The band was formed by singer and guitarist Brian Briggs, multi-instrumentalists Jon Ouin and Oli Steadman, and the latter's brother Rob Steadman on drums. The band was often joined by trumpeter Adam Briggs and violinist Rahul Satija. Named after the Hebridean town on the Isle of Lewis, which appears on all UK televised weather reports and shipping forecasts, the group incorporates string instruments and keyboards, supported by a typical pop backline of guitar, drums, and bass guitar. The band is signed to the British independent record label 4AD.
Stornoway's first radio play came in March 2006 with a demo version of "I Saw You Blink" on BBC Oxford Introducing. One of the band's first high-profile live appearances was at Radio 1's Big Weekend in 2009, held in Lydiard Park, Swindon. Stornoway self-released their first single "Zorbing" in July 2009, playing at a number of UK summer festivals including six sets at Glastonbury Festival 2009.
The band signed to the independent record label, 4AD, and on 22 March 2010, they released their third single, "I Saw You Blink". They released their debut album Beachcomber's Windowsill on 24 May 2010.
On 19 November 2012 Stornoway announced the release of their second studio album, Tales from Terra Firma, which was released on 11 March 2013, after spending most of 2012 recording the album. The album's first and lead single, "Knock Me on the Head", premiered on 1 January 2013 and was released alongside the album on 11 March 2013.
In June 2014, Stornoway announced the upcoming release of their third album, Bonxie.
In October 2016 the band announced that they would be splitting up after a farewell tour during spring 2017. They played their final show on 12 March 2017. A live recording of the final show of that tour was later released as, The Farewell Show Live at New Theatre, Oxford
In 2022, the band reformed for a one-off set of gigs (including the Truck Festival in Oxfordshire and WOMAD Charlton Park in July 2022) and the set of gigs is continuing in 2023 (including a gig with Fyfe Dangerfield in London in April 2023, and the Cambridge Folk Festival in July 2023).
They announced in April 2023, via their Instagram and other channels that they had reformed to record an album called Dig the Mountain!. The release date was 8 September, with a UK tour for the album in the Autumn of that year. Original drummer, Rob Steadman is not part of this reformation.
Watching Birds
Stornoway Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Like a pair of headlights
And I remember how she crashed
Headlong into my life
So I said now close those eyes
Stick a pin into this map
And then she said now look around
Because there'll be no looking back
Oh but I've been looking since that day
Since the day we parted
But you don't find happiness
When you're searching for it
And I might have realized
I was wasting precious time
But I never had the chance
To change the batteries in my watch
Oh and it's a Monday night in June
And I should be sleeping
But it's so damn warm inside
I'm in the garden dreaming
And I've got one chair for myself
And another for my feet
But I still don't feel complete
Well she calls me every day
Just to touch base with me
And the birds upon the wire
They feel the electricity
And I watch them as they fly
And she lifts me up with them
Until I fall for her again
Oh and I've been working since that day
Since the day I left her
I'm making money watching birds
But I don't feel no richer
And I should have realized
I was wasting precious time
But I never had the chance
To change the batteries in my watch
Oh and it's a Monday night in June
And I should be sleeping
But it's so damn warm inside
I'm in the garden dreaming
And I've got one chair for myself
And another for my feet
But I still don't feel complete
The song "Watching Birds" by Stornoway is a bittersweet reflection on lost love and the search for happiness. In the opening verse, the singer reminisces about a woman who "crashed headlong" into his life, describing her mesmerizing eyes as "a pair of headlights". However, despite his attempts to hold on to their relationship, he ultimately realizes that happiness cannot be found through a desperate search for it. He longs for a sense of completion, represented by his solitary chairs in the garden, but ultimately feels unfulfilled.
The second verse shifts to the singer's present-day life, where he spends his time working and watching birds. The woman he lost continues to touch base with him, and their shared connection can be felt even in the presence of the birds they both observe. The singer is left to reflect on the choices he has made, recognizing that he may have wasted precious time in his search for happiness. The lyrical depiction of the birds as a source of power and connection serves as a powerful metaphor for the enduring force of nature in the face of human relationships.
Fact 1: "Watching Birds" is from Stornoway's 2013 album, "Tales from Terra Firma."
Fact 2: The band was formed in 2006 by lead singer Brian Briggs and keyboardist Jonathan Ouin while studying at Oxford University.
Fact 3: The band takes its name from the Scottish town of Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis.
Fact 4: "Watching Birds" was inspired by Briggs' childhood love of birdwatching with his grandfather.
Fact 5: Stornoway's music has been described as a blend of folk, indie rock, and classical influences.
Fact 6: The band disbanded in 2017, but Briggs has continued to perform and record music.
Fact 7: The music video for "Watching Birds" features footage of birds in flight and was filmed in the Scottish Highlands.
Fact 8: "Watching Birds" was featured in the soundtrack of the TV series "The Blacklist."
Fact 9: Stornoway has been praised for their use of creative instrumentation, including an array of brass instruments and a variety of percussion.
Fact 10: The chords for "Watching Birds" are Am, F, C, and G.
Chords:
Verse: Am F C G
Chorus: F C G Am F C G (during "But I still don't feel complete")
Line by Line Meaning
Oh well her eyes they hypnotized
Like a pair of headlights
And I remember how she crashed
Headlong into my life
Her eyes were captivating, like bright lights. The memory of her sudden appearance in my life has stuck with me.
So I said now close those eyes
Stick a pin into this map
And then she said now look around
Because there'll be no looking back
I asked her to trust me and take a chance by closing her eyes, picking a random spot, and opening them. She warned me of the consequences of such a rash decision.
Oh but I've been looking since that day
Since the day we parted
But you don't find happiness
When you're searching for it
And I might have realized
I was wasting precious time
But I never had the chance
To change the batteries in my watch
Ever since we parted, I've been searching for happiness, but I can't seem to find it. I may have realized that I was wasting time, but I didn't even have the chance to take a break and fix my watch, let alone take care of myself.
Oh and it's a Monday night in June
And I should be sleeping
But it's so damn warm inside
I'm in the garden dreaming
And I've got one chair for myself
And another for my feet
But I still don't feel complete
It's a warm night in June, and I should be sleeping, but instead, I'm outside dreaming in the garden. Even though I have a place to sit, I still feel incomplete.
Well she calls me every day
Just to touch base with me
And the birds upon the wire
They feel the electricity
And I watch them as they fly
And she lifts me up with them
Until I fall for her again
She contacts me every day just to check in, and I feel connected to her. Even the birds seem to feel the energy between us when they perch on the wire. Whenever I see them fly, it reminds me of her, and it's like I'm falling in love with her all over again.
Oh and I've been working since that day
Since the day I left her
I'm making money watching birds
But I don't feel no richer
And I should have realized
I was wasting precious time
But I never had the chance
To change the batteries in my watch
Ever since I left her, I've been busy watching birds and earning money, but it hasn't made me feel any richer. I might have recognized that I was wasting time, but I didn't get the chance to recharge my batteries, physically or emotionally.
Oh and it's a Monday night in June
And I should be sleeping
But it's so damn warm inside
I'm in the garden dreaming
And I've got one chair for myself
And another for my feet
But I still don't feel complete
Once again, it's a warm June night, but instead of sleeping, I'm dreaming in the garden. I have a place to sit, but I'm still unfulfilled.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BRIAN DAVID JAMES BRIGGS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@gabrieladiazguadian4942
Oh well her eyes they hypnotized
Like a pair of headlights
And I remember how she crashed
Headlong into my life
So I said now close those eyes
Stick a pin into this map
And then she said now look around
Because there'll be no looking back
Oh but I've been looking since that day
Since the day we parted
But you don't find happiness
When you're searching for it
And I might have realized
I was wasting precious time
But I never had the chance
To change the batteries in my watch
Oh and it's a Monday night in June
And I should be sleeping
But it's so damn warm inside
I'm in the garden dreaming
And I've got one chair for myself
And another for my feet
But I still don't feel complete
Well she calls me every day
Just to touch base with me
And the birds upon the wire
They feel the electricity
And I watch them as they fly
And she lifts me up with them
Until I fall for her again
Oh and I've been working since that day
Since the day I left her
I'm making money watching birds
But I don't feel no richer
And I should have realized
I was wasting precious time
But I never had the chance
To change the batteries in my watch
Oh and it's a Monday night in June
And I should be sleeping
But it's so damn warm inside
I'm in the garden dreaming
And I've got one chair for myself
And another for my feet
But I still don't feel complete
Traducir al español
@fagneroli
Música fantástica ... Gosto mto desse som ....
@riddikulusmusic
I love Stornoway so much, it's unbelievable..
@thekiwifruit01
just cheered me up, thanks Stornoway :)
@deksterification
the drumming in this song is so good
@agdobleu
this is a great song! what a cool sound! hell!
@WhiteSleevedStu
I'm going to sing this song every Monday night this June :)
@Meowyism
It's a monday night in June and I should be studying for my finals. Instead, I'm listening to this great song <3
@AleSmile
one week. that's how long it took me to simply love this band!
@MrDerpdog
im not really sure if I REALLY like or dislike this song. Its as great as it is entirely weird.
@mhh1024
i fond this song on a monday night in june when i shouldve been sleeping im not even kidding