Herbert began creating music with found objects whilst at Exeter University (UK) in the 1990s, where he studied Drama. From bottles, books, and pepper pots he progressed to recording places and experiences, effectively using the sampler as an instrument on many of his Doctor Rockit and Herbert releases. This style evolved into the overtly political when he began sampling objects from McDonald's and The Gap as a protest against corporate globalism on the The Mechanics Of Destruction album. The CD was distributed free at concerts and available as a free download and has never been available in stores.
His 2003 Big Band album, Goodbye Swingtime combined the political commentary of Radioboy with the song structure of his Herbert albums. Recorded with sixteen musicians from the British jazz world, including saxophonists Dave O'Higgins and Nigel Hitchcock and bassist Dave Green, the band is complemented on stage by long-term vocal partner Dani Siciliano and occasionally Arto Lindsay and Warp recording artist, Jamie Lidell. Recently he has provided music for a number of films, including Dogme director Kristian Levring's The Intended along with original music for TV. Herbert's newest album Plat du Jour addresses world famine.
Birds of a Feather
Herbert Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
although you know that your song would never be heard
how so tell me
we could be birds of a feather
how so tell me so
but you know that your song would never be heard round here
be that way
just sing
sing in here
just sing
sing in here
could this be one of those questions that you never seem to answer honestly
i'm on fire
warmth goes higher
it's all so comfortable the cotton and the wool
it's unbelievable, a thread for you to pull from here
you're twisting it's the way you're shifting
it's the way you're twisting
we're like a calf and its leather
how so tell me
and you know that your skin will always be taught
we're gonna all hang together
how so tell me so
cos you know that your skin will always be taut round here
be that way
shouldn't be that way
just sing
sing in here
just sing
sing in here
i'm on fire baby
warmth goes higher baby
it's all so comfortable the cotton and the wool
it's unbelievable, a thread for you to pull from here
if it's something that you said you didn't say it
if it's something that you did you didn't do it
if it's something that you said you didn't mean it
you didn't say it, you didn't do it
oh no it's a beat that you're missing
wait no it's a soul inside
i'm thinking that you you're just the one as me
i'm thinking that you're just too proud to see
i'm thinking that we need this air for breathing
The song "Birds of a Feather" by Herbert is a complex exploration of relationships and communication. The repeating motif of "we could be birds of a feather" suggests a desire for unity and similarity between the two people in the relationship. However, this desire for unity is complicated by the line "although you know that your song would never be heard" - suggesting that the two people in the relationship have different needs, desires, and ways of expressing themselves. The chorus of "just sing, sing in here" seems to suggest that the act of communication, even if it is imperfect, is important to the relationship.
The song also explores themes of comfort and tension. The line "it's all so comfortable the cotton and the wool" suggests a certain level of complacency or contentment, while the line "we're like a calf and its leather...you know that your skin will always be taut round here" suggests a sense of constriction and tension. The repeated lines of "be that way, shouldn't be that way" suggest a dissatisfaction or unease with the current state of the relationship, but a certain resignation to it.
The bridge of the song provides an interesting contrast to the rest of the lyrics, with its repetition of phrases such as "if it's something that you said you didn't say it" and "if it's something that you did you didn't do it." This section seems to suggest a breakdown in communication and a lack of trust in the relationship. The final lines of "I'm thinking that we need this air for breathing" suggest that despite the difficulties and tensions in the relationship, there is still a need for connection and communication.
Line by Line Meaning
we could be birds of a feather
We could be similar in nature or character
although you know that your song would never be heard
Despite the fact that you know your ideas will not be accepted
how so tell me
Why do you think that?
but you know that your song would never be heard round here
But you are aware that your message is not welcome in this place
be that way
Don't let it bother you
shouldn't be that way
It's not good to feel that way
just sing
Express yourself freely
sing in here
Share your ideas without fear
could this be one of those questions that you never seem to answer honestly
Is it possible that you are not being truthful with your responses?
i'm on fire
I'm feeling energized
warmth goes higher
I feel warmer inside
it's all so comfortable the cotton and the wool
Everything is cozy and pleasant
it's unbelievable, a thread for you to pull from here
There is a lot to explore and build on here
you're twisting it's the way you're shifting
You are being deceptive and manipulating the narrative
we're like a calf and its leather
We are inherently connected, like a calf and its skin
and you know that your skin will always be taught
You understand that you will always be under pressure
we're gonna all hang together
We will stick together as a group
cos you know that your skin will always be taut round here
Because you are aware that there will always be tension around here
i'm on fire baby
I am very enthusiastic
warmth goes higher baby
I feel warmer and more excited
if it's something that you said you didn't say it
If you deny saying something that you actually said
if it's something that you did you didn't do it
If you deny doing something that you actually did
if it's something that you said you didn't mean it
If you deny meaning something that you actually meant
oh no it's a beat that you're missing
You are misinterpreting the situation
wait no it's a soul inside
Actually, it's a deeper issue
i'm thinking that you you're just the one as me
I believe that you and I are very similar
i'm thinking that you're just too proud to see
I think that you are too proud to admit it
i'm thinking that we need this air for breathing
I believe that we need each other to survive
Contributed by Avery N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.