After she won the Under 18s category of the UK talent contest Open Mic UK at the age of 12, Bogaerde was soon offered a publishing contract by Good Soldier Songs Ltd, run by Christian Tattersfield, chairman of Warner Music UK. In 2011, at the age of 14, she released a haunting cover version of the Bon Iver "Skinny Love", which reached #17 on the UK Singles Chart. The track was later featured in an episode of The Vampire Diaries.
Her self-titled debut album, "Birdy", was released on 4th November, 2011 and featured "Skinny Love" , "1901" and "People Help The People", other notable tracks from the album include James Taylor's" Fire and Rain" and “Terrible Love” The album reached #1 in Australia, Belgium and The Netherlands, it also peaked at #13 in the UK.
In 2011, "Skinny Love" sold 259,000 copies in the UK becoming the third biggest selling rock single of that year. As of August 2016, the song had sold almost 800,000 copies in the UK.
In 2012, Birdy released an 8 track EP " Live in London “ which featured several tracks from her debut album plus a version of the Ed Sheeran song "The A Team “and "Just a Game from “The Hunger Games”
In July 2013 Birdy announced via YouTube, that her 2nd album would be released later in the year. She also previewed two new songs "Wings "and "No Angel" which would both be featured on her second studio album "Fire Within"
Her second studio album, "Fire Within" was released 23rd September, 2013. It featured 11 original songs, either written or co written by Birdy including Strange Birds, co-written with Sia.
The first single from the album was “Wings” released as a digital download then officially released in the UK on 8th September 2013. The song reached #8 on the UK charts, becoming Birdy’s first UK top 10. It was also featured in an episode of The Vampire Diaries. Subsequent singles were “No Angel”, Light Me Up” and “Words as Weapons”
In 2014, Birdy submitted three songs to the soundtrack of the film “The Fault In Our Stars” which stars “Shailene Woodley” and “Ansel Elgort”. “Not About Angels” was the second released single from the soundtrack album. Other Birdy contributions were “ Tee Shirt" and “ Best Shot"
On 25th March 2016, Birdy's third album "Beautiful Lies" was released, it featured the singles, "Keeping Your Head Up" ,"Wild Horses" and "Words" Once again her songwriting abilities were evident as she wrote or co wrote all of the 14 tracks.
Also in 2016 she was featured on the "Sigma" single " Find Me which was only a minor success in the UK.
Her song Ghost In The Wind" also appeared on the soundtrack of the film The Edge Of Seventeen
After an extensive tour of USA and Asia, she took a break from music, only to return with a new single called “ Open Your Heart" in 2020. The song was featured on the 4 track EP called “Piano Sketches”
Birdy’s fourth studio album “Young Heart” was then released on 30th April 2021, the first single “ Surrender” was issued earlier in 2021, a day after she had announced that her new album was coming. Birdy described the album as a heartbreak album heavily inspired by Joni Mitchell’s “Blue”
2023 saw the release of Birdy's fifth studio album “Portraits” It was released on 18th August 2023. “Raincatchers” was issued as the first single, which had been released earlier in 2023. Subsequent singles from the album have since followed, “Heartbreaker”, “Your Arms” and “Paradise Calling”
Birdy's music is described as folk, pop, indie folk. She cites her early music influences as Classical Music and Pop music that her parents would play. along with her own influences, which are so evident in her music(Bon Iver, George Michael and Keane)
Album Discography:
Birdy (2011)
Fire Within (2013)
Beautiful Lies (2016)
Young Heart (2021)
Portraits (2023)
Sites: Discogs, Wikipedia and YouTube.
Dream
Birdy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm listening close to every word that you speak
Don't try to blame the things that bring you down, just see
I'm on your side and counting down the days to be
Right beside you when you sleep and when you dream
Dream…
All of your rage behind and realize it's me
Hold on before I'm gone 'cause one day we will need
Someone to understand the things that make us free
Free…
The lyrics to Birdy's song Dream are about being supportive to someone who is struggling with their emotions. The singer is listening intently to everything the person is saying and is there to support them through their difficult times. The lyrics advise against blaming external things for their problems and rather focus on overcoming those challenges together. The singer reassures this person that they are not alone and that they will be there for them both when they are awake and when they are dreaming. The song encourages the person to let go of their anger and frustration and to realize that the singer is someone they can rely on for comfort and understanding.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the importance of dreaming as a way of freeing oneself from the pains of reality. The simple word "Dream" is repeated throughout the song to highlight its power as a symbol of hope and escape. The overall message of the song is that everyone needs someone who can understand and support them through their tough times. A supportive presence like that can serve as a source of comfort and inspiration that can help lead to a brighter tomorrow.
Line by Line Meaning
Breathe
Take a moment to calm down and relax.
I'm listening close to every word that you speak
I am paying attention and being attentive to what you are saying.
Don't try to blame the things that bring you down, just see
Don't place the blame on external circumstances that are making you sad or upset, take a moment to really think about things.
I'm on your side and counting down the days to be
I'm here to support you and I'm waiting eagerly for the day when I can be by your side.
Right beside you when you sleep and when you dream
I want to be there for you not just in your waking life, but also when you are asleep and dreaming.
Dream...
Let yourself envision a better future for you and those around you.
Leave
Let go of any negative emotions and thoughts that are holding you back.
All of your rage behind and realize it's me
Put your anger aside and recognize that I am here for you.
Hold on before I'm gone 'cause one day we will need
Don't take my presence for granted, we will need each other in the future.
Someone to understand the things that make us free
We all need someone who truly understands what it means to be free and can help us achieve that feeling.
Contributed by Kayla C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Benji
Breath
I'm listening close to every word that you
Speak
Don't try to blame the things that bring you down just
See
I'm on your side and counting down the days to
Be
Right beside you when you sleep and when you
Dream
Dream
Leave
All of your rage behind and realise it's
Me
Hold on before I'm gone 'cause one day we will
Need
Someone to understand the things that make us
Free
Free
Benji
Breath
I'm listening close to every word that you
Speak
Don't try to blame the things that bring you down just
See
I'm on your side and counting down the days to
Be
Right beside you when you sleep and when you
Dream
Dream
Leave
All of your rage behind and realise it's
Me
Hold on before I'm gone 'cause one day we will
Need
Someone to understand the things that make us
Free
Free
LeahRecordings
Love all her songs
Ana Lívia
Essa música me deixa muito pensativa... Escuto geralmente quando estou triste :):(
Amy Guess
Love this song and her voice.
bswills
Beautiful song
skylecan
such a great song
Sarah Rose Music
shes brilliant.
Luis Manzano
I'm loving this song. Omg. I'm crying :( haha
Mang9698
Amazing :)
Felicia Malai
awesome <3