This song is a tribute to Keith Relf, who was The Yardbirds original lead singer and was electrocuted in 1976 while playing his guitar at his home. Birdland was the first Yardbirds studio album since 1967. On The Yardbirds official site, bass player Chris Dreja said: "I remember writing the lyrics. I was at home and there was this book about the band on the table, and there was a photograph of Keith. I remember thinking how much he influenced these rock guys of today, their look and their attitude - I see little Relf copies all over the place. Relfy was the original man in that sense. I just wanted to write some lyrics encompassing what he was. He died young; he was immensely talented, a lot of it unrecognized. He was the real thing. So that's what really inspired me. The Gregorian chants on the fade very much fitted the reflectiveness of that song."
A man I knew Died too young And in the end His song unsung He touched my life He touched my soul Given time he'd reach his goal
An original man that I knew An original man right through
A sadness hidden Behind his gaze Before his time In many ways People copy, Take and steal But my friend he was for real
An original man that I knew An original man right through
Time gives And takes away Everybody has their day Even now I see your face You never left without a trace
An original man that I knew An original man right through