Beatles’ “Blackbird” and Steve Miller’s “Fly Like an Eagle” are the Top Bird Songs According to Surveys by Birds & Blooms Magazine
Top Picks of 2,000+ Readers and Editors Also Include “Free Bird,” “Rockin’ Robin,”
“Three Little Birds” and “When Doves Cry”
Parody #1 “Disco Duck” Proves to be the Least Favorite of American Bird Lovers
MILWAUKEE, WI., June 18, 2012 – Birds, they’re nature’s original tune smiths and instrumental improvisers, creatures that have served as the inspiration for hundreds of pop music’s most memorable hits and b-sides. Now, thanks to
Birds & Blooms Magazine, we know that
Steve Miller’s classic rock staple, “Fly Like an Eagle” and the quiet majesty of
Paul McCartney’s “Blackbird” are the favorite bird songs respectively of the readers and editors of America’s popular magazine dedicated to the natural beauty in our backyards.
The magazine surveyed 2,200 readers and here are the top five favorites from
the Birds & Blooms Best Bird Song Survey:
1.
“Fly Like an Eagle” – the 1976 arena rock anthem by the
Steve Miller Band – 17%
2.
“Rockin’ Robin” – a two-time hit, for
Bobby Day and
The Jackson 5 – 15%
3.
“Free Bird” – the oft-misspelled three-lead guitar opus by
Lynyrd Skynrd – 13%
4.
“Mockingbird” – the 1963 novelty hit by
Charlie and Inez Foxx, which returned to the Billboard Top Ten singles chart with a 1973 cover by then lovebirds,
Carly Simon and James Taylor – 12%
5.
“Blackbird” –
Paul McCartney’s stripped down, Bach-flavored nature ditty from
The Beatles’ “White Album” – 11%
The editors and writers of Birds & Blooms conducted their own secret survey of the 5 top bird songs voted upon by readers, with both diverging and similar results for the best and least voted for bird-inspired tunes respectively.
The magazine’s 12-person community of editors, writers and designers voted overwhelmingly,
75%, for
The Beatles’ “Blackbird,” as their best. According to Birds and Blooms Editor Stacy Tornio, “We chose Blackbird because it’s been covered for years by multiple artists. It’s a beautiful, classic song from The Beatles, and we love that it features a bird singing throughout.”
“We’re not at all surprised by the popularity of Steve Miller’s ‘Fly Like An Eagle’ with our readers,” adds Tornio. “It’s an iconic song for
the iconic American bird.”
The bottom of the heap, according to both the 2,200 readers survey and Birds & Blooms editors, was“
Disco Duck,” the satirical novelty hit by popular DJ,
Rick Dees, which spent one week at #1 on the Billboard singles chart in October 1976! The tune got one-half percent in the reader’s survey; nary a single vote from the editors and writers!
“Our survey is just the latest evidence that disco is dead,” quips Tornio.
The rest of the tunes voted up by Birds & Blooms readers ran the gamut, reflecting the wide range of the magazine’s readers, from Broadway show tunes, country and early rock and R&B classics to surf, punk, disco and indie rock. Full results can be found at
www.birdsandbloomsblog.com
6. “When the Red, Red Robin” – a 1926 movie tune that was a 1953 pop hit for Doris Day – 8%
7. “Two Sparrows In A Hurricane” – a 1992 hit for country bad girl Tanya Tucker – 5%
8. “When Doves Cry” – Prince “Purple Rain” #1 – 4%
9. “Three Little Birds” – Bob Marley’s child-like reggae hit – 4%
10. “Shake A Tale Feather” – a classic covered by Ray Charles, Ike & Tina Turner and many more – 3%
11. “Bye Bye Birdie” – the title of the ‘60s musical and film, sung on the screen by Ann-Margret – 3%
12. “I’m Like A Bird” – the 2001 chart breakthrough for Nelly Furtado – 2%
13. “Surfin’ Bird” – American surf rock supreme, 1963-style, from The Trashmen – 1.5%
14. “Birdhouse In Your Soul” – a 1990 Modern Rock chart hit by indie darlings, They Might Be Giants – 1%
15. “I Like Birds” – a simple sentiment from indie pop and soundtrack auteurs, The Eels and their 2000 disc, Daisies of the Galaxy – 1%
16. “Disco Duck” – DJ Rick Dees satirical disco novelty hit which topped the Billboard Singles charts in October 1976 – one-half %
“Birds are nature’s musicians, so it’s only natural that bird songs would be so popular with our readers, for whom the nature in their backyards and bird watching is a true passion,” continues Tornio. “The diversity of the songs just demonstrates that bird watching is a pastime with a cross-generational appeal.”
Birds & Blooms Magazine - Top "Bird" Songs
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