I Like Birds
by Eels

Album: Daisies of the Galaxy (2000)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This was dedicated to the mother of Eels' mainman Mark Everett, who died from lung cancer in 1998. Everett explained to the Sun newspaper January 10, 2008 why this song is "tinged with sadness": "Well, s--t happens. Life is happy and sad and all the shades of grey in between. I just try to reflect all that stuff as best I can. My mother was an avid birdwatcher. She had a lot of bird books and feeders that I brought with me from her house. I set up the feeders in my yard and I read the books. 'I Like Birds' was a way of staying connected to her."

Comments: 1

  • Elizabeth from West Bridgewater, MaThis song seems to be about exactly what Mark said: "s--t happens, so you have to deal with the inconveniences in life." The person in the song doesn't seem to care about being too entertained w/things like a rocket launch, being wealthy with an "autocar", or getting frustrated with rude and asshole people in his life(the mean little people at the store) because he has that one thing he needs to be happy and deal with things: birds.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Philip Cody

Philip CodySongwriter Interviews

A talented lyricist, Philip helped revive Neil Sedaka's career with the words to "Laughter In The Rain" and "Bad Blood."

Rob Thomas of Matchbox Twenty

Rob Thomas of Matchbox TwentySongwriter Interviews

Rob Thomas on his Social Distance Sessions, co-starring with a camel, and his friendship with Carlos Santana.

Mike Scott of The Waterboys

Mike Scott of The WaterboysSongwriter Interviews

The stories behind "Whole Of The Moon" and "Red Army Blues," and why rock music has "outlived its era of innovation."

Metallica

MetallicaFact or Fiction

Beef with Bon Jovi? An unfortunate Spandex period? See if you can spot the true stories in this Metallica version of Fact or Fiction.

Dwight Twilley

Dwight TwilleySongwriter Interviews

Since his debut single "I'm On Fire" in 1975, Dwight has been providing Spinal-Tap moments and misadventure.

Leslie West of Mountain

Leslie West of MountainSongwriter Interviews

From the cowbell on "Mississippi Queen" to recording with The Who when they got the wrong Felix, stories from one of rock's master craftsmen.