1.) Alfred Jesse Smith (born July 26, 1941 in Shreveport, Louisiana), better known by the stage name Brenton Wood, is an American singer and songwriter, best known for his two 1967 hits: Oogum Boogum Song and Gimme Little Sign.
When he was a child his family moved west to San Pedro in Los Angeles, California. In his high school years his family relocated to nearby Compton, where Brenton became a member of the Compton High School track team and received several awards for his athletic achievements.
Following his high school graduation, Wood enrolled in Compton College. Soon after he took the stage name Brenton Wood, possibly inspired by the wealthy Los Angeles enclave of Brentwood (some sources state that the name is in honor of his "home county"). During his period there his musical interests began to manifest themselves. He was inspired by Jesse Belvin and Sam Cooke, and he began cultivating his songwriting skills, also becoming an accomplished pianist.
After signing with Double Shot Records he had a hit with "The Oogum Boogum Song" in the spring of 1967. It reached number 19 on the R&B charts and number 34 on the pop listing. His biggest hit came in September the same year. "Gimme Little Sign" hit #9 on the pop chart and also #19 on the R&B charts. In the song gimme little sign is not sung, instead the chorus repeats "give me some kind of sign".
"Gimme Little Sign" was later covered by Danielle Brisebois who had a hit with it in 1994. "Gimme Little Sign" was also recorded by Ricky Nelson.
Some of his more unknown songs are also worth listening to, such as "Me and You," "Baby You Got It," and "18 With a Bullet."
Birdman
Brenton Wood Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All about the man who wanted to be a bird
It happened one day when he was walkin' down the street
He saw a little bird fly out of a tree
So he made up in his mind
That he wanted to fly
So he went to the feather house and made him some wings
The people say, "What you gonna do with them things?"
He said, "I′m gonna fly, if it cost me my life"
So he walked out the door and he looked up in the sky
He saw a buildin', I say, 40 stories high
So he climbed to the top
And then he flopped
Da, da, da, flop, flop, flop, flop
Floppin' your wings and fly away
The people gathered around and said my story was a lie
When all of the sudden, I heard somebody cry
"It′s a bird, it′s a plane!"
No, it's a man, yeah
Ooh, da, da, da, da, da
Flop, flop, flop, flop
Floppin′ your wings and fly away, yeah
How are you, birdman?
Oh, you're on your way?
Ah, to Mars, huh?
Well, how about bring me back one of the those old Mars burgers?
Yeah, I dig ′em
They outta sight
You know, they diggin' on the moon now
Yeah, will you be over there soon?
Yeah, it′s all right, it's outta sight
But uh, you know, fly, birdman
Can you dig it?
Yeah, outta sight
Too much!
The lyrics of Brenton Wood's song "Birdman" tell a story about a man who aspires to be a bird. The song begins by introducing this man who has a strong desire to fly. One day, while walking down the street, he observes a little bird flying out of a tree, which triggers his determination to soar through the skies. He decides to create his own wings and visits a "feather house" to accomplish this. When people question his intentions, he confidently declares that he will fly, even if it means risking his life.
With his homemade wings, the man steps out of the door and gazes up at a 40-story building. He climbs to the top and attempts to fly, but unfortunately, he fails and flops, symbolizing his inability to achieve his dream of flight. However, despite the man's failure, the people surrounding him realize that his story was not a lie. Suddenly, they spot something in the sky and exclaim, "It's a bird, it's a plane!" But ultimately, they discover that it's the man himself, now known as the Birdman.
The latter part of the song consists of a conversation between the Birdman and someone else, where they discuss his upcoming journey to Mars. The Birdman expresses excitement about the Mars burgers and mentions the current popularity of moon exploration. The song concludes with encouragement for the Birdman to continue flying and an affirmation that his pursuit is "outta sight" and "too much."
Overall, "Birdman" explores themes of dreams, determination, and the pursuit of the extraordinary. It portrays the story of an individual chasing an unconventional and seemingly impossible goal, highlighting the resilience and persistence required to pursue one's dreams.
Line by Line Meaning
Let me tell you people ′bout a story I heard
I want to share a story with you that I once heard
All about the man who wanted to be a bird
This story revolves around a man who desired to transform into a bird
It happened one day when he was walkin' down the street
One day, while he was taking a stroll along the street
He saw a little bird fly out of a tree
He witnessed a small bird flying out from a tree
So he made up in his mind
He made a firm decision in his mind
That he wanted to fly
That he aspired to experience the sensation of flying
So he went to the feather house and made him some wings
Consequently, he proceeded to a place known as the feather house, where he crafted a pair of wings for himself
The people say, 'What you gonna do with them things?'
Onlookers questioned him, asking what he intended to do with the wings he created
He said, 'I′m gonna fly, if it cost me my life'
He confidently replied, 'I will fly, even if it means risking my life'
So he walked out the door and he looked up in the sky
Subsequently, he left through the door and gazed up at the sky
He saw a buildin', I say, 40 stories high
He noticed a towering building, approximately 40 stories in height
So he climbed to the top
He proceeded to ascend to the pinnacle of the building
And then he flopped
However, upon reaching the top, he miserably failed to fly and simply fell down
Da, da, da, flop, flop, flop, flop
In a rhythmical manner, emphasizing his failed attempt to fly
Floppin' your wings and fly away
Mockingly highlighting his fruitless endeavor to take flight
The people gathered around and said my story was a lie
By this point, a crowd had gathered, criticizing the authenticity of the story
When all of the sudden, I heard somebody cry
Suddenly, I heard someone exclaim
'It′s a bird, it′s a plane!'
'Look! It's a bird, no, it's a plane!'
No, it's a man, yeah
Yet, it turned out to be a man after all
Ooh, da, da, da, da, da
An expression of excitement and surprise
Flop, flop, flop, flop
Continuing the imagery of failing to fly
Floppin′ your wings and fly away, yeah
Mimicking the unsuccessful attempt to soar into the sky
How are you, birdman?
Addressing the man who desired to be a bird as 'birdman'
Oh, you're on your way?
Seemingly, you are on your journey now
Ah, to Mars, huh?
'Ah, heading to Mars, is that correct?'
Well, how about bring me back one of the those old Mars burgers?
'Could you do me a favor and bring back one of those traditional Mars burgers?'
Yeah, I dig ′em
I am quite fond of them
They outta sight
They are extremely impressive and enjoyable
You know, they diggin' on the moon now
By the way, people are currently exploring and searching on the moon
Yeah, will you be over there soon?
'Will you be visiting the moon anytime soon?'
Yeah, it′s all right, it's outta sight
'Yeah, that's perfectly fine. It's truly remarkable'
But uh, you know, fly, birdman
However, you know, go ahead and fly, birdman
Can you dig it?
Can you comprehend or appreciate it?
Yeah, outta sight
Yes, it's truly amazing
Too much!
Absolutely extraordinary!
Writer(s): Alfred Smith
Contributed by Cooper C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@MaxLujan
my dads favorite song, played this as we said goodbye, I love you and I know you have your wings now. <3
@drreeaaaa7861
Omg me too.I finnally found this song he had mede his own lyrics to this song and made a dance n taught me my sister brother and cousins it when he got out of jail and suprised us singing this ong i miss him so much may ur dad rest in piece and may my dad rest in piece
@lorettamarquez8922
R.I.P. aunt Rosa 😍we miss U Soo much 😢 I remember U used to sing this all the time.. miss U Tia
@moroseloki1912
Its been two years but I feel ya
@chinopacheco2683
2020 still bumping
@mizgrneyezmizgrneyez
This song made me start dancing with my arm in the air ❤️❤️❤️😎😎😎
@BlackiesOldies
That's right! Good vibes 🙏🏼🎶🎵🎶
@mizgrneyezmizgrneyez
@@BlackiesOldies lol
@mizgrneyezmizgrneyez
I mean ya
@alejandroandrade6918
RIP "OJ" BRENTWOODS WAS HIS FAVOURITE OLDIE SINGER AND BIRDS ARE MY SPIRIT GUIDES THIS SONGS FOR YOU "OJ"AND TO MY GENTE ALWAYS KEEP PUSHING AND STRIVING....