Cuckoo Clock


Original Album
Surfin' Safari
Written By
Brian Wilson/Gary Usher
Produced By
Nick Venet
Lead Vocals
Brian
Recorded On
September 5, 1962
Length
2:12
Notes
  • A silly song about unfortunate interuptions during romantic pursuits.
  • Gary Usher said the chorus "probably had something to do with Murry's pet mynah bird."
  • Brian's first released solo lead vocal.
Lyrics
We knew it must have been late
(Tick-tock, tick-tock)
We had no time to wait
(Tick-tock, tick-tock)
I went to light the fireplace
(Tick-tock, tick-tock)
I planned it all this way, and
(Tick-tock, tick-tock)

I snuggled close to her
(Tick-tock, tick-tock)
Her heart began to purr
(Tick-tock, tick-tock)
I held my breath inside, and then
(Tick-tock, tick-tock)
I put my arms around her
(Tick-tock)

Cuckoo, cuckoo (go away silly bird)
Cuckoo, cuckoo (go away silly bird)
Cuckoo, cuckoo (go away silly bird)
Cuckoo, cuckoo

I put that birdie away
(Tick-tock, tick-tock)
His cuckoo was gone to stay
(Tick-tock, tick-tock)
We both apologized for why
(Tick-tock, tick-tock)
Forgave that doggone cuckoo

I went back to her side
(Tick-tock, tick-tock)
I had to swallow my pride
(Tick-tock, tick-tock)
The fire had almost died away
(Tick-tock, tick-tock)
We just got situated
(Tick-tock)

Cuckoo, cuckoo (go away silly bird)
Cuckoo, cuckoo (go away silly bird)
Cuckoo, cuckoo (go away silly bird)
Cuckoo, cuckoo

I took that clock apart
(Tick-tock, tick-tock)
I broke the cuckoo's heart
(Tick-tock, tick-tock)
He'll never bother us again
(Tick-tock, tick-tock)
We just forgot about him
(Tick-tock)

Cuckoo, cuckoo (go away silly bird)
Cuckoo, cuckoo (go away silly bird)
Cuckoo, cuckoo (go away silly bird)
Cuckoo, cuckoo
Chords
(original key: F#)


F.........................................................Dm
We knew it must have been late, we had no time to wait
Bb............................................C7
I went to light the fireplace, I planned it all this way, and
F.........................................Dm
I snuggled close to her, her heart began to purr
Bb.....................................................C7
I held my breath inside, and then I put my arms around her

Bb.....................................................F.............................................................Bb
Cuckoo, cuckoo (go away silly bird), cuckoo, cuckoo (go away silly bird)
........................................................C7
Cuckoo, cuckoo (go away silly bird), cuckoo, cuckoo

F......................................Dm
I put that birdie away, his cuckoo was gone to stay
Bb...........................................C7
We both apologized so I, forgave that doggone cuckoo
F.......................................Dm
I went back to her side, I had to swallow my pride
Bb..................................................C7
The fire had almost died away, we just got situated

F......................................Dm
I took that clock apart, I broke the cuckoo's heart
Bb.............................................C7
He'll never bother us again, we just forgot about him

Chart prepared by Francis Greene

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