Day was a high-school classmate of both Prince and André Cymone and the trio formed an early band called "Grand Central", later renamed "Champagne". Later, Prince embarked on a solo career but retained Cymone for his backing band. The two began to plan a side-group that would focus more on R&B, while Prince would continue to explore various musical styles. The Time was composed of 4 members from an earlier funk group called "Flyte Tyme", but the lead singer had not been chosen. Sue Ann Carwell was auditioned and Alexander O'Neal nearly became The Time's lead singer, but dropped out due to payment negotiations. Day, who was now in a band called "Enterprise" allowed Prince to have a song called "Partyup" for his Dirty Mind album and Prince would soon return the favor by giving Day the job of lead singer. Day would suggest guitarist Jesse Johnson, who completed the band's ensemble.
The Time's most prolific and visible period came in 1984 when Day played the antagonist to Prince in his film Purple Rain, which helped establish Day's playboy stage presence. Typically escorted by his valet, "Jerome" (Jerome Benton), Day won fans with his exaggerated vanity ("Jerome bring me my mirror!") and strutting bravado, acting as a comic foil to Prince's romantic, sensitive lead. This persona was further exploited for comic effect on The Time's records, on songs such as "Chili Sauce" and "If The Kid Can't Make You Come" from the album Ice Cream Castle.
That album, the group's most popular, is best remembered for the infectious singles "Jungle Love" and "The Bird". With their palpable pop energy and catchy choruses, both songs were huge hits on both Urban and Pop radio. But it wasn't until 1990,when the Time scored a #1 R&B hit with "Jerk Out" (a dance/New Jack Swing cut from their reunited fourth album: Pandemonium . This album also featured the original members of the band). The same year, Day formed his own girl band (not unlike Prince's Vanity/Apollonia 6) called The Day Zs. From that high point, Day's success began to wane in the 1990s. With the breakup of his band, the mediocre sales of his solo records, and the general decline of Prince's popularity, Day's public visibility and creative output waned considerably.
Today, he remains a popular concert draw, fronting a revamped lineup of The Time. Day continues to employ "Jerome" in his stage shows and the comic scenes the two act out together are typically the highlight of a Time performance.
Though he had continued to act in films from time to time in small parts (Richard Pryor's Moving being a brief but memorable turn), Day's presence on the screen decreased until, in 2001, he returned to film in Kevin Smith's Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back, performing "Jungle Love" with The Time and dancing with the movie's stars in the movie's coda.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org
The Bird
Morris Day Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hold up, do y'all wanna learn a new dance?
Are you qualified to learn one? That's what I thought
Who can dance out there? Okay, we gonna try a new dance
And if I don't see everybody doin' it, I don't wanna see you no more
Jellybean, are we ready? y'all better do this one
What time is it? Alright, y'all got 10 seconds
To get to the dance floor and whawk
America, have you heard?
I got a brand new dance and it's called "The Bird"
You don't need no finesse or no personality
You just need two arms and an attitude
And everybody sing with me, come on now
Whawk! Hallelujah! Whoa
Whawk! Hallelujah! Whoa
Brothers, don't be cool
Women like it sometimes when you act a fool
Sisters, don't be shy
Let your body get loose, you ain't to fat to fly
Come on now
Whawk! Hallelujah! Whoa
Whawk! Hallelujah! Whoa
Yes, hold on now, this dance ain't for everybody
Just the sexy people
White folks, you're much too tight
You gotta shake your head like the black folks
You might get some tonight, look out
America, have you heard?
Got a sexy new dance it's called "The Bird"
You don't need no finesse or no personality
You just need two arms and attitude
And everybody sing with me, come on now
Whawk! Hallelujah! Whoa, come on
Whawk! Hallelujah! Whoa, everybody
Whawk! Hallelujah! Whoa, come on
Whawk! Hallelujah! Whoa
Alright, when the horns blow
I want everybody on the floor
You know this groove is sexy
You ain't got no excuse no more
Jerome, I wanna show 'em where we live
Siamese twins joined at the suit
Fellas, give me something to fly with, whawk
Alright, brothers, keep up with that
Jerome, bring me my hat
Did I mess my hair up?
Fellas, y'all play something
I'm go over here and talk to this girl
I pledge allegiance to the time
Can y'all sing that? Sing it
I said, I pledge allegiance to the time
Whawk! Hallelujah! Whoa
Whawk! Hallelujah! Whoa
Fellas? Yeah
What's the word? Whawk
When you wanna get some
What'd you do? Do "The Bird"
Fellas? Yeah
What's the word? Whawk
When you wanna get some
What'd you do? Do "The Bird"
America
What's the word? Whawk
When you wanna get some
What'd you do? Do "The Bird"
Take it home! Whawk! Whawk
Chili sauce
It's the last call for alcohol
If you ain't got what you want
You got to get the hell outta here
Morris Day's song "The Bird" is an upbeat, funky tune that encourages anyone and everyone to hit the dance floor and learn a new dance. The song starts with Morris Day asking the crowd if they're ready to learn a new dance and telling them that they better do it or he doesn't want to see them anymore. He then introduces a new dance called "The Bird," which he claims requires no finesse or personality, just two arms and an attitude. Morris Day also gives out instructions while singing the verses, making it easy for anyone to learn and follow along with the dance.
The chorus of "The Bird" is catchy, with the lyrics "Whawk! Hallelujah! Whoa" repeated several times, encouraging the crowd to sing along and get into the party spirit. Morris Day also uses humor and playful teasing in the lyrics, giving shoutouts to the audience and poking fun at everyone, from the black and white folks to the Siamese twins and himself.
Overall, "The Bird" is a fun, lighthearted song that celebrates dancing and partying, and introduces a new dance that anyone can learn and enjoy.
Line by Line Meaning
Hold on, hold on, why y'all beatin' on shit, what's that mean?
Wait a minute, why are you all making that noise? What is happening here?
Hold up, do y'all wanna learn a new dance?
Wait, would you all be interested in learning a new dance?
Are you qualified to learn one? That's what I thought
Are you all skilled enough to learn it? I didn't think so.
Who can dance out there? Okay, we gonna try a new dance
Who among you are dancers? Alright, we are going to try a new dance.
And if I don't see everybody doin' it, I don't wanna see you no more
And if I don't see everyone participating, I don't want to see you all again.
Jellybean, are we ready? y'all better do this one
Is the music ready? You all better do this dance well.
What time is it? Alright, y'all got 10 seconds
What's the time? Okay, you have 10 seconds.
To get to the dance floor and whawk
To go to the dance floor and do the bird dance.
America, have you heard?
American people, have you been informed?
I got a brand new dance and it's called "The Bird"
I have a new dance and it's called 'The Bird.'
You don't need no finesse or no personality
You don't need any skill or personality.
You just need two arms and an attitude
All you need are two arms and the right attitude.
And everybody sing with me, come on now
And everyone should sing with me. Come on now.
Whawk! Hallelujah! Whoa
Whawk! Hallelujah! Whoa.
Brothers, don't be cool
Guys, don't be too cool.
Women like it sometimes when you act a fool
Women can enjoy it when you act silly.
Sisters, don't be shy
Ladies, don't be reserved.
Let your body get loose, you ain't to fat to fly
Relax and let your body move. You are not too heavy to jump around.
Yes, hold on now, this dance ain't for everybody
Yes, wait. This dance is not suitable for everyone.
Just the sexy people
Only the attractive people.
White folks, you're much too tight
White people, you all seem too stiff.
You gotta shake your head like the black folks
You should move your head like the Black people.
You might get some tonight, look out
You might get lucky tonight. Watch out.
Alright, when the horns blow
Okay, when the horns sound.
I want everybody on the floor
I want everyone to go to the dance floor.
You know this groove is sexy
You know this beat is seductive.
You ain't got no excuse no more
You have no reason to decline anymore.
Jerome, I wanna show 'em where we live
Jerome, I want to show them our style.
Siamese twins joined at the suit
Conjoined Siamese twins joined at the suit.
Fellas, give me something to fly with, whawk
Guys, give me something to work with. Whawk!
Did I mess my hair up?
Did I ruin my hair?
Fellas, y'all play something
Guys, play me something.
I'm go over here and talk to this girl
I'm going over to talk to this lady.
I pledge allegiance to the time
I promise to be committed to the beat.
Can y'all sing that? Sing it
Can you all sing that? Sing it.
When you wanna get some
When you want to have fun.
What'd you do? Do "The Bird"
What do you do? Do 'The Bird.'
Chili sauce
Out of alcohol.
It's the last call for alcohol
It is the last call for serving drinks.
If you ain't got what you want
If you don't have what you desire,
You got to get the hell outta here
You need to leave this place immediately.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Morris Day, Prince Rogers Nelson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind