1) a Br… Read Full Bio ↴There are multiple artists by the name of David Gray, including:
1) a British singer-songwriter
2) an Italian disco musician
3) an American singer-songwriter
4) drummer for the British blackened death metal band Akercocke
5) a musician from South Africa
6) a British classical hornist
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1) David Gray is a British singer-songwriter born on June 13, 1968 in Sale, United Kingdom. He released his first studio album in 1993 and received worldwide attention after the release of White Ladder six years later in 1999.
Gray moved to Wales at age 9 and later returned to the north-west of England to attend the University of Liverpool. His musical career got early support from a dedicated Irish fan base. After a few marginally-successful releases through the 1990s, Gray's breakthrough came with the worldwide release in 1999 of his fourth album, White Ladder; this was a critical and commercial success and included his best-known songs, "This Years Love" and "Babylon". In the United States, the album received a boost from jam-band leader Dave Matthews, who made it the first release by the record company he co-founded, ATO Records.
On August 11, 2001 White Ladder at last reached the top of the UK charts, having been selling steadily since its reissue the previous May, thereby setting a new record for the longest uninterrupted climb to No. 1. The follow-up, A New Day At Midnight, also hit No. 1, and Gray's seventh album, Life in Slow Motion was released on September 12, 2005.
Gray's early music was in a contemporary folk-rock, singer-songwriter mode; his primary instrument was acoustic guitar, with occasional piano. 1996's Sell Sell Sell featured some rock arrangements and electric instrumentation. Starting with the release of White Ladder in 1999, Gray began to make significant use of computer-generated music to accompany his voice and acoustic instrumentation, a technique which differentiates him from many of his peers. Despite the move to more complex music, Gray has used small-scale, often home-based, recording methods and equipment and espoused a "do it yourself" approach to music production. However, Life in Slow Motion is a collaboration with noted producer Marius De Vries.
David Gray's brothers-in-law are Paul and Phillip Hartnoll, formerly of the Techno/Rave band Orbital. Because of this relationship, Gray performed guest vocals on the Orbital single Illuminate, while Paul Hartnoll produced a breakbeat remix of Gray's song "Please Forgive Me".
His successful single "January Rain" was included in the original soundtrack of the movie Serendipity, starring John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale.
Pictures and additional information can be found on his website, www.DavidGray.com.
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2) David Gray was an Italian disco musician who had a hit with "Dead in the Water"
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3) David Gray is an American singer-songwriter
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4) David Gray is drummer for the British blackened death metal band Akercocke
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5) David Gray is a musician from South Africa
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6) British classical hornist, originally from London, England, UK, residing in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Studied at the Curtis Institute Of Music. Former Principal Horn with The London Symphony Orchestra (1964-1972). Member of The Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra.
One with the Birds
David Gray Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When I have nothing in me to give away
A purple martin in her house, she hollers at me
Why be inhuman ? why be like me ?
Like so many robins, like so many doves
Like so many lovebirds with so many loves
Like the songs of the bobwhite
When we are inhuman we're one with the birds
At six in the morning you rise from the pillow
Stand steaming above me; I slumber below
I'm one with the blanket laying fragrant and loose
You're one with a whipporwill,
You're one with a goose
Like so many robins, like so many doves
Like so many lovebirds with so many loves
Like the songs of the bobwhite
Without any words
When we are inhuman we're one with the birds
So tweet with me and widely spread
Your olive wings: embrace my head
Fly with me 'til we are dead
And one with the birds
Like so many seagulls
Like so many hawks
Like so many thrushes
And so many cocks
A swallow will tell you without using
Misleading
Heartrending words
When we are inhuman we're one with the birds
"when we hide our feelings we may as well fly away"
David Gray's song "One with the Birds" is a poetic representation of the human condition and our relationship with nature. The lyrics can be interpreted to reflect how some people shut themselves off from their emotions or hide their true self, which is a common coping mechanism. The opening lines, "Leave me alone is all that I say, When I have nothing in me to give away," indicate a feeling of emptiness or exhaustion, and that sometimes we need to retreat and take a break from the world. However, the purple martin in her house "hollers" at the singer, asking them why they choose to be inhuman and hide their true self. The bird may symbolize nature's call to awaken and be true to oneself.
The chorus compares humans to various types of birds: robins, doves, lovebirds, and bobwhites. The repetition of "like so many" emphasizes how many people are struggling with similar issues, feeling trapped or disconnected from their true self. However, the song suggests that we may find solace in nature, that when we are inhuman and unable to express our emotions, we are "one with the birds." The final lines urge listeners to embrace their true selves and take flight with the birds: "So tweet with me and widely spread, Your olive wings: embrace my head, Fly with me 'til we are dead, And one with the birds."
Line by Line Meaning
Leave me alone is all that I say
I distance myself from others when I'm emotionally drained.
When I have nothing in me to give away
I have nothing left to offer anyone else.
A purple martin in her house, she hollers at me
This bird sees me as inhuman and wonders why I am like this.
Why be inhuman ? why be like me ?
Why act emotionless like me? Why not be human?
At six in the morning you rise from the pillow
You wake up early and hover over me as I sleep.
Stand steaming above me; I slumber below
You stand over me like a cloud, while I sleep peacefully below you.
I'm one with the blanket laying fragrant and loose
I'm comfortable and content, wrapped in a soothing blanket.
You're one with a whipporwill, You're one with a goose
You identify with the birds outside, feeling more connected to them than to me.
So tweet with me and widely spread
Let's communicate and share our thoughts with others.
Your olive wings: embrace my head
Encircle me with your warm, loving arms.
Fly with me 'til we are dead
Let's live our lives together until the very end.
And one with the birds
We will feel closer to nature and the world around us.
Like so many seagulls
Just like seagulls, we are alive and able to fly.
Like so many hawks
Just like hawks, we are proud and strong creatures.
Like so many thrushes
Just like thrushes, we are known for our beautiful singing voices.
And so many cocks
Just like roosters, we are full of energy and vitality.
A swallow will tell you without using Misleading Heartrending words
The birds around us can communicate deeper feelings without needing to speak human language.
When we are inhuman we're one with the birds
When we hide our feelings we may as well fly away and feel one with nature.
Contributed by Kennedy H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Silvia Schavemaker
best cover ever,....
Leave me alone is all that I say
When I have nothing in me to give away
A purple martin in her house, she hollers at me
Why be inhuman ? Why be like me ?
Like so many robins, like so many doves
Like so many lovebirds with so many loves
Like the songs of the bobwhite without any words
When we are inhuman we're one with the birds
At six in the morning you rise from the pillow
Stand steaming above me ; I slumber below
I'm one with the blanket laying fragrant and loose
You're one with a whipporwill, you're one with a goose
Like so many robins, like so many doves
Like so many lovebirds with so many loves
Like the songs of the bobwhite without any words
When we are inhuman we're one with the birds
So tweet with me and widely spread
Your olive wings ; embrace my head
Fly with me 'til we are dead
And one with the birds
Like so many seagulls, like so many hawks
Like so many thrushes and so many cocks
A swallow will tell you without using misleading heartrending words
When we are inhuman we're one with the birds
"When we hide our feelings we may as well fly away"
caprafan
He's so funny! Impossible not to love him with the endearing humor and amazing talent.
alanlfc1892
This fella has never sung a bad song he and his voice are amazing
11lorib
Marcel can't begin to express appreciation for you sharing this!!!
David's BEYOND REAL...
Michael Shandrick
Amazing I have never heard this before ---- it is deeply true and the imagery is stunning, aimed directly at the heart.
Silvia Schavemaker
best cover ever,....
Leave me alone is all that I say
When I have nothing in me to give away
A purple martin in her house, she hollers at me
Why be inhuman ? Why be like me ?
Like so many robins, like so many doves
Like so many lovebirds with so many loves
Like the songs of the bobwhite without any words
When we are inhuman we're one with the birds
At six in the morning you rise from the pillow
Stand steaming above me ; I slumber below
I'm one with the blanket laying fragrant and loose
You're one with a whipporwill, you're one with a goose
Like so many robins, like so many doves
Like so many lovebirds with so many loves
Like the songs of the bobwhite without any words
When we are inhuman we're one with the birds
So tweet with me and widely spread
Your olive wings ; embrace my head
Fly with me 'til we are dead
And one with the birds
Like so many seagulls, like so many hawks
Like so many thrushes and so many cocks
A swallow will tell you without using misleading heartrending words
When we are inhuman we're one with the birds
"When we hide our feelings we may as well fly away"
Barry Abel
favorite artist of all time 😎
Bluesman _5
for sure mate
Blackscorpion1963
Wow I'd never heard this little charmer from DG until now and what a wee ripper. So, so love DGs bantering with his audience at the beginning! His wit is just so natural, nothing contrived or pretentious about DG at all. Guy's just so good. I've read comments on U-Toob from people who don't like DG or his voice and I cannot understand why on earth could anyone not like least of all his music, that's just unfathomable to be honest. Either those people are trolls or they have no soul or spirit. First of all to not appreciate DGs music to listen to, I can't relate to that, though for me I can so 'feel' DGs music. It moves me emotionally and that's exactly what music is supposed to conjure in us. I can only feel empathy towards people who cannot be moved emotionally by listening to DGs music. So, thank you so much DG for this stunning number as I have often been able to 'be at one with the birds' and it is truly a special experience and I feel so so relaxed and connected to god. As I had my near-death motorcycle accident in 1990 at the age of 26 and as a result became a left leg amputee at the knee before septicaemia (blood poisoning) set in after 6 days and then my entire left leg had to be amputated at the hip joint and left side of my pelvis to save my life, I can so relate to this song. My favourite bird is the Eagle. Phenomenal bird of prey. It's eye sight quality is so far beyond we humans it staggers me. I also like the Japanese Peregrine Falcon; the Hayabusa. The Suzuki GSX 1300R 'Hayabusa' motorcycle is named after it and that motorcycle has been King of the world's fastest sports production motorcycles for top speed for many years only to be dethroned by Kawasaki's ZX-14R Ninja recently. Live to Ride, Ride to Live.
anthony falvey
Love this so much. Absolutely beautiful song. David is sheer class!
chinnymagoo
love the start lol! cant wait to see him live for the first time in birmingham december 15