Birds Fly (Whisper to a Scream)
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"Birds Fly (Whisper to a Scream)" | ||||
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Single by The Icicle Works | ||||
from the album The Icicle Works | ||||
B-side | "In the Cauldron of Love" | |||
Released | 10 June 1983[1] | |||
Recorded | 1983 | |||
Genre | New wave | |||
Length | 3:45 | |||
Label | Beggars Banquet | |||
Songwriter(s) | Ian McNabb | |||
Producer(s) | Hugh Jones | |||
The Icicle Works singles chronology | ||||
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"Birds Fly (Whisper to a Scream)", given the reversed title "Whisper to a Scream (Birds Fly)" in some markets, is a song by the British band The Icicle Works. It was released in 1983 as the first single from the band's 1984 debut eponymous album The Icicle Works, and re-released in March 1984. The song was written by Ian McNabb, the band's lead singer, and produced by Hugh Jones.
UK releases
The recording was initially released as a single in the UK in June 1983 as "Birds Fly (Whisper to a Scream)" on the
After the Icicle Works' next UK single "Love Is a Wonderful Colour" hit number 15 on the UK charts in late 1983 and early 1984, Beggars Banquet Records rereleased "Birds Fly (Whisper to a Scream)" in March 1984 with a new cover and B-side. This release climbed to number 52 in the UK. John Peel was an early advocate of the single and played both the A and B side on his show during June and July 1983.
American release
The group's American label
Canadian release
The Canadian version of the single (credited to The Icicle Works) used the original UK mix with the spoken-word intro, but under the revised American title "Whisper to a Scream (Birds Fly)." This was the most successful commercial release of the single, reaching number 19 on the Canadian chart in the summer of 1984.
Track listings
1983 release
7" vinyl
- "Birds Fly (Whisper to a Scream)" (3:46)
- "Reverie Girl" (3:54)
12" vinyl
- "Birds Fly (Whisper to a Scream)" (3:52)
- "Reverie Girl" (3:55)
- "Gunboys" (3:44)
1984 release
7" vinyl (UK)
- "Birds Fly (Whisper to a Scream)" (3:48)
- "In the Cauldron of Love" (3:50)
7" vinyl (Canada)
- "Birds Fly (Whisper to a Scream)" (3:48)
- "Scarecrow" (3:06)
12" vinyl (BEG 108T)
- "Birds Fly (Whisper to a Scream)" (3:48)
- "In the Cauldron of Love" (3:50)
- "Scarecrow" (3:06)
- "Ragweed Campaign" (4:12)
12" vinyl (BEG 108TD)
- "Birds Fly (Whisper to a Scream)" (3:48)
- "In the Cauldron of Love" (3:50)
- "Birds Fly (Frantic Mix)" (5.20)
12" vinyl (BEG 108TR)
- "Birds Fly (Frantic Mix)" (5:20)
- "Birds Fly (Whisper to a Scream)" (3:48)
- "In the Cauldron of Love" (3:50)
- "Scarecrow" (3:06)
- "Ragweed Campaign" (4:10)
Charts
Chart (1983–1984) | Peak position |
---|---|
Canada Top Singles (RPM)[7] | 19 |
53 | |
US Billboard Hot 100[9] | 37 |
US Dance Club Songs (Billboard)[10] | 13 |
References
- ^ a b "Full DISCOGRAPHY The Icicle Works and Ian McNabb". Ianmcnabb.yolasite.com. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
- ^ "Whisper To A Scream (Birds Fly) (European Version)". Retrieved 24 December 2021.
- ^ "Whisper to a Scream (Birds Fly)". Retrieved 24 December 2021.
- ^ Whitburn, Joel (2013). Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles, 14th Edition: 1955–2012. Record Research. p. 403.
- ^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Hot Dance/Disco: 1974–2003. Record Research. p. 126.
- ^ "Whisper To A Scream (Birds Fly) (Extended Club Remix)". Retrieved 24 December 2021.
- ^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 6737." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
- ^ "Icicle Works Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
- ^ "Icicle Works Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 12 June 2023.