I See You
Byrds (the) Lyrics
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Under there behind your hair
Everywhere, I see you
I see you
Turned on eyes can't tell lies
Empathize, I see you
Warm sliding sun through the cave of you hair
I see you
I know you,
Met before seventh floor,
First world war
I know you
Who lives there?
Tell old fair I'm aware
That she cares, who lives there?
Green specks bright spiralling out in the sky
Catch my mind, turn my head, have to look, don't know why
Who lives there
We thought talked
For a while they just smile just a silent thought talk
I see you
Sun is there behind your hair
Everywhere, I see you
I see you
The song "I See You" by The Byrds is a poignant and introspective exploration of the human experience of seeing and knowing another person. The lyrics describe the feeling of recognition on a deep level, beyond the physical appearance of a person. The singer sees the other person everywhere, behind their hair and in their eyes, and empathizes with them in a way that cannot be denied or ignored. The imagery of "warm sliding sun" through the "cave of your hair" and "wind washing fields" suggests a sense of openness and vulnerability, where the true self of the other person is revealed.
The song also touches on the idea of past lives and the possibility of recognizing someone from a previous existence. The line "Met before seventh floor, first world war" implies a familiarity that transcends time and place. The singer acknowledges that they know the other person, and wonders who they are and what their life is like.
Overall, "I See You" is a beautifully written and deeply meaningful song that explores themes of connection, empathy, and recognition.
Line by Line Meaning
I see you
The singer feels a deep sense of connection and awareness towards the person they are addressing.
Under there behind your hair
The singer sees beyond the physical appearance of the person, and recognizes the deeper aspects of their being.
Everywhere, I see you
The singer senses the presence of the person everywhere they go, indicating a strong psychic connection.
Turned on eyes can't tell lies
The artist trusts the person they are addressing, and believes that their eyes reveal their true thoughts and feelings.
Empathize, I see you
The artist feels a deep empathy towards the person they are addressing, and recognizes their struggles and emotions.
Warm sliding sun through the cave of your hair
The singer sees the light and beauty within the person, even in the hidden and private aspects of their life.
Wind washing fields kind of space living there
The singer sees a vastness within the person, indicating that they contain multitudes and have a sense of freedom and expansiveness.
I know you
The artist feels a deep familiarity with the person they are addressing, as if they have known them for a long time.
Met before seventh floor, first world war
The artist alludes to past lives or experiences shared with the person, indicating a sense of spiritual connection.
Who lives there?
The artist is curious about the hidden aspects of the person's being, suggesting that they recognize their complexity and depth.
Tell old fair I'm aware that she cares, who lives there?
The singer acknowledges the caring presence of the person in question, and seeks to learn more about their inner life and motivations.
Green specks bright spiralling out in the sky
The artist sees beauty and wonder in the natural world around them, indicating a sense of awe and reverence.
Catch my mind, turn my head, have to look, don't know why
The singer is drawn to the beauty of the natural world, and feels a sense of wonder and curiosity that compels them to investigate further.
We thought talked for a while, they just smile, just a silent thought talk
The singer alludes to a deep and meaningful conversation with the person, without the need for words or verbal communication.
Sun is there behind your hair, everywhere, I see you
The singer sees the light and warmth within the person, and recognizes their presence everywhere they go.
I see you
The artist reiterates their deep connection and awareness towards the person they are addressing.
Lyrics © RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: DAVID CROSBY, ROGER MCGUINN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
tropicwave1
I See You The Byrds I see you
Under there behind your hair
Everywhere, I see you
I see you
Turned on eyes can't tell lies
Empathize, I see you
Warm sliding sun through the cave of you hair
Wind washing fields kind of space living there
I see you
Who lives there?
Tell old fair I'm aware
That she cares, who lives there?
We thought how
For a while they just smile
Just a silent thought
I see you
Sun is there behind your hair
Everywhere, I see you
I see you
Songwriters: DAVID CROSBY, ROGER MCGUINN I See You lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC, HORI PRO ENTERTAINMENT GROUP, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Max Merry
Byrds were way ahead of the pack on this. Post-Gene Clark and sipping from a kind of folk/garage-punk/acid rock/Coltrane brew. And yet, it seems somehow timeless, standing up well, even over 50 years later!! Great vocal mix from McGuinn and Crosby, manic atonal guitar (before anyone had even heard of Velvet Underground), and GREAT drumming from Mike Clarke....
David Beckey
I agree with you on all points, spot on!
Busywave
And listen to where Yes took the song on their first album in 1969. I heard the Yes version first but both are awesome.
Kazoo Fum
GREAT drumming from Mike Clarke, yeah, i'm not sure he realised at the time how cool he played in this? there was the joke that the byrds drummer couldnt even keep tempo
Gordon Campbell.
RIP : David
CurlyWyn
I like the atonal guitar better when The VU do it. This is just hippie nonsense.
Byron Fortier
Wow, what a song. The incredible drive of this, coupled with the glorious harmonies, plus the great guitar work. The Byrds at their most progressive. Easily up there with what the Beatles were doing at this time.
Wim van Rietschoten
A great song for ever
joseph lemko
One of The Byrds best songs.
tuxguys
Amazing stuff, from what started out, a year or so before, as one of the most British-sounding American bands:
This item marks a year before the Summer of Love, when things got seriously Psychedelic.
The dichotomy between the Hard Rock (yet swingin') rhythm section, the almost Free Jazz guitar fills, and the satin-y vocals with Crosby, et. al. astonishes me.
God, the original version of this band was 'way ahead of its time.