I'm a Cuckoo

"I'm a Cuckoo" is the second single from Scottish indie pop band Belle & Sebastian's sixth studio album, Dear Catastrophe Waitress (2003). Produced by Trevor Horn, the track was released as a single on 16 February 2004. B-side "Stop, Look and Listen" merges into "Passion Fruit" at the end of a song—an instrumental piece which was performed live prior to its release. The front cover features Shantha Roberts.

"I'm a Cuckoo"
Single by Belle & Sebastian
from the album Dear Catastrophe Waitress
Released	16 February 2004 (2004-02-16)
Studio	Sarm Hook End (Checkendon, Oxfordshire)[1]
Genre	Indie pop
Length	5:26
Label	Rough Trade
Songwriter(s)	Richard Colburn, Mick Cooke, Chris Geddes, Stevie Jackson, Bobby Kildea, Sarah Martin, Stuart Murdoch, Robert Chater, Darren Seltmann
Producer(s)	Trevor Horn
Belle & Sebastian singles chronology
"Step into My Office, Baby" (2003) "I'm a Cuckoo" (2004) "Funny Little Frog" (2006)

"I'm a Cuckoo" fared better on the UK Singles Chart than previous single "Step into My Office, Baby", reaching number 14. It is the only Belle & Sebastian song to chart in Spain, peaking at number 19, and was their most recent hit in Sweden, reaching number 59. A Japanese version of the song was released as a B-side to the Japanese version of Belle & Sebastian's subsequent EP, Books.

Critical reception

An AllMusic reviewer described the track as being "like the indie pop version of Thin Lizzy",^[2] who are also mentioned in the lyrics.

Reviewing the remix, PopMatters said, "the Avalanches’ remake draws out a more organic side with casual wind instruments and warm percussion. The samples of hustling, bustling chit-chat strike a note of extroverted gregariousness that shy, retiring types like Belle and Sebastian sometimes need someone else to bring out of 'em."^[3]

Music video

The video for "I'm a Cuckoo" features Scottish Olympic 100m gold medallist Allan Wells as a running coach and lead singer, Stuart Murdoch, as an aspiring runner.

Track listings

Standard CD single^[1][4][5]

1. "I'm a Cuckoo"
2. "Stop, Look and Listen"
3. "I'm a Cuckoo (by the Avalanches)"
4. "(I Believe In) Travellin' Light"
5. "I'm a Cuckoo" (video)

UK 7-inch single^[6]

1. "I'm a Cuckoo"
2. "(I Believe In) Travellin' Light"

UK DVD single^[7]

1. "I'm a Cuckoo" (video)
2. "Stop, Look and Listen" (video)
3. "I'm a Cuckoo (by the Avalanches)" (audio)
4. "(I Believe In) Travellin' Light" (audio)

Charts

Chart (2004)	Peak position
Scotland (OCC)[8]	11
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[9]	19
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[10]	59
UK Singles (OCC)[11]	14
UK Indie (OCC)[12]	2

Release history

Region	Date	Format(s)	Label(s)	Ref.
United Kingdom	16 February 2004	7-inch vinyl CD	Rough Trade	[13]
Japan	25 February 2004	CD		[14]