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.
Come Around
The Mutton Birds Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Or if you have reservations
On the road to my house
There are so many temptations
And far be it from me
To have any expectations
But time is marching on
And I'm running out of patience
Come around, come around
Come around, come around
I cannot remember
The last time I saw you smile
And I won't wait forever
But I'll wait a while
And far be it from me
To test the strength of your will
But when you finally make it round
I hope I'll be here still
Come around, come around
It's only walking distance
Come around, come around
Take the path of least resistance
Come around, come around
Stop this heart from sinking
Come around, come around
Come around to my way of thinking
I'm not asking you
To come to your senses
And I'm not asking you
To come clean - that's not what I mean
And if you're on your high horse
I won't ask you to come down
All I want is you to come around
(chorus)
The Mutton Birds' song Come Around is a plaintive and emotive appeal to a lover, asking them to come back into the singer's life. The opening lines acknowledge that the object of the singer's affections might have reservations or other offers, but they implore them to make their way back, despite the many temptations that might lie in their path. The singer is eager to see their loved one again, but also acknowledges that they are not asking for too much - they do not have any specific expectations, but time is marching on, and they cannot help but feel impatient.
The second verse continues in a similar vein - the singer remembers how they used to smile together, but now that seems like a distant memory. They refuse to wait forever, but they are willing to give it a little more time. They do not want to test the strength of their lover's will, but they hope that they will make it back eventually. The chorus repeats the plea for their lover to come around - it's only a short walk, they should take the path of least resistance, and come around to the singer's way of thinking.
The song is full of a bittersweet nostalgia, acknowledging the difficulty of letting go of someone we once loved and the hope that they will find their way back to us. The lyrics are straightforward and honest, conveying a sense of vulnerability and longing without being overly dramatic or sentimental. Ultimately, the song expresses the universal desire to be loved and to have our feelings reciprocated.
Line by Line Meaning
If you have a better offer
If there is something better for you elsewhere
Or if you have reservations
Or if you are unsure about coming to me
On the road to my house
On the way to where I reside
There are so many temptations
There are many things that can distract you
And far be it from me
And I don't intend
To have any expectations
To expect anything from you
But time is marching on
But time is passing quickly
And I'm running out of patience
And I'm becoming impatient
Come around, come around
Come to me, come to me
I cannot remember
I cannot recall
The last time I saw you smile
The last time I saw you happy
And I won't wait forever
And I can't wait indefinitely
But I'll wait a while
But I'm willing to wait some time
And far be it from me
And I don't intend
To test the strength of your will
To challenge your determination
But when you finally make it round
But when you eventually come to me
I hope I'll be here still
I hope I'll still be waiting for you
It's only walking distance
It's not far to travel
Take the path of least resistance
Take the easiest route
Stop this heart from sinking
Stop me from feeling miserable
Come around to my way of thinking
Agree with me
I'm not asking you
I'm not requesting
To come to your senses
To suddenly realize something
And I'm not asking you
And I don't want
To come clean - that's not what I mean
To confess something - that's not my intention
And if you're on your high horse
And if you're being arrogant
I won't ask you to come down
I won't ask you to change your behavior
All I want is you to come around
All I want is for you to come to me
Come around, come around
Come to me, come to me
Contributed by Jayden G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Joanne Gillespie
God, I love this song, and love this band. When I am really homesick for NZ, this is all I want to listen to. THeir lyrics are always so clever, and add the rythm, and you have pure joy. They were great in concert, too. Saw them live in Christchurch, 1995ish....
Fitzgerald Stanbury Weiss the 5th
Muttonbirds are amazing tbh. Love their music, too!
MrAdamakakis
This is my favourite from Envy of Angels. Great tune with fantastic lyrics. Muttonbirds are a great great band and NZ should be proud of them.
Muesli711
Utterly brilliant song.
Gregory Pullar
Love the off beat guitar picking in the background , Great song, should have been a world wide hit.
Marina Aragão
Maravilhosa!!!
Robert Francis
When this song came out I was in the middle of an infatuation with someone who was unobtainable but who would indeed visit occasionally. So when i heard this song it knocked me for a six. Lol. So pleased to hear it again, and revisit those bitter sweet feelings. Isn't life grand :)
joy richie
Yes, this song stirs bittersweet feelings for me too. Also grateful to be at home right now listening to great music; life is indeed grand!
Jade Giles-Nash
I just love this song.
WHUFC71
I have been looking for this video for years. I remember hearing this song when it first came out and went and bought the single. Top tune from a top band.