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.
River Song
Birdy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Do you ever feel sad on the long ride home?
Do you feel at times that you don't belong?
Time
Another season turns the page
Living in a kind of dark age
Could you light the way?
Does the feeling ever die?
Can you understand how strange it is
To be alive?
Seen centuries come and go
Is the future like the past?
Do we shine a temporary glow?
Or are we built to last?
Do you ever feel at times like it's all too fast?
Time
Another season turns the page
Living in a kind of dark age
Could you light the way?
Life
Does the feeling ever die?
Can you understand how strange it is
To be alive?
To be alive
If I give you all I have
Will you share your song?
The lyrics of Birdy's song "River Song" convey a sense of introspection and questioning about life and existence. It begins with the singer offering their vulnerability, asking if they share everything they have, would the other person reciprocate by sharing their own inner being, represented by their song. This could be seen as a metaphor for emotional connection and understanding.
The next lines delve into a deeper sense of melancholy, asking if the other person ever feels sad on the long ride home. This could signify a feeling of loneliness or isolation even amidst familiar surroundings. The following question of not belonging further reinforces this theme of searching for a sense of belonging and purpose in life.
The chorus tackles the concept of time and the cyclical nature of seasons turning. The singer alludes to living in a kind of dark age, suggesting a period of personal struggle or societal turmoil. They reach out to the other person, metaphorically asking if they could be the guiding light to show the way forward.
The next segment explores the idea of life's fleeting nature and the constant passage of time. The singer wonders if the feeling of being alive ever diminishes or if it remains vibrant and vibrant. They acknowledge the strangeness of existence and reflect on the profound and transient nature of life.
The lyrics then return to the chorus, emphasizing the desire for connection and understanding, and end with a final question, once again asking if the other person will share their song in exchange for everything the singer has to give.
Overall, "River Song" encapsulates themes of longing for connection, contemplating the nature of existence, and grappling with the passage of time.
Line by Line Meaning
If I give you all I have, will you share your song?
If I give you everything I have, will you open up and share your true self?
Do you ever feel sad on the long ride home?
In moments of solitude, do you ever experience a sense of sadness and contemplation?
Do you feel at times that you don't belong?
Are there moments when you question your place and purpose in this world?
Time
The concept of the passing of moments and the progression of events in our lives
Another season turns the page
Another period of time comes to an end, leading to a new phase in life
Living in a kind of dark age
Existing in a time of uncertainty, negativity, or confusion
Could you light the way?
Can you provide guidance and clarity amidst the darkness?
Life
The existence and experiences we have as living beings
Does the feeling ever die?
Can the profound emotions and sensations we experience ever truly vanish?
Can you understand how strange it is to be alive?
Do you comprehend the bizarre and mysterious nature of our very existence?
Seen centuries come and go
Witnessed the passing of countless centuries
Is the future like the past?
Will the future hold similarities to what has already occurred in history?
Do we shine a temporary glow?
Do we emit a fleeting radiance that fades away with time?
Or are we built to last?
Or are we designed to withstand the test of time?
Do you ever feel at times like it's all too fast?
Do you sometimes feel overwhelmed by the rapid pace of life?
To be alive
To exist and experience the wonders and complexities of life
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Daniel Tashian, Ian Fitchuk, Jasmine Lucilla Elisabeth Van Den Bogaerde
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
nyngal07
If I give you all I have
Will you share your song?
Do you ever feel sad on the long ride home?
Do you feel, at times, that you don't belong?
Time, another season turns the page
Living in a kind of dark age
Could you light the way?
Lie, does the feeling ever die?
Can't you understand how strange it is
To be alive?
You'd seen centuries come and go
Is the future like the past?
Do we shine a temporary glow, or are we built to last?
Do you ever feel, at times, like it's all too fast?
Time, another season turns the page
Living in a kind of dark age
Could you light the way?
Lie, does the feeling ever die?
Can't you understand how strange it is
To be alive, to be alive?
If I give you all I have
Will you share your song?
Isabel Kofler
i can‘t even put into words how beautiful this song is
Jenna K.
Yes, it is 💙
John Quick
I feel sorry for the people who have never heard her. Or know that she even exists. Listening to Birdy's music is like experiencing your first kiss, your first true love, your first shattered heart, the first time you get back together..only to break up forever, and then finally finding yourself, and your actual true love. The one that lasts beyond forever.
That's what Birdy's music is like to me. Each song has its own flavor, its own single photograph of a memory. Sometimes treasured. Sometimes sorrowful, but always, always, heart touching.
Thank you, beautiful girl .
Mayra Amaral
One of her most poetical songs. I love all this existentialist questioning, but made in such a melodical way. Love u Birdy. Your music is magic to my heart and ears.
Kinga
Your album makes me realise how wonderful it is to be alive 🙏🏻
Konrad Ostrowski
<3 Yes, she helps to be alive again... Even after major and the most painful losses! I am so grateful that we have Birdy and we can understand her creativity.
Micaela Guerra
Birdy really needs more attention!!! Her art comes from the heart♥
Billion Aeris
Birdy and Aurora are my 2 fave female artists right now! Their music is just magical.
Azar DP
Birdy is a gem in this era
D D
I've been listening to this album over and over again since it came out. every single songs are irreplaceable. Love it so much