Snowbird by Anne Murray

Album: Now And Forever (1970)

Charted: 23 8

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Murray recorded this after watching its composer, Gene MacLellan, perform it on Canadian TV. It was the second song MacLellan had ever written and he penned it in just 25 minutes. He also recorded it for his own 1970 album, Street Corner Preacher, and included an additional verse:

My mind says that I only want to be
A wanderer and just like you I'm longing to be free
But in my hearth I know it just a lie
For without her love the vision of my happiness will die
This was Murray's first hit. She started recording when the producer of a show that turned her down as a singer gave her a shot two years later. She became a very popular pop-country crossover artist.
This was the first ever gold record by a Canadian solo female artist.
Lyrically the snowbird is used as a metaphor for freedom by contrasting the narrator's inability to leave the place of his/her heartache with the bird's ability to just up and fly away.
Other artists who have recorded this song include Lynn Anderson, Bing Crosby with Count Basie, Burl Ives, Loretta Lynn, Al Martino, Elvis Presley, and Andy Williams.
This was an inaugural song inductee of the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2003.
MacLellan's daughter Catherine MacLellan covered this own her 2011 album, Silhouette. She said: "That song changed my life on every level. If he hadn't written that song when he did or he hadn't done well, who knows, I might not even be here!"
According to Gene MacLellan biographer David Sheffield, the song's origins are widely debated on Prince Edward Island, where the singer-songwriter hailed from. "The legend of Snowbird is huge," he told CBC Music. "Every third person on PEI has a version of how and where the song was written. While there are similarities between the stories, the one thing they have in common is that the teller believes that their version is the truth."

One version of the story comes from Anne Murray, who said, "Gene told me he wrote the song in 20 minutes when he was walking on a beach in P.E.I. It's so appropriate, the mental picture of Gene–this frail little guy on the beach in the middle of winter, seeing these birds and conjuring up this image."
On the 2013 Family Guy episode "Chris Cross," Stewie and Brian travel to Canada to find out the true meaning of "Snowbird" from Anne Murray (who provided the voice for her character). When Stewie finds out that she didn't actually write the song, he forces her to perform it at gunpoint while bound and gagged.
This was used in the 2004 Malcolm in the Middle episode "Victor's Other Family." It was also featured in the 2007 thriller Zodiac, starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Mark Ruffalo, and Robert Downey Jr., and in the 2009 romantic dramedy He's Just Not That Into You, starring Ben Affleck, Jennifer Aniston, and Drew Barrymore.

Comments: 14

Ann Fitz from TorontoAnne Murray sings this song with joy in the overall tone that the narrator will find the courage to fly from the heartache. On the other hand, Catherine MacLennon sings from a place of deep love
And deep sorrow and I really felt for the narrator
As he was unable to move from such a heavenly place. Catherine’s version with her pure innocent sweet voice really pulled on my heartstrings to understand the difficulty of moving from a place where there was pure joy to a place of nothingness.
Phil E from Huntington Beach, Ca.I Remember this song played virally on the Radio stations back when it came out. I was too young to appreciate it then, but now in my 60's I'm able to grasp the metaphors. It's like knocking on heavens door. Just a cool song hearing it as a kid but now they have meaning. Trivia: I remember John DeLorean being interviewed and saying this was his favorite song.
Gordon Fader from Halifax NsI backed Gene on the song for the first time it was played in the Chiefs and POs military bar. He said he had just written it and handed me a folded sheet of music. The band was called The Four Winds. Being more of a jazz pianist I was that impressed with the score but his superb lyrical voice was impressive.
Chris from ArizonaThe songwriter suffered from depression for most of his life, and he committed suicide in his 50's. That makes some of the lyrics more poignant.
Chris Diaz from Kingwood, TxI love Anne Murray songs, all of them. I grew up listening to them and I took them all to heart, because it was my life back then and still is. God Bless you.
Seventhmist from 7th HeavenI never cared much for Murray's voice, but this one is an exception.
Jennifur Sun from RamonaLove this song. More than once I wished I could fly away to some where else.
Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn July 12th 1970, Anne Murray's debut record, "Snowbird", entered Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart at position #86; and on September 20th, 1970 it peaked at #8 (for 2 weeks) and spent 16 weeks on the Top 100...
On August 22nd, 1970 it peaked at #1 (for 3 weeks) on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks chart...
And one day later on August 23rd, 1970 it reached #1 (for 6 weeks) on Billboard's Adult Contemporary Tracks chart...
Between 1970 and 1986 she had twenty-eight Top 100 records, four made the Top 10 with one reaching #1, "You Needed Me", for 1 week in 1978...
Ms. Murray, born Morna Anne Murray, celebrated her 69th birthday last month on June 20th, 2014.
Ken from Philadelphia, PaThis song was part of a major plot line in a 2013 episode of The Family Guy. Stewie and Brian become obsessed with Ms. Murray's music, and after debating the meaning of Snowbird, decide to ask Ms. Murray directly. She generally affirms both their interpretations, but also notes that she didn't write the song (or any of her own songs). Stewie immediately deems her a "fraud" and much hilarity ensues.
James from Diamond Bar, CaBeautiful - Reminds Me Of The Beautiful Simple Things In Life - A Trip To Fosters Freeze For An Ice Cream Cone - Thanks Anne And Gerald
Robert from Denver, CoI first heard this song when I was 13 and have loved it ever since.
Ken from Louisville, KyThis song was used on the closing credits to Michael Moore's satrical movie "Canadian Bacon". It was used as an "example" of Canadian music!
J from Calgary, CanadaGene MacLellan committed suicide in 1995.
Sarah from Ottawa, CanadaThis used to be my one of my mom's favorite songs and now I like it too.

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