Watching Birds

Stornoway's 'Watching Birds' is a poignant exploration of love, loss, and the passage of time. The song opens with a vivid metaphor, comparing the hypnotic effect of a lover's eyes to headlights, suggesting an intense and almost blinding attraction. This sets the stage for a relationship that crashes into the protagonist's life, altering it irrevocably. The act of sticking a pin into a map symbolizes a spontaneous and adventurous spirit, yet the line 'there'll be no looking back' hints at an inevitable separation and the futility of trying to recapture past happiness.

The chorus reveals a deep sense of regret and longing. The protagonist admits to searching for happiness since the day they parted, only to realize that such a search is often in vain. The metaphor of not having the chance to change the batteries in his watch underscores the theme of wasted time and missed opportunities. This imagery suggests that while time has moved on, the protagonist remains stuck in the past, unable to move forward.

The recurring scene of a warm Monday night in June, where the protagonist finds himself unable to sleep and instead dreams in the garden, adds a layer of melancholy. The empty chair beside him symbolizes the absence of his lost love, and despite his efforts to find solace, he still feels incomplete. The daily phone calls from his former lover and the birds on the wire, feeling the electricity, evoke a sense of lingering connection and unresolved emotions. The protagonist's job of 'making money watching birds' becomes a metaphor for his stagnant state, as he remains emotionally unfulfilled despite his efforts to move on.