https://www.rollingstone.com/country/lists/100-greatest-country-artists-of-all-time-w486191/jerry-reed-w486377

In the course of Jerry Reed’s career, he has recorded more than fifty singles. Three dozen of those penetrated the top forty on the country charts. The most successful of the “Good Ol’ Boy’s” singles were “Lord, Mr. Ford,” “She Got The Goldmine (I Got The Shaft),” and  “When You’re Hot, You’re Hot.” Those three were all recorded as number ones on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.

But before retirement and his death, Jerry Reed recorded and released his very last single called “The Bird.” It became number one on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks on January 15, 1983. On the other hand, the song topped at number two on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart before Christmas in 1982.

The Bird…

Hal Coleman and Barry Etris are the songwriters behind the words and lyrics of “The Bird.” It was released in 1982 under Reed’s album “The Bird.” Moreover, the single was inspired by Willie Nelson’s “Whiskey River” and “On the Road Again,” and George Jones’ “He Stopped Loving Her Today.”

“The Bird” talks about a blue-collar worker who was tricked. The story goes when a man stops at a roadside tavern. He walked in the door and started boasting about his bird, saying the bird can sing. The bird sang Willie Nelson’s “Whiskey River” and George Jones’ “He Stopped Loving Her Today.” Due to amazement, the blue-collar worker bought the singing bird.

Moments later, the bird flew out of the door and never came back. He then realized, he was tricked.

The Lyrics…

Well my throat was dry and it was getting late

I was at this bar on the interstate

When this guy with this bird on his shoulder walked through the door

He proceeded to tell me the wildest thing

Sir this bird of mine can sing

Like no other bird you ever heard before

Well I kinda looked at the guy and said oh really

He turned to the bird and said do ole Willie

When the bird started singing I almost fell in the floor

Whisky River take my mind

Don’t let her memory torture to me

Whisky River don’t run dry

You’re all I’ve got take care of me

Well if that ain’t the durndest thing

I thought son what a heck of a thing

A man could get rich making that bird sing

And I could feel this wild idea coming on strong

Besides I’m sitting here with two weeks pay

And I’d probably blow it on beer anyway

Hey wait til you hear him sing like George Jones

Then…

He stopped loving her today

They placed a wreath upon his door

Soon they’ll carry him away

He stopped loving her today

I said well that does it sir

Yep I’d like to buy that bird

Five hundred dollars to take him off your hands

Well he thought for a while and he said alright

And he handed me the bird and he said good night

He counted my money and out the door he ran

Well I was thinking I’d found the rainbow’s end

That the money would soon be pouring in

When suddenly the bird flew out the door and was gone

Well then it hit me and I got boiling made

Cause I knew right then I’d been had

And as he flew off into the night he was singing this song

On the road again

I just can’t wait to get on the road again

Somebody stop that bird

Well love is making money with my friends

I can’t wait to get on the road again

On the road again

My bird

I Just can’t wait to get on the road again

Find love is making money with my friends

I can’t wait to get on the road again

Somebody give me a BB gun

On the road again

I want that bird

Just can’t wait to get on the road again

This is for the birds

Love is making money with my friends

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