The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
I want to sing my own song that's all
Cried the bird and flew into a wall
There must be some way he cried
And his desperation echoed down the hall
Chorus:
Just another bird in a house
Dying to get out
Just another bird in a house
Dying to get out
I want to join my own kind that's all
Cried the bird and flew into a wall
There must be some way out he cried
And his desperation echoed down the hall
Just another bird in a house
Dying to get out
Just another bird in a house
Dying to get out
I'm gonna smash my way out that's all
Cried the bird and smashed from wall to wall
There must be some way out he cried
And his desperation echoed down the hall
Just another bird in a house
Dying to get out
Just another bird in a house
Dying to get out
Cried the bird and flew into a wall
There must be some way he cried
And his desperation echoed down the hall
Chorus:
Just another bird in a house
Dying to get out
Just another bird in a house
Dying to get out
I want to join my own kind that's all
Cried the bird and flew into a wall
There must be some way out he cried
And his desperation echoed down the hall
Just another bird in a house
Dying to get out
Just another bird in a house
Dying to get out
I'm gonna smash my way out that's all
Cried the bird and smashed from wall to wall
There must be some way out he cried
And his desperation echoed down the hall
Just another bird in a house
Dying to get out
Just another bird in a house
Dying to get out
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings, edited by Turtlelives1960
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I love this song. The song, Bird in a House has definitely a psychedelic melody that lingers in my mind and a meaning is difficult. The lyrics repeat through out the song. The first ryming line, I want to sing my own song that's all. Cried the bird and flew into a wall. This has characteristics of a musician describing the difficulty of having success. The feeling is a personal and mental level uncertain in regards to the need to leave and go beyond the walls that may be his confinement, "Dying to get out" of a bad space that sounds similar to an institution or merely a hotel room "And his desperation echoed down the hall". The first line in the second verse, "I want to join my own kind that's all" is akin to the band and music rather than escaping captivity.