The famous song, "Snowbird" was not composed by Anne Murray but, if you will excuse the pun, she gave it wings. It was actually written by another Canadian - Gene MacLellan - who tragically killed himself in 1995.
Multi-award winning Anne Murray is now seventy nine years old, residing back in her home province of Nova Scotia. For some reason that song - "Snowbird" came into my mind this morning and refused to leave so I knew I had just had to include it in a blogpost.
Gene MacLellan was inspired to write "Snowbird" while observing a flock of snow buntings on a Prince Edward Island beach. Essentially, he presented the song to Anne Murray in 1970 and gave her licence to use it as she would. It became her breakthrough single and was a surprise hit in the USA.
Spread your tiny wings and fly away
And take the snow back with you
Where it came from on that day
The one I love forever is untrue
And if I could you know that I would fly away with you
Yeah, if I could I know that I would fly away with you...
Anne Murray was not really known as a writer of songs but as an interpreter, a re-developer. Long ago, she alerted me to a song by Kenny Loggins called "Danny's Song". After learning it, I used to sing it with gusto. Like "Snowbird" it is from the very early seventies...
And even though we ain't got money
I'm so in love with you, honey
And everything will bring a chain of love, oh, oh, oh
And in the morning, when I rise
You bring a tear of joy to my eyes
And tell me everything is gonna be alright
Thank heavens for Anne Murray - one of several great Canadian songsters even though the songs she sang were not her own. In that sense she was rather like Elvis Presley - a singer rather than a writer but what's wrong with that? They both gave a lot of people a lot of pleasure.
I'm surprised you know so much about Anne Murray. For a long time she had a TV program on Sat nights. I never missed it. Gene Maclellan was a regular on the show. What I really liked was Anne Murray singing with her daughter. Somehow that didn't pan out.
ReplyDeleteApparently her daughter Dawn - now aged 45 has struggled for years with anorexia nervosa.
DeleteShe had a very distinct voice; I remember both of these songs.
ReplyDeleteHer voice was not as special as that of Karen Carpenter but still it connected with people.
DeleteKaren Carpenter's voice was just so pure.
DeleteI always loved her voice and she looked just like my best friend when I was growing up.
ReplyDeleteOne of Canada's best.
DeleteAnne Murray's voice was so pretty and it seemed effortless for her to sing.
ReplyDeleteYes - "effortless" is a good term to apply to her - at least it seemed that way.
DeleteI actually knew Gene Maclellan. Long story, but he was recruited to help me over a really difficult patch in my youth. He was a nice fellow. I think of him whenever I hear this song.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing that interesting tidbit of information Karen. Sounds like Gene had to battle with some demons himself.
DeleteI remember my Dad loved her and I remember Snowbird but not the other song.
ReplyDeleteHer voice had a certain emotional resonance and that is why she sold so many records.
DeleteI have never heard of her YP. My favourite Canadian bands are April Wine, Rush and Saga. I have seen Rush twice. Saga are big in Gsrmany but not in England surprisingly.
ReplyDeleteIn Canada and the USA far more people will have heard of Anne Murray - a Canadian national treasure.
DeleteNo doubt she is talented but how I hate Snowbird.
ReplyDeleteYou are just not sensitive enough Andrew.
DeleteI remember that one, when it came out.
ReplyDeleteSo you really are quite ancient then David...
DeleteFor some reason, I never could enjoy her music but I recognize that many did. There were and always will be plenty of very fine vocalists who did not write their own songs. No shame in that.
ReplyDeleteTrue. No shame but I tend to prefer artistes who also created their songs.
DeleteA lot of singers covered Snow Bird, but few as well, if any.
ReplyDeleteDid The Dunham Family cover it? A bit like Yorkshire's answer to The Partridge Family.
DeleteI like her songs - she has a lovely voice.
ReplyDeleteIt has a special resonance... probably like your voice Ellen.
DeleteI had a single (45 RPM) record of "Snowbird" when I was a kid. Anne was a big deal back in the day. She also did a version of "Daydream Believer" that was a big hit, as I recall.
ReplyDeleteI don't know why but that is another song that has stayed with me.
DeleteI should be more supportive but I never was able to enjoy her voice. And of course Snowbird became inextricably linked to her so I don't enjoy it sung by anyone else either. But that is just my personal preference and is not a statement on her ability. She sang at my high school gymnasium in the late 60s when I was in about grade 8. As was her habit as she first became known for her talent, she dressed casually and performed in bare feet. (Just a small correction to your post - Gene's name is MacLellan, not MacLennan.)
ReplyDeleteThank you for the spelling correction Jenny - much appreciated.
DeleteBeautiful song and she has a beautiful voice. I've been humming this all day!
ReplyDeleteHere's another earworm song for you to hum tomorrow - "The Birdie Song" by Black Lace.
DeleteThank you for this post! I remember both of those songs vividly. Growing up in northern New York, where it was cold and snowy a good 1/3 of the year, Snowbird got a lot of airplay. I really like her voice. I was reading through the comments and Karen Carpenter was another one with quite a distinctive voice.
ReplyDeleteKaren Carpenter's voice was super special in my humble opinion.
DeleteHere in Canada, she's a musical icon.
ReplyDeleteYou have quite a few of them DB.
DeleteSnowbird is such a lovely song, I also enjoyed her song 'You Needed Me', she has such a beautiful voice.
ReplyDelete