Hope you enjoyed part one of the bird list…now here are some seriously top birds…
10 - Birds and Ships – Billy Bragg and Wilco
– from the brilliant album Mermaid Avenue, whereby Billy Bragg and Wilco took unfinished lyrics from the folk singer Woody Guthrie, and put them to music. In this track, Natalie Merchant guest vocals, providing a beautiful ballad. Lovely stuff.
9 - When Doves Cry – Prince.
Some 80’s pop is very daggy, but I don’t think you could apply that term to this song, which is possibly Prince’s signature tune, and discusses some relationship difficulties.
8 - Bird in a Basement – Paul Dempsey.
Dempsey’s 2009 solo album “Everything is True” is well worth a listen. Although his voice is gravelly, he still manages to sound soulful and sometime melancholic. “Bird in a Basement” is one of the best tracks on the album.
7- Bird on a Wire – Jimmy Barnes and Troy Cassar-Daly.
Written by Leonard Cohen, this song has almost become a country standard. I also have a Johnny Cash version of it in my collection, but I actually really like the duet between Jimmy Barnes and Australian country singer Troy Casser-Daly, for Barnes’ duet album “Double Happiness”, which is a mixture of some really great songs, and some that don't do a lot for me. Jimmy’s rough vocals, beside Troy’s sweet vocals make it a real joy to listen to. Perhaps embarrassingly, I have to admit I have not heard the original Cohen version. I think I need to get me some Cohen in my collection!!
6 - Rockin Robin – Michael Jackson.
I am not a huge Michael Jackson fan, but I am usually in awe whenever I see footage of a young Michael, a child, belting out these amazing tracks with his amazing voice. Although it was a cover, I think Michael really made this song his own, and the simple lyrics probably suit the innocent vocal style that he had at the time. And it’s a very catchy track too!!
5 - Songbird – Bernard Fanning.
Fanning’s solo album “Tea and Sympathy” is a great album of country/folk music mixed in with pop, to give some great catchy music, with lyrics about love, loss and regret. Songbird is a great track, very catchy.
4 - Blackbird – The Beatles.
What can you say about Blackbird? It’s a lovely gentle acoustic ballad from Paul McCartney. Sweet, beautiful stuff.
3 - Three Little Birds – Bob Marley.
“Don’t worry, about a thing, cos every little thing, is gonna be allright.” Ok, I know its really cheesy, but I really love this reggae song, its just got such a lovely sentiment to it and is really nice to listen to.
2- And Your Bird Can Sing – The Beatles.
This song might not be as well known as other Beatles songs, but its every bit as good, in my opinion. From the Revolver album, its a rocking track, featuring a dual guitar melody. Great stuff.
1 - Eagle Rock – Daddy Cool.
This classic Aussie rock track just has to be the number one bid song. It’s a catchy, brilliant song. Not much more to say really!!
Did I leave your favourite bird off the list?????
Showing posts with label birds. Show all posts
Showing posts with label birds. Show all posts
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Musical list - Top Twenty "Bird" songs - PART ONE
Originally posted on facebook, December 2010
At this time of year, a lot of music magazines and websites are producing their “top albums of the year” lists. In my case though, I think I have only purchased a handful of 2010 releases this year, so not enough to make a considered and informed list.
One album I have really enjoyed this year though has been the Basement Birds. A supergroup if you like, comprised of Josh Pyke, Kevin Mitchell (from Jebediah and Bob Evans fame), Kav Temperley (from Eskimo Joe) and Steve Parkin. These guys sing some nice harmonies and the album has got a really good feel to it. Its not groundbreaking or influential, its just a really nice listen. I also had the opportunity to see them perform live at the Forum, and that was a great gig.
So, in honour of the Basement Birds, I thought this week’s theme could be the top twenty “bird” songs. Here comes the first installment…..
20 - Sunsets (Birds of Prey) – Fatboy Slim –
I am not really much of a fan of electronica music, but I can take the odd song here or there, and at 3 and a half minutes, this one is OK, without being anything spectacular. In this track, Jim Morrison from the Doors is sampled.
19 - Bluebird – Jim White.
A little bit of alt-country. I still haven’t figured out Jim White yet, despite having his album “Drill a Hole in that Substrate and Tell Me What You See”, which Bluebird is from. It’s the sort of music that takes a while to grow on you, but there is quality there, and I think this album will continue to reveal itself over time.
18 - Dead Duck – Badly Drawn Boy.
A short little instrumental interlude on the About A Boy soundtrack. It’s a lovely little 40 seconds of music.
17 - Whistling Bird – Paul Kelly.
A nice little bluegrass track from Paul’s first bluegrass album, “Smoke”, where he teamed up with Uncle Bill. As with all of Paul Kelly’s work, this is a solid album, although there stronger tracks than this one.
16 - Bird Dog – Everly Brothers.
These two brothers produced some lovely harmonies, and some great pop tracks in the late 50’s and 60’s. This one comes from their rock and roll period. Possibly not one of their absolute best, I have always liked this song for some reason. Not sure why. A “bird dog” is a bit of a ladies man, so this song is a warning for the bird dog to stay from their “chick”.
15 - Pretty Flamingo – Manfred Mann.
My Dad likes Manfred Mann, so I remember this song being in the background a fair bit when I was a child. I guess it stays with you, and hence why it is included here. The “flamingo” mentioned in the song actually refers to a girl, 'cause her hair glows like the sun and her eyes can light the skies". Great 60’s pop.
14 - Songbird – Fleetwood Mac –
This Christine McVie ballad from Rumours features introspective lyrics, a beautiful track. Fleetwood Mac also have a another song that could have been included – the instrumental “Albatross” from early on in their career.
13 - Birds Fly Backwards – Ed Harcourt –
I have just recently got singer/songwriter Harcourt’s 2001 debut album “Here Be Monsters”, which features Birds Fly Backwards, and I am really starting to enjoy this album a lot. Harcourt sings with almost a fragility in his voice, and hence is able to make some really nice music.
12 - Parrot Fashion Love – Split Enz.
If you have been reading my lists to date, you would have noticed my penchant for daggy songs, and this one absolutely fits that category as well. But it’s a lot of fun, from the Dizrythmia album. I am sure some of you will be screaming at your computer screens that I could rate this song higher than some of the others.
11 - El Condor Pasa – Simon and Garfunkel –
Originally a Peruvian folk song, and translating to “The Condor Flies By”, Simon and Garfunkel adapted the song, adding his own lyrics in English. It’s a nice little folk song.
I will put the top 10 bird songs on tomorrow. Hope you are enjoying the lists, and feel free to make any comments…What bird songs would be flying into your lists? Also, what birds have I missed? And despite the court case, we are not going to be classing Men at Work's "Downunder" as a bird song!!
At this time of year, a lot of music magazines and websites are producing their “top albums of the year” lists. In my case though, I think I have only purchased a handful of 2010 releases this year, so not enough to make a considered and informed list.
One album I have really enjoyed this year though has been the Basement Birds. A supergroup if you like, comprised of Josh Pyke, Kevin Mitchell (from Jebediah and Bob Evans fame), Kav Temperley (from Eskimo Joe) and Steve Parkin. These guys sing some nice harmonies and the album has got a really good feel to it. Its not groundbreaking or influential, its just a really nice listen. I also had the opportunity to see them perform live at the Forum, and that was a great gig.
So, in honour of the Basement Birds, I thought this week’s theme could be the top twenty “bird” songs. Here comes the first installment…..
20 - Sunsets (Birds of Prey) – Fatboy Slim –
I am not really much of a fan of electronica music, but I can take the odd song here or there, and at 3 and a half minutes, this one is OK, without being anything spectacular. In this track, Jim Morrison from the Doors is sampled.
19 - Bluebird – Jim White.
A little bit of alt-country. I still haven’t figured out Jim White yet, despite having his album “Drill a Hole in that Substrate and Tell Me What You See”, which Bluebird is from. It’s the sort of music that takes a while to grow on you, but there is quality there, and I think this album will continue to reveal itself over time.
18 - Dead Duck – Badly Drawn Boy.
A short little instrumental interlude on the About A Boy soundtrack. It’s a lovely little 40 seconds of music.
17 - Whistling Bird – Paul Kelly.
A nice little bluegrass track from Paul’s first bluegrass album, “Smoke”, where he teamed up with Uncle Bill. As with all of Paul Kelly’s work, this is a solid album, although there stronger tracks than this one.
16 - Bird Dog – Everly Brothers.
These two brothers produced some lovely harmonies, and some great pop tracks in the late 50’s and 60’s. This one comes from their rock and roll period. Possibly not one of their absolute best, I have always liked this song for some reason. Not sure why. A “bird dog” is a bit of a ladies man, so this song is a warning for the bird dog to stay from their “chick”.
15 - Pretty Flamingo – Manfred Mann.
My Dad likes Manfred Mann, so I remember this song being in the background a fair bit when I was a child. I guess it stays with you, and hence why it is included here. The “flamingo” mentioned in the song actually refers to a girl, 'cause her hair glows like the sun and her eyes can light the skies". Great 60’s pop.
14 - Songbird – Fleetwood Mac –
This Christine McVie ballad from Rumours features introspective lyrics, a beautiful track. Fleetwood Mac also have a another song that could have been included – the instrumental “Albatross” from early on in their career.
13 - Birds Fly Backwards – Ed Harcourt –
I have just recently got singer/songwriter Harcourt’s 2001 debut album “Here Be Monsters”, which features Birds Fly Backwards, and I am really starting to enjoy this album a lot. Harcourt sings with almost a fragility in his voice, and hence is able to make some really nice music.
12 - Parrot Fashion Love – Split Enz.
If you have been reading my lists to date, you would have noticed my penchant for daggy songs, and this one absolutely fits that category as well. But it’s a lot of fun, from the Dizrythmia album. I am sure some of you will be screaming at your computer screens that I could rate this song higher than some of the others.
11 - El Condor Pasa – Simon and Garfunkel –
Originally a Peruvian folk song, and translating to “The Condor Flies By”, Simon and Garfunkel adapted the song, adding his own lyrics in English. It’s a nice little folk song.
I will put the top 10 bird songs on tomorrow. Hope you are enjoying the lists, and feel free to make any comments…What bird songs would be flying into your lists? Also, what birds have I missed? And despite the court case, we are not going to be classing Men at Work's "Downunder" as a bird song!!
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