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.
Blackbird, why you wearing that frown?
Don't you know Jesus loves you and me
And the preacher on TV you're putting down?
Blackbird, how I love to hear your songs
But I could spend all of my time in the shade
Of the trees and listen all day long
Oh yeah, I could listen all day long
But you're ever hearing, never understanding
Ever seeing, not perceiving and your heart has grown callous
You're in a storm and lost your way
Won't you fly to heaven and be saved today?
Blackbird, now you're broken your wing
You try to fly high but you know that you
Can't go anywhere, you can't do anything
Blackbird, who put you in your cage
Tell me, was it God or was it you or was it me?
Well I guess it don't matter anyway
No no, it don't matter, no, not anyway
But you're ever hearing, never understanding
Ever seeing, not perceiving and your heart has grown callous
You're in a storm and lost your way
Won't you fly to heaven and be saved today?
Oh yeah, blackbird yeah
You say you need a remedy
For the thorn in your pride
I think it's such a tragedy
That you have left Him behind
You say you'd light you candle
But your love light doesn't shine
You say you talk to angels
Well I say it's such a lie
Yes it is now, such a lie, lie, lie
Oh but you're ever hearing, never understanding
Ever seeing, not perceiving and your heart has grown callous
You're in a storm and lost you way
Won't you fly to heaven and be saved today?
Oh yeah, blackbird yeah
Don't you know Jesus loves you and me
And the preacher on TV you're putting down?
Blackbird, how I love to hear your songs
But I could spend all of my time in the shade
Of the trees and listen all day long
Oh yeah, I could listen all day long
But you're ever hearing, never understanding
Ever seeing, not perceiving and your heart has grown callous
You're in a storm and lost your way
Won't you fly to heaven and be saved today?
Blackbird, now you're broken your wing
You try to fly high but you know that you
Can't go anywhere, you can't do anything
Blackbird, who put you in your cage
Tell me, was it God or was it you or was it me?
Well I guess it don't matter anyway
No no, it don't matter, no, not anyway
But you're ever hearing, never understanding
Ever seeing, not perceiving and your heart has grown callous
You're in a storm and lost your way
Won't you fly to heaven and be saved today?
Oh yeah, blackbird yeah
You say you need a remedy
For the thorn in your pride
I think it's such a tragedy
That you have left Him behind
You say you'd light you candle
But your love light doesn't shine
You say you talk to angels
Well I say it's such a lie
Yes it is now, such a lie, lie, lie
Oh but you're ever hearing, never understanding
Ever seeing, not perceiving and your heart has grown callous
You're in a storm and lost you way
Won't you fly to heaven and be saved today?
Oh yeah, blackbird yeah
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@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
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Great version of a great song,
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the black crowes were a big influence to the whole band. but i suspect that the band (black crowes) was a sort of frustration to third day. kinda where the lines "ever hearing never understanding ever seeing, not perceiving and your heart has grown calloused." i know that is found somewhere in scripture but it applies to alot of people. they do a really cool live version of this to the music of "remedy".