Mockingbird
Carley Simon & James Taylor Lyrics


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Mock, yeah, ing, yeah, bird, yeah
Yeah, yeah
Mockingbird, now

Everybody have you heard?
He's gonna buy me a mockingbird (he's gonna buy me a mockingbird)
And if that mockingbird won't sing (if that mockingbird don't sing)
He's gonna buy me a diamond ring (he's gonna buy me a diamond ring)
And if that diamond ring won't shine (if that diamond ring won't shine)
He's gonna surely break this heart of mine (surely he's gonna break this heart of mine)
And that's why I keep on tellin' everybody, say
Yeah, yeah, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa

Hear me now and understand (understand)
He's gonna find me some peace of mind (I'm gonna find some peace of mind)
And if that peace of mind won't stay (and if that peace of mind won't stay)
I'm gonna find myself a better way (I'm gonna find myself a better way)
And if that better way ain't so (if that better way ain't so)
I, I, I'll ride with the tide and go with the flow
And that's why I keep on shoutin' in your ear, say
Yeah, yeah, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, oh, oh, oh (mama)

Well, now everybody have you heard? (everybody have you heard?)
She's gonna buy me a mockingbird (she's gonna buy me a mockingbird)
Yeah, if that mockingbird don't sing (if that mockingbird don't sing)
She's gonna buy me a diamond ring (she's gonna buy me a diamond ring)
And if that diamond ring won't shine (and if that diamond ring won't shine)
Yes, it'll surely break this heart of mine (she's gonna break this heart of mine)
That's there's a reason why I keep on tellin' everybody
Say, yeah, yeah, oh, no, no, no, no, no, no, no

Listen now and understand (Listen now and understand)
She's gonna find me some peace of mind (she's gonna find me some peace of mind)
Yeah, if that peace of mind won't stay (if that peace of mind won't stay)
I'm gonna get myself a better way (get myself a better way, ah)
I might rise above, I might go below
Ride with the tide and go with the flow




And that's the reason why I keep on shoutin' in your ears, yo
No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, baby, yeah

Overall Meaning

The song "Mockingbird" by Carly Simon and James Taylor is a playful and catchy tune that carries deeper meanings beneath its surface. The song revolves around the idea of finding happiness and peace in a relationship and overcoming obstacles together. It employs the metaphor of a mockingbird, which represents the happiness and contentment the singers seek.


In the first verse, the singers declare that the male protagonist will buy a mockingbird for his partner. The mockingbird symbolizes the joy and harmony they desire in their relationship. However, if this happiness is not achieved, he promises to buy her a diamond ring as a symbol of his commitment. If the diamond ring does not bring the desired happiness either, it will break his partner's heart. This verse reflects the efforts people sometimes make to find happiness in material possessions and the potential disappointment and heartbreak that can follow.


The second verse shifts to the perspective of the female protagonist, who declares that she is seeking peace of mind. She intends to find a better way, acknowledging that if the current path does not bring her the peace she desires, she will search for alternatives. Despite the uncertainty, she remains open to adapting and going with the flow. This verse conveys the idea of individual growth and self-discovery within a relationship, as well as the importance of finding one's own peace of mind before seeking it from external sources.


The final verse emphasizes that the search for happiness and peace is not one-sided. The female protagonist now promises to buy her partner a mockingbird, indicating that she also desires shared happiness and contentment. Just like before, the mockingbird's refusal to sing would prompt her to buy a diamond ring, and if this fails, it will break her partner's heart. This verse underlines the importance of mutual effort and understanding in sustaining a harmonious relationship.


Overall, "Mockingbird" explores the challenges and aspirations within a relationship, highlighting the need for communication, adaptability, and individual growth. It suggests that true happiness and peace of mind come from within rather than from material possessions or external circumstances. The catchy repetition of "yeah, yeah" throughout the song adds a sense of excitement and enthusiasm, further emphasizing the singers' determination to find happiness together.


Line by Line Meaning

Mock, yeah, ing, yeah, bird, yeah
Imitating, yes, creating, yes, freedom, yes


Yeah, yeah
Yes, yes


Mockingbird, now
Freedom, now


Everybody have you heard?
Everyone, have you been informed?


He's gonna buy me a mockingbird (he's gonna buy me a mockingbird)
He promises to give me freedom


And if that mockingbird won't sing (if that mockingbird don't sing)
And if that freedom doesn't bring joy


He's gonna buy me a diamond ring (he's gonna buy me a diamond ring)
He'll try to compensate with material possessions


And if that diamond ring won't shine (if that diamond ring won't shine)
And if those possessions don't bring happiness


He's gonna surely break this heart of mine (surely he's gonna break this heart of mine)
He will inevitably cause emotional pain


And that's why I keep on tellin' everybody, say
And that's why I keep expressing to everyone, say


Yeah, yeah, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa
Yes, yes, expressing surprise, expressing intensity


Hear me now and understand (understand)
Listen to me now and comprehend


He's gonna find me some peace of mind (I'm gonna find some peace of mind)
He promises to bring me inner tranquility


And if that peace of mind won't stay (and if that peace of mind won't stay)
And if that serenity doesn't last


I'm gonna find myself a better way (I'm gonna find myself a better way)
I will seek a different path


And if that better way ain't so (if that better way ain't so)
And if that alternative doesn't meet expectations


I, I, I'll ride with the tide and go with the flow
I will adapt to circumstances and embrace change


And that's why I keep on shoutin' in your ear, say
And that's why I keep loudly expressing to you, say


Yeah, yeah, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, oh, oh, oh (mama)
Yes, yes, expressing surprise, expressing intensity, expressing emotion (mom)


Well, now everybody have you heard? (everybody have you heard?)
Well, now everyone, have you been informed?


She's gonna buy me a mockingbird (she's gonna buy me a mockingbird)
She promises to give me freedom


Yeah, if that mockingbird don't sing (if that mockingbird don't sing)
Yes, if that freedom doesn't bring joy


She's gonna buy me a diamond ring (she's gonna buy me a diamond ring)
She'll try to compensate with material possessions


And if that diamond ring won't shine (and if that diamond ring won't shine)
And if those possessions don't bring happiness


Yes, it'll surely break this heart of mine (she's gonna break this heart of mine)
Yes, it will inevitably cause emotional pain


That's there's a reason why I keep on tellin' everybody
That's the explanation for why I keep expressing to everyone


Say, yeah, yeah, oh, no, no, no, no, no, no, no
Say, yes, yes, expressing negative response


Listen now and understand (Listen now and understand)
Listen now and comprehend


She's gonna find me some peace of mind (she's gonna find me some peace of mind)
She promises to bring me inner tranquility


Yeah, if that peace of mind won't stay (if that peace of mind won't stay)
Yes, if that serenity doesn't last


I'm gonna get myself a better way (get myself a better way, ah)
I will seek a different path


I might rise above, I might go below
I might achieve greatness, or I might face adversity


Ride with the tide and go with the flow
Adapt to circumstances and embrace change


And that's the reason why I keep on shoutin' in your ears, yo
And that's the reason why I keep loudly expressing to you, yo


No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, baby, yeah
No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, darling, yes




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Charlie Foxx, Inez Foxx

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@sandrajump1937

I attended a James Taylor concert in the summer of 1974 or 75 in the Berkshires. It was pouring rain and cars were backed up. We ended parking and walking the rest of the way to the venue. It was a hot steamy summer night but we didn't care. He gave an incredible concert but the hightlight was Carly Simon jumping on stage and their duet - Mockingbird. A once in a lifetime experience. We were all so young....A different place and time.....

@rayostergard3386

Hi Sandra hope you’re okay?

@Summer73343

wonderful memory. The Berkshires are my home town in Western Massachusetts…..James Taylor’s stomping ground.

@EPA18

If that was the highlight of the show, the show must have really sucked.

@sandrawright2649

@aarondigby5054

I'd love to get my hands all tangled up in her beautiful long flowing hair and she's not wearing a bra, what a great chick. Definitely "Klondike bar"

1 More Replies...

@jimbobbiocarumba1770

Zero direction or choreography, just go out and enjoy the song and each other.
Awesome chemistry.

@LindyWYID

Absolute perfection! I love to watch this because they really seem so happy and carefree. You rarely see James showing emotions like this and he won’t even speak to Carly for whatever reason ( I think he still loves her) but here they look happy! Great music 🎶 🎶🎶❤️

@tj-kv6vr

That was amazing, i am still moved at 75,yup!

@kathysowers

Me too, 74 - I had that "Hotcakes" album, loved it! And when this song came on, I'd be carrying on like Carly just did 😂

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