Introduction
“Snowbird” — the song that helped a Canadian singer soar across the world
Written by Canadian songwriter Gene MacLellan, Snowbird first appeared on Anne Murray’s second album, This Way Is My Way (1969), before being released as a single in June 1970.
When it hit the airwaves, the song exceeded all expectations. In Canada, it climbed to No. 2 on the pop charts and topped both the country chart and the adult contemporary chart.
In the United States, Snowbird cracked the Top 10 — reaching No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 — while spending six weeks at No. 1 on the Adult Contemporary chart and crossing over into country charts as well.
This success earned Anne Murray something historic: Snowbird became the first Gold-certified single by a Canadian female solo artist in the U.S.
Musically, the song blends folk, pop, and soft-rock with emotional subtlety. Its lyrics use the image of a “snowbird” — a bird flying south at winter’s approach — as a metaphor for longing, escape, and the bittersweet ache of unfulfilled love. The opening lines evoke a cold, snow-covered ground waiting for spring:
“Beneath this snowy mantle cold and clean / The unborn grass lies waiting…”
That image of frozen silence, contrasted with the hope of future renewal, resonates deeply — capturing a universal longing for freedom and healing.
The 1996 live version of Snowbird (often shared online) offers a different kind of power. Murray’s voice — matured, serene, full of warmth — carries years of longing and experience. It’s not just a performance: it feels like a conversation with memories and dreams. This rendition reminds us why Snowbird remains more than a song — it’s an emotional landmark, a timeless reminder that even in winter, hope can take flight.
Today, decades after its release, Snowbird remains a signature song not only for Anne Murray but for anyone who has felt the quiet ache of longing and the longing for freedom.