If I Were a Bird Lyrics – Real Women Have Curves

Co-composed by Joy Huerta (of Jesse and Joy) and Benjamin Velez, 'If I Were a Bird' is a song about two girls who are becoming friends. They are bonding over the ways life is shitting on them and what they would do if they could fly. This song is inspired by “Freedom” by Guatemalan poet Humberto Ak?abal (1952-2019). Performed by: Aline Mayagoitia, Joy Huerta, Nadia DiGiallonardo, Rich Mercurio, and Yair Evnine.

Song Overview

Song Credits

• Performers: Aline Mayagoitia & Tatianna Córdoba
• Producer: Julio Reyes
• Writers: Benjamin Velez & Joy Huerta
• Release Date: June 6, 2025
• Album: Real Women Have Curves (Original Broadway Cast Recording)
• Genre: Pop, Latin Theatre
• Language: English (with bilingual undertones)
• Label: Broadway Records
• Style: Character duet, comedic liberation anthem
• Copyrights © 2025 Broadway Records / Real Women Have Curves Productions

Song Meaning and Annotations

“If I were a bird / I’d rise above what feels unfair…”

On its feathers, “If I Were a Bird” appears whimsical, even lighthearted. But pluck a little deeper, and it becomes a sassy, radical anthem for bodily freedom, self-determination, and unflinching protest. Itzel, co-sung by Ana, uses the image of a bird not just to dream — but to flip the bird.

“From la migra, politicians / And boys who just wanna, y’know”

The track lands a sharp satirical note: young Latinas growing up under the surveillance of both state systems and patriarchy. The humor is sharp, the rhymes deceptively silly, and the target is deadly serious. By mocking control, the singers take back power — with wings and wit.

“There’s a Mayan bird, we call it the quetzal / …if it’s captured / It would rather starve to death than take another breath”

This reference isn’t just lyrical ornament — it’s political heritage. The quetzal is freedom embodied, a symbol of indigenous dignity and anti-colonial resistance. Itzel aligning herself with the quetzal marks this song as cultural reclamation. She’s not just dreaming; she’s invoking history.

“I’d shit on that”

That line slaps like an exclamation point dipped in glitter and rebellion. Immigration raids, macho boys, smelly feet, even Catalina the iron-wielding matriarch — all get metaphorically bombed by Itzel and Ana's irreverent bird selves. It’s raucous theater, but it’s also catharsis.

Similar Songs

1. “I’m Here” – Celie in *The Color Purple*: While tonally more solemn, both songs feature women declaring their existence beyond pain. “If I Were a Bird” is comedic armor; “I’m Here” is solemn victory. They converge in their demand to be seen whole.
2. “Defying Gravity” – Elphaba in *Wicked*: This is the clear spiritual cousin. The flying metaphor, the rebellion against oppressive systems, the female agency bursting through high notes — both songs scream elevation, literally and metaphorically.
3. “Breathe” – Nina in *In the Heights*: Nina’s song is introspective and socially grounded — much like Ana and Itzel's. “If I Were a Bird” plays louder and dirtier, but both wrestle with pressure, expectation, and the hunger to escape.

Questions and Answers

What is the central theme of “If I Were a Bird”?

Personal liberation. It’s about refusing to be caged — by immigration policies, gender roles, parental expectations, or social judgment.

Why does the song use humor?

Humor is weaponized — to subvert, to entertain, and to mask deeper trauma. The laughter lets sharp critique land without preachiness.

What does the quetzal symbolize?

The quetzal represents indigenous pride and freedom at any cost. It’s more than metaphor — it’s a rallying symbol of resilience.

Why is there a toilet-humor punchline?

Because the whole point is irreverence. To reject decorum is to reject the polite cages women are often expected to live in. And it’s funny.

What’s the role of Ana in this duet?

Ana echoes Itzel’s spirit, adding comic timing and solidarity. They create a duet of generational defiance — echoing each other, but also evolving it.

Fan and Media Reactions

“If I were a bird, I’d put this on repeat. No other Broadway track ever made ‘shitting on la migra’ feel this empowering.”

“Funny, fierce, and unapologetically brown. This is a protest song disguised as a Disney parody.”

“The quetzal line gave me chills — how is this song both comedy and revolution?”

“Ana and Itzel sound like my cousins roasting each other and then starting a movement.”

“We need more songs where teen girls joke their way to freedom.”