Effigy

Album: Noble Beast (2009)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Andrew Bird explained to Drowned In Sound: "This song is dedicated to the guy at the end of the bar who makes inappropriate, unsolicited comments that make everyone uneasy. He has spent so much time alone reading sci-fi novels and having internal conversations he has forgotten how to engage. He needs human contact and that's why he is there, but spends his time making somewhat X-rated medieval fantasy-art sketches of the bartenders. I think he makes us so uneasy because he shows us what we could become. The part of the song about burning effigies is a bit harder to explain. I suppose I'm saying it may appear to be a useless exercise. That such public display may only be effective as an insect repellant. Or to inspire us to remark sarcastically 'Wow, that guy is smoking two cigarettes instead of one.'"

Comments: 1

  • Wyatt from Winthrop, Waits kind of a folk jazz isnt it?
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Jack Tempchin - "Peaceful Easy Feeling"

Jack Tempchin - "Peaceful Easy Feeling"They're Playing My Song

When a waitress wouldn't take him home, Jack wrote what would become one of the Eagles most enduring hits.

Annie Haslam of Renaissance

Annie Haslam of RenaissanceSongwriter Interviews

The 5-octave voice of the classical rock band Renaissance, Annie is big on creative expression. In this talk, she covers Roy Wood, the history of the band, and where all the money went in the '70s.

Bryan Adams

Bryan AdamsSongwriter Interviews

What's the deal with "Summer of '69"? Bryan explains what the song is really about, and shares more of his songwriting insights.

Francis Rossi of Status Quo

Francis Rossi of Status QuoSongwriter Interviews

Doubt led to drive for Francis, who still isn't sure why one of Status Quo's biggest hits is so beloved.

Billy Steinberg - "Like A Virgin"

Billy Steinberg - "Like A Virgin"They're Playing My Song

The first of Billy's five #1 hits was the song that propelled Madonna to stardom. You'd think that would get you a backstage pass, wouldn't you?

American Hits With Foreign Titles

American Hits With Foreign TitlesSong Writing

What are the biggest US hits with French, Spanish (not "Rico Suave"), Italian, Scottish, Greek, and Japanese titles?