Andrew's line where he sings about the best lacking all conviction is a reference to 20th-century Irish poet W. B. Yeats’s warning of the oncoming bloodshed of the World Wars: "Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold; Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world, the blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere the ceremony of innocence is drowned; *The best lack all conviction*, while the worst are full of passionate intensity." Andrew Bird has to be one of the most well-read artists on the indie scene today and certainly doesn’t shy away from using his beautiful vocabulary in his songwriting. He’s a class all his own.

@a42762085

Жыл бұрын

👏👏👏

@maureenharrison6170

Жыл бұрын

Unlike anything else. I am blessesd and scared all at once. There is enough love to go around

@TylerCGore

10 ай бұрын

The poem is "The Second Coming" by Yeats. Written during interesting times, and now we're living in interesting times again. And the reference to "Catalonia" is the Spanish Civil War in the 1930s, where many foreign nationals (Hemingway and Orwell among them) went to fight against Franco, the fascist dictator of Spain. "Homage to Catalonia" is George Orwell's memoir of his involvement.

@neveenhelmy6021

5 күн бұрын

thanks for the clarification

I mean how can andrew bird not be your favorite artist at this point

@gabelogan56

5 жыл бұрын

I'll never forget I bought Mysterious Production of Eggs in Record Town in the mall when it came out.. I picked it up randomly because of the cover art. When I heard the snippet of Nervous Tic Motion on the store's headphones I was like "damn, I've never heard anything quite as odd and rich as this." Since that time I've introduced so many people who've become big fans. Though admittedly many more people have found him now without my aid. ha. Bird=Legendary

@roxart

5 жыл бұрын

yes

@surferblue78

5 жыл бұрын

22 years and counting...

@MichaelGrey11

5 жыл бұрын

Right? Genius

@susannemcarlisle

4 жыл бұрын

No shit, honey! I just found out he's in New Orleans the 28th of April and I'm happy dancing. Finally, I get to see him in person.

This song feels like hearing Picasso's painting of Guernica. Very powerful message.

@HB-xw6im

4 жыл бұрын

Lillian Sanders yesssss!!!!!! Amazing

@charliefleener1409

4 жыл бұрын

How rude. Don't insult a musician you don't know. He's a really good guy and just want people to hear his music and enjoy it.

@abacate4492

3 жыл бұрын

@@charliefleener1409 actually that comment was praising the music

@NinaWTF

2 жыл бұрын

@@abacate4492 maybe they don't like Picasso that much lol

Such a dire warning shrouded in a very casual, non-threatening song. A fantastic parallel to what is happening right now both melodically and lyrically.

@windowsforvista

5 жыл бұрын

James Dean check out his old song Beware - same idea of dire warning in a cute song

@ki4gmb

5 жыл бұрын

@@windowsforvista I have, and it's amazing.

@kamm6001

Жыл бұрын

and its still happening :/

I want to pour this song in a rocks glass and drink it slowly.

@gabelogan56

5 жыл бұрын

Precisely.

@DDJ81

5 жыл бұрын

Doin that rn thank you😂

@christophebeaumont3556

5 жыл бұрын

Dan T the hell is your Problem with this comment?

@DDJ81

5 жыл бұрын

@@danthompson5264 yeah Dan you've got some fuckin problems dude 😁 your like the kid in school that's really fucking weird and no body wants to help ya cause you don't want help. Your parents probably think your shit too😂 love this song

@diogomartinho8303

5 жыл бұрын

you have it in bottle, it's called Johnnie Walker !

The most underrated artist of all times

To me the most important verse of the song has to be "Catalonia in 1936". If you have time read George Orwell's book "Homage to Catalonia". Its his eye witness account of the Spanish civil war, which was a posturing ground for WWII. The amount of disinformation being spread led to no one being able to trust each other. He went to dinner one night with a comrade and the very next morning the allied militias they were members of declared each other "Fascist spies". 12 hours or so after enjoying dinner together they were literally shooting at one another. Chaos broke out in that city (which wasnt even close to the front lines), all because those militia leaders were vying for power, and the weapons they used were lies designed to make you mistrust your own friends and allies. The modern day parallel- the widening gap between left and right. The distrust between everyday people just because of who you voted for. Both side believing that the other is fundamentally immoral.

@lillieeve6969

4 жыл бұрын

Clayton Amboy thanks for the recommendation-I’ve only read 1984 but will check it out

@prrrrify

4 жыл бұрын

I think only few understand this reference (including me), so thank you for sharing this. It's exactly what's going on right now. The polarization is growing stronger everyday, we need people who see this and understand it's important to keep resisting the lies. We need bridge builders so much right now. The world can only thrive in unity.. We are all one

@neilanderson809

4 жыл бұрын

Heart Emojii

@petrapatia6395

4 жыл бұрын

"Don't you worry 'bout the wicked. Don't you envy those who do wrong let your innocents be like the dawn whhile the justice of your cause will shine like the noonday sun."

@dcny69

4 жыл бұрын

Clayton Amboy thank you for sharing

This is so powerful. "I'm keeping mine with the altruists I'm putting my weight behind the dancer I know it's hard to be an optimist When you trust least the ones who claim to have the answers"

@mr13em

4 жыл бұрын

Just curious, what does that lyric mean to you?

@mellowtron214

4 жыл бұрын

The meaning seems clear to me. Bird means that the “mainstream sense making institutions” (as Eric Weinstein has called it) are self discrediting, no longer truthful or trustworthy, if they ever were. The media, the thought leaders, the political class, the Internet, are all presenting with a kind of facade of authority, which leaves many concerned and thoughtful people rudderless, with no means to discern fact or truth from fiction or narrative. But the dancer/altruists are still telling truth through art. While the rest of the thought leaders have lost heir minds in one way or another, there is a perineal group who isn’t swayed by the political winds. That art has an intrinsic truth to it which cannot be bastardized and manipulated. In essence, when the world has lost its mind, there is still truth in art. Always was, always will be.

@s0ulvibes_

3 жыл бұрын

THIS!!!!!!!

This is the "Riders on the Storm" tune LEVEL... timeless, platinum. I think this song shows what would Psalms sound like in 'their' times, what emotional cargo is actually being carried by those ""dry, unrhymed, dull"" texts... God bless You Andrew Bird.

Bird wrote this material for 2019, but it seems even more relevant to 2020.

@abacate4492

3 жыл бұрын

it's all but bloodless now, pal

@deadbicyclist

2 жыл бұрын

...and now even more relevant in 2021.

@TdT2211

2 жыл бұрын

There is a video on the making of this song with Andrew Bird. He said he wrote it after the 2018 elections...

When he sings Catalonia...brings tears to my eyes every time. So beautiful, poetic, and political.

One of the most brilliant songs written in the 21st century

This has somehow become my favorite Andrew Bird song. Applause for always reinventing yourself, and your finest work yet!

I finally understand the meaning behind this song, sad to say.. Sends chills down my spine.

When Andrew sings: "Don't you worry 'bout the wicked; Don't you envy those who do wrong; And your innocence will be like the dawn while the justice of your cause will shine like the noonday sun." He's quoting Psalm 37 from the Bible: "Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong;" - Psalm 37:1 (NIV) "He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun." - Psalm 37:6 (NIV) Just thought that was interesting considering his reference to clergy in the video's description.

@abigahilarias4331

5 жыл бұрын

& what do you think about that? It's known well that Mr. Bird have the inclination to write songs with references from the Bible or even God. Which it's the case of Capsized, Heretics, or the album Hands of Glory. But, I don't know what he says about the religion. Did he say something about this themes in a interview?

@dannyt4663

5 жыл бұрын

Interesting! He also makes allusion to a Yeats poem, “The Second Coming.” “The best lack all conviction, while the worst are full of passionate intensity.”

@claytonamboy8834

4 жыл бұрын

The clergy misuse the bible. You can quote the bible and disagree with those that used the scriptures for personal gain.

@lillieeve6969

4 жыл бұрын

Nate Spanos fascinating!

@mrjazzadicto8254

4 жыл бұрын

Clergy and the Bible are two different things.

Has anyone else noticed that Andrew Bird's songs collectively act as an instruction booklet for the end times? Or is that just me? WELP. At least there will be snacks...

It's not too often that I am completely blown away by a song. This just did it.

"And the poets they explode like bombs,"...just wow. I have had this album since not long after its release and that lyric is one I just can't shake. Do yourself a solid everyone and buy the whole album, My Finest Work Yet. Start to finish, when I listen to this album, I feel like I am at a play that just happens to be made out of music (not a musical, it's something different). This album has joined my favorites of all-time. Thanks, Andrew Bird, on the odd chance you ever land here.

really cool, love the part in the middle

This might be the best song Andrew Bird has made.

@iodinex64

2 жыл бұрын

Perhaps even his Best Work Yet? 😏

Thanks for the remembrance of what happened in Catalonia and Spain, and in the form of such great song.

@franciscasilva8406

5 жыл бұрын

A very black and white portrait of the Spanish civil war. There was cruelty, violence, death on both sides. And the left was definitely not "principled" with all the massacres of religious people. That's war...

WOW what an incredible song!!! Thank you for the beautiful voice, the 60’s feel and the great lyrics. Why isn’t this guy big? Radio plays nothing but recycled garbage. We need more real artists 🙏

@markmartin3497

Жыл бұрын

They played this a lot on The Current in Minnesota. Awesome song.

This violin send me to Pluto every time. And I come back every time.

...brilliant as always. The violin at the end, perfection.

@emmyarellano3704

3 жыл бұрын

He has such a unique style to the way he plays his violin. Absolute perfection.❤

@sonyadrake3428

Жыл бұрын

He plays the 🎻 with Heartfelt Soul, an Awesome Music Arrangement and Musicians. 🎹🎶🎵 The Graphics Guy at my previous job introduced me to this Masterpiece!

Man basically called 2020 lol

@TdT2211

3 жыл бұрын

Damn, came back for the same reason.

@Zobot1000

3 жыл бұрын

I came here to say this but I knew in my heart it has already been said.

@carlah6234

3 жыл бұрын

right! good thing Biden is going to lose

@caffeinator1849

3 жыл бұрын

@@carlah6234 You're the kind of person he was talking about in this song, smh

@carlscott4180

3 жыл бұрын

@@caffeinator1849 You so sure? CS

Gracias por acordarte de nosotros. Un abrazo desde España.

i randomly heard this song for the first time on a radio channel... god bless the dj for identifying the artist and song! absolute ear and soul candy ! I feel profoundly grateful for receiving this musical master peice especially apt for this crazy covert 19 viral madness drama!

This is one hell of a master piece.

I was hopeless today, but not anymore

@gabelogan56

5 жыл бұрын

i'm still hopeless. But at least there's kindred spirits and good music to listen to while the ship goes down.

@growingmelancholy8374

3 жыл бұрын

Sorry for your loss

Ah, this is the song that has most summed up our current era for me. But that's not why I love it. I love it because it's such a beautifully composed and realized song. Since I've heard this I've explored much of Andrew Bird's catalogue, and he's just such an incredible songwriter and musician. He is a major and significant artist.

Thanks to Mr. Bird, for not just this beautiful song, but for making me aware of the Spanish Civil War and the frightening parallels to our contemporary realities. I would encourage anyone that is concerned with classism, personal liberties, ineffective and overreaching government, and misinformation, to spend just an hour or 2, researching the Spanish Civil War.

You have all my respects creating this song, Andrew. Greetings from Barcelona.

This song is like the mood I'm in, when a good friend died and I'm out of the only black hole this typically brings with it and melancholy and the nostalgia of the memories of good times I had with this friend ignite some small, but very dedicated flame in the middle of the darkness, where happyness can grow again.

Outstanding lyrics and of course Andrew Bird voice and instrumentation; he has an amazing vibrato!

Excellent track. Beautiful string arrangements.

Briefly had my poster signed at the symphony here in KC, MO! Felt so lucky my husband got to see him before he passed away from suicide. He fell in love w the music that night... love abd light can prevail

Been listening to Bird for almost 16 years!!! ❤️ Never stop man.

This song is getting me through some really bad times and bad circumstances 🙏🏻

Who are you Bird? You take us to the in-between space . Merging, disappearing boundar I es... Flying soaring roaming. Thank you dear, dear Mr. Bird

Absolutely gorgeous. I've just now found you.. am glad I did.

Well put Mr. Bird. Thank You!!

As if this song wasn't hitting enough already -- then come the strings. Nice.

love getting to hear new stuff so early. this is great!

Thanks for keeping the legend that is Sound City alive by recording your album there.May it live for 100 years or more! :)

Well... It just gets better and better. Andrew Bird you are my musical obsession.

So very dope and important. Thanks for making this.

Such a meaningful song and video. Great work!

Took me straight back to Laurie Lee's 'As I walked out one mid-summer morning' which I read maybe forty years ago, probably more. If you haven't read it, Laurie recounts his walk as a young man from England to Spain in the 1930's, carrying just his violin, with the backdrop of Civil War along the way. This song echoes that journey perfectly.

@JoNa98acm

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the rec!

One of my favorites artists : Andrew Bird. OUI!

the end of this song is so amazing!

This stuff is what keeps me living

Thank you Andrew, you set the bar... high and true! Bravo!

This song is so special. Andrew Bird is an amazingly talented musician.

Found this masterpiece and now a fan of this guy after stumbling into this song on the radio, listening to public radio

For some reason this tune pops up n my "Surf"-style mix. A catch tune, but I never really listened to the words until it played just now. Brilliant. How perfect for the current times.

I am getting some "Inner city blues" vibes and I love it

@santiagobenites

5 жыл бұрын

Good call.

Ahh! It's like David Axelrod and Marvin Gaye had a musical baby. I've enjoyed everything you've done, and all the genres you've hit since 06. You seem very adept at the adaptation of your own musical migration. Thanks for the music.

Living in México, I'm often a day late and a peso short. But. Wow! That's all I can say. Andrew Bird! Better late than never . . .

His musics and including this too, makes my anxiety vanish. His musics like a healer.

Well, I think it's a masterpiece. Haven't see/listen/read anything so touching and moving and thought provoking since a very long time. Bravo Monsieur Bird, all hidden Musicians and Filmmakers!

This entire album is a masterpiece! An extremely mature work! Bravo!

Very good indeed. First time I have heard this but this is proper musicians playing a proper song. Knocks the stuffing out of most stuff in the charts. Keep at it Andrew.

Possibly the ONLY song I've ever heard that references Orwell (Catalonia) 1936 and the Spanish civil war. Chomsky would be proud to hear the verses making modern day comparisons. Whether there's a direct inference to Orwell or i've implied it myself because of his book titled 'Catalonia' I still applaud the parallels. We DO have a thus far, relatively 'bloodless' war happening here in the US. Though militias and MAGA-hats are on the march, arming themselves for what they see as the coming race-war. Of course big corporations have spun it that way with Trump as carnival barker pushing racial divide and hate. Meet your neighbors, do the right thing instead of the easy thing, this country has seen many battles and it has endured, and will endure this as well.

@caffeinator1849

3 жыл бұрын

@Non Compos Mentis You're putting a false definition of being left. Being leftist is about progressive changes, not preserving the current status quo. By your definition, conservatism is hypocritical because their "values" are not original.

Beautiful master piece!!

Oh my. This is amazing.

Thanks Andrew. Beautiful work and point of view.

WTF...?!?!???? this guy, man! how he reinvents himself again and again...and then THIS!!!!!!! i dropped to my knees last night when i heard it for the first time.

@pukala1958

5 жыл бұрын

Danielle Brown Still, somehow, he never left his own, unique track. He evolves, fed by his heritage.

You are a really brilliant Artist. Merci.

A wondeful musician with his very own style

Espectacular!!!!

Profound, intense, relevant and affecting. And as it happens, great music too! An anthem and a prayer.

watching thr past few months and returning to this song. Even more prescient than 5 years ago- i fear the worst...

Love, LOVE LOVE , got that Thievery Corporation vibe 💜💜💜😎

That is ridiculously good!!

Gorgeous video & song shot in my favorite city.

excellent song, even more poignant message. Thank you for this, Mr. Bird

Gracias, Andrew, por algo tan maravilloso. Muchas gracias.

The band is going to blow up. Great sound, keep it up.

Ah! How exciting - new Andrew Bird music in my feed!

Wow simply beautiful...!

i Love it - Thx. . waituing to by the next CD

"Bloodless" debuted at #28 on the New Alternative 40 Chart this week!

@gabelogan56

5 жыл бұрын

fuck charts

@TheMouradFG

5 жыл бұрын

no one gives a shit

@plooopymops

5 жыл бұрын

Stick yer charts up yer bum.

Looks like music is finally finding the heart that brought us the best of the sixties.

Dude I can't believe I missed this song for two years. It came up random on my Timber Timbre Pandora Station.

Te conoci por Spotify y la verdad no me arrepiento ... CRAAACKK 👏👏👏👏

josh kiszka listened to this so i am too

@nmfilmarts5764

4 жыл бұрын

Sameee Haha his music taste is awesome

@applemartell9587

4 жыл бұрын

same

@mellowtron214

4 жыл бұрын

Who

Nice vibe - love it!

Absolutely beautiful💖!

My god. Marvin Gaye's ghost just visited Andrew Bird. This is incredible.

Amazing Song !!!!!!!

How this song is not playing everywhere can not be explained

If we don't all wake up, we can't even begin to know how prescient this is. Kudos Andrew!

Very powerful tracks. Everything I like is in it, a message, a voice, a melody, an orchestration and a real good feeling.

Thank you josh Kiszka for sharing this 🙌

Beautiful video. :)

How this did not get picked up and played all over is a mystery to me…..utter brilliance

Great work!

So clean... Love the groove.. Love the scripture. Peace & Blessings

I LOVE THIS SONG SO MUCH!!

Great tune. Covering some new sonic territory with the piano and all.