It's A Beautiful Day - White Bird

It's a Beautiful Day was a band formed in San Francisco, California in 1967, the brainchild of violinist David LaFlamme.

LaFlamme, a former soloist with the Utah Symphony Orchestra, had previously been in the band Orkustra, and unusually, played a five-string violin. The other members were his wife Linda (keyboards), Pattie Santos (vocals), Hal Wagenet (guitar), Mitchell Holman (bass) and Val Fuentes (drums). Although they were one of the earliest and most important San Francisco bands to emerge from the Summer of Love, It's a Beautiful Day never quite achieved the success of their contemporaries such as The Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane and Santana, with whom they had connections. It's A Beautiful Day created a unique blend of rock, jazz, folk, classical and world beat styles during the seven years the band was officially together.

The group's signature song "White Bird" was inspired by the experiences David and Linda LaFlamme had while living in Seattle. In an ironic twist on the band's name, the sad song was partly inspired by Seattle's rainy winter weather. In a later interview, David LaFlamme said:

"Where the 'white bird' thing came from ... We were like caged birds in that attic. We had no money, no transportation, the weather was miserable. We were just barely getting by on a very small food allowance provided to us. It was quite an experience, but it was very creative in a way."

Lyrics:
White bird,
in a golden cage,
on a winter's day,
in the rain.

White bird,
in a golden cage,
alone.

The leaves blow,
Across the long black road.
To the darkened skies,
in its rage

But the white bird just sits in her cage,
unknown.

White bird must fly
Or she will die

White bird,
dreams of the aspen trees,
with their dying leaves,
turning gold.

But the white bird just sits in her cage,
growing old.

White bird must fly or she will die.
White bird must fly or she will die.

The sunsets come, the sunsets go.
The clouds roll by,and the earth turns old.
And the young bird's eyes do always glow.

She must fly,
She must fly,
She must fly.

White bird,
In a golden cage,
On a winter's day, in the rain.

White bird,
In a golden cage alone.

White bird must fly or she will die.
White bird must fly or she will die.
White bird must fly or she will die.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• It's
• Beautiful
• Day
• White
• Bird
• Linda
• David
• LaFlamme
• Pattie
• Santos
• Hal
• Wagenet
• Mitchell
• Holman
• Val
• Fuentes
• Violin
• San
• Francisco
• Rock
• Jazz
• Folk
• Classical

[deepdivemouse]

Great video my dear Uschi. I'm fascinated from this song.

Love

Andrea

[UschisChannel2]

@deepdivemouse Danke Andrea! Mir gefällt das Lied auch sehr gut :-))

Ich wünsche Dir noch nen schönen Sonntag "The Heat is on"...lalalala....

Grüßle

Uschi

[BocaFriend]

Uschwester, this is a masterpiece! I am fully engaged

by the song (which makes me think of our Freedaaa!)

and thoroughly enchanted by your masterful video.

Who but your could grant us such a view from behind

the bars of a bowed birdcage. I didn't know this music

and now can't stop it from playing in my mind -- nor do

I wish to stop it; I love this entire creation you have

assembled! Big hugs and kudos, as ever, ~Terry

[UschisChannel2]

@BocaFriend Dear Terrysis,

I knew this song either, but when I heard it, it immediately came on the list for doing a video! I liked the violin and a certain sadness in the song!

Thanks so much for your lovingly comment!

Uschi

[vamn4u1]

My aunt played this for me when I was a kid back in the 60's. My aunt was a Dr of psychology and used to take us on tours of NYC. Of course village was hippies and Andy Warhol. Great time to grow up. Its still a very haunting song even now, but beautiful. It is about the girl living in like a widows walk and even wealthy she is trapped. Remember this was the height of woman's lib.

[Bambooandlotus1]

Such a beautiful video thank you ... the song I have loved for ever but you have created a stunning video.... ♫♪ Լღvє ♫ ♪♪

[TheBolillo310]

love this song

[Hermunkle]

Replay button was regretfully abused.... I tried to embrace the feelings of love and unity I felt when I listened to this and I felt.... Loss.... I couldnt express it, this is truly beautiful, and it makes me sad and euphoric all at once.... Dare I say.... Yes I do, I say RAPE yes RAPE that replay button this is amazing.

[4IAMATITOK]

wise as a serpent Blackfoot train,train Isaiah 6: Ezekiel 3 harmless as a dove 2 Peter 3 not the flip side! Know the old, practice the new! Grace to yall

[faltenelli]

Wonderful lyrics.

It fits in every decade of a human beings life.

Childhood, youth,grown-up-phase, old folks .. and even dying peoples hearts are touched.

And it seems that me dog looks kind of sentimental when she listen to this song..

[dbreed53]

The only cut better than this is the dueling violins of "Don & Dewey", great memories of fine vocals, lyrics and sweet music, while sipping hot Port wine, laced with lemon slices, and an awesome homemade pipe full of Sensimillia.

[BTS6463]

Groovy & far out, man......Liked & Favoured..

[triplettam]

One of the greatest songs to come out of San Francisco. Totally hypnotic. David, Linda; I saw them about 6 times. Progressive rock in America was different than that of our UK brethren (whom I loved). There were so many influences here. Thanks Uschis.

[bluespaark]

Nice job. Thanks for posting this.