Today I'll be taking some birds I saw on a recent and fruitful hike to Mt. Burdell and asking the very normal question "What if they were songs from Kanye West's* 2004 instant classic, The College Drop Out?"
And since that leaves no further questions about this premise or the sense that it makes, let's get to the birds!
Western Bluebird
College Drop Out Song: We Don't Care
The Western Bluebird to me is a sign that you're in for a special day of birding, just like We Don't Care delivers a clear message that you're about to hear something special. The triumphant tone and message of We Don't Care matches up well with the bluebird, who has long been a symbol of happiness, a light in dark times. There is also clearly a well-earned cynicism present in the track, and indeed this stands as a statement of purpose for the album as a whole. Much like the bluebird presents what's best about birding, this song shows off what's best about rap- it's ability to make statements. This is a strong opening bird and a strong opening track.
Wild Turkey
College Drop Out Song: Jesus Walks
This comparison goes beyond the fact that Turkeys mostly walk, rather than fly like most birds. This bird is bombastic and overstuffed in a way that reminds me of the epic tone struck by the lyrics and beat of Jesus Walks. Jesus Walks is easily the smash hit off of College Drop Out, and it's hard to find a bird that's been more successful or is bigger. Although the Wild Turkey is really magnificent when you stop and consider it, it's been somewhat ruined by ubiquity. Just as I would often choose another bird over this Turkey, there are times when I skip Jesus Walks. I've just heard it enough times. Also, Jesus Walks being a Christianity-focused song works well with the Turkey, who some have argued is a singular representative of American values.
Mourning Doves
College Drop Out Song: Get Em High
My feeling is that Kanye's greatest talent has always been in his collaboration with others and in knowing when more is better. Get Em High absolutely packs in the star power in the guest verses, featuring both Common and Talib Kweli. A bird that relies heavily on its flock, the mourning dove sleeps and migrates communally, and raises young in bonded pairs, so it certainly understands Kanye's motivation here. There is strength in numbers. The Mourning Dove is one of the most abundant birds in North America, and although Get Em High was never a single, it might have the most widespread appeal of a track on the album, since it features several well-known and well-loved lyricists. Also worth noting- a lot of our urban birds are in the pigeon/dove family, and I'd argue that Mourning Doves are second only to Rock Doves as the most city-feeling bird, which makes them a perfect match of the dark, propulsive, urban production on Get Em High.
Ash-throated Flycatcher
College Drop Out Song: All Falls Down
The Lauryn Hill sample on this track mirrors the gentle, graceful swoops of this deft Flycatcher species. Although it's not anyone's favorite bird, it has longevity and you often forget that you've seen it a million times, giving it good replay value. Much like All Falls Down, Ash-throated Flycatcher doesn't overstay his welcome and never gets old. All Falls Down is a song that is about the pressures of living in a society that values material things over all else, and this bird is certainly 'self conscious' and flighty, rarely staying in the same place for long and occasionally showing up well outside of it's usual range. Almost like it's trying to run away from something. Flycatchers are also plucky, bold birds. Much like 2004 Kanye, this bird can take on animals much larger than it and walk away the victor.
Black Phoebe
College Drop Out Song: Through the Wire
Much like Kanye West after his car accident, the Black Phoebe can't really open his mouth wide enough to eat normal food, but instead of subsisting on protein drinks, he eats mostly bugs (the bird does). But that's not where the comparisons end- the chipmunk-voice vocals on Through the Wire are surprisingly reminiscent of the high-pitched squeak of the Black Phoebe, marking this bird as a possible inspiration or co-creator. Aside from this, Through the Wire highlights another trademark of Kanye's early music, a contrast between serious content and light production elements. The track is effervescent and energetic, over Kanye talking about one of the most traumatic experiences of his life. This pitch-black bird flits and bobs engagingly from branch to branch in a way that is inarguably reminiscent. This bird also frequently alights on wires, as if those other similarities weren't enough!
Well, that's our Last Call for today. What did you think? Would you have chosen different songs off of College Drop Out for these birds? Which bird would be Never Let Me Down (one of my favorite tracks off the album)? What album would you like to see me bird-itize next? Sound off in the comments or send me and e-mail or something, I guess.
