I'm Like a Bird

"I'm Like a Bird" is a song by Canadian singer-songwriter Nelly Furtado. It was written by Furtado and produced by Gerald Eaton and Brian West for her debut studio album, Whoa, Nelly! (2000). Inspired by her first serious relationship in her early twenties, the folk-pop song reflects her experiences of isolation and emotional uncertainty while living alone in Los Angeles. Composed largely on guitar, much of the track was written in a brief, inspired session, which Furtado later described as an unexpected creative breakthrough.

Released as the album's first single on September 25, 2000, the song was widely praised for Furtado's distinctive vocals and catchy melody. It became a worldwide hit the following year and marked Furtado's global breakthrough, reaching top-ten charts worldwide and earning multiple platinum certifications. Initially not her first choice, the pop-oriented single became a major commercial success, including number nine on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number one in Portugal.

"I'm Like a Bird" received widespread recognition, winning multiple awards, including the Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance, the Juno Award for Single of the Year, and several honors from the MuchMusic Video Awards and SOCAN Awards, while also earning a nomination for Song of the Year at the 44th Annual Grammy Awards. The song's music video, directed by Francis Lawrence, features Furtado singing in mid-air with computer-generated birds and trees before falling into a large crowd.