"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 Situation Two label. and Arista shortened the band's name to Icicle Works. With changes, the song reached number 37 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, and number 34 on Cashboxs singles chart in the summer of 1984. The song also reached number 18 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart, number 13 on Billboards dance chart and number 15 on the Radio & Records AOR chart.

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.

Covers

English musical trio Soho recorded a version for the soundtrack of Wes Craven's film Scream (1996).

Track listings

1983 release

7" vinyl

  1. "Birds Fly (Whisper to a Scream)" (3:46)
  2. "Reverie Girl" (3:54)

12" vinyl

  1. "Birds Fly (Whisper to a Scream)" (3:52)
  2. "Reverie Girl" (3:55)
  3. "Gunboys" (3:44)

1984 release

7" vinyl (UK)

  1. "Birds Fly (Whisper to a Scream)" (3:48)
  2. "In the Cauldron of Love" (3:50)

7" vinyl (Canada)

  1. "Birds Fly (Whisper to a Scream)" (3:48)
  2. "Scarecrow" (3:06)

12" vinyl (BEG 108T)

  1. "Birds Fly (Whisper to a Scream)" (3:48)
  2. "In the Cauldron of Love" (3:50)
  3. "Scarecrow" (3:06)
  4. "Ragweed Campaign" (4:12)

12" vinyl (BEG 108TD)

  1. "Birds Fly (Whisper to a Scream)" (3:48)
  2. "In the Cauldron of Love" (3:50)
  3. "Birds Fly (Frantic Mix)" (5.20)

12" vinyl (BEG 108TR)

  1. "Birds Fly (Frantic Mix)" (5:20)
  2. "Birds Fly (Whisper to a Scream)" (3:48)
  3. "In the Cauldron of Love" (3:50)
  4. "Scarecrow" (3:06)
  5. "Ragweed Campaign" (4:10)

Charts

{|class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"

|+Chart performance for "Birds Fly (Whisper to a Scream)"

!scope="col"|Chart (1983–1984)

!scope="col"|Peak<br />position

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Musicians

  • Ian McNabb - vocals, guitar, keyboards
  • Chris Layhe - bass, backing vocals
  • Chris Sharrock - drums, percussion
  • Mariella - spoken word intro (edited out of US single version)

References