julee Cruise (written by David Lynch and Angelo Badalamenti)
Soothing in these unsettled times – well, if Lynch could ever be described as soothing…
https://youtu.be/n_Waarb7uMg
Manfred Mann – Pretty Flamingo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTxzmLyVFYY
One of my ol’ mans favourites, just heard it recently for the first time in years. I believe some dust or something got in both my eyes simultaneously.
Fantastic bit of music, especially for these times were we need a bit of relaxation,
https://youtu.be/fXeKi6ZkbOw
Enjoy
Might not win best song about birds but surely best song title. ‘A bird of prey vanishes into a bright blue cloudless sky’ an instrumental by David Sylvian from excellent double album Gone To Earth.
https://youtu.be/YMx82-xPJ-E
https://youtu.be/yhuMLpdnOjY
Tom Lehrer , Poisoning pigeons in the park
Actually just saw this now.. I might have to settle for second place..
lol, just Friday night feeling
In memory of Florian, given his recent passing, I’ll nominate Morgenspaziergang by Kraftwerk.
Its intro contains a birds’ dawn chorus as could only be interpreted by them and their pioneering instrumentation. Sounds sweetly primitive now, but no less poignant for it.
Ruhe in Frieden, Herr Schneider.
https://youtu.be/ZQasAWp8YRs
Feck off with your maudlin bird poo.. to the Rhine with Kraftwerk.. this week there is only one winner: https://youtu.be/mO-OpFjHRbE
Sorry Bertie!!,
Second choice.
https://youtu.be/D0W1v0kOELA
I bet it wins now :)
The Lark Ascending – Ralph Vaughan Williams
https://youtu.be/yU-1zqUo80U
It is understood and respected in many cultures across the world, that when a Robin appears it is a sign. That the person passed on has come back to reassure that every little thing is gonna be alright.
When Offaly Good Vibes commemorated the 30th anniversary of Bob Marley in 2011. Watch what happened.
This is the ultimate bird song. Apart from ‘the birdie song’. Ovbs
Three little birds is my song for consideration.
Spirit of Bob
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ensi6dT8g6Y
Prince – when doves cry.
https://youtu.be/oTUSeac7IuQ
I am without many ideas for this quiz, well done to whoever suggested Mundy last week, I love levis.
Whoop!
Ah Jey us!!!,
Even better
Sir Bob Marley!!!
https://youtu.be/LanCLS_hIo4
Trashmen – Surfin Bird has to be the most iconic.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WNrx2jq184
Haven’t you heard the word?
Or even better!!!
They Might Be Giants
https://youtu.be/NhjSzjoU7OQ
Not technically a song as such, but should be given consideration,
The Raven!!
https://youtu.be/bLiXjaPqSyY
Europigeon (Pigeons in Flight) with John Shuttleworth
(Previously know as Jilted John, or for his time on Coronation Street but mostly as Jilted John)
https://youtu.be/Emn1ZkrrNAY
(Also features Johnny Logan. I should get extra points for that.)
An absolute belter of a song, Elbow, Starlings
https://youtu.be/XSD4UbE1qek
Romantic and musical and all the feels in the right way.
Peacock Suit anyone?
https://youtu.be/aYGDH0afM0k
Paul Weller
Oh yes!
Do instrumentals count?
Certain Lions & Tigers – El Soul Condor (1970)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3OSPs3_0xiU
Superb piece of Latin funk (by German musicians)
Freebird by lynyrd skynyrd has to be in there, the ultimate 70’s ott classic.
+1 :)
And a link… https://youtu.be/bwqfwieV-mc
Gracias :)
defo, good memories to that
Dave Grohls wonderful version of the Beatles ‘Blackbird’
Perfect
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sn6mrz0Hnw8
Howlin Wolf
Littie Red Roster
https://youtu.be/6Vr-DR5HdKw.
Loads of animals in there
Beautiful Bluebird by Neil Young.
Howlin Wolf
Littie Red Rooster even
https://youtu.be/6Vr-DR5HdKw.
Loads of animals in there
Howlin Wolf
Little Red Rooster, even
https://youtu.be/6Vr-DR5HdKw.
Loads of animals in there
Are you building a bleedin’ ark Eamonn? ;)
The hardware shop will be busy on monday, but I might just learn to type.
Ha!
Madness – Wings of a Dove.
https://youtu.be/MReDjx1FIaE?t=71
+11111
Obligatory!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jd8nfEdo59I
Ah Slightly, I knew you’d come through.
Had to post this as it just popped into my head.
From my childhood, The Clapping Song!!!!
https://youtu.be/GHhGbivQdG4
Not many people can sing as good as Grace Slick.
https://youtu.be/GbtJZVUhSG4
Also this, https://youtu.be/6nS37wwHF34
Oh c’mon; no contest surely:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ESViOhqRdlE
Tony Joe White – as the crow flies
https://youtu.be/KONXCsIacYU
definite contender in my book ;)
Somebody should enter Three Littlle Birds by yerman UB40, or was it Shaggy?
I can’t find a link.
You can’t beat a bit of Johnny Cash, amazing,
https://youtu.be/5XFk0mlqmYg
Beautiful. Hadn’t heard this version. Thanks.
Oh, how could i forget me auntie Chrissy’s favourite !
https://youtu.be/gGyPrmbgan0
Bertie’s fella
And ye all know his most successful hit as well
https://youtu.be/cDy4PZPMDwU
Make a cat-bird sing…
Puscifer – Vagina Mine (Spydr Remix)
https://youtu.be/SeMEiZuUgRc
Make a cat-bird sing…
Puscifer – Vagina Mine (Spydr Remix)
https://youtu.be/SeMEiZuUgRc
Arab Strap – New Birds
https://youtu.be/zKAIht_TY78
Some great tunes picked.
Here’s an underrated Pixies song from their underrated album Trompe Le Monde – Bird Dream of the Olympus Mons
https://youtu.be/2nM-Xx4faZI
Damien Jurado – Wyoming Songbirds
https://youtu.be/f9c5GWC1p8o
Like it :)
He’s a genius songwriter and very prolific with it. Well worth checking out if you like narrative songwriting, lives of quiet desperation, etc.
never heard of him before, cheers
In return (although you probably got it on WhatsApp already)
https://davestrickson.blogspot.com/2020/05/john-peel-sessions.html
Thank you kind Sir. That’s some rabbit hole.
In the immortal words of Captain Oates “I am just going outside and may be some time”
In case I don’t hear from you, Happy Christmas pal.
This is good stuff.
Low – Nightingale
Bonus points for being sung by Alan Sparhawk?
https://youtu.be/HOLJvRP0x08
Jonathan Richman & the Modern Lovers – Roadrunner
https://youtu.be/Gy88-5pc7c8
that reminds me of the pistols, thanks
Well spotted. They covered it.
https://youtu.be/-yFEC2N3Cuk
variations on that theme
Jr. Walker and the all stars – Roadrunner
https://youtu.be/GRIVbvKZqdk
from the same lp
one of my faves not strictly bird related
Pucker up Buttercup
https://youtu.be/_S5dq9v2rNc
Yet more…
Bo Diddley
https://youtu.be/9Hy6EiiNUmA
The Animals
https://youtu.be/qDlx7JZYryA
Stones
https://youtu.be/4BUoJCNn11U
Last week’s winner, Mark Kozelek – Heron Blue
https://youtu.be/6I2NUYf3efQ
Or Heroin – Lou Reed
https://youtu.be/jRG3wHaQVR4
Egrets? We have a few.
Michael Stipe & Billy Bragg – Disturbance at the Heron House
https://youtu.be/85ppQ-LbRT4
Rockin’ Robin, purely because of the scene in a book by Adrian Kenny where the head of the Teaching-Englis-As-A-Foreign-Language school dances, with his toupée bobbing in time, to this song before absconding with the school’s meagre profits and its assets the next day.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-OteAgvINc
The theme song from H,R, PUFFINstuff
The theme song from The Liver Birds
…what about Robin’s Nest…
Okay then… Birds of a Feather…
I like telly.
Here it is… :) https://youtu.be/orUNj09oN4U
Whoever, wrote, directed it must have been puffing some stuff!!!
Is anyone man/woman enough to handle 10+ minutes of Cymande’s funk classic “Dove”? ;p
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YcL8SvyKtE4
11M+ views on the video, I see- must be a sign of something
I spent years looking for the message by Cymande, thinking it might be called together…or forever. Or together forever…..
Found it in the end by accident.
Never heard that one, will return to that again, time well spent.
Smog – Feather by Feather
https://youtu.be/OVFKOCNsF_o
Fish and Bird, (Tom Waits) Aoife O’Donovan and Noam Pikelny:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=7cQRqq_FOnQ
Dawn chorus – Boards of Canada
The walker’s anthem. Nothing but joy from the binary brothers. Even a crow would nod along with a smile on their beak.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=TRJ_uZClz4Y
Taj Mahal – Satisfied ‘N’ Tickled Too
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nvFz0duvsM8
The lil red hen said to the lil red rooster
rooster you don’t come round my chicken shack
as much as you use ta
roosta
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xPTXVqETBM4
Engelbert Humperdinck – Lesbian Seagull
Fly with me..
Snowey White – Bird of Paradise is one of the few songs which help me relax:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMAyGUYlX0E
Correction: Snowy White.
…The Blackbird…that the wonderful Sharon Shannon has made her own:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_bWqZQ-Ebw8
Jaysus, the budgie has his work cut out, so many good tunes. Thanks everyone.
+1 :)
Saturday now and the ideas still flying. The things that enter your head in the post office
Eddie Floydd
BIG Bird
https://youtu.be/clvrPmTx4n4
nice tune Eamonn ;)
Rats With Wings by Happy Mondays. Grimy, nasty but still full of character and boppability. Bez and one of the Ryder brothers famously poisoned thousands of pigeons in Manchester in their youth. Not the nicest thing to do but very Happy Mondays.
Gotta be Leonard Cohen’s Bird On A Wire.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmPUu-rMpWA
(Ireland aka The Hen Behind the Wire)
Shoot that Poison Sparrow- ABC, Bank Robbin – The Clash, No Linnet – 2Limited, Gull of Kintyre / Wings, Tern It On Again – Genesis, Swan You Feel It – The Jacksons, anything by Sheryl Crowe, The Eagles, Hawkwind …
Róisín wins the internet! This made me chuckle. Thanks Róisín, we need you to contribute here more often.
So, yes, people calling for Leonard’s Bird on a Wire. A wonderful choice but…
Doesn’t Leonard Cohen’s Anthem beat it…?
“The birds they sang at the break of day
Start again I heard them say
Don’t dwell on what has passed away
Or what is yet to be.
Yeah, the wars, they will be fought again
The holy dove she will be caught again
Bought and sold and bought again
The dove is never free…”
https://youtu.be/BCS_MwkWzes
I mean, surely it’s the winner?
Hope I’m not too late to the party, but only just remembered this amazing song,
https://youtu.be/77opCcEefSM
Enjoy!
A Flock Of Seagulls -Wishing I had a photograph of you.
Stool Pigeon – Kid Creole & The Coconuts. You have not lived If you haven’t seen a live performance of this with The Coconuts living up to their name.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3xU0fnjUcg
Paul Weller – The Cranes Are Back (2017)
one of those rare artists still releasing quality material decades into his musical career
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZy7mMLrZh4
Iron & Wine – Flightless Bird, American Mouth
https://youtu.be/oIHaNh3jRXg
R.E.M. – Swan Swan H
https://youtu.be/15uwLfj0d8E
Kid Creole & the Coconuts – Stool Pigeon https://youtu.be/h-NGlOB4hJA
The The – Sweetbird of Freedom https://youtu.be/TRzaOzO2rnU
3 Little Birds – Bob Marley & The Wailers
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qqDuEP4okw