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It's A Beautiful Day — White Bird
Album: It's A Beautiful Day
Avg rating:
7.1

Your rating:
Total ratings: 3745









Released: 1968
Length: 6:04
Plays (last 30 days): 3
White bird
In a golden cage
On a winter's day
In the rain

White bird
In a golden cage
Alone

The leaves blow
Across the long black road
To the darkened skies
In its rage

But the white bird
Just sits in her cage
Unknown

White bird must fly
Or she will die

White bird
Dreams of the aspen trees
With their dying leaves
Turning gold

But the white bird
Just sits in her cage
Growing old

White bird must fly
Or she will die
White bird must fly
Or she will die

The sunsets come, the sunsets go
The clouds roll by, and the earth turns old
And the young bird's eyes do always glow

And she must fly
She must fly
She must fly

White bird
In a golden cage
On a winter's day
In the rain

White bird
In a golden cage
Alone

White bird must fly
Or she will die
White bird must fly
Or she will die
White bird must fly!
Comments (589)add comment
 phemenwa wrote:

Start Trek Episode. Can't recall which one.  Later in the episode Spock jams with them.  Cool guitar design.


Have you watched the video of Leonard Nimoy sing the Bilbo Baggins song? I think it's pretty awesome and would like to think he held the series close to heart as I did.
As soon as I hear the first few seconds of this song it brings a smile to my face.
I love this album.
It is up there with Surrealistic Pillow, Legend by Bob Marley, Deja Vu by Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young, Book Ends by Simon & Garfunkel, Patti Smith's Wave, Nick Drake Pink Moon, and more.
The first time I listened to Radio Paradise in the early 2000s this song played within the first hour and I thought - any radio station that plays It's A Beautiful Day is a pretty good place to hang out.
Thanks
 Sebec wrote:

It should be noted that Linda LaFlamme, co-founder of It's A Beautiful Day passed away on October 23, 2024.  She cowrote "White Bird" but did not sing on it.  She was 85.



It should be noted that Linda LaFlamme, co-founder of It's A Beautiful Day passed away on October 23, 2024.  She cowrote "White Bird" but did not sing on it.  She was 85.
 joejennings wrote:



Cool!! GREAT TUNE!!  I was 14 when this was released. WNEW FM 102.7 NYC played this often, Allison Steele, their late night DJ  played it a lot!  Thanx RP!  

For us, at the east end of Connecticut, it was WHCN in Hartford.
 Highlowsel wrote:

Oh man does this blow me back.  Waaaaay back. 

Univ of Maryland, College Park campus, circa.....well...I won't go there but let's just say this tune was about 5 years old then.  I'm interviewing for a DJ position for the campus radio station.  It was an itty bitty station...something like a watt or two (heh)...and the campus sat (still sits) on the northern DC, Maryland border.  I'm sitting there in all my "long hair" finery being interviewed by the mgr....

"So...," he says somewhat snarkily...."If I was to tell you give me a tune involving birds and lots of air what would you pick."  

"White Bird," says me.  I get the job, first on the very late night "follow the earlier guy who's spent most of the time interviewing local musicians," stage, then better air time later.  And need I say there was always a certain kind of smelly cloud aroma in the air whenever I'd come in?  Hey...it was College...anyone (else) still have brain-cells and remember those days?  Probably not all that much different from today.  

Anyway...this tune paved the way for my college DJ career for the next couple of years.  The career didn't take as I went a different way from there with my life.  But this pulls me back to those times.  Ahhh White Bird, them's were very good days indeed.  

Highlow
American Net'Zen


Back in the 70s/80s, in their promos, the MIT student radio station (WMBR) used to say, "The station with less power than your toaster."

It's a beautiful day, so more Renaissance should follow, please!
The first time I listened to Radio Paradise some 20 years ago or so this song was on. As soon as I heard that I thought - any radio station that played songs like this have my ear.

I do have a problem with some of the repetition of some of the catalogue of songs. 
Jack Kerouac, Alan Watts were my early psychedelic teachers of that days in southern France. The last one is it till today!
I only rate this a 10, because higher numbers are not available. You’re kicking it this afternoon, Bill - more power to your elbow! pxd, Pollença by way of London
 Highlowsel wrote:

Oh man does this blow me back.  Waaaaay back. 

Univ of Maryland, College Park campus, circa.....well...I won't go there but let's just say this tune was about 5 years old then.  I'm interviewing for a DJ position for the campus radio station.  It was an itty bitty station...something like a watt or two (heh)...and the campus sat (still sits) on the northern DC, Maryland border.  I'm sitting there in all my "long hair" finery being interviewed by the mgr....

"So...," he says somewhat snarkily...."If I was to tell you give me a tune involving birds and lots of air what would you pick."  

"White Bird," says me.  I get the job, first on the very late night "follow the earlier guy who's spent most of the time interviewing local musicians," stage, then better air time later.  And need I say there was always a certain kind of smelly cloud aroma in the air whenever I'd come in?  Hey...it was College...anyone (else) still have brain-cells and remember those days?  Probably not all that much different from today.  

Anyway...this tune paved the way for my college DJ career for the next couple of years.  The career didn't take as I went a different way from there with my life.  But this pulls me back to those times.  Ahhh White Bird, them's were very good days indeed.  

Highlow
American Net'Zen



I live in Arlington near DC and it sounds like you were a cool DJ.
 the_jake wrote:

I remember that hotel.  
A few years later, I worked for a large construction company in Denver.
They had a project to reconstruct the I-25 / I-70 interchange.
The gold dome and the rest of the hotel were leveled for the project.
 
Like this song.  Good memories.  
Star Trek pic fits right in.


I had just moved to Denver in 1981 but I think the Regency was there for a few years more. Went there once for some conference or show. Can't remember now. Sorry I missed IBD there, probably little advertised. Definitely would have gone to see them. Why is Taylor Swift a billionairess and these guys in oblivion except places like RP. Long live RP and great music of all genres.  
Let the smartasses say what they will: I dig this tune.
 Highlowsel wrote:

Oh man does this blow me back.  Waaaaay back. 

Univ of Maryland, College Park campus, circa.....well...I won't go there but let's just say this tune was about 5 years old then.  I'm interviewing for a DJ position for the campus radio station.  It was an itty bitty station...something like a watt or two (heh)...and the campus sat (still sits) on the northern DC, Maryland border.  I'm sitting there in all my "long hair" finery being interviewed by the mgr....

"So...," he says somewhat snarkily...."If I was to tell you give me a tune involving birds and lots of air what would you pick."  

"White Bird," says me.  I get the job, first on the very late night "follow the earlier guy who's spent most of the time interviewing local musicians," stage, then better air time later.  And need I say there was always a certain kind of smelly cloud aroma in the air whenever I'd come in?  Hey...it was College...anyone (else) still have brain-cells and remember those days?  Probably not all that much different from today.  

Anyway...this tune paved the way for my college DJ career for the next couple of years.  The career didn't take as I went a different way from there with my life.  But this pulls me back to those times.  Ahhh White Bird, them's were very good days indeed.  

Highlow
American Net'Zen



If it were in the '70's I may have been smelling that certain kinda smelly cloud aroma with you.
Yes, from what I, too, remember those were fun days.
Some days, I sorta remember, the rest, maybe most, went up in smoke though. 
Thank you, Bill, for not letting the White Bird die,,,,,
Never did like this song.

Don’t hate me, ya hairy hippy, you!
Freshman year of college in 1972.  And I still don't tire of hearing it.
This is a marginally tolerable tune played far too often here.  I held my tongue the first 4000 times, but really, it is horrid.
 
My brother brought this album home in 1969. Thanks brother Jerry!
 rhiangalthie wrote:

How is this only a 7?




IDK? GREAT TUNE!!  I gave it a TEN!  ThanxRP!
 ExpatLarry wrote:

I was ten-yrs-old in a duplex in East Rochester,NY when this came out. Transistor radio on low in bed stuff.




Cool!! GREAT TUNE!!  I was 14 when this was released. WNEW FM 102.7 NYC played this often, Allison Steele, their late night DJ  played it a lot!  Thanx RP!  
I was ten-yrs-old in a duplex in East Rochester,NY when this came out. Transistor radio on low in bed stuff.
How is this only a 7?
  Sometimes I can't tell if I'm listening to RP or my own Playlist.....
https://youtube.com/playlist?l...
 Highlowsel wrote:

<snip, snip>

Oh man does this blow me back.  Waaaaay back. 

Univ of Maryland, College Park campus, circa.....well...I won't go there but let's just say this tune was about 5 years old then.  I'm interviewing for a DJ position for the campus radio station.  It was an itty bitty station...something like a watt or two (heh)...and the campus sat (still sits) on the northern DC, Maryland border. 

...  

But this pulls me back to those times.  Ahhh White Bird, them's were very good days indeed.  

Highlow
American Net'Zen


Ha!  I was a DJ, then program director, for WARP, 91.7 FM, "The voice of Erskine College students."  

Our faculty advisor suggested we ALWAYS say "students" to clearly separate ourselves from Admin types and any perception that what aired was an official communication.  We kept the door locked to avoid any innocents from inhaling the broadcast studio's fog.  Several times a year, the on-air DJ would go outside to the bathroom, and the auto-closing door would lock behind them.

Very good days, indeed!
First heard this on Art Bell, Somewhere In Time. 
still not convinced this isn't another Psychedelic version of Spinal Tap.
Tired, dated, and trilly. I never tire of not hearing this. 🤮
Of course I listened to this until there were little black curly bits of vinyl next to the turntable but now I'm just trying to get my big toe to fit inside the trigger guard...
"White Bird" and "It's Natures Way"-- staples of the new "Album Rock", "Progressive Radio", "College Rock" FM radio of the 70's. Had to play these to be hip back then. Was it the beginning of "Nice but you can't dance to it" rock?

Does evoke memories. Weed, cheap wine...


Both a 1 and a 10 at the same time.  I adore it most days.
Reminds me of the Spinal Tap hippie phase... 
What's with all the screechy instruments this set?
 Lyndont wrote:
1968 is only just 2nd to 1967 as the best music year ever in my view. Probably something to do with my age!
 
I have to agree.  1967 was the best new music year ever and 1968 would be next.

So Cal. Living at the beach in what is now called The OC in those times.  Maybe the best years of my life, too, I would have to say.
 debbiel wrote:
Learned something today...always thought this was Jefferson Airplane  

So did I !!!
Learned something today...always thought this was Jefferson Airplane  
GODLIKE!!!  ICONIC!!!  When this came out, WNEW FM 102.7 NYC, used to play it a lot. It is even better now in FLAC w/ great studio phones, amp & DAC. Thank You RP!  

That's what I like so much about RP; once in a while you suddenly hear a
hidden gem, that for some reason you never heard before.

Keep on doing this Bill!

 phemenwa wrote:

Start Trek Episode. Can't recall which one.  Later in the episode Spock jams with them.  Cool guitar design.


As I recall, "Spock" had some fine licks!
1969, what a year.  Such a shame that the spirit of that year fizzled by the mid-1970s.
One of the best album covers ever
 jtrevolutions99 wrote:



The "Good Ol' Boys" They play Country and Western


yeah, they got both kinds,
they got 'Country'... 
and  'Western'
 dmcanany wrote:


For the ignorant here, what IS that?



It's Space Hippies from the Original Star Trek
 zepher wrote:




The "Good Ol' Boys" They play Country and Western
 jmsmy wrote:

I don't understand why anyone would want to put a bird in a cage. Sad.




So it doesn't shit all over your divan of course. 
 zepher wrote:



For the ignorant here, what IS that?
 On_The_Beach wrote:

Maxfield Parrish - Ecstasy - 1929


Yes, exactly. (Though the original art is clearly better than the copy). 
 zepher wrote:



Headin' out to Eden, man.
One of only a small handful of jewels I consider a firm 9. I suppose it helps that I enjoyed this song at 13 as much I enjoy it more than half a century  later.  I can't fathom for the life of me how RP listeners see less than a 7 here. Must be an age thing.
Got the half-speed mastered vinyl vershun, still sounds godlike all these years later
A college radio staple of the 70's. We would sit around and toke while listening. 
 Proclivities wrote:
 

 There are plenty of contemporary artists to whom vocal harmony is very important; maybe you're just not listening in the right places.

My wife and I were listening to this in the car recently. She had never heard the song (at her age!!). When it was over I put it on repeat, and when that was over we listened again and sang with it. Then we spent the next 20 minutes or so talking about the vocals. (We're both performance singers--her barber shop and me liturgical.)

For much of the song there is no "harmony"--it's just David and Patti singing the same note with their different timbres. Every now and then she splits off to go up a third and track with him. Regardless, it's a fabulous effect. One of my all-time favorites from WHFS.
 zepher wrote:




Bordering on parody of a late 60's song. 
I don't understand why anyone would want to put a bird in a cage. Sad.
This is SO groovy!!!  I've always loved this album. In fact I'm gonna go play it right now!
 KeithBrofsky wrote:
During the summer of 1981, I worked in a B-rate hotel in Denver (The Regency... by I-25 & I-70... it had an ugly gold dome in front). Anyway, this band came to play in the dome and no one showed. It was us bellman cheering them on, in what was a lovely performance. I felt so bad for them! After the show, I chatted with the band members, apologizing for the poor turnout. I mentioned they might want a new manager. They seemed a bit resigned... understandably. 
 
I remember that hotel.  
A few years later, I worked for a large construction company in Denver.
They had a project to reconstruct the I-25 / I-70 interchange.
The gold dome and the rest of the hotel were leveled for the project.
 
Like this song.  Good memories.  
Star Trek pic fits right in.
This tune reminds me of listening to 101.5 Radio free Madison in 1972 when I was 14. A great tune then and a great tune now.
At least the chick in the picture is hot.
 brendasistrom wrote:
Another of the tracks from the Soundtrack Of My Life--"White Bird" is one of the most evocative songs from my college years. Decades later, when my suitemates & I gather for our biennial reunions, we play this and are immediately 18 again, with all the promise of life ahead of us. Ahhhh; sweetness.
 

I know the feeling.  Big Daddy on KMPX. Be Inns. Panhandle.
 zepher wrote:

 

Back when the future was groovy. man
The Wikipedia link the from RP sidebar brings you to the webpage for... "it"... the pronoun.
 zepher wrote:

 
Start Trek Episode. Can't recall which one.  Later in the episode Spock jams with them.  Cool guitar design.
During the summer of 1981, I worked in a B-rate hotel in Denver (The Regency... by I-25 & I-70... it had an ugly gold dome in front). Anyway, this band came to play in the dome and no one showed. It was us bellman cheering them on, in what was a lovely performance. I felt so bad for them! After the show, I chatted with the band members, apologizing for the poor turnout. I mentioned they might want a new manager. They seemed a bit resigned... understandably. 
 zepher wrote:

 
Dude on the left is thinkin' "Mom was right; shoulda kept my day job".
I never could understand why someone would cage a animal and call it a pet.
 TheGolfster wrote:

Go back to hole you crawled out from.
 

Golfster? Must be Donald Trump!
Maybe it's more nostalgia than anything why I like this song so much, since the song is so simple and obvious in its "symbolism" and I was only a teenager when I first heard it. But it's the minimalism of it that makes it so good. It doesn't over-do the metaphor, and instead brings up the dramatic effect through the intensity of the singing as the song progresses, along with the instrumentation. A really well-done emotional ditty about inhibition/suppression/oppression. 
I rated this nice and high. Timing is everything, an other time or day it might only be a 7, but I needed this. Saw this band once with Mountain and one other band (who I wish I could remember Grand Funk, BTO..?) at a State fair.
This is the song Spinal Tap was listening to when they wrote Listen to the Flower People.
I could rate this a 1 and a 10 at the same time.  If no-one's listening, like today, it gets a 10...
In 1982, I worked at a funky, dated hotel in Denver. They had a small ballroom and these guys and gals played there one weekend. I always loved this song, and we bellmen were there like loyal fans. Problem was, nobody else was. I felt terrible for them. There were like 7 people in the audience. I went up to them after the show, apologizing for the hotel, blaming that on the lousy turnout. I remember the response was, 'yeah... we're kinda used to it'. Sniff.
When this came out, Allison Steele, "the Night Bird" (late night DJ) On WNEW FM, 102.7, NYC, used to play this a lot! ...great tune!
 zepher wrote:

 
Kirk was such a Herbert.
Black bird must die or it will fly. 
PSD
This is reminding me of Jefferson Airplane and Air.
 lizardking wrote:
I made a comment on this one about 10 years ago, which happened to start a friendship with a fellow RPster...music is AWESOME as a way to get to know someone, as well as a memory conjuring device.  Since I was not born when this record came out I had to enjoy playing it and thinking about how much fun my mom and dad had back in the 60's.  Nonetheless, this track (and "Hot Summer's Day") still garner 10 ratings from me.

LONG LIVE RP!


 

We have something in common . . . I also commented on this ten years ago!

Maxfield Parrish - Ecstasy - 1929
To think of all the great art and music inspired by the Vietnam War.
 zepher wrote:

 
YES! I had completely forgot about this episode on Star Trek, but this song totally nails this scene. In a very good way! Love it!
 idiot_wind wrote:
Once saw this band open for Nazareth.  They got booed and only played a short set. RnR crowds can be mean.

"Now your're messing with a son of b...".
 
Wow, this and Nazareth. Who the hell thought would work as a concert?

We used to make fun of this at Boy Scout Camp when it came out but it sounds great now.
I remember seeing these guys at the Bath Blues Festival in 1970! Blown away! Went out and bought this album as soon as I got home. I no longer have the LP. Must get the CD and put ot my player.
 jmsmy wrote:
Great Song
Tree Huggers Rock
Buy some SHMP and TSLA and SAVE THE WORLD 
 
SHMP is half its value when you posted.  TSLA is down about 5% over the same period.

This is not the website for giving or receiving investment advice.  However, I agree that TREE HUGGERS ROCK!  (Are you gonna light that, man?  If not, give it to me.)
Still Awesome!
You know what?  It is indeed a beautiful day.

(Eels also has a song about beautiful days.)
 (Banned) wrote:
I love this song.  I don't care what anyone has ever said.  I don't even need to read your comments.  This song is Godlike.  
 
Agree 100%. pxd
 Proclivities wrote:

Not that it matters, but at present "Deacon Blues" is rated at "6.9", this is at "6.8".

 
Yeah, not a statistic, but how ridiculous, I agree.  This one is hardly distinguishable from the one created by JA.
They may as well just chant "I'M A HIPPIE" over and over.  Not a fan.  Far better songs from that era, IMHO.  It's a 5 from me.
 rjyasko wrote:
Yeah, I agree with the majority this time. This cut def strives for mediocrity.  Sad that SD's "Deacon Blues" rates LOWER on RP listener reviews. No accounting for taste.  Hated this drivel from the first time I heard it, as a Jr. in HS.
 
Not that it matters, but at present "Deacon Blues" is rated at "6.9", this is at "6.8".
Yeah, I agree with the majority this time. This cut def strives for mediocrity.  Sad that SD's "Deacon Blues" rates LOWER on RP listener reviews. No accounting for taste.  Hated this drivel from the first time I heard it, as a Jr. in HS.
this song played more than once in the last 30 days.  It's written once but I very well remember listening to it a few weeks ago. I even rated it. It play too often to my liking.
PSD

 jukes1 wrote:
I think we need a 0 rating option for this one.

Get on that Bill.
 
Go back to hole you crawled out from.
 scottbolten wrote:
This is one of the worst songs I ever heard, even for its time.
 

Loser.
I haven't heard this song in ages. Wow. Brings back awesome memories. What a beautiful song.
Great Song
Tree Huggers Rock
Buy some SHMP and TSLA and SAVE THE WORLD 
I think we need a 0 rating option for this one.

Get on that Bill.
This is one of the worst songs I ever heard, even for its time.
Do we need to hear it twice in a week.  Thank you skip button
 On_The_Beach wrote:
https://imagecache5.art.com/p/LRG/6/672/F3LC000Z/maxfield-parrish-mountain-ecstasy.jpg
 

 

Please.This is torture. Whatever value this song ever had has eroded with time.

Another of the tracks from the Soundtrack Of My Life--"White Bird" is one of the most evocative songs from my college years. Decades later, when my suitemates & I gather for our biennial reunions, we play this and are immediately 18 again, with all the promise of life ahead of us. Ahhhh; sweetness.
 ciarataylor wrote:
Compared to today ,well no comparison.  Harmony is not important anymore.  Music had elements of Moorish & Spanish influence, and contralto voices sound very dramatic together. Loved it in the 70's too. 

 There are plenty of contemporary artists to whom vocal harmony is very important; maybe you're just not listening in the right places.
 I'm with you. stellar times in music. we're not old, we're experienced! 

Lyndont wrote:
1968 is only just 2nd to 1967 as the best music year ever in my view. Probably something to do with my age!

 


1968 is only just 2nd to 1967 as the best music year ever in my view. Probably something to do with my age!
I still remember seeing them at Berkeley Community Theater back in the day, they put on a great show, those electric violins were pretty unique at the time.
It had to do with San Fran in 1968—and thats all I remember..lots of v good happening I think  lol!
 lizardking wrote:

I made a comment on this one about 10 years ago, which happened to start a friendship with a fellow RPster...music is AWESOME as a way to get to know someone, as well as a memory conjuring device.  Since I was not born when this record came out I had to enjoy playing it and thinking about how much fun my mom and dad had back in the 60's.  Nonetheless, this track (and "Hot Summer's Day") still garner 10 ratings from me.

LONG LIVE RP!



 
Also, shortly after 9/11 happened, when I lived in Seattle's University District, I found this LP at one of the several (now all gone) used record shops.  We hosted MANY parties at this house and my "man cave" was a single car garage setup as my office/video game area/music area/smoke-out room/love-pad; and who would have known that other 20-something year olds would also enjoy this song/album?  Shout out to Bailey for making that early autumn memorable!  PEACE and Long Live RP!!
That's the kind of rubbish that would get music banned.
 chinaski wrote:
Highlowsel...then along came WGTB and WHFS and the rest is history...like WGTB and WHFS

 
Nothing more sad than the day I returned home and WHFS was no more.  But there is a bio of the Wheez out there on the interwebs to refresh my memories!


Yes!  This summer I am feeling the old sixties psychedelic and this fits right in.  Solid 9!  Thanks RP!
Highlowsel...then along came WGTB and WHFS and the rest is history...like WGTB and WHFS
Oh man does this blow me back.  Waaaaay back. 

Univ of Maryland, College Park campus, circa.....well...I won't go there but let's just say this tune was about 5 years old then.  I'm interviewing for a DJ position for the campus radio station.  It was an itty bitty station...something like a watt or two (heh)...and the campus sat (still sits) on the northern DC, Maryland border.  I'm sitting there in all my "long hair" finery being interviewed by the mgr....

"So...," he says somewhat snarkily...."If I was to tell you give me a tune involving birds and lots of air what would you pick."  

"White Bird," says me.  I get the job, first on the very late night "follow the earlier guy who's spent most of the time interviewing local musicians," stage, then better air time later.  And need I say there was always a certain kind of smelly cloud aroma in the air whenever I'd come in?  Hey...it was College...anyone (else) still have brain-cells and remember those days?  Probably not all that much different from today.  

Anyway...this tune paved the way for my college DJ career for the next couple of years.  The career didn't take as I went a different way from there with my life.  But this pulls me back to those times.  Ahhh White Bird, them's were very good days indeed.  

Highlow
American Net'Zen
Once saw this band open for Nazareth.  They got booed and only played a short set. RnR crowds can be mean.

"Now your're messing with a son of b...".

I made a comment on this one about 10 years ago, which happened to start a friendship with a fellow RPster...music is AWESOME as a way to get to know someone, as well as a memory conjuring device.  Since I was not born when this record came out I had to enjoy playing it and thinking about how much fun my mom and dad had back in the 60's.  Nonetheless, this track (and "Hot Summer's Day") still garner 10 ratings from me.

LONG LIVE RP!


8