Neutral Milk Hotel - Little Birds

[downthestreetteam]

this version is so chilling

[ZRN959]

He played this last night...

[mgmtshirts]

beautiful

[GratefulVince]

I have never heard a bad song by NMH. Did Jeff ever even write a weak melody ? Don't think he could if he tried.

[crestfallengirl9]

Guess it beats sucking as a person.

[crestfallengirl9]

Anyone know how to get a copy of this song - either by download or purchase of physical CD? I've been searching for several years now.

[iamepiclyamazing]

@crestfallengirl9

you must really suck at google, just type youtube download.

[Fatzers]

@crestfallengirl9

cheers, here's a page which is still up and has this&other nmh gems:

tinyur l.c om/NMH-GEMS

enjoy :)

[anikolchev]

Amazing song, beautiful, strong, pure!

[FZeroDragon]

So he took a hammer....

Freaking aweseome.

[miniraptorX]

theres a studio version up here on youtube too, although this version is better.

[mojopin85]

I wish Jeff wasn't quite so mental and would write more music...

[elisexo]

@mojopin85 lol what would his music be if he weren't mental? its sad the way it is

[acorn2taco]

@mojopin85 that's why there's no newer stuff by them...? just recently discovered this band...

[andymcca]

@acorn2taco Jeff Mangum had a Salinger-esque breaking point where he stopped performing except on very rare (and un-announced) occasions.

He just started touring again, so there is hope for new work! And one must assume he did not pack away his pens during his decade-long retirement :)

NPR bit:

npr.org/2011/11/27/142708775/w­itnessing-the-second-coming-of­-jeff-mangum

[acorn2taco]

@andymcca thankyou for the informations! very much appreciated :D

[Dionysius8421]

Too high quality.

[PoetryAddict8]

This. Is. Unreal.

Pure fucking poetry

[dmcmichael88]

From listening to him sing, i'd guess (just a guess) that Jeff went through some really fucked up shit as a kid and/or teen but somehow got through it without totally going insane. Beautiful music, and so damn original.

[delitbrite]

@dmcmichael88 Without totally going insane? I suppose he isn't completely out of his mind, but the man is quite neurotic.

[lugiface]

studio version of this coming out with the box set!!!!

[jacobthelioneater]

@lugiface I just hope he doesn't work "the really sick" parts out!

[xanfus]

my wife thinks this has bluegrass roots. i agree. man he has such an amazing voice

[jacobthelioneater]

One of the most beautiful songs i've ever heard, and all I read in the comments is an argument that has devolved into ad-homs. I know the "quit arguing and listen to the song" posts are a bit clique, but seriously, you only live once, how much of it do you want to spend doing this?

[ainsliemorgan]

first time hearing this song. I've listened to it 6 times in a row. amazing. this is officially my favourite song by nmh, I think.

[amdolan45]

Song starts at 1:03

[fourteenstorieshigh]

Ugh I love Jeff Mangum way too much I can't help it.

[CoqueSpoke]

Wow. All trolling aside, this man is something else.

[EnokiSkai]

@BrunoCP4 To me it's all good

[BrandyDesha]

holy. shit.

[shhmellshlikeasshhhh]

JEFF MANGUM IS ON TOUR!

Now, who wants to buy me 2,000 dollar tickets to his show in NY on October 29?(:

[wendweeb]

wheree can i download this songgg )):

[ThatReallyHighDude]

alright well.....i don't know about anyone else but I FUCKING LOVE THIS BAND

[bobcateatface]

I just can't figure it out... this song just feels so powerful, so majestic, so beautiful, so tragic, so emotional, so meaningful. it feels like this song is one of those rare points where you can really get the entire feelings of another person as if you were them; you're really seeing into Jeff Mangum's mind, but more so heart. The whole thing makes me nostalgic for something I have never been a part of.

[Andy8Tran]

I think you guys are angry.

[UtuberTjs]

@Andy8Tran lol XD

[snipersas]

thats lucky actually cos i can interrupt you and remind you to shut the fuck up, and move on. im not interested in your back pedaling.

[shhmellshlikeasshhhh]

Jeff is a mother fucking genius.

[OhAdunDunDun]

This...Is such a SAD song. And so fucking amazing, I can't stop listening!

[MoldyZombie]

I'm failing because of Jeff;

When i do my homework i listen to NMH,

But i get dazed and lost in my homework because his work makes me feel infinite

[MalDeMer34]

@MoldyZombie me

2

bro

[popatire23]

I dont like how there is a minute of explanation before the song. Is it really neccesary? The lyrics are a bit self explanatory. Also while im bitching, could everyone just shut the fuck up about hipsters vs the mainstream? I mean seriously, hipsters are just as obnoxious as mainstreamers. yes there is good underground music, and i little bit of mainstream is good every now and then, but its just retarded to think that a band is bad because theyre making more money for doing their fucking job.

[KatherinaW]

@popatire23 I like the talking. I find it's insightful on how he lives in his own mind. Like there's a struggle to find the appropriate words from being so crowded with thoughts, & that he REALLY cares about the meaning/message he's making public therefore needing to feel it's TRULY understood. I think it's very sweet. Of course, i relate as i always say things over and again in revision, never feeling like i've done my thoughts/feeling justice. That prospect bothers me, a lot, so then i over-

[KatherinaW]

@popatire23 analyze not to mention occasionally then contradicting myself in explaining a difficulty to limit my view to a remote single perspective, having had too much time to consider/explore all possibilities. Then there's this, rambling like a lonely elder. Anyway, I agree with the later - people are people, some people 'suck' while others don't. That of course varies on whom you are asking about a particular individual. Also, It's far more silly to shame those being rewarded for sharing.=)

[popatire23]

@KatherinaW Wow, I'm surprised I didn't get a shitstorm for my comment. And I completely understand what you mean about the talking, in hindsight I was a little hypocritical to shoot down the idea. I'm just not a huge fan of NMK, and therefore a bit annoyed by the talking, but then I realized I like it when my favorite bands talk to the audience, so the same would obviously apply to NMK fans. Thank you for actually being civil instead of calling me a fag like most youtube commentors lol :)

[KatherinaW]

@popatire23 Haha that last bit made me giggle. Whenever i call people "fags"/"faggots" i feel like a jerk since it's highly offensive to the gay community. = / I would've instead called you a turd wrangler or something elusive to make you feel insulted & uncertain, but, i understood. At first listening to NMH i was like " AGH....WHAT?!" that lasted for 5secs then " Ohh-mmm!" & a frown for passing judgement instantly. Anything posted as a comment is written in sand. Thank you for engaging! ^_^

[AudreyScottW]

Listen, hipsters are the foundation of non-mainstream music. Jeff is one of the few who don't need auto-tune to have an interesting voice. Stop trolling and go back to your Bruno Mars. Because if you haven't already learned, nobody cares about your hateful comments.

[KatherinaW]

When Jeff states the song is unfinished does anyone else hear a females voice impatiently & impolitely shouting out " COME ON!"? Makes me feel apprehensive & a bit sad every time i hear it. A little crude considering he's demonstrating insecurity or concern of the audience enjoying it. I hope i'm wrong but, it just sounds so demanding without the tone of pure ushering excitement. Like she finds his " rambling" tedious. I wish Jeff would tell me the entire unrestricted meanings of all his songs.

[froggerchanovsky]

@KatherinaW I interpreted it as her trying to say that nobody cares that it's unfinished and needs work and all the other excuses he's coming up with, as if he's trying to say "maybe you'll like this more if I tell you I'll improve on it in the future". I never saw it as directed at his rambling about the meaning of the song, just his excuses. And it didn't seem crude, but almost welcoming/assuring/validating?

[KatherinaW]

@froggerchanovsky that's good, i'm glad you were hearing that. I'd kept trying to think " well, c'mon, give it the benefit of doubt - you weren't there" but, the idea of people being rude like that just bothers me so much. haha. I did figure all of what you said, for why she would've said it, i just ultimately didn't think it was to be welcoming/assuring/validating - but then again i cannot master knowledge through unfamiliar voices. Thanks, made me feel a bit better hearing it, though. = )

[NASTY138]

5:13

probably the most haunting sound i've ever heard someone's voice make

[procrastinats]

nice birthday song

[ardvarkd]

This is amazing, I can't believe I only JUST heard this.

[lolj4]

@ardvarkd SAME!

[pushyoureyesin]

"And now he's under water."

[aflorio717417]

all right im gonna learn this song and play my heart out and ill post it on youtube

This is amazing and captivating. Brilliant

[snipersas]

boy you people are fucking douche bags. jeff mangum is the JD salinger of indie music? come off it. i liked music better when hipsters weren't around

[katieisblue]

@snipersas I just meant that he made some really great shit and then he more or less disappeared from the music scene.

[snipersas]

@katieisblue then call him a recluse or something instead of namedropping jd salinger like a pretentious wanker

[Tribune12345]

@snipersas Every type of music has at one point or another been followed by a group of "hipsters." I like Jeff's music because it strikes a chord in me that a lot of other music doesn't.

Stop bunching fans of any type of music together in a negative way as if music taste was anything more than subjective in the first place.

[snipersas]

@Tribune12345 what an insipid, useless comment. what the fuck was your point in posting that drivel hahahaha

[Tribune12345]

@snipersas No point. =]

I just like seeing self righteousness and Internet confidence come together in one cute little package named snipersas.

I love you!

[snipersas]

@Tribune12345 hahaha what? how am i being self righteous? and for that matter, what is "internet confidence"? this comment read like you were just reaching for shit to call me without understanding what any of it meant

i love you too bud

[Tribune12345]

@snipersas I was just reaching for shit to call you without understanding what any of it meant.

<3

[snipersas]

@Tribune12345 oh i see you're ignoring criticism you've recieved by being ironic, its cool because you're actually making fun of a thing and junk

you are literally that much of a 1 dimensional hipster

[Tribune12345]

@snipersas Please, please! I can't take another bite! I'm full to the brim!

[snipersas]

@Tribune12345 man this comment is wrapped in so many layers of irony and non sequitur it even got into MY head a little bit

kudos youtube user "Tribune12345", you are finally too cool for school

[Tribune12345]

@snipersas If we knew each other outside of our Internet personalities, I have a feeling we'd be getting along far better.

That may be just me though.

[snipersas]

@Tribune12345 no, i only like people with integrity, and you seem like a shallow 1 dimensional smarmy fuck-face with no identity and an annoying sense of self importance.

maybe i just cant penetrate the veil of your clever and ironic "internet personality" though

[Tribune12345]

@snipersas No, I'm sure you like people who don't fit the standards you say you hold. If you didn't, you'd be quite the recluse considering everyone is pretty pathetic in real life. If you claim to be someone with integrity, I'd imagine you to be the kind of self-righteous asshole who feels inclined to call every comment that doesn't sit well with you insipid, useless, drivel. (regardless of whether they are or not, that's just not something people have the confidence to say in our society.)

[snipersas]

@Tribune12345 it only took you like 6 comments to reveal your total hypocrisy. you started bitching me out about being judgemental, and now you're the one making idiotic claims like "everyone is pathetic", and "no one in society has the confidence to say that" i recommend that before you say shit, ask yourself if you really have any idea what you're talking about

[snipersas]

@Tribune12345 on top of that, its hilarious to me that you think everyone is as spineless and shallow as you. what kind of pathetic fucking projection is that? if you are at all honest with yourself, looking back on this conversation will make you feel humiliated. just shut the fuck up and move on

[Tribune12345]

@snipersas There is a difference between being spineless and shallow and being a sociable human being. If you went around berating others for having a different opinion, you would not function in society. True, I jumped around a lot in this conversation, mainly because I was putting a minimal amount of effort into defending myself. Once I saw your response, I knew nothing would come of our discussion, but my sense of pride forced me to continue and does so still. As a matter of fact, I would

[snipersas]

@Tribune12345 dude that was so crazy i checked my inbox as soon as you posted this

[Tribune12345]

@snipersas That is indeed crazy.

[Tribune12345]

@snipersas LOVE to continue a more structured type of conversation by Private Messaging, if you're interested, of course. Maybe we would be able to come to some sort of a middle ground, like people generally do in a real argument between two capable beings.

I love when people tell someone to "move on" like it immediately makes them the better man. I'm far more interested in moving this conversation somewhere private where the possibility for a consensus on my hypocrisy can be reached.

[snipersas]

@Tribune12345 well i appreciate your willingness to discuss matters like this for their better understanding, i think the ultimate thing is here is that your initial claim in this conversation has no merit and it was nothing more than hypocrisy, and i think thats been pretty satisfactorily illustrated by me. the actual reasons that caused you to go about and do that are kind of another thing entirely

[snipersas]

@Tribune12345 i know what youre talking about in your second paragraph. but i definitely dont think i was just trying to make myself look like the better man, since i only started saying it was time to end the discussion and move on after i had satisfactorily (in my mind) revealed the point i was arguing against to be hypocrisy. if there are things you think havent been adequately covered, PM me and we can discuss them. so i was being honest when i said i think we should just move on

[snipersas]

@Tribune12345 but i dont know what kind of "consensus" WE can reach about YOUR hypocrisy, so ask yourself if you're just having trouble swallowing your pride. if thats honestly not what keeps you from wanting to stop talking about this, then yeah PM me

[sbcam123]

I like this...but what the hell, his voice is just so fucking bizarre, can I even call this singng?

[2ftsk8r]

@sbcam123 thats what is so great about it. Mangum's voice is so perfectly imperfect i love it.

[SickShortMovies]

@sbcam123 I don't think you can refer to any thing as "singng"

considering it's not a word!

[merrsshee]

@sbcam123 You don't know what the fuck you're talking about, or even how to spell.

[sbcam123]

@merrsshee Yeah? And you're a fucking faggot.

How about that internet tough guy?

[merrsshee]

@sbcam123 Haha whatever dude, you just called me a faggot, tough guy. All Im saying is you obviously don't know shit about what you're talking about.

[katieisblue]

He's like the JD Salinger of indie music.

[cruzman3608]

@katieisblue

That's weird. I was reading catcher in the rye when I clicked this page..

[lafec3]

great band

[DoctorOfJournalism1]

A minor is the most downtrodden, depressing chord in music. If anyone thinks different, I want to hear the chord they think is more so.

[artistsandbox]

@DoctorOfJournalism1 I'm going with Dm , more so than Am because Am kicks off The Passenger

[DoctorOfJournalism1]

@artistsandbox Yeah. I guess only if it's used in the right context.

[froggerchanovsky]

@DoctorOfJournalism1 I think Lick My Love Pump proved quite well that Dm is truly the saddest of all keys.

[TheGordonK]

jeff looks so serious in this picture.

[Vartex]

We can only imagine what the next album would have been like, if this is one of the songs that would have been on it...

[McHaydn]

Guy on the right looks a little like Ashton Kutcher.

[projektDOOM]

@McHaydn

And a lot like Betsy Ross.

[McHaydn]

@projektDOOM ?

[SuperCyanideCupcakes]

Such a beautiful, sorrowful song...

[JennyV777]

So great...

[johnbbolton]

he's not dead he played in lexington ky two years ago, soo talented

[carzrafiki]

wow.... so so good

[Clerks0]

This is the best song he ever written, imo

[kill0ggs]

i think oh sister is his best work its like in the aeroplane but in one song



[bclizz]

where is Jeff? He was at La Poisson Rouge two weeks ago, let the man live.

[walksofar]

Lmao this is an awesome parody. These guy sound exactly this bad lmao. So good, thumbs up..

[RockingRochelle]

That was beautiful

[LemonCircuits]

@RockingRochelle This is something more beautiful than beautiful.

[Soapjuna]

i want to buy this song and listen to it at least once a day!

[evilarchitecture]

wtf m8

[boomboombassify]

i know way looking down on this band/song or gay people but this is the first time ive heard this and i kinda got a feeling that its leaning towards homosexuality and the church. if im completely wrong just say so.

[evilarchitecture]

@boomboombassify wtfm8

[boomboombassify]

@evilarchitecture what the songs about a kid having birds in him that makes him happy and when he shows people they freak out and then theres talk of praying to the father son and holy spirit for help but something about how they are going to do the opposite.

[boomboombassify]

@boomboombassify

in no way looking down* woops

[adamspun]

yeah alot of his music has that feel but what difference does that make? by the way he is married to a movie director and has a couple of kids....also this means nothing.

[boomboombassify]

@adamspun o no i wasnt calling him gay i was just making an observation.

[junkheadjones]

@boomboombassify It seems to exemplify the horror of oppression led through ignorance, in this case homosexuality being oppressed by the ignorance of the church.

[JennyV777]

@junkheadjones

Dear sir... I pray that you find the love of God. And all who are in darkness, to see the light and feel the bright heat of forgiveness.

[LivesUnderABridge]

@JennyV777

This really is the wrong video to be preaching on.

[junkheadjones]

@JennyV777 aye sir, you too. may god save all of our poor sinning souls spinning through a sinew of wretched disgusting free thoughts.

[mussman717word]

@junkheadjones

Not so much the opression of homosexuality as the acts of violence against things they don't believe in. Jeff Mangum is like the purest flower-child of his decade. That's why so many decent people relate to him.

[whywalk1]

"start again"...that's nice

[PookazarSean]

This is amazing. He always puts such feeling into everything he does. Jeff Mangum is my favorite musician of all time.

[ChaseKittens]

I can't stand his voice but I can't stop listening to this song. I've listened to it literally over a dozen times since discovering it two and a half days ago.

Why, oh why oh why, didn't he do a studio recording of this song?

[Badman2123]

@ChaseKittens

This would sound better fosho...its about how much emotion they're putting in the song. All live shit is better except for mainstream shit now.

[NSdancer16]

I can't stop listening

[fghtffyrdmns5iana]

Favourite NMH song yet.

[oezss]

this song is incredible

[tangonoose]

i just keep listening to this song over and over and over and over again

[everennui1]

A hypocrite would be someone telling someone to "Talk about the song at hand." while--at the same time--not talking about the song at hand. In English using profanity as an adverb or adjective denotes anger (e. "turn the fuckin' light off"). I'm not looking for a debate. The FACT of the matter, is that you desperately want to be the comment-nazi and I--being a third person party--don't like it. I was saying that music was a personal experience, and despite what you want: people will compare song

[everennui1]

A little bit. Both are nasally, and I think that each phrase is emphasized in the similar ways. I don't really hear it profoundly, but both are truly great bands.

[Johnnyxtsunami]

Was Jeff a Christian? In some songs he'll be singing about Jesus then in this one its about a boys homosexuality.

[Blackwaterdesigns]

in the lyric sheet for aeroplane in between the lyrics for King of carrot flowers part one and parts two and three he explains why he says "I love you Jesus Christ" and that he means it, so It's safe to say he's christian. There are plenty of christians who think homosexuality is fine (but not gay sex. Yeah, it's fucked up).

For the record, though, I'm atheist.

[gothicgeek14]

I'm atheist too. but i'm pretty sure jeff never had specific religious beliefs. maybe he idolized jesus without worshipping him?

[musica26]

@gothicgeek14  Why do you believe he doesn't actually worship Jesus? Is it his lyrics? I don't always know what he is saying.

[gothicgeek14]

@musica26 well, one time he expressed his belief that he doesn't really have a religion, but does believe that inside of everyone there is an eternal white light, and just from basic personal experience i understand what it's like to have religious parents and not completely go against their beliefs but instead simply find a place of simplicity, and 'eternal white lights' seem pretty nice n simple to me 8)

[SanaLovesMahado1]

awesome song. Very emotional but beautiful!

[lukeashmoore]

amazing lyrics

[sMC193]

holy shit he is so nervous

[Havokz3]

No, person telling Jeff Mangum to "come on", you come on.

[5U64RC4K35]

fucking genius.

[myhandisapokemon]

he is such a fricken genius...

[holla61902]

Go back to 4chan and waster your life away.

[somesquirrel]

Seems to me that the song chords are just Am and G. In case anyone is interested...

[ivebeeneatingforyouu]

and Em...

[somesquirrel]

Good deal.

[ivebeeneatingforyouu]

haha, sorry, i sounded like a right condescending pedant. what a twat... sorry! :-)

[hashiepashi]

You know, I think that's the greatest thing about this band.

It's so simple, a song like this or Three Peaches, which is only two chords, and it really moves me.

I love this Mangum.

[indieguy245]

ooohhhh... i wish i could get this for my mp3 player without downloading limewire (dont want to screw up my computer). Ideas anyone?

[edwinx2]

Firefox + DownloadHelper Plugin.

[MaulFlamer1]

Could just get Limewire aswell as some kind of anti-virus/spyware software. And be careful what you download on Limewire.

[Vaynor]

Ah, the glories of Bit Torrent.

[MaliciousVicious]

torrent?

[terdymang]

Amazing.

That...that's really all I can say...

[shadow2409110]

i love this song its about how his dad killed his brother for being homosexual if u listen to two headed boy u will get it ... alot of his songs he writes are long and he ends up cutting them into parts

[BlaagaMe]

I see what you mean about two headed boy, but I don't think they were originally the same song.

They share a similar meaning from what I see, but not an exact connection.

[tomgibo]

But erm, his dad didnt actualy kill his brother.......

Its about a person who's dad kills his brother not Jeff, Jeff is (at least according to the internet) good friends with his dad....

[esotericblood]

yeah, he's told his fans not to assume he's writing about his own father.

[Shinybloopritty]

perhaps a friend's father, empathized with in that Aeroplane "It's all connected" way.

Maybe it's related to that family member who killed himself.

[Hexagrams]

Amazing Song. Like most Mangum songs are. Where Are You Jeff!!!???