Monday, February 1, 2010

Know any songs about birding/birdwatching?

The other day some local robins reminded me of my favorite song about birding/birdwatching ("Why I Like the Robins", http://tinyurl.com/yk8j6wr).

That got me to thinking that it might be fun to compile a list of songs about birding/birdwatching. I'm not talking about songs that mention birds (e.g., "Rockin' Robin", "Mockingbird", "Fly Like an Eagle"). And I'm not talking about music being performed by birds (e.g., http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89Kz8Nxb-Bg). I'm talking about songs that are, at least in part, about birding/birdwatching.

So far, except for "Why I Like the Robins", I'm drawing a blank. I figure there have to be other songs.

If you can think of any, please contact me at: bgsloan2@yahoo.com

7 comments:

  1. It's not a whole song but at the end of 'Kids,' Robbie Williams sings "But for now I'm down for ornithology | Grab your binoculars, come follow me."

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  2. This song by Dar Williams isn't about bird-watching, but it mentions it: http://www.lyricsdownload.com/dar-williams-if-i-wrote-you-lyrics.html

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  3. I don't suppose that "Operation: Desert Storm" would be much of a bird watching song, unless you consider Roadrunner being 'watched' by Wile E. Coyote (supergenius)

    http://www.tomsmithonline.com/lyrics/oper_desert_storm.htm

    The land is burning and dry under hot desert skies.
    My gut is churning but you won't see fear in my eyes.
    Nothing to lose as I climb in and look to the roads,
    Then light the fuse of the cannon, which promptly explodes.

    The blast sends me skyward and into free fall,
    With one final thought as I head towards the wall:
    I'll get that Road-Runner if it's the last thing I do.

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  4. Every birder MUST buy "I Like Birds" by the Eels (on iTunes). Goofy but the best theme song for any birding trip!

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  5. Seanan McGuire wrote Strange Messenger, a wonderful song about Humboldt's parrot.

    Other possibilities:
    Thought I Saw a Red-Winged Blackbird (David Francey)
    Crazy Man Michael (Richard Thompson and Dave Swarbruck)
    Things with Wings (Carolyn Brown)
    Poisoning Pigeons in the Park (Tom Lehrer) - sorry, couldn't resist

    You might try contacting birder2 on LJ. Helen Parker is a filker and serious bird-watcher.

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  6. Just for clarity, Strange Messenger was actually written by Michelle Dockrey, sometimes called Vixy, not Seanan McGuire.

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  7. Allan Sherman did a comic song called "The Bronx Birdwatcher" which is...well, about a bird, anyway...

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