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Cowboy Junkies — No Birds Today
Album: Miles From Our Home
Avg rating:
6.9

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1004









Released: 1998
Length: 4:14
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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No birds today
Just this square patch of gray
Molting sky moving in on its morning prey

No words today
No one knocking at the gate
I lost my name long before I lost my way

I wonder what he thinks out there
Pastures turn from black to green and black again
The sun it carves a well worn path
from here to there and the next day back

No birds today
Just this dull sky of gray
Winter's quickly moving in on its skulking prey

No dust today
No clouds rising from my driveway
No hope drifting slowly my way

I wonder what he thinks in there
Pastures turn from black to green and black again
The sun it carves a well worn path
from here to there and the next day back

Cold bars of steel
I'm beginning to dig the feel
of all that disappears into....ethereal

Cold words of hate
Now I'm seeing how things break
Much too late now to cure my mistakes

I wonder what he thinks in there
Pastures turn from black to green and black again
The sun it carves a well worn path
from here to there and the next day back

No birds today
Just this barren stretch of gray
Just this barren stretch of gray
Comments (76)add comment
No Milk Today - Herman's Hermits, slowed down...
Posted 2 years ago by kbs    [ Reply ]
 Sloggydog wrote:

I can't help but feel this song could be better if it were a bit more raw.


Yeah, turn up the barren ache a little

Posted 2 years ago by Greyerwrit    [ Reply ]
Great for Autum mood
Posted 3 years ago by uksminas    [ Reply ]
 tinypriest wrote:

I disliked the CJs then and dislike them now! I avoided them at the Rivoli and went to the Elmo to see Teenage Head instead... 
Then go listen to iHeartRadio  then 

Posted 3 years ago by jp33442    [ Reply ]
 MM_Prague wrote:
I remember seeing the Cowboy Junkies at the Rivoli on Queen Street in Toronto shortly after I moved there, so I guess 1988 or 1989... I liked them then and I still like them now.
 
I disliked the CJs then and dislike them now! I avoided them at the Rivoli and went to the Elmo to see Teenage Head instead... 
Posted 3 years ago by tinypriest    [ Reply ]
"No birds today" -- oh, God; are you Canadian?

Pray tell, Margo -- where did all the birds go? But please keep it between D and G above middle-C, so as not to strain your voice, lol.

No no, I know -- the birds listened to your first 3 albums in someone's backyard on Spotify and decided to high-tail it to Loreena Mckenitt's place.
Posted 3 years ago by tinypriest    [ Reply ]
I remember seeing the Cowboy Junkies at the Rivoli on Queen Street in Toronto shortly after I moved there, so I guess 1988 or 1989... I liked them then and I still like them now.
Posted 3 years ago by MM_Prague    [ Reply ]
 DaMoGan wrote:

I need to give this album a second listen.  I really like this!
 
Just wait a little and it'll show up again on RP soon enough <groan/yawn>.
Posted 4 years ago by tinypriest    [ Reply ]
When I think of the great bands and singers from Canada that don't get played every time we hear a Cowboy Junkies song instead -- sheesh.

PSE, again...
Posted 4 years ago by tinypriest    [ Reply ]
 ThePoose wrote:
Why don't you SCREAM a little, Margo? Break out of the ''lonesome whippoorwill'' groove you are mired in, for God's sake!
 
Lol, yeah.
Posted 4 years ago by tinypriest    [ Reply ]
 DaidyBoy wrote:
I'd love to hear her when she's not sitting so comfortably.  Perhaps a little angry with someone.  There's no edge to her at all, something always missing, to my ears.

This story made me screamy.  Perhaps she might read it:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/...
 I hear a beautiful restraint and pared down simplicity.  But, your wiki link was shocking and interesting.  
Posted 4 years ago by khardog145    [ Reply ]
I'd love to hear her when she's not sitting so comfortably.  Perhaps a little angry with someone.  There's no edge to her at all, something always missing, to my ears.

This story made me screamy.  Perhaps she might read it:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/...
Posted 5 years ago by DaidyBoy    [ Reply ]
Never really listened to this before, but finally I get it. It is a fine example of the 'Prison' genre. Spare songwriting and delivery, outstanding work from the Timmins'
c.
Posted 6 years ago by cc_rider    [ Reply ]
No birds today and any other day, because of the rule proposed by the Trump Administration that allows corporations to kill birds without having to pay any penalties. 
Posted 6 years ago by Grammarcop    [ Reply ]
Excellent songwriting here. Much prefer this to their earlier, affected Gen X dinner party crap. 
Posted 7 years ago by thewiseking    [ Reply ]
 Rafter101 wrote:
Anyone else hear the old 70's song "Devil Woman" in this song?

 
Not very much, other than it being in a minor key, but everyone hears different things in songs.
Posted 7 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
 patcheta wrote:
REM - Drive
 
Definitely
Posted 8 years ago by DaidyBoy    [ Reply ]
I can't help but feel this song could be better if it were a bit more raw.
Posted 8 years ago by Sloggydog    [ Reply ]
Anyone else hear the old 70's song "Devil Woman" in this song?
Posted 8 years ago by Rafter101    [ Reply ]
That's great!
Posted 8 years ago by Foot    [ Reply ]
Sarah McLachlan, then Cowboy Junkies.
Tomorrow is Canada Day.

I see what you did there, Bill :) 
Posted 9 years ago by Stratocaster    [ Reply ]


Why is it always when it rains that the sun is the warmest, hidden away ?

Lazarus wrote:
Everybody in my alien space craft loves this song...

 
It's no reason to drop the content of your space latrines on my front lawn, man.
Posted 9 years ago by CaffeineSam    [ Reply ]
Everybody in my alien space craft loves this song...
Posted 9 years ago by Lazarus    [ Reply ]
 BBoyes wrote:

Mine too... we be worshipin' together!
 
Hope life be grand for you, BBoyes...  love this song...
Posted 10 years ago by Lazarus    [ Reply ]

I need to give this album a second listen.  I really like this!
Posted 11 years ago by DaMoGan    [ Reply ]
OK, that does it. Sending support to RP to continue runs of music such as I have been enjoying today.


Posted 11 years ago by BBoyes    [ Reply ]
 Lazarus wrote:

Everybody in my church loves this song...
 

 
Mine too... we be worshipin' together!
Posted 11 years ago by BBoyes    [ Reply ]

Everybody in my church loves this song...
 
Posted 11 years ago by Lazarus    [ Reply ]
 
Really like everything I have heard off of this CJ album.   
Posted 11 years ago by xkolibuul    [ Reply ]
 tryallmusic wrote:
Michael's composition/lyrics + Margo's voice = CJ goodness
 
{#Clap}
Posted 11 years ago by DanO-1    [ Reply ]
Highly recommend this CD, its good cover to cover.......Margo is smooth and sublime
Posted 12 years ago by Shesdifferent    [ Reply ]
Too much Cowboy Junkies.
Posted 12 years ago by mbolch30307    [ Reply ]
Michael's composition/lyrics + Margo's voice = CJ goodness
Posted 12 years ago by tryallmusic    [ Reply ]
 ugly wrote:
No disrespect to the fans intended. I just have problems with Cowboy Junkies because they seem to be so aware of how cool and out of the box they are that I almost think they are their own biggest fans.{#No}
 

I don't even understand how anyone could come to this conclusion. 
Posted 12 years ago by TJS    [ Reply ]
Margo has a nice folk sound on this one. Like it.
Posted 12 years ago by Carl    [ Reply ]
 ThePoose wrote:
Why don't you SCREAM a little, Margo? Break out of the ''lonesome whippoorwill'' groove you are mired in, for God's sake!
 
Adele and Florence have that base very well covered. 
Posted 12 years ago by handyrae    [ Reply ]
Why don't you SCREAM a little, Margo? Break out of the ''lonesome whippoorwill'' groove you are mired in, for God's sake!
Posted 13 years ago by ThePoose    [ Reply ]
 ugly wrote:
No disrespect to the fans intended. I just have problems with Cowboy Junkies because they seem to be so aware of how cool and out of the box they are that I almost think they are their own biggest fans.{#No}
 

I don't know about all that. I am a simple man, I just think her voice sucks.
Posted 13 years ago by sirdroseph    [ Reply ]
No birds today
Just this square patch of gray
Molting sky moving in on its morning prey

No words today
No one knocking at the gate
I lost my name long before I lost my way

I wonder what he thinks out there
Pastures turn from black to green and black again
The sun it carves a well worn path
from here to there and the next day back

No birds today
Just this dull sky of gray
Winter's quickly moving in on its skulking prey

No dust today
No clouds rising from my driveway
No hope drifting slowly my way

I wonder what he thinks in there
Pastures turn from black to green and black again
The sun it carves a well worn path
from here to there and the next day back

Cold bars of steel
I'm beginning to dig the feel
of all that disappears into....ethereal

Cold words of hate
Now I'm seeing how things break
Much too late now to cure my mistakes

I wonder what he thinks in there
Pastures turn from black to green and black again
The sun it carves a well worn path
from here to there and the next day back

No birds today
Just this barren stretch of gray
Just this barren stretch of gray


Posted 13 years ago by Baby_M    [ Reply ]
Strange quirk of my mind - upon hearing this song THIS came to mind:
"Hey there little bird, with your beak pressed up against the pet store window, there'll be no birdfood for you today, only death."

Posted 13 years ago by casey1024    [ Reply ]
dullsville to me.
Posted 14 years ago by ziakut    [ Reply ]
 ugly wrote:
No disrespect to the fans intended. I just have problems with Cowboy Junkies because they seem to be so aware of how cool and out of the box they are that I almost think they are their own biggest fans.{#No}
 
Funny, I always thought of them as the opposite of cool.   Low key and hangin' back doesn't usually communicate arrogance.  As for the last comment, I sure hope they are big fans of what they do.  Would you suggesting self-loathing?  For that type of behaviour, please see Newfoundland.

Posted 14 years ago by westslope    [ Reply ]
No disrespect to the fans intended. I just have problems with Cowboy Junkies because they seem to be so aware of how cool and out of the box they are that I almost think they are their own biggest fans.{#No}
Posted 14 years ago by ugly    [ Reply ]
 bindi wrote:
Margo's voice just gives me shivers.         {#Clap}
 
Their arrangements highlight it so well. Excellent band.
Posted 14 years ago by gatorade    [ Reply ]
This is excellent...but then I'm a CJ fan ...
Posted 15 years ago by Huey    [ Reply ]
Margo's voice just gives me shivers.         {#Clap}
Posted 15 years ago by bindi    [ Reply ]
REM - Drive
Posted 16 years ago by patcheta    [ Reply ]
bdblinux wrote:
How did this get through LRC?
I think Bill has a thing with cowboy junkies (I do, too).
Posted 16 years ago by ejsamuel    [ Reply ]
hey bill, jeff beck?....blackbird?
Posted 16 years ago by crazy    [ Reply ]
A no-bird day is certainly worthy of a dirge.
Posted 16 years ago by Inamorato    [ Reply ]
How did this get through LRC?
Posted 17 years ago by bdblinux    [ Reply ]
birdland wrote:
I wanna have her baby.
But it'll cry all the time and sigh when it's not.
Posted 17 years ago by ThePoose    [ Reply ]
Frawg wrote:
Get yourself to one of their concerts then. (click here) s
Ahh, if I could but afford a ticket (airline, not concert!) to their show in Scotland.... *sigh*
Posted 17 years ago by Kristi    [ Reply ]
Get yourself to one of their concerts then. (click here) s KevDog wrote:
... I'd love to hear Ms. Timmins giddy, giggling and silly about something just for the heck of it.
Posted 20 years ago by Frawg    [ Reply ]
Originally Posted by beelzebubba: ...you'd think after, what? 15!? years, they would make a song that doesn't sound just like the songs they make 15! YEARS AGO !!!???
Actually, some of the stuff off of Black-Eyed Man and Pale Sun Moon is pretty different--from relatively upbeat stuff with pop hooks to darker stuff with screaming guitars. Actually, I'd like them to try a two-disk album: one disk of quieter stuff a la the Trinity Sessions, and the other disk where they do their version of rocking out. Would make for an interesting contrast, I think.
Posted 21 years ago by ludwig7    [ Reply ]
I hate to admit it but I agree.
Originally Posted by beelzebubba: Don't get me wrong, I've always like the Cowboy Junkies, and still do.... but ... ...you'd think after, what? 15!? years, they would make a song that doesn't sound just like the songs they make 15! YEARS AGO !!!???
Posted 21 years ago by Coppertop    [ Reply ]
Don\'t get me wrong, I\'ve always like the Cowboy Junkies, and still do.... but ... ...you\'d think after, what? 15!? years, they would make a song that doesn\'t sound just like the songs they make 15! YEARS AGO !!!???
Posted 21 years ago by beelzebubba    [ Reply ]
Yes, the live set is titled "200 more miles". There's a great anecdote about the Boulder Creek path, Margo's hair, and some pigeons-- it's almost as good as the story about the Christian folk duo in the hidden track at the end of "Living in Clip" I agree that CJ can be heavy, and I can understand why people don't like it. But if you're in the right mood, there's nothing better.
Originally Posted by hibbyduck: There's a live double album (200 Miles, maybe? I don't remember) where some of her between-song patter renewed my faith in her sense of humour. You can get a taste of it at their website, too. As for musical style - yep, it's dreary. Doesn't give me nightmares the way Radiohead has, though. HD
Posted 22 years ago by nolands    [ Reply ]
Originally Posted by CoolbeaN: Oh that voice... I love it. Reminds me of Lorena McKennett.
Margot Timmins' voice perfectly compliments the Junkies' style. Amongst female vocalists, she ranks among the top with her ability to penetrate the listener's consciousness.
Posted 22 years ago by chrisp54    [ Reply ]
Oh that voice... I love it. Reminds me of Lorena McKennett.
Posted 22 years ago by CoolbeaN    [ Reply ]
I wanna have her baby.
Posted 22 years ago by birdland    [ Reply ]
cripes - this is dreary stuff :(
Posted 22 years ago by darcyc    [ Reply ]
Originally Posted by jamesbradley: check the cowboy junkies song to live is to fly it's about as up as they get
I think that Anniversary Song is probably their most upbeat tune. It's on the RP playlist as well. I happen to love their dark, brooding songs myself and Margo's voice makes the perfect muse.
Posted 22 years ago by Leslie    [ Reply ]
Originally Posted by KevDog: I love Margot Timmins' voice, but do you think she is ever up about anything in her life? Her vocals are great, but always so full of doom and gloom. I'd love to hear Ms. Timmins giddy, giggling and silly about something just for the heck of it.
check the cowboy junkies song to live is to fly it's about as up as they get
Posted 22 years ago by jamesbradley    [ Reply ]
I think this song is very good!
Posted 22 years ago by gillespp    [ Reply ]