His early work, which echoed gypsy jazz and traditional folk, has led into his current sound, which mixes rock with more broad compositions. His years of solo song-craft have now enabled him to produce a sound that is uniquely his own.
Trained by the Suzuki method from a young age and a graduate of Illinois' Northwestern University, Bird released his first solo album, Music of Hair, in 1996. Vastly different from his later releases, this first album showcases his violin skills and pays tribute to his fascination with both American and European folk traditions, as well as jazz and blues.
His initial commercial exposure was in collaborative work with the band Squirrel Nut Zippers. He was quickly lumped in with the swing craze that swept the United States music industry in the mid '90s; this is an affiliation that he is still working to shed.
Taking on the role of band leader in 1997 with Andrew Bird's Bowl of Fire, he released the album Thrills. This was followed by Oh! The Grandeur in 1998. Both albums were heavily influenced by traditional folk, pre-war jazz and swing, with Bird relying on the violin as his primary musical instrument.
In 2001, Bird released The Swimming Hour, his third release with the Bowl of Fire and a dramatic departure from previous recordings. The Swimming Hour featured a mixture of styles, from the zydeco-influenced "Core and Rind" to more straightforward rock songs. He has often referred to this record as his "jukebox album".
The Bowl of Fire unofficially disbanded some time in 2003, having featured many skilled Chicago musicians including Kevin O'Donnell, Nora O'Connor, Andy Hopkins (aka Mr. Rudy Day), Jimmy Sutton, Colin Bunn and Ryan Hembrey.
Bird then released two subsequent solo albums, both distributed through the label operated by Ani DiFranco, Righteous Babe Records. The two records, 2003's Weather Systems and 2005's The Mysterious Production of Eggs, continue a progression towards an eclectic indie folk sound that has proven challenging to classify.
Bird's live solo shows have been notable in that he uses a multi-track system to sample and loop his own performance. For example, he may record a snippet of his performance on violin, then play a "loop" of that sound. This provides a more full-bodied sound and aurally suggests a band performance, rather than the sound of a solo artist.
Bird's next full-length album Armchair Apocrypha (Fat Possum) was released on March 20th 2007.
November 2007 saw the Soldier On EP originally a European tour-only release. But due to high demand and unanticipated critical acclaim was released digitally and in CD-format on both sides of the Atlantic. Critics and fans alike have hearkened to the EP's first track, "The Trees Were Mistaken", a complex yet austere looping composition that marks a departure from Bird's earlier body of work. It also contains a cover of Bob Dylan's "Oh Sister".
January 2009 saw Noble Beast, also available with instrumental album Useless Creatures, released worldwide to positive reviews.
The Fatal Shore Songfacts reports that Break it Yourself, Bird's sixth solo studio album, was released on March 6, 2012 through Mom+Pop records in the US and Bella Union in the UK. The origins of the LP lie in a couple of jam sessions by a gathering of Bird's friends in the singer's western Illinois barn, near the banks of the Mississippi River.
Of his 2019 album My Finest Work Yet, Talia Schlanger of NPR says "Bird zooms way out on humanity across history's timeline, seeking insight about our current age, in a way he hopes 'stays above the news feed noise.'" Many tracks, including the opener "Sisyphus," include Andrew's trademark whistling.
Are You Serious
Andrew Bird Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yeah, I always wanted more
I always was the one
You thought would never marry
Used to be so wilfully obtuse, or is the word abstruse?
Semantics like a noose, get out your dictionaries
I'm gonna cut to the quick
Words you beat with a stick
These are my true convictions
So tell me, are you serious?
Are you serious?
'Cause every night of your life
You'll fight for it
So mysterious
How imperious!
But are you serious
When it really comes down to it?
I see that you're down there and I'm up here
Your boyfriend's gone to get a beer
Leaving us crystal-clear lines of communications
Promise me you won't avert your eyes
I'll drop my third-person disguise
You know it's time to do or die
No useless explanations
I'm gonna cut to the quick
This is all nonfiction
Words you beat with a stick
These are my true convictions
Tell me, are you serious?
Are you serious?
Every night of your life
You'll fight for it
So mysterious
How imperious!
But are you serious
When it really comes down to it?
In the song "Are You Serious" by Andrew Bird, the lyrics explore themes of commitment, communication, and authenticity in a relationship. The first verse reflects on the singer's past behavior of always wanting more and avoiding commitments. The use of the phrase "one foot out the door" suggests a hesitancy to fully invest in a romantic partnership. The line "You thought would never marry" conveys a perception of the singer as someone who would never settle down. Additionally, the use of the words "wilfully obtuse" and "abstruse" signifies a deliberate avoidance of clarity and straightforwardness in communication.
The chorus poses the question "Are you serious?" repeatedly, urging the listener to examine their own intentions and level of commitment. It questions whether the captivating allure and mystery of the relationship are backed up by genuine seriousness when it truly matters.
The second verse portrays a moment of clarity between the singer and their partner. The physical distance between them, with the singer being "up here" and the partner being "down there," symbolizes a disparity in their emotional connection. The mention of the partner's boyfriend going to get a beer implies a temporary absence, creating an opportunity for open communication between the singer and their love interest.
The plea for the partner to not avert their eyes and the mention of dropping the third-person disguise indicate a desire for raw and sincere interaction. The urgency in the line "it's time to do or die, no useless explanations" expresses a need for transparency and a willingness to confront the reality of the relationship.
Overall, "Are You Serious" delves into the complexities of commitment, the importance of clear communication, and the need for authenticity in relationships. It explores the tension between the allure of mystery and the necessity of seriousness when faced with important decisions.
Line by Line Meaning
Used to have just one foot out the door
I used to have a lack of commitment and was hesitant to fully invest in a relationship
Yeah, I always wanted more
I have always desired something beyond what was currently available or achieved
I always was the one
I consistently portrayed myself as the individual who would never settle down
You thought would never marry
You believed that I would never choose to enter into a lifelong commitment
Used to be so wilfully obtuse, or is the word abstruse?
I deliberately acted ignorant or unclear, possibly to avoid revealing my true intentions or feelings
Semantics like a noose, get out your dictionaries
Focusing on fine distinctions in meaning can be constricting and cause unnecessary complications
I'm gonna cut to the quick
I am going to get straight to the point without wasting time
This is all nonfiction
Everything I am saying is based on reality and my genuine experiences
Words you beat with a stick
You criticize and analyze my words intensely, often looking for hidden meanings
These are my true convictions
These are my deeply held beliefs and principles
So tell me, are you serious?
I am asking if you are genuinely committed and sincere
Cause every night of your life, you'll fight for it
Because every night you live, you are willing to struggle and put effort into maintaining this relationship
So mysterious, how imperious!
It is intriguing how you confidently assert your authority or dominance
But are you serious when it really comes down to it?
However, are you truly committed and genuine when faced with crucial decisions or situations?
I see that you're down there and I'm up here
I notice that you are in a inferior position compared to me, either physically or emotionally
Your boyfriend's gone to get a beer
Your partner has temporarily left for a casual activity, implying their absence is inconsequential
Leaving us crystal-clear lines of communications
Creating a situation where our communication with each other is direct and unambiguous
Promise me you won't avert your eyes
Make a commitment not to avoid or ignore difficult or uncomfortable truths
I'll drop my third-person disguise
I will abandon the mask of speaking in the third-person, revealing my true self
You know it's time to do or die
You understand that it is a critical moment where action or decision is necessary, possibly with high stakes
No useless explanations
There is no need for unnecessary justifications or reasoning
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: ANDREW WEGMAN BIRD, DANIEL DODD WILSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@omarsherif6198
This live performance is next level
@arthurdent9160
Awww man he's killing it in that outro solo!
@squishettebabe
This is my favorite song at the moment. I'm always singing it
@ryanyoung8031
Brittany Brennum me too
@hollyturkovich
Same! Just found it this morning. My anthem for the day! 🤗
@hbaratta
That violin solo at the end!!! I love this version!
@arthurdent9160
Completely agree, he absolutely kills it in that solo!! The whole performance is superb!
@paganinyyo
This guy is very talented one, and always turns out to be when it comes to art that doesn't matter the language is about, anyone can enjoy it. I like this song!!
@martini7993
Chodzi za mną od tygodni, świetny kawałek
@jsn1769
Great Display of owning the craft of music making. Love the new album!