I'm not the tiger you never had
I'm not the first hit when you got it bad
I'm not your second, I'm not your third
But I'll be your bird

I'm not your Chesnutt
I'm not your Mould
I'm not your DJ on late night radio
I'll be the first one to ask where you were
I'll be your bird

Then when there's no one to care
I could protect like I've always been there
I'll become your bear

I'll sing statistics and hide the truth
I'll tell your dad anything you want me to
I'll hide your locket under the dirt
I'll be your bird



Lyrics submitted by girlboyrevolt

Track duration: 02:54


I'll Be Yr Bird song meanings
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19 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment:I'm reading over these lyrics again and listening to the song. I'm pretty sure the first line is I'm not the tiger HE never had. If I'm right, then I'm not sure who that refers to or why...
    Flag peacemaz91on April 11, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:"I'm not the tiger you never had
    I'm not the first hit when you got it bad
    I'm not your second, I'm not your third
    But I'll be your bird"

    you know how people turn to music to soothe them and crap when things are going rough
    well, in the first stanza i think "first" really means first "hit" (like hit song)
    basically he's saying you go through a couple of songs then you look for me for comfort
    referring to himself as a bird, like a pet
    a bird sings, it tweets, and when this gal is down, and the hit singles that make her happy are not doing it's job, she then turns to him. he possibly even does sing to her.

    tiger can mean, "hunk".
    so he's like i'm not the hunk you never had, you may not come to me first when your having a rough day
    or second
    or third
    but i'll be hear and sing your sorrow away.

    "I'm not your Chesnutt
    I'm not your Mould
    I'm not your DJ on late night radio
    I'll be the first one to ask where you were
    I'll be your bird"

    he then again refers to artists, whom are probably the "hits'" song writers, and to the radio dj, who plays these songs
    "I'll be the first one to ask where you were"
    is sort of like telling this girl that, unlike these songs (not human beings), he'll worry about what's wrong, or what is happening because he cares for her, he feels for her

    "Then when there's no one to care
    I could protect like I've always been there
    I'll become your bear"

    let's face it, music my help us feel better, but it is nothing compared to the human touch and interaction
    right here is relevant to the previous stanza
    he's telling her he going to be there, no matter what, physically or in spirit
    protecting her like a bear
    and also like a teddy bear, something she can hold and tell everything to because all a teddy bear does is listen

    "I'll sing statistics and hide the truth
    I'll tell your dad anything you want me to
    I'll hide your locket under the dirt
    I'll be your bird "

    i guest this verse reflects more on him
    i dont know what statistics can mean
    but i feel like "and hide the truth"
    means, he'll never tell her how he really feels

    i think he's making a reference on how he can be her diary
    something she can confide to



    but either way, basically, he's all these things in this girl's room

    i dont know.
    the last stanza just messes up my groove.
    Flag catomaniacon February 13, 2011   Link
  • -1
    General Comment:I think the bird imagery has to do with Bright Eyes' reference to the yellow bird, not that it's the same, but I think the meaning and symbolism are the same.
    In "We are Nowhere and it's Now" he talks about the man being an alcoholic and forgetting his yellow bird.
    Then in "Poison Oak" he talks about being rescued and he says "you're the yellow bird that I've been waiting for"
    So I think the bird and the yellow bird mean somewhat the same thing; that's how I think of it anyway.
    Flag hot1kniveson February 11, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:"-the goldheart mountaintop queen directory..."
    similar guitar. :P
    Flag Willboeon January 31, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:
    Then when there's no one to care
    I could protect like I've always been there
    I'll become your bear

    Thats true love.
    Flag socceredd12on January 03, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:He's singing about taking care of his love. Not defending her like a tiger or preventing the bad things from happening, but being there for comfort and companionship.

    The "yr" is an old term (much older than the 80's) ha. often used in the old southern gospel songs.
    to me it's always been a more personal, nicknamish way of saying "your".
    Flag JSugarhigh5on September 04, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:im with lasthour.
    and aggiewill too.
    i adore this song.
    i adore m. ward completely.
    especially the line
    "I'll tell your dad anything that you want me to"
    Flag taylor1211on March 30, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Definitely a love song. To me, anyway.

    I think it's about love late(r) in life. Because although he isn't her first love, he still wants to be something special to her. Not your second, not your third, I'll be your bird...
    Flag lasthouron December 18, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:So is this a lovesong?
    Flag milk_and_honeyon October 03, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:There's this song called 'Making Whoopee' and it has the same notes. I heard it instrumentally on the television tonight. I also saw a video on youtube and I'm so far convinced they share notes/beats.

    Anyone know what I am talking about?
    Flag Abex22on August 15, 2007   Link

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