Bird of Prey (Uriah Heep song)
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2020}}
{{More citations needed|date=January 2013}}
{{Infobox song
| name = Bird of Prey
| cover =
| alt =
| artist = Uriah Heep
| album = Salisbury and Uriah Heep (US version)
| A-side = Gypsy
| released = {{Start date|1970}}
| recorded = October–November 1970
| studio = Lansdowne, London
| genre = Heavy metal{{cite web|url=https://loudwire.com/1970s-best-heavy-metal-songs-you-didnt-know-about/|title=1970s Best Heavy Metal Songs You Didn't Know About|last=Rivadavia|first=Eduardo|date=26 July 2018|website=Loudwire|access-date=23 April 2019}}
| length = 4:05
| label = *Bronze
| writer = *Ken Hensley
| producer = Gerry Bron
}}
"Bird of Prey" is a song by British rock band Uriah Heep, from the group's US version of their 1970 debut album Very 'Eavy... Very 'Umble (released as Uriah Heep in the United States).{{cite web|url=http://www.progarchives.com/album.asp?id=5919|title=Uriah Heep (1970)|website=Prog Archives|access-date=23 April 2019}}
History
The song was written in Richmond, London during the summer of 1969. It was originally released on Uriah Heep, the US version of Very 'Eavy... Very 'Umble. The song was included as a B-side to the band's first ever worldwide single "Gypsy". A re-recorded version of the song would appear on the European version of 1971's album Salisbury. The original 1970 version of the song would later appear on the European 2003 remaster of Very 'Eavy... Very 'Umble. The song is included on most of the band's compilation albums including the first one, 1974's The Best of Uriah Heep.
"Bird of Prey" was used as a concert opener during the band's early years.{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/song/bird-of-prey-mt0011997121|title=Bird of Prey – Uriah Heep {{!}} Song Info|last=Thompson|first=Dave|publisher=AllMusic|access-date=23 April 2019}}
Reception
Martin Popoff called it "the band's most raging work of genius, a searing blend of glowing Byron operatics and sinister metal craftsmanship which previewed Heep's progressive metal side splendidly."{{cite book |last1 = Popoff |first1 = Martin |authorlink1 = Martin Popoff |title = The Collector's Guide to Heavy Metal: Volume 1: The Seventies |publisher = Collector's Guide Publishing |date = October 2003 |location = Burlington, Ontario, Canada |isbn = 978-1894959025 |pages=300–301}} AllMusic noted that the song features a riff reminiscent of "Gypsy" and a comparable mood with the works of both Deep Purple and David Bowie. Ultimate Classic Rock said the song is "widely recognized today as one of heavy metal’s most spectacular 1970 cornerstones."{{cite web |last1=Rivadavia |first1=Eduardo |title=45 Years Ago: Uriah Heep Unveil Their Debut Album |url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/uriah-heep-debut-album/ |website=Ultimate Classic Rock |publisher=Townsquare Media |access-date=November 21, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150615003235/https://ultimateclassicrock.com/uriah-heep-debut-album/ |archive-date=June 15, 2015 |date=June 13, 2015 |url-status=live}}
In popular culture
In 2009 the intro to the song (approximately from 8–14 seconds) was sampled by the American Rapper Xzibit in his single "Hurt Locker".
Personnel
- Mick Box – lead guitar
- David Byron – lead vocals
- Ken Hensley – organ, mellotron
- Paul Newton – bass guitar, vocals
- Keith Baker – drums
References
{{reflist}}
{{Uriah Heep}}
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Category:Uriah Heep (band) songs
Category:Songs written by Ken Hensley