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.
Auld Lang Syne
Andrew Bird Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
And auld lang syne?
For auld lang syne, my dear
For auld lang syne
We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet
And surely ye'll be your pint-stowp
And surely I'll be mine
And we'll tak a cup o' kindness yet
For auld lang syne
For auld lang syne, my dear
For auld lang syne
We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet
For auld lang syne
We twa hae run about the braes
And pu'd the gowans fine
But we've wandered mony a weary fit
Sin' auld lang syne
We twa hae paidled i' the burn
Frae morning sun till dine
But seas between us braid hae roared
Sin' auld lang syne
For auld lang syne, my dear
For auld lang syne
We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet
For auld lang syne
And there's a hand, my trusty fiere
And gie's a hand o' thine!
And we'll tak a right guid-willie waught
For auld lang syne
For auld lang syne, my dear
For auld lang syne
We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet
For auld lang syne
The lyrics of Andrew Bird's "Auld Lang Syne" speak to the idea of remembering and cherishing old friendships and experiences. The phrase "auld lang syne" is a Scottish phrase that loosely translates to "old long since" or "days gone by." The song opens with a contemplation about whether old acquaintances and memories should be forgotten or left behind. The repetition of the phrase "For auld lang syne" emphasizes the importance of not forgetting these connections.
The verse about "pint-stowp" refers to raising a glass in celebration, symbolic of shared camaraderie and goodwill. It suggests that despite the passage of time, there is still room for kindness and connection. The following verse reminisces about carefree days spent together, running in the hills and picking flowers. However, it also acknowledges that they have since endured many weary steps and faced obstacles, alluding to the challenges and changes that life brings.
The mention of "the burn" refers to a stream or small river, symbolizing the shared experiences and adventures they have had together. Though physical distance might separate them now, represented by the roaring seas, the final verse emphasizes the importance of clasping hands with trust and offering a toast to their enduring friendship.
Overall, "Auld Lang Syne" is a heartfelt reflection on the significance of remembering old friendships and the continued need for connection and kindness, even in the face of time and distance.
Line by Line Meaning
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
Should we forget about old friends and acquaintances?
And never brought to mind?
And never remember them?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
Should we forget about old friends and acquaintances?
And auld lang syne?
And the memories of old times?
For auld lang syne, my dear
Because of the memories of old times, my dear
For auld lang syne
Because of the memories of old times
We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet
We'll share a drink of kindness
For auld lang syne
Because of the memories of old times
And surely ye'll be your pint-stowp
And surely you'll have your own pint of drink
And surely I'll be mine
And surely I'll have mine
And we'll tak a cup o' kindness yet
And we'll share a drink of kindness
For auld lang syne
Because of the memories of old times
We twa hae run about the braes
We two have run around the hills
And pu'd the gowans fine
And picked the fine daisies
But we've wandered mony a weary fit
But we've wandered many a tired footstep
Sin' auld lang syne
Since the memories of old times
We twa hae paidled i' the burn
We two have paddled in the stream
Frae morning sun till dine
From morning sun until dinner time
But seas between us braid hae roared
But wide seas have roared between us
Sin' auld lang syne
Since the memories of old times
For auld lang syne, my dear
Because of the memories of old times, my dear
For auld lang syne
Because of the memories of old times
We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet
We'll share a drink of kindness
For auld lang syne
Because of the memories of old times
And there's a hand, my trusty fiere
And there's a hand, my trustworthy friend
And gie's a hand o' thine!
And give me your hand!
And we'll tak a right guid-willie waught
And we'll have a good, hearty drink
For auld lang syne
Because of the memories of old times
For auld lang syne, my dear
Because of the memories of old times, my dear
For auld lang syne
Because of the memories of old times
We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet
We'll share a drink of kindness
For auld lang syne
Because of the memories of old times
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Andrew Wegman Bird, Traditional
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Don-ki8op
Made our Christmas season special! Thanks for the people's music.
@katygeorge9246
It's weird how much life a person can go through with an artist. Some people drown their sorrows and do strange things. I listen to hours of Andrew Bird. I ended with this album today because it makes me happiest.
@myniggaboo
Just heard it and loved it❤
@hollandlarned203
This is art that I’m so thankful to experience.
@mahakhalil1
As usual, amazing! But why doesn't it play till the end?
@jackgarrison6748
Thank you so much Andrew Bird!
@miurtouissi1093
Beautiful as always !!
@ErinSheetsy
Thank you Mr. Bird :-) Unfortunately the song does cut off, I keep thinking my phone died... nope... just time to play another!
@felipenava6162
Its beautiful
@shivani2080
Uff what a beautiful song, Anrew!