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Erin McKeown — Blackbirds
Album: Distillation
Avg rating:
6.6

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1663









Released: 2000
Length: 3:52
Plays (last 30 days): 2
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Four and twenty blackbirds perched o'er the Milhaus floor
Four and twenty blackbirds perched o'er the Milhaus floor
Watching a pair of blackbirds, a pair of blackbirds more
Four and twenty blackbirds perched o'er the Milhaus floor
Said one blackbird to the other, "You must be my queen,"
Said one blackbird to the other, "You must be my queen,"
And the other replied in turn, "Well, sure enough you my king,"
Four and twenty blackbirds and two began to sing

The queen she asked that question, "What makes the Milhaus rare?"
The king replied in turn, "Well, tonight it's you so fair,"
Four and twenty blackbirds too baked themselves to care,
Fly away you dainty dish, two blackbirds flew upstairs

When that sun had risen and the rhyming it was through
When that sun had risen and the rhyming it was through
Four and twenty blackbirds had rhymed that nursery tune
Fly away two blackbirds with nothing left to prove

You count that blackbird lucky who first to fly away
Bitter the taste left behind and the lonesome heart astray
But pity not that blackbird, the blackbird who must stay
For having tasted blackbird pie, baked and on display

Four and twenty blackbirds perched o'er the Milhaus floor
Four and twenty blackbirds perched o'er the Milhaus floor
Watching a pair of blackbirds, a pair of blackbirds more
Comments (185)add comment
Huh. Terrible. Skip.
Posted 3 months ago by joko63808    [ Reply ]
 poetdancer wrote:

The first song I've heard by her here on RP - but I've been a fan for a few years. She's great live also - check her out if you have a chance. 




One of the first I heard when I joined 20 years ago. Still sounds good.
Posted 3 months ago by romangaslan    [ Reply ]
4 and 20 blackbirds.... coincidence?  Love the riffs, lyrics and her voice.  Would like to hear more. Two thumbs up!
Posted 4 years ago by deadheadmark    [ Reply ]
The first song I've heard by her here on RP - but I've been a fan for a few years. She's great live also - check her out if you have a chance. 
Posted 5 years ago by poetdancer    [ Reply ]
An 8 for the guitar. Mean!
Posted 5 years ago by Shipp    [ Reply ]
soooooooooooo MUCH better than the cover
Posted 5 years ago by Randomax    [ Reply ]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFj1dZCJa5M
Posted 5 years ago by Jelani    [ Reply ]
 Relayer wrote:
Anyone know who is on guitar on this song? Pretty impressive guitar jamming going on.
 

That's Erin. 
Posted 6 years ago by William    [ Reply ]
 Nerubo wrote:
As is often the case here, the comments would lead you to believe about half the people hate this song, but the ratings do not reflect it.

I'm apparently in the minority in that if I don't like a song, I (almost always) just don't comment on it, and don't rate it if I'm "meh" about it.

I do comment on songs I like. This is one of them. My 10 cents: (inflation don't you know?) A catchy number I never mind hearing.
 

 
I am with you Nerubo!
Posted 7 years ago by fatcatjb    [ Reply ]
 Ulises wrote:

Thank you!  I wish more people had your attitude.

 
{#Sunny}agreed
Posted 8 years ago by willmcnaught    [ Reply ]
 Nerubo wrote:
As is often the case here, the comments would lead you to believe about half the people hate this song, but the ratings do not reflect it.

I'm apparently in the minority in that if I don't like a song, I (almost always) just don't comment on it, and don't rate it if I'm "meh" about it.

I do comment on songs I like. This is one of them. My 10 cents: (inflation don't you know?) A catchy number I never mind hearing.
 

 
Thank you!  I wish more people had your attitude.
Posted 8 years ago by Ulises    [ Reply ]
As is often the case here, the comments would lead you to believe about half the people hate this song, but the ratings do not reflect it.

I'm apparently in the minority in that if I don't like a song, I (almost always) just don't comment on it, and don't rate it if I'm "meh" about it.

I do comment on songs I like. This is one of them. My 10 cents: (inflation don't you know?) A catchy number I never mind hearing.
 
Posted 8 years ago by Nerubo    [ Reply ]
A bit strange but funny and originally.
Posted 8 years ago by michel_zws    [ Reply ]
Went from 3 to 2 with this listen. 
Posted 9 years ago by AbileneTexas    [ Reply ]
Was tolerable the fist 1000 times I heard it....
Posted 10 years ago by ckcotton    [ Reply ]
 Toke wrote:

It appears you are using the wrong sensory organ, try 'Ears' next time around...{#Bananajam}

 
Me like 
Posted 10 years ago by fitmartin    [ Reply ]
PSD button saves the day again (diverted to Badly Drawn Boy - Logic of a Friend). This song is soooo awful.
Posted 10 years ago by Ipse_Dixit    [ Reply ]
Just tried reporting four and twenty blackbirds to eBird. It was rejected. 
Posted 10 years ago by Grammarcop    [ Reply ]
 Peter_Bradshaw wrote:

........ yes
 
..... yes, again
Posted 10 years ago by DaidyBoy    [ Reply ]
 bagpipe wrote:
This stinks!{#Cry}

 
........ yes
Posted 10 years ago by Peter_Bradshaw    [ Reply ]
 bagpipe wrote:
This stinks!{#Cry}

 
It appears you are using the wrong sensory organ, try 'Ears' next time around...
Posted 10 years ago by Toke    [ Reply ]
This stinks!{#Cry}
Posted 11 years ago by bagpipe    [ Reply ]
I feel like I've been heard this too many times on RP.    I guess the meager 6.5 doesnt influence frequency.   Its ok -  I wouldnt mind a different Erin McKeown song. 
Posted 11 years ago by silby    [ Reply ]
Good Music
Posted 11 years ago by saidtaybi    [ Reply ]

She does like teh birds.  NTTAWT.





Posted 11 years ago by hallogallo    [ Reply ]
not a bad session jam
Posted 11 years ago by IanThursby    [ Reply ]
It's a grand old tradition:  https://c0383352.cdn.cloudfiles.rackspacecloud.com/audio/T943R20.mp3
Posted 11 years ago by Geecheeboy    [ Reply ]
Knowing this song from RP, I bought the CD (autographed, for what that's worth) for $2 and, lamentably, this is the only piece that I find interesting or especially memorable.
Posted 11 years ago by bam23    [ Reply ]
 Proclivities wrote:

There were people making music that sounded like this before the members of Led Zeppelin were even born.  It's more surprising that Jimmy Page hasn't been sued for plagiarism more often.
 
Much as I LOVE James Patrick Page,  {#Hearteyes}   I gotta go with you on that one.... He has been sued a few times I think, probably not more because of how drawn out and difficult going up against him would be.
Posted 12 years ago by shellbella    [ Reply ]
2 - Marginal
Posted 12 years ago by rdo    [ Reply ]
I enjoy the music, her voice is excellent, yet for some reason the song doesn't work for me.  It isn't even the sum of it's parts...
Posted 12 years ago by Byronape    [ Reply ]
 manleywoman wrote:
Ugh, this song is so awful. {#Razz} 
 
You sound more like a girlishman.
Posted 12 years ago by tomatoslayer    [ Reply ]
 lsfeder wrote:
There is so much zeplin in this song it's surprising they haven't been sued yet.
 
Led Zeppelin?!  Which song exactly?  There were people making music that sounded like this before the members of Led Zeppelin were even born; it's a pretty traditional structure.  It's more surprising that Jimmy Page hasn't been sued for plagiarism more often.
Posted 12 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
Brutal...
Posted 12 years ago by callook67    [ Reply ]
Ugh, this song is so awful. {#Razz} 
Posted 12 years ago by manleywoman    [ Reply ]
 lsfeder wrote:
There is so much zeplin in this song it's surprising they haven't been sued yet.
 
Then Lead Belly would have sued Zepplin. Where would the madness end? 
Posted 12 years ago by KaiT    [ Reply ]
Had this on my music player yesterday though a series of sweeping bends down an empty mountain road. Simply outstanding.

Posted 13 years ago by TerryS    [ Reply ]
McKeown swung through Chapel Hill a couple years ago and I went to see her based on what I've heard on RP -

1. She's a tiny thing, but man she packs a lot of wallop in her show. 

2. Like Ry Cooder, she's something of an encyclopedia of music - expect anything and everything

3. She's also an EXCELLENT guitarist.

If she comes to your town, check her out. 
Posted 13 years ago by nagsheadlocal    [ Reply ]
There is so much zeplin in this song it's surprising they haven't been sued yet.
Posted 13 years ago by lsfeder    [ Reply ]
Great voice and nice tune, but her delivery, I say her delivery is like Foghorn, I say Foghorn Leghorn, if you know what I mean.
Posted 13 years ago by nmcvaugh    [ Reply ]
I'll prolly spend the rest of the morning trying to get that opening riff down...cool tune
Posted 13 years ago by fatcatjb    [ Reply ]
 bam23 wrote:
After hearing this numerous times, it occurs to me tonight that this is a pretty innovative piece of music. How many similar compositions have you heard?
 
Its got a K.T.Tunstall feel for me not unsimilar to Black Horse and the Cherry Tree.  Not that I am suggesting this is in any way a bad thing.
Posted 13 years ago by Sloggydog    [ Reply ]
 wyoguy wrote:
Cool. And she's cute in a non-People magazine kind of way.
 
They have magazines for "non-people"?  {#Propeller}


Posted 13 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
After hearing this numerous times, it occurs to me tonight that this is a pretty innovative piece of music. How many similar compositions have you heard?
Posted 13 years ago by bam23    [ Reply ]
 ckcotton wrote:
One of those songs that feels like its always on... not sure it is.... but feels like it... growing tired
 

NEVER!
Posted 13 years ago by Raechel    [ Reply ]
One of those songs that feels like its always on... not sure it is.... but feels like it... growing tired
Posted 13 years ago by ckcotton    [ Reply ]
I gotta remember to make comments on the stuff i like.  That way it's easier to find them when I get paid.
Posted 13 years ago by oenyaw    [ Reply ]
Groovy......{#Angel}

Posted 13 years ago by stephanier    [ Reply ]
A solid 7 for a sweet lil diddy...{#Umbrella}{#Cool}
Posted 13 years ago by nicolewe    [ Reply ]
Sweet and catchy.
Posted 14 years ago by ziakut    [ Reply ]
4 —> 6
Not much, but ey, gotta be honest here... Still love it musically but i keep hearing her sing "this doesn't sound right, now does it?"...


Posted 14 years ago by Sjaaks    [ Reply ]
I woke up to this song today. A very past way to greet the morning :)
Posted 14 years ago by jone_ston    [ Reply ]
With such a groovy rhythm, blackbird pie sure does sound tasty
Posted 14 years ago by drews    [ Reply ]
Sounds kinda dirty when you sing it like that.
Posted 14 years ago by CamLwalk    [ Reply ]
Love the album cover! {#Sunny}
Posted 14 years ago by 4merdj    [ Reply ]
Always dug this song!
Posted 14 years ago by sirdroseph    [ Reply ]
There are some great images of her online.  Quite different then the album photo.{#Clap}
Posted 14 years ago by Xstar    [ Reply ]
Not bad!
Posted 14 years ago by helgigermany    [ Reply ]
Love the riff that sets in the song, then i was waiting for a nice raw voice of some scarred older guy, and then you hear this voice... {#Eh}

Too bad, it just doesn't fit...

4


Posted 14 years ago by Sjaaks    [ Reply ]
R-summ song
Posted 15 years ago by mrdak    [ Reply ]
Cool. And she's cute in a non-People magazine kind of way.
Posted 15 years ago by wyoguy    [ Reply ]
 AdyMiles wrote:
yuck. annoying music. take it off!
 
Death by treble. {#Skull}
Posted 15 years ago by crockydile    [ Reply ]
 AdyMiles wrote:
yuck. annoying music. take it off!
 
OH God, you got some on your ears!! Quick, jump in the bathtub and wash it off before it damages you for life! {#Rolleyes}

Posted 15 years ago by peter_james_bond    [ Reply ]
yuck. annoying music. take it off!
Posted 15 years ago by AdyMiles    [ Reply ]
Don't mind this song, but it gets played WAY too much on RP for my taste. Sometimes less is more!
Posted 15 years ago by ajudd    [ Reply ]
 STEVIE1 wrote:
Reminds me a little of KT Tunstall, but a much sweeter voice.
 
She pre-dates Tunstall.  Great song, I like the contrast of her sweet voice and that cranking guitar.{#Dancingbanana_2}
Posted 15 years ago by WayUpNorth    [ Reply ]
Reminds me a little of KT Tunstall, but a much sweeter voice.
Posted 15 years ago by STEVIE1    [ Reply ]
I think this is great - a wonderful foot tapper!
Posted 15 years ago by Sun_n_Fish    [ Reply ]
 manbirdexperiment wrote:


  
Looks like Milhouse was floored blackbird-man!


Posted 15 years ago by inindian    [ Reply ]



Posted 15 years ago by Manbird    [ Reply ]

Posted 15 years ago by Taraincognito    [ Reply ]
 talkin bout love  inindian wrote:

AmandaMaria wrote:
Help! There's a Led Zep riff in there... what song is it?

twp wrote:
I don't think there's anything here that was pulled off a Zeppelin song, but parts of the guitar work sound a little like "Trampled Under Foot" if that's what you're thinking of.

inindian wrote:
Agreed. Nothing pulled from LZ but yup, parts of the guitar and drumming are a little like "Trampled Under Foot".

 


Posted 15 years ago by 1wolfy    [ Reply ]

AmandaMaria wrote:
Help! There's a Led Zep riff in there... what song is it?

twp wrote:
I don't think there's anything here that was pulled off a Zeppelin song, but parts of the guitar work sound a little like "Trampled Under Foot" if that's what you're thinking of.

inindian wrote:
Agreed. Nothing pulled from LZ but yup, parts of the guitar and drumming are a little like "Trampled Under Foot".

Posted 16 years ago by inindian    [ Reply ]
was a 3, now a 1. guh!
Posted 16 years ago by lily34    [ Reply ]
7 -> 8
Posted 16 years ago by mirland    [ Reply ]
Funky :)  never get tired of this song.  Solid 8.
Posted 16 years ago by DigitalJer    [ Reply ]
i've had this stuck in my head since i heard it on RP last Friday!!
Posted 16 years ago by annie_fannie    [ Reply ]
Man, dig that guit..........
Posted 16 years ago by nigelr    [ Reply ]
Very KT... Or rather the other way around. {#Shifty}
Posted 16 years ago by Frater_Kork    [ Reply ]
Odd. I had this rated a 6. Today it's an 8, easy. Either I'm in a mood for it now, or I needed to hear it a few times to 'get' it.
Posted 16 years ago by alanthecowboy    [ Reply ]
Erin McKeown - Blackbirds Fleetwood Mac - Black Magic Woman Santana - No One To Depend On Los Lobos - Good Morning Aztlan Nice connections BillG
Posted 16 years ago by Danny_G    [ Reply ]
This is a very crisp recording. I like it ...
Posted 16 years ago by Misterfixit    [ Reply ]
ArbiterOfGoodTaste wrote:
I like the guitar lick and the changes at the end. I don't see what everyone is bitching about.
me either! tough crowd ...
Posted 16 years ago by lophrequa    [ Reply ]
optimusprime10 wrote:
that's exactly why i'm not really into most musicians these days. have some fun with the drunk dude, don't ridicule him. and don't take your lame-ass self or your lame-ass music so seriously, lady!
Wonder if she would have done the same thing if it had been a Femme?
Posted 16 years ago by Misterfixit    [ Reply ]
Kilroy wrote:
Bill: For the love of God, do not ever play this song again!!!!!
He didn't hear ya, brother.
Posted 16 years ago by lawman    [ Reply ]
This sounds suspiciously like that crappy cherry tree thing by K.T. Tunstall. The station on at work beat that damned song over my head until I couldn't stand it any longer.
Posted 16 years ago by CafeRacer    [ Reply ]
"I don't want to be a pie! I don't like gravy!"
Posted 16 years ago by Squirrel    [ Reply ]
Time for the mute button.
Posted 16 years ago by manleywoman    [ Reply ]
Verpeiler wrote:
"watching a pair of black birds …", she sings. Don't you think it's interesting that Bill plays this right after George Harrison? "Black bird singing in the dead of night …"
Not at all. I do not find anything about crappy songs remotely interesting. Bill: For the love of God, do not ever play this song again!!!!!
Posted 16 years ago by Ipse_Dixit    [ Reply ]
AmandaMaria wrote:
Help! There's a Led Zep riff in there... what song is it?
I don't think there's anything here that was pulled off a Zeppelin song, but parts of the guitar work sound a little like "Trampled Under Foot" if that's what you're thinking of.
Posted 16 years ago by twp    [ Reply ]
"watching a pair of black birds …", she sings. Don't you think it's interesting that Bill plays this right after George Harrison? "Black bird singing in the dead of night …"
Posted 17 years ago by Verpeiler    [ Reply ]
Help! There's a Led Zep riff in there... what song is it?
Posted 17 years ago by AmandaMaria    [ Reply ]
Erin McKeown larger
Saw her perform last Friday. She put on a great show, but didn't sing this particular song. However, it's on her new live album (which I purchased at the show) and it definitely rocks more than this studio version.
Posted 17 years ago by AliGator    [ Reply ]
I like the guitar lick and the changes at the end. I don't see what everyone is bitching about.
Posted 17 years ago by ArbiterOfGoodTaste    [ Reply ]
labete wrote:
believe it or not, I saw an amazing burlesque number performed to this song. Awesome.
Without the burlesque number this piece is short on something in spite of the great ending.
Posted 17 years ago by roscoe    [ Reply ]
Funny, when I first heard this song, I thought it was the Squirrel Nut Zippers because Erin sounds a lot like Katherine Whalen. Others thought I was insane. Then, Bill followed Erin with "Put A Lid On It" by the Squirrel Nut Zippers. See? I'm not always out of my gourd.
Posted 17 years ago by esotericderek    [ Reply ]
JCJ wrote:
I agree. STOP playing this one! The words are corny. Like others, the first half dozen times i heard it, i liked it, but enough!
The lyrics are metaphorical--don't take them at face value. One often says more by saying less.
Posted 17 years ago by ThePoose    [ Reply ]
knock out! That was great.
Posted 17 years ago by andesitic    [ Reply ]
Started listening to Erin McKeown several years ago and I'm glad to see that she's on RP :) And this isn't my favorite song of hers, but still deserving of an 8.
Posted 17 years ago by bcorcoran    [ Reply ]
believe it or not, I saw an amazing burlesque number performed to this song. Awesome.
Posted 17 years ago by labete    [ Reply ]
bokey wrote:
420 and black hash Baked in a pie Used up nearly half my stash But man did I get high
lmao
Posted 17 years ago by DigitalJer    [ Reply ]
2 1
Posted 17 years ago by ahoylola    [ Reply ]
420 and black hash Baked in a pie Used up nearly half my stash But man did I get high
Posted 17 years ago by bokey    [ Reply ]
Geecheeboy wrote:
I am going to sound like Amazon: If you like this artist, you may also like Jolie Holland. Verisimilitudinous.
Yea, love Jolie, just got her 'Springtime Can Kill You' album, well up to par
Posted 17 years ago by Mari    [ Reply ]
It is good and she looks like OScar">
Posted 18 years ago by oscar_driver    [ Reply ]
Funky, bluesy, catchy :D
Posted 18 years ago by DigitalJer    [ Reply ]
sans wrote:
Saw her last summer and the most memorable part of the show was when some drunk guy yelled, "FREEBIRD" after she finished this song. "PLAY FREE BIRD!" She ripped into him for five minutes, basically embarassing him and the people he was with and, instead of shrugging it off, she came off like an 'atiste.'
that's exactly why i'm not really into most musicians these days. have some fun with the drunk dude, don't ridicule him. and don't take your lame-ass self or your lame-ass music so seriously, lady!
Posted 18 years ago by optimusprime10    [ Reply ]
I am going to sound like Amazon: If you like this artist, you may also like Jolie Holland. Verisimilitudinous.
Posted 18 years ago by Geecheeboy    [ Reply ]
Opus_two wrote:
Blues... Folk.... ? Excellent fusion.
Bloke? Flues? Fluke? I dunno, but I like it.
Posted 18 years ago by cptbuz    [ Reply ]
Saw her last summer and the most memorable part of the show was when some drunk guy yelled, "FREEBIRD" after she finished this song. "PLAY FREE BIRD!" She ripped into him for five minutes, basically embarassing him and the people he was with and, instead of shrugging it off, she came off like an 'atiste.'
Posted 18 years ago by sans    [ Reply ]
I'm really likin this. This girl knows how to get the groove on. That and havin a sexy voice doesn't hurt either
Posted 18 years ago by ndfan75    [ Reply ]
The beginning was likeable. Trying to evoke emotions of the Beatles' Blackbird? By the end I was fumbling for the remote Turn it off! Nice guitar work though.
Posted 18 years ago by keith_mineo    [ Reply ]
Catchy little ditty.
Posted 18 years ago by TKTuttle    [ Reply ]
awesome. i love erin mckeown. anyone heard her most recent cd, we will become like birds? its pretty excellent.
Posted 18 years ago by luminousjune    [ Reply ]
Fairy Tales for adults... Kewwwwwwwwl....
Posted 18 years ago by honeygirl    [ Reply ]
Schweet! I'm new to RP and was just thinking (about 15 min ago) "I wonder if they every play any Erin McKeown?". Answered.
Posted 18 years ago by wyldbill    [ Reply ]
Okay, this is too coincidental. I post about me eating crow in the Black Magic Woman thread a couple songs ago, and Erin has to rub it in my face by singing about eating blackbirds!
Posted 18 years ago by AlonzoTheArmless    [ Reply ]
Lovin' this blues set. Thanks RP!
Posted 18 years ago by SCprof    [ Reply ]
radiojunkie wrote:
If only she didn't sound like Eydie Gorme...
and what's wrong with Eydie Gorme?
Posted 18 years ago by rixtar99    [ Reply ]
Blues... Folk.... ? Excellent fusion.
Posted 19 years ago by Opus_two    [ Reply ]