October Song

Album: Frank (2003)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This was written in memory of Amy Winehouse's pet canary, whom she named after movie star Ava Gardner. Amy recalled to Mojo magazine January 2008 how the bird would wake her in the mornings, "twittering away and rocking on her little swing." When it died the singer was heartbroken. She buried her beloved bird in some woods in East Finchley near London, singing "Lullaby Of Birdland" as she laid Ava to rest. She added in the same Mojo interview: "I loved that bird. It was a sad time. But I got a good song out of it."
  • The album Frank was named in reference to the singer Frank Sinatra, who was married to Ava Gardner between 1951 and 1957.

Comments: 2

  • Nelly from Fort Worth, TxAmy said in an interview around 2004 that "this song I wrote talking about my relationship to substance abuse (marijuana) more so than I am about my dead bird." So this song has a double meaning.
  • Tiffany from Little Rock, ArThis is a sweet song. She has very deep attachments, especially towards animals.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Mick Jones of Foreigner

Mick Jones of ForeignerSongwriter Interviews

Foreigner's songwriter/guitarist tells the stories behind the songs "Juke Box Hero," "I Want To Know What Love Is," and many more.

Colin Hay

Colin HaySongwriter Interviews

Established as a redoubtable singer-songwriter, the Men At Work frontman explains how religion, sobriety and Jack Nicholson play into his songwriting.

90s Metal

90s MetalFact or Fiction

Test your metal - Priest, Maiden, and Beavis and Butt-head show up in this one.

Psychedelic Lyrics

Psychedelic LyricsMusic Quiz

Whoa man! Do you know which band came up with these cosmic lyrics?

Jim Adkins of Jimmy Eat World

Jim Adkins of Jimmy Eat WorldSongwriter Interviews

Jim talks about the impact of "The Middle" and uses a tree metaphor to describe his songwriting philosophy.

Rob Halford of Judas Priest

Rob Halford of Judas PriestSongwriter Interviews

Rob Halford dives into some of his Judas Priest lyrics, talking about his most personal songs and the message behind "You've Got Another Thing Comin'."