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Anne Murray’s career didn’t get off to a smooth start. After graduating from university with a degree in physical education, she taught for a year before deciding to pursue a professional singing career. Her breakthrough came in 1970 with the song “Snowbird.” The song’s unexpected success made Anne Murray the first Canadian female solo artist to have a single on the U.S. Top 10 charts and the first to receive a Gold record there. Her success paved the way for a later generation of Canadian female singers like Céline Dion, Shania Twain, and k.d. lang, who followed in her footsteps to conquer the international music market. Despite her resounding success, Anne Murray always remained humble. She once shared that she simply sang the songs she loved, whether they were pop, country, or lullabies.

“Scroll down to the end of the article to listen to music.”

Introduction

“Snowbird” is a song famously performed by Canadian singer Anne Murray. Released in 1969, it marked a significant milestone in her career, propelling her to international fame. The song’s gentle melody and soothing lyrics resonated with a broad audience, establishing Anne Murray as a prominent figure in the music industry. “Snowbird” became a crossover hit, appealing to both pop and country music fans, and it remains one of Murray’s most beloved songs.

About The Composition

  • Title: Snowbird
  • Composer: Gene MacLellan
  • Premiere Date: 1969
  • Album/Opus/Collection: This Way Is My Way
  • Genre: Country, Pop

Background

“Snowbird” was written by Canadian songwriter Gene MacLellan. Anne Murray recorded the song for her second studio album, “This Way Is My Way,” and it quickly gained popularity. The song was released as a single in 1970 and became a significant hit in the United States, reaching No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It was also a No. 1 hit on the Adult Contemporary chart and topped the Canadian chart as well. Its success helped break down barriers for Canadian artists in the U.S. market.

Musical Style

“Snowbird” features a gentle and melodic musical style, characterized by its soft vocals and soothing instrumentation. The arrangement combines elements of country and pop, with a prominent acoustic guitar line and lush orchestration that complement Murray’s clear and warm voice.

Lyrics/Libretto

The lyrics of “Snowbird” convey themes of longing and the desire for freedom. The imagery of a snowbird flying away symbolizes escape from the cold and the search for warmth and happiness. The song’s simple yet evocative language resonates with listeners, offering a sense of hope and yearning.

Performance History

Anne Murray’s performance of “Snowbird” has been a staple in her live concerts. The song’s success led to numerous television appearances and performances, including on shows like “The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour,” helping to cement her status as a major artist in both Canada and the United States.

Cultural Impact

“Snowbird” has left a lasting cultural impact, becoming an iconic song in both the country and pop music genres. Its success paved the way for other Canadian artists to enter the U.S. market. The song has been covered by numerous artists, including Elvis Presley, further demonstrating its broad appeal and enduring influence.

Legacy

Today, “Snowbird” remains an essential part of Anne Murray’s musical legacy. The song continues to be celebrated for its timeless appeal and has been included in various compilations and greatest hits albums. Its enduring popularity is a testament to the universal themes and emotional resonance of the song.

Conclusion

“Snowbird” by Anne Murray is a classic that has stood the test of time, captivating audiences with its beautiful melody and heartfelt lyrics. Its impact on the music industry and cultural significance make it a must-listen for fans of both country and pop music. I encourage you to explore this iconic song and discover the magic of Anne Murray’s music.

Video

Lyrics

Beneath this snowy mantle cold and clean

The unborn grass lies waiting

For its coat to turn to green

The snowbird sings the song he always sings

And speaks to me of flowers

That will bloom again in spring

When I was young

My heart was young then, too

Anything that it would tell me

That’s the thing that I would do

But now I feel such emptiness within

For the thing that I want most in life’s

The thing that I can’t win

Spread your tiny wings and fly away

And take the snow back with you

Where it came from on that day

The one I love forever is untrue

And if I could you know that I would

Fly away with you

The breeze along the river seems to say

That he’ll only break my heart again

Should I decide to stay

So, little snowbird

Take me with you when you go

To that land of gentle breezes

Where the peaceful waters flow

Spread your tiny wings and fly away

And take the snow back with you

Where it came from on that day

The one I love forever is untrue

And if I could you know that I would

Fly away with you

Yeah, if I could you know that I would

Fl-y-y-y-y away with you

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Anne Murray’s career didn’t get off to a smooth start. After graduating from university with a degree in physical education, she taught for a year before deciding to pursue a professional singing career. Her breakthrough came in 1970 with the song “Snowbird.” The song’s unexpected success made Anne Murray the first Canadian female solo artist to have a single on the U.S. Top 10 charts and the first to receive a Gold record there. Her success paved the way for a later generation of Canadian female singers like Céline Dion, Shania Twain, and k.d. lang, who followed in her footsteps to conquer the international music market. Despite her resounding success, Anne Murray always remained humble. She once shared that she simply sang the songs she loved, whether they were pop, country, or lullabies.

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“If you’re listening, Carl… this one’s for you.” In a night bathed in starlight and sorrow, Dolly Parton stepped onto the stage and turned her grief into song, gifting the world a final love letter wrapped in melody. Her voice, trembling with heartbreak, carried the weight of a lifetime shared with the man she called her anchor—Carl Dean. When the first note of “I Will Always Love You” floated through the silence, time seemed to stop, and with Susan Boyle’s angelic harmony joining hers, pain was lifted into something divine. The audience wept not just for Dolly, but for every goodbye they had ever whispered into the night. This wasn’t merely a tribute—it was a celestial farewell, where love soared beyond the veil of life, echoing into eternity.

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One of Marty Robbins’s greatest hits and signature songs, “El Paso,” is a testament to his masterful storytelling. The story of a lovelorn cowboy in a Texas border town captured the hearts of millions of fans. Surprisingly, Robbins wrote this ballad, which is over four minutes long, during a drive through El Paso, composing it as quickly as he could write it down. The song was not only a number-one hit on both the country and pop charts in 1959 but also earned him a prestigious Grammy Award. The appeal of “El Paso” was so great that years later, in 1966, he wrote a sequel to the story with the song “Feleena (From El Paso),” which is over eight minutes long and tells the life story of the Mexican dancer, Feleena.

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