"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" 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",[ allmusic ((( I'm a Cuckoo > Overview )))] 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."
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 "I'm a Cuckoo" "Stop, Look and Listen" "I'm a Cuckoo (by the Avalanches)" "(I Believe In) Travellin' Light" "I'm a Cuckoo" (video)
UK 7-inch single "I'm a Cuckoo" "(I Believe In) Travellin' Light"
UK DVD single "I'm a Cuckoo" (video) "Stop, Look and Listen" (video) "I'm a Cuckoo (by the Avalanches)" (audio) "(I Believe In) Travellin' Light" (audio)
Charts Chart (2004)Peakposition
Release history RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)United Kingdom16 February 2004Rough TradeJapan25 February 2004CD
References
External links "I'm a Cuckoo" at belleandsebastian.com