In 1978, A&M Records released Tim Curry's debut solo album. Entitled Read My Lips, the album featured an eclectic range of songs (mostly covers) performed in diverse genre. Highlights of the album are a reggae version of the Beatles song "I Will", a rendition of "Wake Nicodemus" with full bagpipe backing, and an original bar-room ballad, "Alan".
The following year, Curry's second and most successful album was released. Titled Fearless, the LP was more rock-oriented than Read My Lips and mostly featured original songs rather than cover versions. The record included Tim Curry's only US charting songs: "I Do the Rock" and "Paradise Garage".
Curry's third and final album, Simplicity, was released in 1981, again by A&M Records. This record did not sell as well as the previous offerings, due in part to a less appealing, more maudlin sound. This record combined both original songs and cover versions, and is commonly held to be the weakest of the three albums.
In 1989, A&M released The Best of Tim Curry on CD and cassette, featuring songs from his albums (including a live version of "Alan") and a previously-unreleased song, a live cover version of "Simple Twist of Fate".
Curry toured America with his band through the late 1970s and the first half of the 1980s.
Curry's first full-time role was as part of the original London cast of the musical Hair in 1968. Here he first met Richard O'Brien, who went on to create his next full-time and perhaps still most famous role, that of Frank N. Furter in the Rocky Horror Show.
Originally Curry rehearsed the character with a German accent and peroxide blonde hair, but the character evolved into the sly, very upper-class English (He says 'dine' instead of down, 'brine' instead of brown etc) drag-wearing mad scientist incarnation that carried over to the movie version and made Curry both a star and a cult figure. He continued to play the character in London, Los Angeles and New York until 1975.
For many years, Curry was reluctant to talk about Rocky Horror, feeling that it was a trend that had gone too far and had distracted attention away from his later roles. However, in recent years he has been much more open about discussing the show and now recognises it as a "rite of passage" for many young people.
Birds of a Feather
Tim Curry Lyrics
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Birds of a feather flock together, yes they do, Yes!
My voluptuary bird of paradise, I fold your wings,
I won't think twice.
If the pleasures of the flesh could transcend,
Then ecstasy would be my end
Don't be contrite, let's take flight!
Strutting peacock, with azure plumes,
Come in into my cage, I mean my room!
Birds of a feather flock together, yes they do, yes!
Birds of a feather flock together, yes they do, yes!
It's intoxicating for me to fantasize like this,
I'd rather be anywhere than this flea-bitten dive.
A funky motel room with a kleig light outside
A Lincoln laying rubber, spraying gravel at the door.
Don't be contrite, let's take flight!
I might not feel this need again.
Swaggering tough, with youth's cruel bloom,
Come in into my cage, I mean my room!
Birds of a feather flock together, yes they do, yes!
Birds of a feather flock together, yes they do, yes!
We're from the same jungle
Our existence depends on our underhanded games.
There's no money in the mattress,
No release for your veins.
We're just two jive street fighters, so don't complain.
Don't be contrite, let's take flight!
I might not feel this sane again.
Alley commando, denim dragoon,
Come into my rage, I mean my room!
Birds of a feather flock together, yes they do, yes!
Birds of a feather flock together, yes they do, yes!
I'm not worth a damn,
Lost in the stars.
A roamer's flesh, watering eyes,
Your smoldering reckless,
So insinuating, I'm a victim of passion,
A vapid melting bruise, falling bewildered
Birds of a feather, falling bewildered
The song "Birds of a Feather" by Tim Curry is a sensual and somewhat dark exploration of the human desire for companionship and pleasure. The repeated refrain "Birds of a feather flock together" suggests that people are drawn to others who are similar to them, while also implying that these relationships may not necessarily be healthy or positive. The lyrics describe a longing for physical intimacy and connection, as well as a sense of desperation and uncertainty about whether these desires can ever truly be fulfilled.
In the first verse, the singer addresses his "voluptuary bird of paradise," a metaphorical representation of a lover or object of desire. He speaks of folding the bird's wings, indicating a desire to possess and control it. He acknowledges that the pleasures of the flesh are seductive, but also fleeting and potentially dangerous. In the second verse, the singer describes a seedy motel room and a sense of disenchantment with his surroundings. He seems to be searching for something more meaningful and fulfilling than the temporary pleasures of a one-night stand. In the final verse, the singer talks about the harsh realities of life, including the necessity of deception and manipulation in order to survive. He invites a "denim dragoon" into his room, suggesting a continued reliance on physical intimacy as a means of escape.
Overall, the song is a complex exploration of the human desire for connection and the fear of being alone, as well as the darker side of these impulses. The repeated refrain is a reminder that while we are drawn to others who are like us, this can lead to both pleasure and pain.
Line by Line Meaning
Birds of a feather flock together, yes they do, Yes!
People with similar characteristics tend to stick together.
Birds of a feather flock together, yes they do, yes!
People with similar characteristics tend to stick together.
My voluptuary bird of paradise, I fold your wings, I won't think twice.
I am taking control of the situation and not looking back.
If the pleasures of the flesh could transcend, Then ecstasy would be my end
If physical pleasures could last forever, I would never leave this state of happiness.
Don't be contrite, let's take flight! I might not feel this open again.
Let's enjoy this moment without guilt because I may not experience this freedom again.
Strutting peacock, with azure plumes, Come in into my cage, I mean my room!
You are showing off your beauty and I want you to come into my life.
It's intoxicating for me to fantasize like this, I'd rather be anywhere than this flea-bitten dive.
I love these fantasies and they take me away from my undesirable reality.
A funky motel room with a kleig light outside A Lincoln laying rubber, spraying gravel at the door.
I am imagining a flashy and exciting environment for us to be in.
Swaggering tough, with youth's cruel bloom, Come in into my cage, I mean my room!
You are young and full of life, and I want you to be a part of mine.
We're from the same jungle Our existence depends on our underhanded games.
We are both from a rough background and must resort to dishonesty to survive.
There's no money in the mattress,No release for your veins.
We have nothing to our name, and there's no escape from our struggles.
We're just two jive street fighters, so don't complain.
We are survivors and shouldn't waste our energy on complaining.
Alley commando, denim dragoon, Come into my rage, I mean my room!
You are tough and resilient, and I want you to be a part of my life.
I'm not worth a damn, Lost in the stars. A roamer's flesh, watering eyes, Your smoldering reckless, So insinuating, I'm a victim of passion, A vapid melting bruise, falling bewildered
I am consumed by my passion for you and it is making me reckless, but I feel helpless to stop it.
Birds of a feather, falling bewildered
We are lost and confused, unsure of what our future holds.
Lyrics © CAROLE POPE D/B/A JOAN TONE MUSIK
Written by: CAROLE POPE, KEVAN STAPLES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind