Come Home Billy Bird, by The Divine Comedy, on Absent Friends (2004)
One of the highlights of the critically acclaimed Absent Friends, Come Home Billy Bird recounts the humorous story of William, fighting his way through problems and hangover to catch a plane. The mood is playful, the lyrics witty; the song perfectly summarizes the lush elegance of Neil Hannon, the pop dandy responsible for this album.
Unlike most of the contemporary use of orchestral backgrounds, the instruments here only bring a happy lightness. Neil Hannon's voice unrolls the grotesque lyrics on a cheerful tone, with a very cheesy yet sweet chorus. Only a Britisher could achieve that with such casualness.
This song is all about elegant pop, just like the rest of Absent Friends. Irresistibly joyful.
