Song Details
- Album Release Date: 2012
- Genre: emo
Song Meaning of “Drunken Birds” by Cursive
The song ‘Drunken Birds’ by Cursive is a melancholic ode to attempting to find solace within the memories of another person. As the song states, “drunken birds travel false directions,” signifying a sense of disruption and lack of direction, like the birds, that one can feel after a beloved love has left them behind. The song paints a vivid image of heartache and longing through its gentle instrumentation, leaving a gentle yet aching feeling throughout its duration.
The core of the song is the protagonists attempt to numb the pain of their heartache, as they travel down “false directions” as a distraction. Alcohol, an ever present companion throughout the song, appears to be the protagonist’s only refuge, hope and quiet, but its presence instead brings them further away from safety. The sea, another reoccurring presence throughout the song, is used to represent the protagonist’s struggle to forget the way that their beloved “took away a part of me without taking me.” The rolling waves of the sea, ebb and flow, bring turbulence and temporary solace that does not last forever.
The chorus is a slow, plaintive cry of longing for the companionship of another, as the protagonist recounts how they are “in need of your gentle touch.” This section of the song is a poignant reminder of the ever present love, even in its absence, that can bind two people together, regardless of the trials and tribulations of life.
The song ‘Drunken Birds’ is an eclectic mix of sadness and longing, with a hint of tranquillity that acts as a deep nostalgic echo in the air. The song’s lyrical content searches for solace in the tunes of times gone by, in the hopes of numbing pain and sorrow. It is an ode to love found and love lost, captured through a melancholic soundscape.