Freebird II

Album: Wide Awake! (2018)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Parquet Courts frontman Andrew Savage had a difficult childhood; his mom struggled with drugs and spent in jail meaning her son had an impoverished, dysfunctional upbringing. Here, he sings about those tough early days. Savage explained to WESA:

    "This song with a silly title is about growing up in economic uncertainty, and the sort of colorful problems that go with coming up that way — and how they follow you your whole life and sometimes you just don't have that many people who can relate to them. Addiction, turmoil, incarceration and mental instability were themes of my childhood. Anyway, it's about me and the way I was raised, coming from dysfunction while not letting dysfunction define you."
  • So why did Parquet Courts name this after the classic Lynyrd Skynyrd song? Turns out its original working title was "Credits For a Film About the Vietnam War," until somebody pointed out it sounded like "Freebird 2."

Comments: 1

  • Krista from BoiseThe intro to this song is nearly identical to "Jesus Wants me for a Sunbeam" by the Vaselines.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Wedding Bell Blues

Wedding Bell BluesSong Writing

When a song describes a wedding, it's rarely something to celebrate - with one big exception.

Pam Tillis

Pam TillisSongwriter Interviews

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

Queen

QueenFact or Fiction

Scaramouch, a hoople and a superhero soundtrack - see if you can spot the real Queen stories.

Barry Dean ("Pontoon," "Diamond Rings And Old Barstools")

Barry Dean ("Pontoon," "Diamond Rings And Old Barstools")Songwriter Interviews

A top country songwriter, Barry talks about writing hits for Little Big Town, Tim McGraw and Jason Aldean.

Don Brewer of Grand Funk

Don Brewer of Grand FunkSongwriter Interviews

The drummer and one of the primary songwriters in Grand Funk talks rock stardom and Todd Rundgren.

Sending Out An SOS - Distress Signals In Songs

Sending Out An SOS - Distress Signals In SongsSong Writing

Songs where something goes horribly wrong (literally or metaphorically), and help is needed right away.