KEVIN McCORRY, HOST: I’m Kevin McCorry and this is ‘Jukebox Journey.’
[MUSIC MONTAGE: “You’re a Big Girl Now” by Bob Dylan, “BIRDS OF A FEATHER” by Billie Eilish, “I like Birds” by The Eels.]
KM: We’re unstuck in time, jumping through decades and genres, meditating on a theme. This week: nature’s sounds of spring.
[NAT SOUND: Birdsong of the American robin, example 1]
KM: As the ground thaws and green shoots up from the earth, the song of the robin fills the air: cheery and industrious, awake before dawn to take on the day.
[MUSIC: “A Spoon Full of Sugar” by Julie Andrews from the film “Mary Poppins”]
KM: Julie Andrews from 1964.
Like many birds, the robin chooses its tune based on the moment. There’s the mating songs, but also the territorial, ‘get away from my nest’ variations.
[NAT SOUND: Peek and tut call of the American Robin]
[MUSIC: “Get Out Of Here” by Thin Lizzy]
KM: From 1979, Thin Lizzy.
In some bird species, it’s the male who does most, if not all of the singing.
Take the American Woodcock.
[NAT SOUND: Display flight twitter of the American Woodcock]
KM: Males put on a show at twilight to attract females, often with several competing in a flashy sky dance. After such an ostentatious display, if the male scores a date, he moves on without a second thought.
[MUSIC: “Freebird” by Lynryd Skynryd]
KM: The call of the White Bellbird of the Amazon is believed to be the loudest in the world.
[NAT SOUND: Call of the White Bellbird]
KM: At 115 decibels, that’s on par with what Joe Cocker might have done to your ear at Woodstock.
[MUSIC: “I Get By With a Little Help From My Friends” by Joe Cocker, as recorded at Woodstock in 1969]
KM: The Northern Jacana is one that flips the gender roles.
[NAT SOUND: Call of the Northern Jacana]
KM: Found in Mexico and the Carribean, she takes up to four lovers at once and leaves the nesting to papa.
[MUSIC: “Juice” by Lizzo]
KM: Lizzo from 2019.
Another can’t miss sound of the season: the spring peeper.
[NAT SOUND: The call of the spring pepper]
The frog chirps up to 25 times per minute in a collective mating competition that can turn any wetlands into a choral amphitheater.
[NAT SOUND: A chorus of spring peepers]
[MUSIC: “I’ll Be There” as sung by The Philadelphia Boys Choir]
KM: The Jackson 5 hit, as sung by The Philadelphia Boys Choir.
[MUSIC SWELL]
KM: Out on a nature walk, these spring love games happen all around us. And if we’re patient and listening closely we may just catch a duet.
[NAT SOUND: Duet of the Carolina Wren]
KM: The male Carolina Wren brags about its ‘teakettle’ as a female responds like buzzy southern belle.
[MUSIC: “Jackson” as sung by Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash live at Folsom Prison]
KM: Johnny and June, live at Folsom Prison in 1968.
And on an evening prowl, you may catch the call and response of the Great Horned Owl.
[NAT SOUND: Duet of the Great Horned Owl]
KM: The hooting is not to attract, but to retain. It’s a pair that has coupled for life solidifying their bond for all to hear.
[NAT SOUND: Duet of the Great Horned Owl]
KM: Because what’s better than having a song to sing? It’s having someone who, over and over again, chooses to sing along.
[MUSIC: “In Spite of Ourselves” by John Prine and Iris Dement]
KM: From 1999, John Prine and Iris Dement.
I’m Kevin McCorry and this has been a Jukebox Journey on WHYY.
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