The Birds of St. Marks
Encyclopedia
"The Birds of St. Marks" is a song by Jackson Browne
. The song was originally recorded on April 6, 1970 as a demo for Criterion Music, but was not officially recorded until his 2005 album Solo Acoustic, Vol. 1
. The song was originally written for guitar, as recorded in the Criterion Demos, but the live version featured on Solo Acoustic, Vol. 1
is performed by Jackson Browne on piano. The song depicts a queen
behind castle
walls, imprisoned in sadness and loneliness by her royal position.
The song was inspired by singer Nico
. During a stint in New York City before his own solo career, Jackson Browne served as backing guitarist for Nico both on record and in live performance. They were also lovers for a short time. One interpretation of the song is that Nico is the queen, trapped within the manipulations of her "manager", Andy Warhol
, and unable to be free to follow her own muse.
In addition to the Solo Acoustic performance, Jackson plays the song on his 1994 concert video "Going Home". The song is also featured in the 2007 movie Reign Over Me starring Adam Sandler
and Don Cheadle
.
Jackson Browne
Jackson Browne is an American singer-songwriter and musician who has sold over 17 million albums in the United States alone....
. The song was originally recorded on April 6, 1970 as a demo for Criterion Music, but was not officially recorded until his 2005 album Solo Acoustic, Vol. 1
Solo Acoustic, Vol. 1
Solo Acoustic, Vol. 1 is a live album by American singer/songwriter Jackson Browne, released in 2005 . It reached number 4 on the Top Independent Albums chart and number 8 on the Top Internet Albums chart.-History:...
. The song was originally written for guitar, as recorded in the Criterion Demos, but the live version featured on Solo Acoustic, Vol. 1
Solo Acoustic, Vol. 1
Solo Acoustic, Vol. 1 is a live album by American singer/songwriter Jackson Browne, released in 2005 . It reached number 4 on the Top Independent Albums chart and number 8 on the Top Internet Albums chart.-History:...
is performed by Jackson Browne on piano. The song depicts a queen
Queen regnant
A queen regnant is a female monarch who reigns in her own right, in contrast to a queen consort, who is the wife of a reigning king. An empress regnant is a female monarch who reigns in her own right over an empire....
behind castle
Castle
A castle is a type of fortified structure built in Europe and the Middle East during the Middle Ages by European nobility. Scholars debate the scope of the word castle, but usually consider it to be the private fortified residence of a lord or noble...
walls, imprisoned in sadness and loneliness by her royal position.
The song was inspired by singer Nico
Nico
Nico was a German singer, lyricist, composer, musician, fashion model, and actress, who initially rose to fame as a Warhol Superstar in the 1960s...
. During a stint in New York City before his own solo career, Jackson Browne served as backing guitarist for Nico both on record and in live performance. They were also lovers for a short time. One interpretation of the song is that Nico is the queen, trapped within the manipulations of her "manager", Andy Warhol
Andy Warhol
Andrew Warhola , known as Andy Warhol, was an American painter, printmaker, and filmmaker who was a leading figure in the visual art movement known as pop art...
, and unable to be free to follow her own muse.
In addition to the Solo Acoustic performance, Jackson plays the song on his 1994 concert video "Going Home". The song is also featured in the 2007 movie Reign Over Me starring Adam Sandler
Adam Sandler
Adam Richard Sandler is an American actor, comedian, screenwriter, musician, and film producer.After becoming a Saturday Night Live cast member, Sandler went on to star in several Hollywood feature films that grossed over $100 million at the box office...
and Don Cheadle
Don Cheadle
Donald Frank "Don" Cheadle, Jr. is an American film actor and producer. Cheadle rose to prominence in the late 1990s and the early 2000s for his supporting roles in the Steven Soderbergh-directed films Out of Sight, Traffic, and Ocean's Eleven...
.