I'm a Cuckoo

This song means so much to me. It perfectly describes a friendship situation that I have.

The first part, I think, is a dialogue between two friends. The narrarator is telling the second person all about what they've been doing recently, that they've been thinking of them, having dreams about them. He goes on to rant a little bit. The second person finally realizes the narrarator is there and probably wasn't listening to what he said: "I'm glad that you are waiting with me, tell me all about your day", when he clearly just said everything. Then, he goes on to talk about how breaking off is misery, how the second person has been neglecting them and staying out with their new friends. It's so sad and depressing when you realize that you love and depend on someone who doesn't return the feelings, even if it's just a friend. You think, am I crazy (a cuckoo) for caring so much? What is wrong with me? It's so hard to let go, even when you know that the person is making you emotionally sick and hate yourself. "I'd like to see you, but really I should stay away and let you settle down. I’ve got no claims to your crown. I was the boss of you and I loved you, you know I loved you. It's all over now," shows how he realizes that he has to move on and be independent, but it's just so lonely to be on his own.. as he takes everything to be a sign and listent to philosophy for advice.. but it's not enough. His friendship needs just aren't being met at all. It still hurts. He just feels so stupid for caring for so long, so worthless and.. replacable.

Hm, I got a little into that, but that's basically what is going on with me and how the song could be interpreted. Even though Thin Lizzy's song is rather upbeat, B&S has a way of making it sound a little more lonely. This song is just so perfect.

This song is clearly, in part, about lead singer Stuart Murdoch's battle with the chronic, incurable illness ME/CFS.

Some clues related to this horrible illness' symptoms:

"funny dream" - sufferers report vivid dreams

"not thinking right today" - cognitive problems, which patients call "brain fog"

"I've got no energy" - the most well-known symptom: severe fatigue after minimal exertion.

"fever grows it's pounding pounding" - recurring flu-like symptoms

"trouble raised its ugly head" - pattern of relapses, particularly after taxing events (e.g. touring)

"I'm a cuckoo" - sufferers are widely stigmatized as having psychiatric problems although there is a vast body of evidence of severe biological abnormalities is many different systems.

The relationship issues described are also common to sufferers - on the one hand treasuring rare moments of precious company with loved ones ("I'm glad that you are waiting with me) ans living vicariously through them to some extent ("tell me about your day").

On the other hand the personal sadness of the toil illness takes on relationships is also evident, mourning the loss of time spent together ("I counted on your company"), envy at what friends can do but he cannot ("Now I know this hurt is poison Too sharp to be bled"), the guilt of feeling that he is a burden on others ("But really I should stay away") and the feeling of being let down by people who he helped in their time of need but have now abandoned him (final verse).

Murdoch suffered from this illness for 7 years before forming the band (according to Wikipedia). I remember hearing this for the first time in abridged form when it came out, when I was 18 and healthy. I heard the full version for the first time today, having suffered for ME/CFS for the last 11 years. Knowing Murdoch's history from this interview https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMcZ-UTlRmU, I instantly recognized the signs and symptoms he was describing.

It's funny how the most telling lines were cut from the radio version - the song never made sense without it.

Holy moly, this song is sweet. My band covered it at our last show and it was a blast. Of course, no one in the audience had any idea what it was, but they liked it anyways. Great tune!

"Breaking off is misery I see a wilderness for you and me Punctuated by philosophy And a wondering how things could’ve been"

I always thought it was about being around somebody you've just broken up with, but are still attached to emotionally. You know it's a bad idea, but you still want to talk to the person.

Brilliant and energy-giving. Sad and nostalgic though. I think the narrator is obsessive.

Another great song which gets away with having masses and masses of lyrics. Wish I could write like this.

i think the "cuckoo" in the title quite possibly refers to the elizabethan term of "cuckold", or a man who has lost his "woman" to someone else.

the song has the same chord progression as thin lizzy's "the boys are back in town". this is hearsay, but i think it's about isobel campbell, former B&S cellist. i dont really care, cause either way the song pretty much owns.

This song has a great tune I agree! And it's also a funny song to listen to! If you liked this version you'd definitely like the avalanche remix.

This song makes me really happy whenever I hear it, although the lyrics are quite melancholy.