Bird Dog
The Everly Brothers Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Johnny is a joker (he's a bird)
A very funny joker (he's a bird)
But when he jokes my honey (he's a dog)
His jokin' ain't so funny (what a dog)
Johnny is a joker that's a'tryin' to steal my baby (he's a bird dog)

Johnny sings a love song (like a bird)
Sings the sweetest love song (ya ever heard)
But when he sings to my gal (what a howl)
To me he's just a wolf dog (on the prowl)
Johnny wants to fly away and puppy-love my baby (he's a bird dog)

Hey, bird dog get away from my quail
Hey, bird dog you're on the wrong trail
Bird dog you better leave my lovey-dove alone
Hey, bird dog get away from my chick
Hey, bird dog you better get away quick
Bird dog you better find a chicken little of your own

Johnny kissed the teacher (he's a bird)
He tiptoed up to reach her (he's a bird)
Well he's the teacher's pet now (he's a dog)
What he wants he's been gettin' now (what a dog)
He even made the teacher let him sit next to my baby (he's a bird dog)

Hey, bird dog get away from my quail
Hey, bird dog you're on the wrong trail
Bird dog you better leave my lovey-dove alone
Hey, bird dog get away from my chick
Hey, bird dog you better get away quick
Bird dog you better find a chicken little of your own

He's a bird





Oh, he's a bird

Overall Meaning

The Everly Brothers' "Bird Dog" is a playful and humorous song about a joker named Johnny who tries to steal the singer's girlfriend. Johnny is seen as a "bird" and a "wolf dog" in the song, depending on whether the singer is amused or annoyed by his antics. The chorus repeatedly tells Johnny, the bird dog, to stay away from the singer's girlfriend, calling her his "quail," "lovey-dove," and "chick." The lyrics suggest that Johnny is a bit of a troublemaker, flirting with the teacher and always looking for a new girl to pursue.


Line by Line Meaning

Johnny is a joker (he's a bird)
Johnny is a playful, lighthearted person, always laughing and singing.


A very funny joker (he's a bird)
Johnny is exceptionally amusing, making everyone around him laugh.


But when he jokes my honey (he's a dog)
However, when Johnny flirts with my girlfriend, he is being sneaky and dishonest.


His jokin' ain't so funny (what a dog)
Johnny's attempts at humor are not as funny when it comes to trying to steal someone else's partner.


Johnny is a joker that's a'tryin' to steal my baby (he's a bird dog)
Johnny is a sly, untrustworthy person who is actively trying to take my girlfriend away from me, like a bird dog hunting for prey.


Johnny sings a love song (like a bird)
Johnny is a gifted singer who can hit high notes like a bird.


Sings the sweetest love song (ya ever heard)
Johnny's love songs are especially charming, likely to melt anyone's heart.


But when he sings to my gal (what a howl)
However, when Johnny serenades my girlfriend, it sounds more like a loud, unsettling howl to me.


To me he's just a wolf dog (on the prowl)
Johnny appears to be more of a predatory wolf dog as he tries to seduce my girlfriend.


Johnny wants to fly away and puppy-love my baby (he's a bird dog)
Johnny's true intention is to fly away with my girlfriend and pursue a puppy-love relationship with her, just like a bird dog chasing after his target.


Hey, bird dog get away from my quail
I'm warning you, Johnny the bird dog, to stay away from my girlfriend.


Hey, bird dog you're on the wrong trail
Johnny, you are barking up the wrong tree trying to steal my girlfriend.


Bird dog you better leave my lovey-dove alone
Johnny, I'm telling you one more time to stay away from my girlfriend, who is my lovey-dove.


Hey, bird dog get away from my chick
Once again, I'm warning you, Johnny the bird dog, to back off from my girlfriend.


Hey, bird dog you better get away quick
I'm serious, Johnny, you better run away quickly before I get angry with you.


Bird dog you better find a chicken little of your own
Johnny, you should find someone else to pursue, someone who is not already taken, like a 'chicken little'.


Johnny kissed the teacher (he's a bird)
Johnny kissed the teacher, showing his audacity and recklessness.


He tiptoed up to reach her (he's a bird)
Johnny was quite sneaky, trying to steal a kiss from the teacher by tiptoeing up to her.


Well he's the teacher's pet now (he's a dog)
Now, Johnny has gained favor with the teacher, likely by being charming and flirty with her, earning the nickname 'teacher's pet'.


What he wants he's been gettin' now (what a dog)
Johnny is getting what he wants through manipulation and flattery, acting like a real 'dog'.


He even made the teacher let him sit next to my baby (he's a bird dog)
Johnny was able to convince the teacher to let him sit next to my girlfriend, further pursuing his desire to steal her away from me, like a bird dog chasing after its prey.


He's a bird
Johnny is lively and flirtatious, having a free spirit like a bird.


Oh, he's a bird
In singing this line, the singer is emphasizing that Johnny is particularly bird-like in his behavior and mannerisms.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Capitol CMG Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Boudleaux Bryant

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

Richard Bain

My Top 15 Everly Brothers Songs
15. Let It Be Me
14. All I Have To Do Is Dream
13. Till I Kissed You
12. When Will I Be Loved
11. Claudette
10. Cathy's Clown
9. Lucille
8. Ebony Eyes
7. Crying In The Rain
6. Bye Bye Love
5. So Sad (To Watch Good Love Go Bad)
4. Wake Up Little Susie
3. Bird Dog
2. Devoted To You
1. Walk Right Back



Richard Bain

My 15 Favorite Everly Brothers Songs
15. Problems
14. Love Hurts
13. Let It Be Me
12. Poor Jenny
11 All I Have To Do Is Dream
10. Claudette
9. Bye Bye Love
8. Wake Up Little Susie
7. When Will I Be Loved
6. Lucille
5. Cathy's Clown
4. Bird Dog
3. So Sad (To Watch Good Love Go Bad)
2. Crying In The Rain
1. Walk Right Back



gabigirl1972

Johnny is a joker (he's a bird)
A very funny joker (he's a bird)
But when he jokes my honey (he's a dog)
His jokin' ain't so funny (what a dog)
Johnny is a joker that's a-tryin' to steal my baby (he's a bird dog)

Johnny sings a love song (like a bird)
He sings the sweetest love song (ya ever heard)
But when he sings to my gal (what a howl)
To me he's just a wolf dog (on the prowl)
Johnny wants to fly away and puppy-love my baby (he's a bird dog)

Hey, bird dog get away from my quail
Hey, bird dog you're on the wrong trail
Bird dog you better leave my lovey-dove alone
Hey, bird dog, get away from my chick
Hey, bird dog, you better get away quick
Bird dog you better find a chicken little of your own

Johnny kissed the teacher (he's a bird)
He tiptoed up to reach her (he's a bird)
Well he's the teachers pet now (he's a dog)
What he wants he can get now (what a dog)
He even made the teacher let him sit next to my baby (he's a bird dog)

Hey, bird dog get away from my quail
Hey, bird dog you're on the wrong trail
Bird dog you better leave my lovey-dove alone
Hey, bird dog get away from my chick
Hey, bird dog you better get away quick
Bird dog you better find a chicken little of your own
He's bird……



All comments from YouTube:

jmtilson

Love this song and had to introduce my 28 year old daughter to it this morning. I’ve done a great job raising her on the classics, but somehow this one was missed. She loved it too!! ❤️

Walter Dennon

You've don't raised her on the classics. Maybe you shoulda did.

Viola Pressley

This song cracks me up, I swear.  I can't stop laughing.  I love it.  So funny.  I love having fun with music too.

Bluesish

Like a Bird

Vicky Hyde

Hahaha hahaha yeah true lol

MichiganJack

I love this song. My dad would always place this for me at his bar. Heading to Amazon to buy me a Everly Bros., album.

PSW47

Loved the Everlys and their songs. Good memories

Bert Anthony

Good

jimmy page

Love that guitar riff in the beginning, it really rocks

Alan Sévellec

It reminds a lot the riff in B.Holly Slippin'n'sliddin.

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