Why Do Birds Sing?

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Why Do Birds Sing?
Studio album by The Violent Femmes
Released	April 30, 1991
Recorded	1990
Genre	Alternative
Length	42:20
Label	Reprise Records
Producer(s)	Violent Femmes, Michael Beinhorn
Professional reviews
All Music Guide (3/5) link Rolling Stone (2/5) link
The Violent Femmes chronology
Debacle: The First Decade (1990)	Why Do Birds Sing? (1991)	Add It Up (1981-1993) (1993)

Why Do Birds Sing?, the Violent Femmes' fifth studio album, is one of their more popular offerings. It was released on April 30, 1991 (see 1991 in music).

[edit] Track listing

All songs written by Gordon Gano, except where noted.

1. "American Music" – 3:49
2. "Out The Window" – 2:52
3. "Look Like That" – 2:45
4. "Do You Really Want To Hurt Me?" (Culture Club) – 4:50
5. "Hey Nonny Nonny" – 4:34
6. "Used To Be" – 3:38
7. "Girl Trouble" – 2:57
8. "He Likes Me" – 3:07
9. "Life Is A Scream" – 1:54
10. "Flamingo Baby" – 2:37
11. "Lack Of Knowledge" – 1:54
12. "More Money Tonight" – 3:58
13. "I'm Free" – 3:25

[edit] Personnel

• Alex - Vocals (bckgr), Clapping
• Michael Beinhorn - Piano, Harmonium, Organ (Hammond), Vocals (bckgr), Producer, Mellotron, Clapping, String Arrangements
• Larry Corbett - Strings
• Victor DeLorenzo - Percussion, Conga, Cymbals, Drums, Tabla, Tambourine, Tom-Tom, Vocals, Bells, Producer, Tympani (Timpani), Drums (Snare), Shaker, Sleigh Bells, Wood, Tranceaphone
• Tom Fritze - Assistant Engineer
• Lori Fumar - Assistant Engineer
• Gordon Gano - Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar, Guitar (Electric), Vocals, Producer, Slide Guitar
• Mary Jones - Photography
• Suzie Katayama - Strings
• Mike Kloster - Assistant Engineer
• Tom Mandel - Keyboards
• Ilene Novog - Strings
• Sid Page - Strings
• Brian Ritchie - Banjo, Bass, Bouzouki, Glockenspiel, Guitar (Bass), Guitar (Electric), Jew's-Harp, Ukulele, Vocals, Didjeridu, Producer, Bass (Acoustic), 8-String Bass
• Susan Rogers - Engineer
• Eric "ET" Thorngren - Engineer, Mixing
• David Vartanian - Mixing
• Violent Femmes - Producer
• Howie Weinberg - Mastering

[edit] Charts

Album - Billboard (North America)

Year	Chart	Position
1991	The Billboard 200	141

Singles - Billboard (North America)

Year	Single	Chart	Position
1991	"American Music"	Modern Rock Tracks	2