Originally David Richard Solberg, he was born the son of a Lutheran minister. His father, Dr. Richard Solberg, was a senior representative for Lutheran World Relief during the reconstruction of Germany after World War II, and the family moved frequently while Soul was growing up. Soul's brother is a Lutheran minister and social activist.
Soul first gained attention as the mysterious "Covered Man" on several appearances on The Merv Griffin Show in 1967 in which he sang while wearing a ski mask and explained, "My name is David Soul, and I want to be known for my music".
Soul then appeared as level-headed Joshua Bolt on the television program Here Come the Brides, and later Arthur Hill's law partner on, "Owen Marshal: Counselor At Law". Superstar status came when he portrayed Detective Hutchinson on Starsky and Hutch. He has also made guest appearances on shows such as I Dream of Jeannie, McMillan and Wife, Cannon, Gunsmoke, World War III (miniseries), Star Trek, and The Streets of San Francisco. His best known film appearance was opposite Clint Eastwood in Magnum Force (1973). Soul also appeared in the mini-series based on Stephen King's horror classic "Salem's Lot" (1978).
After a successful singing career, including hits such as "Don't Give Up on Us" and "Silver Lady", Soul fell into relative obscurity during the 1980s, fought a long battle with alcoholism, although frequently made guest appearances in various US television series, with the occasional small film role.
In the 1990s, Soul moved to London, and forged a new career on the West End stage. He also notably participated in the successful 1997 election campaign of Martin Bell. In September 2004, he became a British citizen, but has kept his US citizenship and ties with the US. He is a big fan of English football (soccer) and is an Arsenal supporter. He has been married four times, three of those marriages have been to actresses: Karen Carlson, Patty Sherman, and Julia Nickson-Soul. He has six children: five sons and one daughter. His brother, Daniel Solberg, is pastor of St. Paulus Lutheran Church in San Francisco, California.
On July 12, 2004, he took over playing the role of Jerry Springer in Jerry Springer: The Opera at the Cambridge Theatre in London, televised by the BBC in 2005. He returned to the West End in 2006, playing Mack in a new production of Jerry Herman's musical Mack and Mabel at the Criterion Theatre. The production co-starred Janie Dee and was directed by John Doyle. He also appeared in the TV series Dalziel & Pascoe (Game of Soldiers). He had a brief cameo in the 2004 movie version of Starsky & Hutch, alongside original co-star Paul Michael Glaser.
In August 2008, Soul appeared in the reality TV talent show-themed television series Maestro on BBC Two mentored by Natalia Luis-Bassa.
He appeared with Fred Ward and Willem Dafoe in the film Farewell directed by Christian Carion, which received its U.S. release in 2010.
In June 2012, Soul made a one-week appearance with Jerry Hall at the Gaiety Theatre, Dublin, in a reprise of the Pulitzer Prize-nominated play by A. R. Gurney, Love Letters. On July 29, 2012, he appeared in an episode of the British television detective drama series Lewis, playing a murder victim. He was also featured in the hit album by Fosseytango, singing on the track "Landlord". In 2013, Soul appeared in a cameo role in the Scottish film Filth lip-syncing his own recording of "Silver Lady". In 2014, Soul appeared in a British television commercial for National Express singing "Silver Lady" while driving a coach.
Soul died on January 4, 2024, at the age of 80.
Bird on a Wire
David Soul Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Like a drunk in a midnight choir
I have tried in my way to be free.
Like a worm on a hook,
Like a knight from some old fashioned book
I have saved all my ribbons for thee.
If I, if I have been unkind,
I hope that you can just let it go by.
I hope you know it was never to you.
Like a baby, stillborn,
Like a beast with his horn
I have torn everyone who reached out for me.
But I swear by this song
And by all that I have done wrong
I will make it all up to thee.
I saw a beggar leaning on his wooden crutch,
He said to me, "You must not ask for so much."
And a pretty woman leaning in her darkened door,
She cried to me, "Hey, why not ask for more?"
Oh like a bird on the wire,
Like a drunk in a midnight choir
I have tried in my way to be free.
David Soul's song "Bird on a Wire" is a beautiful and poetic expression of the desire for freedom and redemption. The first verse of the song introduces a strong image of being trapped, comparing oneself to a bird on a wire, and a drunk in a midnight choir. It speaks to the experience of struggling to be free, but perhaps not knowing how to go about it. The second verse adds to the sense of being caught by using the metaphor of a worm on a hook or a knight from an old-fashioned book. These images highlight the idea of being trapped by societal expectations or personal circumstances.
However, the song also reveals a deep sense of regret and remorse. The third verse compares the singer to a baby stillborn, who never had the chance to prove his worth. It also compares him to a beast with horns, a symbol that suggests violence and danger. Both of these images speak to the idea of having let others down and having caused harm. Nonetheless, the singer expresses a desire to make things right and promises to do so.
The final verse provides a glimpse of hope and possibility. The beggar who tells the singer not to ask for too much highlights the idea of modesty and humility. Meanwhile, the pretty woman who suggests that he ask for more shows the power of dreaming big and taking risks. The chorus repeats the earlier metaphors of being a bird on a wire and a drunk in a midnight choir, but with a sense of determination that suggests the singer will continue to try to be free.
Line by Line Meaning
Like a bird on the wire,
I feel vulnerable and exposed, like a bird perched on a wire.
Like a drunk in a midnight choir
I feel out of place and incoherent, like a drunk singing with a choir in the middle of the night.
I have tried in my way to be free.
I have done my best to find my own way to freedom, even if it meant taking risks and making mistakes.
Like a worm on a hook,
I feel trapped and helpless, like a worm being pulled on a fishing hook.
Like a knight from some old fashioned book
I feel nostalgic and romantic, like a knight from a classic tale of chivalry and honor.
I have saved all my ribbons for thee.
I have cherished everything that reminds me of you, and I want to offer it all to you as a token of my love and loyalty.
If I, if I have been unkind,
If I have hurt you in any way, intentionally or unintentionally,
I hope that you can just let it go by.
I hope you can forgive me and move past it, without holding any grudges or resentment.
If I, if I have been untrue
If I have lied to you or betrayed your trust,
I hope you know it was never to you.
I want you to understand that my actions were not meant to hurt or deceive you, but rather a result of my own struggles and weaknesses.
Like a baby, stillborn,
I feel a deep sense of grief and loss, like a baby who is born dead and never had a chance to live.
Like a beast with his horn
I feel fierce and powerful, like a wild animal that uses his horns to defend himself and attack his enemies.
I have torn everyone who reached out for me.
I have hurt and pushed away anyone who tried to help me or get close to me, because of my own fears and insecurities.
But I swear by this song
But I pledge my loyalty and devotion through this song,
And by all that I have done wrong
And by acknowledging all my mistakes and faults,
I will make it all up to thee.
I promise to make amends and show you that I am capable of being a better person and partner.
I saw a beggar leaning on his wooden crutch,
I witnessed a poor and disabled man trying to survive on the streets,
He said to me, 'You must not ask for so much.'
He advised me to be content with what I have and not demand too much from life or others.
And a pretty woman leaning in her darkened door,
I met an attractive and mysterious woman standing in the doorway of her home,
She cried to me, 'Hey, why not ask for more?'
She challenged me to be ambitious and go after my dreams, even if it means taking risks and facing rejection.
Oh like a bird on the wire,
Once again, I feel exposed and vulnerable, like a bird perched on a wire.
Like a drunk in a midnight choir
Once again, I feel out of place and incoherent, like a drunk singing with a choir in the middle of the night.
I have tried in my way to be free.
Once again, I reaffirm my determination to find my own way to freedom and fulfillment, despite the challenges and obstacles I face.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Capitol CMG Publishing
Written by: Leonard Cohen
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind