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This was written from a place of not allowing something to hold you back from your full potential. It’s about breaking free and loving yourself enough to allow yourself to fly. Finding the confidence and strength to escape and grow".

"Birdie" is the second track from Avril Lavigne's sixth studio album, Head Above Water (2019).

Background[]

In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Lavigne said:

I had that concept in my head two years before I wrote it. I was feeling bad. I kept saying to myself, “I feel like I’m a bird locked up in a cage. I feel like I’m in jail.” I was just stuck with a bunch of s–t. That’s where that concept came from. It’s not necessarily about my illness but about other stuff in my life. I love that song because it has an empowering message of standing up for yourself, doing something about a situation you’re in, taking charge, and removing yourself. I think a lot of people can relate to that whether that’s a toxic relationship they’re in, or they’re not happy with their job.[2]

Lyrics[]

[Verse 1]
Like a bird locked up in a cage called love
He clipped her wings when she was born to fly
He said, "A pretty bird, you can't sing
But I'll buy you diamonds and ruby rings"
Like a bird locked up in a cage

[Chorus]
And how can I escape this place and go higher, higher?
How can I avoid the flames from your fire, fire?
And oh, you can't hold me down, no
Oh, you can't pull me down
So birdie, fly away (Higher, higher)
So birdie, fly away (Higher, higher)
So birdie fly away

[Verse 2]
I'm tired of getting lost inside this maze all day
Your twisted words are getting to my head
I say, "And no more glasses and seein' stars
And no more bruises and battle scars"
Like a bird locked up in a cage

[Chorus]
And how can I escape this place and go higher, higher?
How can I avoid the flames from your fire, fire?
And oh, you can't hold me down, no
Oh, you can't pull me down
So birdie, fly away (Higher, higher)
So birdie, fly away (Higher, higher)
So birdie, fly away

[Bridge]
I ain't your prisoner
You can't lock me up no more
I'll show you what I'm worth
Take back what I deserve
I ain't your prisoner
You can't chain me down no more
Goddamn, it's gonna hurt
So fly away, little bird

[Chorus]
And how can I escape this place and go higher, higher?
How can I avoid the flames from your fire, fire?
And oh, you can't hold me down, no
Oh, you can't pull me down

[Outro]
So birdie, fly away (Oh, oh, oh)
Can you hear me? (Oh, oh, oh)
Are you listenin'? (Oh, oh, oh)
Set me free, set me free (Oh, oh, oh)
Can you hear me? (Oh, oh, oh)
Are you listenin'? (Oh, oh, oh)
Set me free, set me free

References[]

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