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05/10/2005 Entry: "Apples in Stereo: The Bird that You Can't See lyrics"

Wanting to learn a few more songs before playing the gig this Saturday (for that wild party at Friedensstrasse 39), I went looking for that one catchy-as-hell tune from that one Apples in Stereo album.

Danged it if I didn't have to go borrowing every single one of their albums just to find it. I almost called up my esteemed former colleague to ask her (she has all their albums). Fortunately, I happened upon the recording, but I had to transcribe the text by ear.

So check it out below. A very catchy tune with a very cool text.

The bird that you can’t see -- Apples (in Stereo)

Let me tell you ‘bout the end of the beginning
Or of the end depending where you land.

You came on the scene just as the party’s ending
I’ll start again and then you’ll understand.

Refrain:

It’s like the bird
That you can’t see
But you can hear the pretty music in the tree.

It’s like the word
That you can’t say
But you can sing the pretty music anyway.

Now I know there are some things that you need to discover
Turn off your mind and do yourself a favour

(like the bird,
you can’t see,
it’s a part of you, woo
and it’s a part of me)

Girl, I can see behind your eyes your mind is spinnin’
Cause if your eyes can make the skies come clear

So you came in at the bottom of the inning
And no one knows ( if whether ) you’re from here

Refrain

Now I know there are some things (that) require concentration
Turn off your mind and use your ‘magination.

(girl you know what I’m talking about)

Come down and plant your feet into the ground.
Feel free; plant your mind in mystery.

So you want to know the meaning of my song?
I’ll tell you now: it’s all about how you feel.

Baby, I don’t know or care where you are from,
Just so I know that where you go is real.

Refrain

Now I know there are some things that you need to explain (girl)
Turn off your mind; you’re using up your brain. (c’mon)

(like the bird,
you can’t see,
it’s a part of you, woo
and it’s a part of me)

---

COMMENTS from Daev:

This text -- as I see it -- is about a somewhat older guy trying very hard to get with and hip up a younger chick whilst trying very hard to not be condescending.

I'm guessing that the Apples are no spring chickens ... late thirties to early fourties. It's to be expected that a younger girlfriend won't be hip to the same stuff as the older guy. So there's one thing less that they can identify with.

One most notable device in the song (which actually kinda makes me cringe) is the last line of the couplet leading out of the refrain: it's a blatant ripoff of the "Lay down the boogie and play that funky music til you die" riff. Personally, I hate that song, but it is probably an homage to the generation that was already alive enough to remember that riff when it first came out.