"Birdy" is an album released by British musician Peter Gabriel in 1985. This album is primarily instrumental and marked a departure from Gabriel's previous work. This album was not his usual rock-oriented music but was instead a creation of soundscapes meant to accompany a film.
The album consisted of tracks derived from Gabriel's previous works reworked and manipulated to better suit the atmosphere of the film 'Birdy', a 1984 drama directed by Alan Parker. The film itself tells a potent and poignant story of a Vietnam War veteran struggling with the trauma of war, using his fascination with birds and flight as a metaphorical device.
The album comprises eleven tracks, some of which are new pieces composed specially for the film, while others are based on instrumental versions of previous released songs. The original songs used as a foundation for 'Birdy' came from Gabriel's third and fourth albums, though they morph significantly in this new context.
"Birdy" is particularly notable for its pioneering use of the Fairlight CMI (Computer Musical Instrument), a digital sampling synthesizer. Gabriel's transformative use of this technology on the album had a profound influence on the music industry, paving the way for the increased integration of digital sampling in popular music.
The album did not chart as highly as Gabriel's vocal-oriented albums, but it was well-received by critics for its moody, atmospheric sounds and innovative production techniques. Despite its significant departure from Gabriel’s conventional rock sound, "Birdy" holds a distinguished place in his discography, showing off his versatility and fearlessness as an artist.
