Mockin' Bird
Tom Waits Lyrics

In Tom Waits's song "Mockin' Bird," the mockingbird is personified to emphasize how it is mocking the singer. The mockingbird is consistently described as being "high in a tree" or "high in a loof." This could be interpreted as the mockingbird being superior to the singer, who is on the ground. The mockingbird is "singing his song," which directly mocks the singer. The mockingbird symbolizes the memory of someone who is no longer present in the singer's life. The mockingbird is constantly reminding the singer of what he has lost. The singer attempts to scare the mockingbird away by throwing papers at it, but the mockingbird remains unfazed.

The lyrics could be interpreted as being about someone who has lost a loved one or a relationship. The mockingbird is mocking the singer because it is a reminder of what he has lost. The mockingbird is singing its song, which is a reminder of the past. The line "Looks like you got the best of me" indicates that the singer feels defeated. The mockingbird is still singing even though the singer is no longer present in his life. The mockingbird could also be interpreted as the voice of the person who is no longer present. The memory of the person is a constant reminder of what the singer has lost.