"The Bird" | ||||
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Single by The Time | ||||
from the album Ice Cream Castle | ||||
A-side | "The Bird" | |||
B-side | "My Drawers" | |||
Written | 1983 | |||
Published | 1984 | |||
Released | January 11, 1985 | |||
Recorded | October 4, 1983 | |||
Venue | First Avenue | |||
Genre | Pop, funk | |||
Length | 7" edit: 3:41 Album: 7:40 Dance Remix: 6:25 | |||
Label | Warner Bros. | |||
Composer(s) | Prince (as Jamie Starr), Morris Day, Jesse Johnson | |||
Lyricist(s) | Prince (as Jamie Starr) | |||
Producer(s) | Prince (as The Starr ★ Company) | |||
The Time singles chronology | ||||
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Purple Rain singles chronology | ||||
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Alternative cover | ||||
"The Bird" is a song from The Time's third album, Ice Cream Castle. The song was initially recorded in the studio in 1983 with all instruments by Prince, except guitar, which was performed by Jesse Johnson.[1] This version was replaced by a live recording with the full band at the First Avenue on October 4, 1983. This is the first Time song to be released both live and featuring The Time as a band, rather than primarily Prince with Morris Day on vocals. The song has become a signature number for the band and continues to be played in every Time concert to this day. In addition, two additional live versions have since been released: one on Prince's Rave Un2 the Year 2000 DVD and one recorded at the House of Blues in 1998 for Morris Day's 2004 album It's About Time.