They first appeared together in 1959 in The Bluefrets. Early songwriting work was for Dean Ford and the Gaylords (later to become Marmalade). Signed by The Beatles in 1968 to write for Apple Records' Mary Hopkin.
In 1970 they joined Tom McGuinness and Hughie Flint to form McGuinness Flint and penned the hits ''When I'm Dead And Gone'' (which reached No 2 in the UK in 1970) and ''Malt And Barley Blues'' (No 5 in 1971).
In 1972 they formed their own duo and enjoyed UK chart successes in 1976 and 1977 with four hits, including ''I Wanna Stay With You'' and ''Heart On My Sleeve'' both of which reached No 6. They split in 1979.
Gallagher & Lyle compositions have provided hits for Art Garfunkel (Breakaway) and Don Williams (Stay Young) . Graham Lyle later wrote with Terry Britten and their hits included ''What's Love Got To Do With It'' and ''We Don't Need Another Hero'' for Tina Turner and ''Just Good Friends'' for Michael Jackson. Benny Gallagher spent nine years as founding director of Performing Artists Media Rights Association (PAMRA) and also performed in The Manfreds with Paul Jones, Mike D'Arbo, Tom McGuinness and Mike Hugg.
Layna
Gallagher & Lyle Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It′s the parting of the ways
I'm leaving and I′m grieving
Cause I just can't see a way
I tried to meet you halfway
Treat you with respect
But this is all I get
Layna, I could have loved you better
I could have loved you better in many ways
Layna, Layna
There's so much I had to say
But the words they don′t come easy
And my chances slipped away
I tried to tell you
Tried to tell you that my love
Was more than enough
I could have loved you better
Layna, I could have loved you better
I could have loved you better in many ways
Layna, Layna won′t you try to understand
Love is giving
Love is taking
And loving in return
Well, I don't blame you I′m just the same
I should have stayed to lend a helping hand
And I could have loved you better
Layna, I could have loved you better
Layna, I could have loved you better in many ways.
The song "Layna" by Gallagher & Lyle is a ballad that expresses the feelings of the singer who is leaving a relationship and is filled with regret that he didn't do better. The title of the song, "Layna", is the name of the person he is addressing, and he is trying to convey to her that he wishes he could have loved her better. He feels that they have reached the parting of ways and he is leaving with a heavy heart, as he can't see a way to make things work. He had tried to meet her halfway and treat her with respect, but his efforts were not enough, and it is all he has left.
He acknowledges that he had a lot to say to her, but the words don't come easy, and he has missed his chance. He had tried to express his love to her, but now it's too late. He laments that he could have done a lot better in many ways if things were different. He advises Layna to try to understand that love is giving and taking and should be reciprocated equally. He accepts that he is guilty of the same thing he is accusing her of, and he regrets that he did not stay to lend a helping hand.
In summary, the song "Layna" is a heartfelt plea for forgiveness from someone who acknowledges that he could have done better in a relationship that is coming to an end. He is filled with regret and wishes that he had expressed himself better and stayed to help when he was needed.
Line by Line Meaning
Layna, Layna
The singer addresses a woman named Layna twice to emphasize that he is talking to her.
It's the parting of the ways
The singer is going separate ways with Layna.
I'm leaving and I'm grieving
The singer is sad that he has to leave Layna.
Cause I just can't see a way
The singer cannot see how he can make the relationship work with Layna.
I tried to meet you halfway
The singer attempted to compromise with Layna.
Treat you with respect
The singer tried to treat Layna with dignity.
But this is all I get
Despite the singer's efforts, Layna did not reciprocate his efforts.
I could have loved you better
The singer feels like he could have loved Layna more and done better.
Layna, I could have loved you better
The singer addresses Layna and repeats that he could have loved her better.
I could have loved you better in many ways
The singer regrets not doing more to show Layna how much he loved her.
There's so much I had to say
The singer had a lot to tell Layna about how he felt but was unable to do so.
But the words they don’t come easy
The singer experienced difficulty expressing his feelings for Layna.
And my chances slipped away
The singer missed his chances to tell Layna how much he cared for her.
Tried to tell you
The singer attempted to share his feelings with Layna.
Tried to tell you that my love
The singer wanted to let Layna know how much he loved her.
Was more than enough
The singer believed that his love for Layna was more than adequate.
Layna won't you try to understand
The singer requests for Layna to comprehend his situation.
Love is giving
The singer defines love as being selfless.
Love is taking
The singer believes that love requires reciprocation.
And loving in return
The singer thinks that love needs to be mutual.
Well, I don't blame you I’m just the same
The singer states that he is not blaming Layna for the failed relationship as he also failed to do his part.
I should have stayed to lend a helping hand
The singer believes he should have worked harder at the relationship instead of giving up.
Layna, I could have loved you better
Again, the singer repeats that he believes he could have loved Layna more intensely.
Layna, I could have loved you better in many ways.
The final line of the song reiterates the singer's belief that he could have done things differently and better in the relationship with Layna.
Writer(s): Lyle Graham Hamilton, Gallagher Bernard Joseph
Contributed by Addison L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@Mollgreen
This is such a beautiful song. I've loved it for decades and it never fails to move me.
@lindaduncan1775
me too ,brings back loads of memories,happy and sad......beautiful
@colin25250
I'm going to introduce this to my ukulele group. Always loved it but haven't heard it for years; great to hear it again.
@tz125r
As beautiful now as the time It was written. Largs finest ever duo.
@paulgross2723
I remember running across this wonderful album years ago--and this song in particular. I always wondered why it didn't make more of a splash. Thanks for posting it.
@janehelengraham3884
A huge favourite of mine
@tdavison446
This be spittin
@desertfox3742
One of my favorite '70s memories - Layna - have the Lp somewhere. So many good songs those days. Heck, so many good songs ALL days . . .
@lindamcfaul2578
So, so brilliant.Love this❤