In May 1966 "Message to Michael" became Warwick's first Top 20 hit since "Reach Out for Me" 16 months previously; also in May 1966 "Message to Michael" became a Top Ten hit, Warwick's third after "Anyone Who Had a Heart" and "Walk on By". The Billboard Hot 100 peak of "Message to Michael" was #8; Billboard's R&B chart would afford "Message to Michael" a #5 peak, which remains Dionne Warwick's alltime best R&B chart showing for a solo recording: she'd previously hit #5 R&B with her first release "Don't Make Me Over" and after "Message to Michael" would reach #5 R&B as a soloist with both "Alfie" and "Once You Hit the Road".
"Message to Michael" was not a major international hit for Dionne Warwick: it was released in April 1966 in the UK to chart no higher than #55. In Australia "Message to Michael" reached #44.
As Burt Bacharach and Hal David were not involved in the recording of "Message to Michael" – the team being in fact opposed to Dionne Warwick recording their song – the producers' credit on the track reads "a Blue Jac Production", Blue Jac Productions being the name Bacharach/David and Warwick had incorporated under in 1962 (officially Blue Jac Productions, rather than Warwick personally, were signed to Scepter Records; the same production credit would be employed for Warwick's 1970 single "Make It Easy on Yourself", which was a recording from a live performance.)
In his 1968 book: What the World Needs Now and Other Love Lyrics, Hal David emphatically admitted his misgivings over Warwick recording "Message to Michael" proved ill-founded, indeed stating "Dionne's vocal was so brilliant that it was obvious we had subconsciously written the song for her even while we thought we were writing it for a man". The song re-recorded for Warwick ill fated 2006 album "My Friends & Me" as a duet with Cyndi Lauper.
message to michael
Dionne Warwick featuring David Elliott Lyrics
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Kentucky bluebird, fly away
And take a message to Michael, message to Michael
He sings each night in some cafe
In his search to find wealth and fame
I hear Michael has gone and changed his name
It's a year since he was here
Kentucky bluebird, fly away
And take a message to Michael, message to Michael
Tell him I miss him more each day
As his train pulled out down the track
Michael promised he'd soon be coming back
Oh tell him how my heart just breaks in two
Since he journeyed far
And even though his dreams of fame fell through
To me he will always be a star
Spread your wings for New Orleans
Kentucky bluebird, fly away
And take a message to Michael, message to Michael
Ask him to start for home today
When you find him please let him know
Rich or poor, I will always love him so
Fly away, Kentucky bluebird
Fly away, Kentucky bluebird
Fly away, fly away, fly away, fly away
In the song Message To Michael, Dionne Warwick longs to communicate with Michael, presumably a former lover or friend. The lyrics encourage a Kentucky bluebird to fly away to New Orleans, where Michael sings in cafes in pursuit of fame and fortune. Warwick expresses her deep sadness and longing for Michael, who had promised to return after leaving a year ago. She pleads with the bluebird to find Michael and relay a message to him, urging him to return home and reminding him that she loves him deeply, whether he is rich or poor.
The lyrics capture the pain of separation and unrequited love, while also conveying a sense of nostalgia for a time when Warwick and Michael were together. The bluebird represents hope and longing, symbolizing the possibility of reconnection and the power of the natural world to bring people together.
Line by Line Meaning
Spread your wings for New Orleans
Go ahead and make a fresh start in a new place, New Orleans.
Kentucky bluebird, fly away
Leave your past behind and soar towards your future, like a bluebird flying away from Kentucky.
And take a message to Michael, message to Michael
Deliver a message to Michael on my behalf, Kentucky bluebird.
He sings each night in some cafe
Michael is performing in small venues, hoping to become famous.
In his search to find wealth and fame
Michael is trying to achieve success, both financially and artistically.
I hear Michael has gone and changed his name
Michael has rebranded himself, likely to appeal to a larger audience.
It's a year since he was here
It has been a year since Michael left.
Tell him I miss him more each day
I am still in love with Michael and I think about him constantly.
As his train pulled out down the track
Michael left on a train, heading towards his dreams.
Michael promised he'd soon be coming back
Michael promised to return, but it's unclear if he will keep that promise.
Oh tell him how my heart just breaks in two
My heart is shattered because Michael is gone and I miss him terribly.
Since he journeyed far
Since Michael left on his journey to find success.
And even though his dreams of fame fell through
Even if Michael's dreams of fame don't come true, my love for him won't fade.
To me he will always be a star
Michael will always be special in my eyes, no matter what he achieves.
Ask him to start for home today
Tell Michael to come back home as soon as possible.
When you find him please let him know
Once you locate Michael, give him the message I sent through you, Kentucky bluebird.
Rich or poor, I will always love him so
Regardless of Michael's financial status, my love remains unconditional.
Fly away, Kentucky bluebird
I'm bidding farewell to the Kentucky bluebird, hoping it will complete its mission successfully.
Fly away, fly away, fly away, fly away
Fly towards a bright new day, Kentucky bluebird.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: BURT BACHARACH, HAL DAVID
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind