Birds.

My Mix For Peter...

When I was first told about Ashley's idea for a music blog/social experiment, I instantly knew that I was going to make this mix. I've been toying with the idea behind it idea for a while now and am constantly surprised how much it continues to pop up as I discover new music, rediscover the old or even try on bands I may have skipped over in my youth.


And now, I finally have a medium in which to share it....


I treated this mix as an essay, the theme as my thesis, and the content as a way to convey a lyrical message that has stayed with me all of my life. 

On this mix you will find songs that at one point convey a message using birds. In most cases birds are used as imagery portraying women as well as that of the feminine nature, and at times, more specifically, love. In some songs the lyricists use birds to represent feelings or acts of escape. Other times the birds are simply the messenger. 


To me, the birds on this mix are an integral contribution, whether great or small, to the overall message and feelings portrayed in each individual song. 


Be warned, there is reading involved. Here we go...

We Are Nowhere and It's Now- Bright Eyes ft. Emmylou Harris
I chose this song first because it is the song where the idea first popped into my head years ago. More importantly, Emmylou Harris is one of my favorite female vocalist instilled on me at a very young age by my father. 


...I've got no plans and too much time
I feel too restless to unwind
I'm always lost in thought as I walk the block 
To my favorite neon sign 

Where the waitress looks concerned
But she never says a word
Just turns the jukebox on and we hum along 
And I smile back at her

And my friend comes after work 
When the features start to blur
She says these bars are filled with things that kill
By now you probably should have learned 
Did you forget that yellow bird? 
How could you forget your yellow bird? 

She took a small silver wreath and pinned it on to me
She said, "This one will bring you love" 
And I don't know if it's true
But I keep it for good luck...




Flightless Bird, American Mouth- Iron & Wine
Iron & Wine has always been a favorite of mine, especially late at night when falling asleep. I recently saw them in Chicago at Schubas Tavern. It was the most intimate show I have ever experienced. I included this live version of the song for the mix.


I was a quick wet boy, diving too deep for coins 
All of your street light eyes wide on my plastic toys 
Then when the cops closed the fair, I cut my long baby hair 
Stole me a dog-eared map and called for you everywhere 

Have I found you 
Flightless bird, jealous, weeping or lost you, american mouth 
Big pill looming 

Now I'm a fat house cat 
Nursing my sore blunt tongue 

Watching the warm poison rats curl through the wide fence cracks 
Pissing on magazine photos 
Those fishing lures thrown in the cold 
And clean blood of Christ mountain stream 

Have I found you 
Flightless bird, grounded, bleeding or lost you, american mouth 
Big pill stuck going down


Norwegian Wood, This Bird Has Flown- The Beatles
Here is the first example on the mix of an escape being portrayed. I've always loved the cultural reference to norwegian wood as well. It really makes you feel like you're 'part of the times.' 


I once had a girl
Or should I say, she once had me
She showed me her room
Isn't it good Norwegian wood?

She asked my to stay and told me sit anywhere
So I looked around and I noticed there wasn't a chair

I sat on a rug, biding my time
Drinking her wine
We talked until two, and then she said:
"It's time for bed,"

She told me she worked in the morning and started to laugh
I told her I didn't, and crawled off to sleep in the bath
And when I awoke, I was alone
This bird has flown
So I lit a fire
Isn't it good Norwegian wood?


Talking Bird- Death Cab for Cutie
Simply read and listen to this one....


Oh, my talking bird
Though you know so few words
They're on infinite repeat
Like your brain can't keep up with your beak

And you're kept in an open cage
So you're free to leave or stay
And sometimes you get confused
Like there is a hint that I'm trying to give you

And the longer you think
The less you know what to do

It's hard to see your way out
When you live in a house in a house
'Cause you don't realize
That the windows were open the whole time

But oh, my talking bird
Though your feathers are tattered and furled
I'll love you all your days
'Til the breath leaves your delicate frame

It's all here for you
As long as you choose to stay
It's all here for you
As long as you don't fly away


Suite Judy Blue Eyes- Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young
A band that has been with me throughout the years. Escape/Women/Love. It's got it all. 


...Friday evening, Sunday in the afternoon
What have you got to lose?
Tuesday morning, please be gone I'm tired of you.
What have you got to lose?
Can I tell it like it is? (Help me I'm suffering)
Listen to me baby.
It's my heart that's a suffering (Help me I'm dying)
It's a dying, that's what I have to loseI've got an answer
I'm going to fly away
What have I got to lose?
Will you come see me Thursdays and Saturdays?
What have you got to lose?
Chestnut brown canary
Ruby throated sparrow
Sing the song don't be long
Thrill me to the marrow.

Voices of the angels, ring around the moonlight
Asking me, said she's so freeHow can you catch the sparrow?


The Birds They Circle- Karen Elson
This artist is a pretty new edition to my library. Previous supermodel, current Mrs. Jack White, and now has an album under her belt (with Mr. White written all over it, of course). I suggest you all take a listen, she sure surprised me and can prove it live to boot!


The birds they circle in the sky
Oh the birds they circle in the sky
the birds the circle in the sky
for all the blood red tears I cried
Oh, the birds they circle in the sky

see the man as he rushes towards the sun
see the man as he rushes towards the sun
the man as he rushes towards the sun
straight into the arms of another one
see the man as he rushes towards the sun

But I hold a secret in my bones
Oh but I hold a secret in my bones
what's that secret in my bones?
I carried it down to the dirt below
for I know the secret in my bones

The birds they circle in the sky
Oh the birds they circle in the sky
the birds the circle in the sky
for all the blood red tears I cried
Oh, the birds they circle in the sky 


Free As a Bird- The Beatles
Yes, the Beatles again... I do love 'em.


Free as a bird, 
it's the next best thing to be. 
Free as a bird. 

Home, home and dry, 
like a homing bird I'll fly 
as a bird on wings. 

Whatever happened to 
the lifes that we once knew? 
Can we really live without each other? 

Where did we lose the touch 
that seemed to mean so much? 
It always made me feel so... 

Free as a bird, 
like the next best thing to be. 
Free as a bird....




One Dove- Antony & The Johnsons
His voice is so eerie, yet heart-wrenchingly beautiful. Here is love and partnership as a dove. 


One dove
Youre the one Ive been waiting for
Through the dark fall
The nightmares the lonely nights

I was born
A curling fox in a hole
Hiding from danger
Scared to be alone

One dove
To bring me some peace
In starlight you came from the other side
To offer me mercy

One dove
Im the one you've been waiting for
From your skin I am born again
I wasn't born yesterday

You were old and hurt
I was longing to be free
I see things you were too tired
That you were too scared to see

One dove
To bring me some peace
In starlight you came from the other side
To offer me mercy


Bird of Paradise-The Appleseed Cast
Instrumental. Does choice of title mean something here? I thought this one could raise an argument. Regardless, I think it's a pretty song. 


Blackbird- The Beatles
I know, I know... I'll make a rule for the next mixes to not repeat an artist. This song, however, is a pretty inspirational song and is a powerful contribution to my entire argument. I don't think I need to 'bold' what I'm getting at... 


Blackbird singing in the dead of night
Take these broken wings and learn to fly
All your life
You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Black bird singing in the dead of night
Take these sunken eyes and learn to see
all your life
you were only waiting for this moment to be free

Blackbird fly, Blackbird fly
Into the light of the dark black night.

Blackbird fly, Blackbird fly
Into the light of the dark black night.

Blackbird singing in the dead of night
Take these broken wings and learn to fly
All your life
You were only waiting for this moment to arise....




Doves- The Black Angels
The Black Angels are a great 'road-trip' band. Listening to them makes me want to be on the open road in a convertible headed west. Similes. Love. Doves. 


Like one little dove,
I think you’re nervous,
Prove me wrong
Well, sometimes in your life,
You spend searching,
Looking for love

You look all day
Oh, you can’t sleep one time

I found you in a puddle of water,
Open your eyes, we need you tonight
Well some, some think you’re sleeping,Prove them wrong, we need you to fly

You look all day
Oh you can’t sleep on time
Like two little doves,
I’m in love
I thought you were mine
Well some, some think you’re hollow,
Open your mind, we need you to fly

You look all day
Oh, you can’t sleep on time...




If nothing else, I hope that somebody out there enjoyed the mix.....