The Birds

Album: Build a Rocket Boys! (2011)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This prog-rock influenced track sticks up for an old man in a nursing home, chided for reminiscing on a failed love affair. Said frontman Guy Garvey to The Sun: "It bugs me that old people are patronized. And the lyrics to that song see the old man recounting the end of this affair while being patronized. 'Oh here we go again.' I liked the idea about the last encounter of a love affair, where the bitterness has gone and the birds are the only things that witnessed it in the line. 'The birds are the keepers of our secrets.' It's quite a dark song."
  • Garvey expanded on the song in an interview with The Observer: "My favorite songs pick on things I've not heard written about before," he said. "In that song the character, who I guess is me as an old man, is looking back on that love affair. The middle eight became the voices of his carers, quite doomy voices saying: 'What we going to do with you, come on inside, looking back is for the birds.' Patronizing him almost: 'Come on, always the same with you', the way that old people are spoken to generally. I suppose I'm saying it's wrong to patronize old people and assume they haven't felt everything that you've felt and remember it very clearly."

Comments: 2

  • Jan Species from New EnglandIncredible song, melodic, chaotic and moving. It haunting.
  • Jonathan Of Trenewan from CornwallA song that expresses a truth that old people feel and remember feelings of love discovered and love lost
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Pam Tillis

Pam TillisSongwriter Interviews

The country sweetheart opines about the demands of touring and talks about writing songs with her famous father.

Rock Stars of Horror

Rock Stars of HorrorMusic Quiz

Rock Stars - especially those in the metal realm - are often enlisted for horror movies. See if you know can match the rocker to the role.

Frankie Valli

Frankie ValliSong Writing

An interview with Frankie Valli, who talks about why his songs - both solo and with The Four Seasons - have endured, and reflects on his time as Rusty Millio on The Sopranos.

Part of Their World: The Stories and Songs of 13 Disney Princesses

Part of Their World: The Stories and Songs of 13 Disney PrincessesSong Writing

From "Some Day My Prince Will Come" to "Let It Go" - how Disney princess songs (and the women who sing them) have evolved.

Kip Winger

Kip WingerSongwriter Interviews

The Winger frontman reveals the Led Zeppelin song he cribbed for "Seventeen," and explains how his passion for orchestra music informs his songwriting.

Stephen Christian of Anberlin

Stephen Christian of AnberlinSongwriter Interviews

The lead singer/lyricist for Anberlin breaks down "Impossible" and covers some tracks from their 2012 album Vital.