Bird on a Wire

Leonard Cohen

About Bird on a Wire

Bird on a Wire is a 1990 American action comedy film starring Mel Gibson and Goldie Hawn, directed by John Badham, and shot mainly in British Columbia, Canada. The title refers to the Leonard Cohen song "Bird on the Wire". The alley motorcycle chase scene was filmed in Victoria's Chinatown, in Fan Tan Alley.


Year:
2007
3:26
59 
#1

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Like a bird on the wire
Like a drunk in a midnight choir
I have tried in my way to be free

Like a worm on a hook
Like a knight from some old-fashioned book
I have saved all my ribbons for thee
If I, if I have been unkind
I hope that you can just let it go by
If I, if I have been untrue
I hope you know it was never to you

For like a baby, stillborn
Like a beast with his horn
I have torn everyone who reached out for me
But I swear by this song
And by all that I have done wrong
I will make it all up to thee

I saw a beggar leaning on his wooden crutch
He said to me, "you must not ask for so much"
And a pretty woman leaning in her darkened door
She cried to me, "hey, why not ask for more?"
Oh, like a bird on the wire
Like a drunk in a midnight choir
I have tried in my way to be free

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Leonard Cohen

Leonard Norman Cohen, (September 21, 1934- November 7, 2016) CC GOQ, was a Canadian singer-songwriter, musician, poet, and novelist. His work often explored religion, isolation, sexuality, and interpersonal relationships. Cohen was inducted into the American Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and both the Canadian Music Hall of Fame and the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame. He was also a Companion of the Order of Canada, the nation's highest civilian honour. In 2011 Cohen received Prince of Asturias Award for literature. more »

30 fans

Written by: Leonard Cohen

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


13 facts about this song

Song Origin
"Bird on a Wire" was written by Leonard Cohen in 1968. He was inspired to write the song in Hydra, a Greek Island, when he saw a bird on a newly installed telephone wire.
Powerful Imagery
The song is symbolically rich and great with visually enticing lyrics. It has poetic imageries, which has often been likened to psalms, a feature that characterizes Leonard Cohen's works.
Release Record
The song appeared as track #3 on his second album, 'Songs From a Room,' released in 1969.
Performances
Since then, it's been one of the most frequently performed songs by Cohen during his live performances.
Income
The song was not a chart-topping hit for Cohen. Yet, its numerous covers have made it one of his most income-generating pieces, due to copyright earnings.
Surprising Cover
One of the most notable covers of the song was done by American country singer Johnny Cash. This proved Leonard Cohen's versatility as a songwriter and the dynamic nature of his songs.
Movie
The song was also the title for a Tony Palmer 1974 documentary on Cohen.
Musical Transcriptions
Sheet music for the song was first published in 'Songs From a Room: Songbook' in 1969.
Cover Versions
“Bird on a Wire” has been covered by more than 200 artists in various languages. Some renowned artists who covered the song include Joe Cocker, Willie Nelson, and Rufus Wainwright apart from Johnny Cash.
Live Recordings
There are many live versions of "Bird on a Wire." One of the famous ones is from the 1973 "Leonard Cohen: Live Songs." There's also the rendition from his 1979 tour, released on his 2001 album "Field Commander Cohen."
Honorable Tribute
American singer-songwriter k.d. lang covered "Bird on a Wire" and performed it at Leonard Cohen's induction into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2006.
Health Connection
Cohen once stated that the song is a reminder to himself, as someone suffering from severe depression, to stay resilient like the bird on the wire and not let the circumstances drag him down.
Quoting Cohen
Leonard Cohen once described the song as a 'country song' and stated that it was a simple song, but became increasingly complicated due to the many cover versions.

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