"Song to the Siren" is one of Tim Buckley’s most celebrated and haunting compositions, first released on his 1970 album Starsailor. Co-written with lyricist Larry Beckett in 1967, the song is a poetic meditation on longing, loss, and the irresistible pull of love, drawing heavily on imagery from Greek mythology—specifically, the sirens who lured sailors to their doom with their enchanting voices123.
Background and Recording
Buckley first performed "Song to the Siren" in 1968 on the final episode of The Monkees TV show, delivering it in a sparse, folk style with just his twelve-string acoustic guitar. This early version featured slightly different lyrics and a more intimate, direct feel. The line "I am puzzled as the oyster" was later changed to "I'm as puzzled as the newborn child" for the official album release, reportedly after a friend found the original line unintentionally humorous12.
The Starsailor version, recorded three years later, is more ethereal and experimental, featuring heavy reverb on electric guitar and Buckley’s soaring, otherworldly vocals. The arrangement underscores the song’s sense of longing and distance, with background vocals and effects that enhance its dreamlike atmosphere14.
Lyrics and Themes
The lyrics of "Song to the Siren" use the myth of the siren as a metaphor for love’s dangerous allure and the pain of unattainable desire. The narrator, adrift on "shipless oceans," is drawn by the siren’s call—torn between hope and heartbreak:
"Long afloat on shipless oceans
I did all my best to smile
'Til your singing eyes and fingers
Drew me loving to your isle
And you sang
'Sail to me, sail to me, let me enfold you
Here I am, here I am, waiting to hold you'"
The song’s refrain—"Did I dream you dreamed about me?"—evokes the uncertainty and vulnerability of love, while later verses contemplate the risk of surrendering to passion ("Should I stand amid the breakers? / Should I lie with death my bride?"). The siren’s voice is both a promise and a warning, echoing the myth’s fatalistic undertones523.
Legacy and Influence
Though not a commercial hit during Buckley’s lifetime, "Song to the Siren" has become his best-known song, revered for its emotional depth and poetic beauty6. It has been covered by a wide range of artists, including This Mortal Coil (whose 1983 version brought the song to a new audience), Robert Plant, Sinead O’Connor, Bryan Ferry, and George Michael, among others1452. The song is now considered a modern standard, admired for its timeless melody and evocative lyrics.
Key Facts Table
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Artist | Tim Buckley |
| Album | Starsailor (1970) |
| Lyricist | Larry Beckett |
| First Performance | 1968, The Monkees TV show |
| Themes | Longing, unattainable love, mythic allure, fatalism |
| Notable Covers | This Mortal Coil, Robert Plant, Sinead O’Connor, Bryan Ferry |
| Legacy | Buckley’s best-known song, modern standard, widely covered |
Summary
"Song to the Siren" is a haunting, poetic ballad that uses Greek myth to explore the dangers and beauty of longing and love. With its ethereal arrangement and Buckley’s aching vocals, it stands as one of the most enduring and influential songs of his career, continuing to resonate with listeners and artists decades after its release126.
