Bluebird
Buffalo Springfield Lyrics


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Listen to my bluebird laugh
She can't tell you why
Deep within her heart, you see
She knows only crying
Just crying

There she sits, aloft at perch
Strangest color blue
Flying is forgotten now
Thinks only of you
Just you
Oh yeah

So, get all those blues
Must be a thousand hues
And be just differently used
You just know

You sit there mesmerized
By the depth of her eyes
That you can't categorize
She got soul
She got soul
She got soul
She got soul

Do you think she loves you
Do you think at all

Soon she's going to fly away
Sadness is her own




Give herself a bath of tears
And go home, and go home

Overall Meaning

The song “Bluebird” by Buffalo Springfield is one of the band’s most famous and beloved pieces. The lyrics tell a story about a bluebird that laughs but can’t tell the reason behind it. The bluebird apparently knows only how to cry deep within her heart. The singer of the song takes notice of how the bird flies and perches on the trees, completely captivated by its charming blue hue. The bird forgets about flying and thinks only of that special person it loves, which is conveyed through the line, “thinks only of you.” The song’s title refers to the bluebird, which is an iconic symbol of happiness and contentment. However, the bird in this song is associated with sadness and crying, which differs from traditional depictions.


The song's repetition hints at the singer's familiarity and fondness towards the bird. The phrase "just you, oh yeah" establishes an intimate connection between the singer and the object of his attention. The line "Do you think she loves you, do you think at all" conveys a sense of uncertainty in the singer's mind about the future of his relationship with the bluebird. The last verse of the song is the most poignant. It is an acknowledgment of the inevitability of loss, as the bird will soon fly away. The song suggests that the bird will return home to find comfort and wash away her troubles in a bath of tears. The lyrics artfully handle the themes of love, loss, and inevitability, which are universal and timeless.


Line by Line Meaning

Listen to my bluebird laugh
Pay attention to the carefree laughter of my soul, which is represented by a bluebird.


She can't tell you why
The bluebird's happiness is inexplicable and cannot be easily understood.


Deep within her heart, you see
Though she appears lighthearted, the bluebird holds deep sadness within.


She knows only crying
Her sadness overshadows everything else and is the only thing she knows.


There she sits, aloft at perch
The bluebird perches high above, observing everything.


Strangest color blue
The bluebird's blue color is distinct and peculiar.


Flying is forgotten now
She is preoccupied with thoughts of the listener; so much so that her natural instinct of flying is forgotten.


Thinks only of you
The bluebird's focus is solely on the listener.


So, get all those blues
Collect all the different shades of blue.


Must be a thousand hues
There are so many nuances of blue.


And be just differently used
Every shade of blue has its own unique purpose.


You just know
You can sense this intuitively.


You sit there mesmerized
The listener is entranced, unable to look away.


By the depth of her eyes
The bluebird's eyes are deep and full of emotion.


That you can't categorize
Her emotions cannot be easily defined or labeled.


She got soul
The bluebird's spirit is strong and powerful.


Do you think she loves you
The listener wonders if the bluebird's attention is a sign of love or something else.


Do you think at all
The listener questions whether the bluebird has the capacity for thought or simply acts on instinct.


Soon she's going to fly away
The bluebird's visit is temporary and she will soon move on.


Sadness is her own
Even after she leaves, her sadness will remain with her.


Give herself a bath of tears
She will allow herself to express her emotions through crying.


And go home, and go home
She will return to her own world, leaving the listener behind.




Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Stephen Stills

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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