"The Bird" by George Jones tells the story of a man whose partner buys him a talking parrot as a gift. However, the parrot ends up causing trouble in their relationship. The man believes that if it weren't for the parrot, his partner would never have found out about his affair with Big Betty Brown. Feeling betrayed and hurt, the man's partner decides to leave him, but not without causing a scene. As she packs her things and prepares to leave, she takes the parrot with her, placing it on the seat beside her in the car. In her anger, she speeds away, leaving skid marks on the street. The neighbors witness the chaotic scene, recognizing that she is upset. The man, calling out to her from the front porch, tries to stop her, but all he can give her is the bird, meaning both the parrot and a symbolic gesture of contempt. The title, "The Bird," is a play on words, referring to the parrot but also symbolizing the vulgar gesture of flipping someone off. The song takes a lighthearted approach to a situation that is filled with resentment and anger. Overall, "The Bird" is a humorous take on a broken relationship, where the parrot becomes the catalyst for the unraveling of the man's secrets and the ultimate downfall of the couple's love.
