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song: Birds Fly (Whisper to a Scream)
artist: The Icicle Works
album: The Icicle Works
released: 1986length: 3:40
6.9
(1856)
Love come down upon us till you flow like water
Burning with the hope of insight
Feathered, look they're covered with a bright elation
Stolen in the sight of love

We are, we are, we are but your children
Finding our way around indecision
We are, we are, we are rather helpless
Take us forever, a whisper to a scream

Birds fly in the eyes of the faithless daughter
Broken at the bitter end
Wasted sacrificed for a new nirvana
Nighttime sends us on our way

We are, we are, we are but your children
Finding our way around indecision
We are, we are, we are rather helpless
Take us forever a whisper to a scream

A whisper to a scream
A whisper to a scream
A whisper to a scream
A whisper to a scream

We are, we are, we are but your children
Finding our way around indecision
We are, we are, we are rather helpless
Take us forever a whisper to a scream

We are, we are, we are but your children
Finding our way around indecision
We are, we are, we are rather helpless
Take us forever a whisper to a scream

We are, we are, we are but your children
Finding our way around indecision
We are, we are, we are rather helpless
Take us forever a whisper to a scream
The Icicle Works

The Icicle Works (also known as Icicle Works in the United States) are an English alternative rock band, named after the 1960 short story "The Day the Icicle Works Closed" by science fiction author Frederik Pohl. They had a top 20 UK hit with "Love Is a Wonderful Colour" (1983). In the US and Canada, they had one top 40 hit, the 1984 single "Birds Fly (Whisper to a Scream)".

Consisting of singer/guitarist/keyboardist/songwriter Ian McNabb, drummer Chris Sharrock, and bassist Chris Layhe, the band released four albums from 1984 to 1988. The original band broke up in 1989, but McNabb has continued to perform under the Icicle Works name with various replacement members; this revised Icicle Works line-up still plays sporadic live dates.

Artist Website
(more from Wikipedia)
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Comments ( 230 )
Posted 8 years ago by RasterPix:
Love this song!  There is just something about this tune that makes me smile and play the air drums with lots of verve, albeit with zero technique. **Cranks up the volume.**{#Dancingbanana}  
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Posted 9 years ago by adpucci:
Ian McNabb is a faithful listener of RP and loves the tunes, Bill {#Cheesygrin}
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Posted 8 years ago by hayduke2:
most excellent drumming!  this song's got a timeless positive vibe
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Posted 8 years ago by mardisoninnc:
Holy moly!  Haven't heard this one in a looooooong time!
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Posted 5 years ago by NewFee:
This would be a guilty pleasure if I felt any guilt. Which I do not.

Yes, there may have been out-loud singing. And yes, maybe some air drums.

What of it I ask?
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Posted 8 years ago by RiverOfLife:
adpucci wrote:
Ian McNabb is a faithful listener of RP and loves the tunes, Bill {#Cheesygrin}

 
Wow - now that's an endorsement (if true).  Which I'd certainly second.  After all, how many stations could even conceive of segueing Birds Fly followed by Reach Out, I'll Be There.  Brilliant programming, as ever.  Made me smile - after a hard day.
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Posted 3 years ago by eileenomurphy:
Great Tune!!    I love the floor toms!!
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Posted 5 years ago by Ihatethissong:
What a glorious pluck from the 80's alternative stacks!
Bravo!!!
I'm standing on my seat for this ovation!
Hell, I'm doing "the wave", by myself!




You know, years ago when my ever-wise and radiant queen began putting RP on, I would grumble to myself and roll my eyes.
Now I have the app on my phone and it's all we listen to, home and on the go.
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Posted 2 years ago by CCSandman:
Nice and nostalgic, even though I only recall a cover of it for the 1996 Scream movie soundtrack 😁
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Posted 2 years ago by tm:
this and the fixx - great bands that I listened to in 1984
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Posted 4 years ago by mleidig:
Love it 
Drum "twins" with Bow Wow Wow and Adam Ant 
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Posted 5 years ago by obankenobi:
kindred tribal feel to Bow Wow Wow
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Posted 4 years ago by photolew:
maybe its the emotional ties to my HS graduation era, but this is a solid 8-9 to me.....this song is as sing along worthy now as it was 35 years ago
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Posted 3 years ago by the_jake:
 MirageRF wrote:

For an '80's tune, I like it, not a lot, but it's good for the mix.  6


Never knew this bands name.  giving a 6 rating as well.
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Posted 3 years ago by xc.farmer.antoine486:
Not quite a dirge, but maybe 🤔 a lament to the mortal coil…?! It took me years to recognize the beautiful, transcendent qualities of what I originally believed to be just a catchy pop song!
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Posted 3 years ago by bitterdave:
Wow - the opening sounds so much like the Sundays 'Skin & Bones'.  Hadn't noticed that before . . .
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Posted 3 years ago by geonuine:
Timeless    
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Posted 6 years ago by Grayson:
Well, some things don't change, and that's a relief! Still mix up the Icicle Works and The Lightning Seeds. Kinda always sounded one in the same.
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Posted 6 years ago by Hoosfoos:
Grade 8. I had been given a FM Walkman which I thought was the coolest thing ever.
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Posted 7 years ago by lizardking:
Gosh, as a "kid" during the 80s, I had to endure what my 7 year older sister listened to, like this song, and Duranx2, most of which I still can't stand.
Still, the nostalgic factor raises my rating from a 2 to a 3.
Long live RP! 
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