He was born in Woodlake, California and raised in Ukiah. He taught himself guitar when he was 13 and considered his first influence to be Mike Bloomfield. At 18 he moved to San Francisco to form the Charles Ford Blues Band (named after his father, who was also a guitarist) featuring his brothers Mark (mouth harp) and Patrick (drums).
Robben was soon hired to play with Charles Musselwhite for nine months. Robben Ford played with Jimmy Witherspoon (1972-1973), the L.A. Express with Tom Scott (1974), George Harrison and Joni Mitchell. In 1977 he was a founding member of the Yellowjackets, which he stayed with until 1983, simultaneously having a solo career and working as a session guitarist.
In 1986, Ford toured with Miles Davis and he had two separate periods (1985 and 1987) with Sadao Watanabe, but he seemed to really find himself in 1992 when he returned to his roots: the blues. Ford formed a new group, the Blue Line, and subsequently recorded a couple of blues-rock dates for Stretch that are among the finest of his career. In 1999, he released Sunrise on Rhino and Supernatural on Blue Thumb. Ford signed to the Concord Jazz label in 2002 and released Blue Moon that same year, followed by Keep on Running in 2003 and Truth in 2007. Robben Ford whilst continuing to record solo albums has been touring in 2007 with guitar legend Larry Carlton.
Birds Nest Bound
Robben Ford Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Right in the heart of your town
I'm going to build me a birds nest
Right in the heart of your town
And I won't worry about no men
Try'in to tear my birds nest down
I'm go'in to build my birds nest boys
I'm go'in to build my birds nest boys
Won't be on the ground
I'm go'in to build it so solid to you
Just can't tear it down
Yes I would be a jay bird
I'd be sippin' from your well
If I was a jay bird
Sippin' from your well
I'd be right in the heart of your town
I'm gonna give these high brows, hell
(Solos)
I'm goin to build my birds nest boys
Won't be on the ground
I'm goin to build my birds nest boys
Won't be on the ground
I'm going to build it so solid to you
Just can't tear it down
If I was a jay bird
I'd be sippin' from your well
If I was a jay bird
I'd be sippin' from your well
I'd be right in the heart of your town
I'm gonna give these high brows hell
The lyrics to Robben Ford's "Birds Nest Bound" express a sense of defiance and determination to stay rooted in one's chosen spot despite the efforts of others to uproot or tear them down. The metaphor of a "birds nest" represents a safe and secure home or refuge, and the singer declares that he will build one right in the heart of the town, undaunted by any attempts to remove it. He also acknowledges that he would be the jay bird, a common bird known for its raucous vocalizations, and relishes the opportunity to make noise and disrupt the peace of the well-to-do residents of the town.
The repetition of the phrase "won't be on the ground" reinforces the idea of elevation and a sense of being above the fray, both literally and figuratively. The singer's determination to build his nest "so solid" also speaks to a desire for stability and security in a place where he may not be welcome or accepted. By identifying himself as a jay bird, the singer aligns himself with a bird that is often considered a nuisance or pest, further highlighting his willingness to challenge the established order and make his presence and voice heard.
Overall, "Birds Nest Bound" is a song about standing one's ground and refusing to be pushed out or marginalized, even in the face of opposition. It celebrates the tenacity and resilience of those who are determined to carve out their own place in the world, regardless of the obstacles they may encounter.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm going to build me a birds nest
I'm going to establish a home for myself
Right in the heart of your town
In a prominent location where everyone can see
And I won't worry about no men
I will not be concerned about detractors
Try'in to tear my birds nest down
Attempting to destroy what I have built
I'm go'in to build my birds nest boys
I am going to create my dwelling
Won't be on the ground
It will not be at the base level
I'm go'in to build it so solid to you
It will be sturdy and strong
Just can't tear it down
It is too robust to demolish
Yes I would be a jay bird
I would take on a bird persona
I'd be sippin' from your well
I would nourish myself from your resources
If I was a jay bird
If I was a bird
I'd be right in the heart of your town
I'd be at the center of attention
I'm gonna give these high brows, hell
I intend to challenge those who consider themselves superior
Contributed by Michael N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.