Their music is clearly influenced by bands like R.E.M., although their sound is distinctively brighter and janglier, featuring contrast-filled intrumentation and catchy and crisp hooks and unusual chord progressions, giving vivid life to Don McGlashan's lyrics, dominated by poetic imagery and everyday themes.
Their debut The Mutton Birds (1992) was followed by Salty in 1993. In 1995 a compilation of their two first albums, titled Nature, was released outside of New Zealand. Also around this time the first two albums were re-released within NZ as a box set entitled Box of Birds. After moving to England the band released Envy of Angels in 1996, and it is perhaps their strongest album in terms of songwriting and arrangements. After a limited-edition collection of singles and B-sides (Too Hard Basket) and a live album (Angle of Entry), they released Rain, Steam and Speed in 1999.
Flock - The Best of The Mutton Birds was later released in New Zealand and Australia.
April
The Mutton Birds Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Joey said that you'd been calling
I guess that means we're through our falling out, April
But don't begrudge my being wary
Of the hatchet you'd like to bury
I've still got the scars, April
April you tied yourself to the railroad track
April you fell into the fire and I pulled you back
If I caught you it just might teach you
Not to do it again
You made me feel as if I counted
Then you had me stuffed and mounted
I won't do that again, April
Oh April
Oh I'd love to be back
Oh I'd love to be back
Oh I'd love to be back in April
All the month of May
I'd ask myself, are you OK? and I would lie
June I put my life together
But I've no way of knowing whether I
Can face July
Oh I'd love to be back
Oh I'd love to be back
Oh I'd love to be back
Oh I'd love to be back
Oh I'd love to be back
Oh I'd love to be back
Oh I'd love to be back
Oh I'd love to be back in April
The Mutton Birds’ song “April” is a melancholic and reflective piece that explores the aftermath of a tumultuous relationship. The lyrics suggest that the relationship has come to an end, potentially due to a significant falling out or betrayal. The singer, Joey, reveals that the subject of the song has tried to mend things between them, but he is still cautious and hesitant. He acknowledges that he still bears the scars from their past, but he’s conflicted about whether to let her back into his life.
The lyrics also suggest that the subject of the song, April, is not an easy person to be with. She has a tendency to put herself in harm’s way, as evidenced in the lines “you tied yourself to the railroad track” and “you fell into the fire and I pulled you back”. The singer seems to care deeply for April, but he is also resentful of the way she can make him feel insignificant or used. He admits that he won’t let himself fall into that trap again, but at the same time, he longs to go back to the time when things were good between them.
Overall, “April” is a poignant tribute to a relationship that may or may not be beyond repair. It captures the emotional complexities of attempting to reconcile after a betrayal, and it speaks to the deep-seated desire to recapture the magic of a past relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
Joey said that you'd been calling
I heard that you reached out to me through Joey.
I guess that means we're through our falling out, April
Your call implies that our argument is over.
But don't begrudge my being wary
Don't blame me for being cautious after what happened between us.
Of the hatchet you'd like to bury
I'm still nervous about your intentions to reconcile.
I've still got the scars, April
I'm still hurt from what you did to me.
April you tied yourself to the railroad track
You put yourself in a dangerous situation without considering the consequences.
April you fell into the fire and I pulled you back
I saved you from making a potentially catastrophic mistake.
I don't know why I'm trying to reach you
I'm not sure why I'm attempting to reconnect with you.
If I caught you it just might teach you
Maybe if I confront you, it will help you understand the impact of your actions.
Not to do it again
So that you don't repeat your harmful behavior.
You made me feel as if I counted
You made me feel valued and important.
Then you had me stuffed and mounted
But then you betrayed and humiliated me.
I won't do that again, April
I won't let myself be taken advantage of again.
Oh April
I still have conflicted feelings about you.
Oh I'd love to be back
Part of me wants to reconcile with you.
All the month of May
During May, I contemplated my feelings for you.
I'd ask myself, are you OK? and I would lie
I tried to convince myself that I was over you, but I still worried about you.
June I put my life together
In June, I started to move on from our past.
But I've no way of knowing whether I
But even now, I don't know how I truly feel about you.
Can face July
I'm not sure if I'm ready to face the future without you.
Oh I'd love to be back in April
Despite everything, I still sometimes long for the good times we shared.
Lyrics © WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC
Written by: E.Y. HARBURG, VERNON DUKE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
MrAdamakakis
This song says so much in just 2 mins. Another great song from a brilliant album. Pure genius!!
PalacePidi
this band should have been huge! brilliant song.....one of many!
Veertjeeh
First time I hear this song but it sounds nostalgic 🧡
Jade Giles-Nash
Love this song
Pizsipapa
How could this band be so little known?
PalacePidi
Another great song from this little known band!
Marina Del Ray Music
quite lovely
danzer0
Puta que pariu! How I love this song!!! Oh, I'd love to be back (TO April)... :D
raysetiger285
after listing to a few of there songs, Im quite dissipointed I didnt go along to the mutton birds live last week
Garry Dureau
Mutton Birds.....excellent musos and a very tasty snack when BBQ'd