MC5 had a promising beginning that earned them a January 1969 cover appearance in Rolling Stone magazine and a story written by Eric Ehrmann before their debut album was released. They developed a reputation for energetic and polemical live performances, one of which was recorded as their 1969 debut album Kick Out the Jams. Their initial run was short-lived, though. In 1972, just three years after their debut record, the band came to an end. Often cited as one of the most important American hard rock groups of that era, their three albums are regarded by many as classics.
Tyner died of a heart attack in late 1991 at the age of 46. Smith also died of a heart attack, in 1994 at the age of 45. The remaining three members of the band reformed in 2003 with The Dictators' singer Handsome Dick Manitoba as its new vocalist, and this reformed line-up occasionally performed live over the next nine years until Davis died of liver failure in February 2012 at the age of 68.
In 2022, Kramer announced that a tour would take place that spring, and that a new MC5 studio album with producer Bob Ezrin would also be released later that year with original MC5 drummer Dennis Thompson playing on two tracks. In 2023, Kramer announced that the album would be released in the spring of 2024. Kramer died in February 2024, leaving Thompson as the only surviving original member of the band.
Let Me Try
MC5 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You'll be my song
I'll lay you down softly
I'll love you long
I'll be there
To keep you satisfied
If you'll only let me try, hey hey
You've been neglected
You've been abused
But I'll give you pleasure
Deep inside of you
I'll always be near
Right there by your side
If you'll only let me try, hey hey
Let me try, hey hey, yeah
Let me try, hey hey
Let me try, hey hey, yeah
I'll play you like music
I'll sing you like a song
I'll lay you down gentle
I'll love you strong
I'll dry your teardrops
Each time you cry
Wrap you in my arms
Set you on fire
If you'll only let me try, hey hey
Let me try, hey hey, yeah
I'll be your singer
You'll be my song
La da da da
La da da da
La da da da
The lyrics to MC5's song Let Me Try are about a man who wants to shower his lover with affection and make up for the mistreatment she has faced in the past. The opening lines of the song ("I'll be your singer/You'll be my song") suggest that the experience of being in a relationship will be like creating beautiful music together, each person playing their part. The verses that follow emphasize the singer's willingness to be there for his lover, to comfort her when she cries, and to be by her side through thick and thin.
The chorus, which repeats the phrase "If you'll only let me try," is an invitation to trust the singer and give him a chance to show how much he cares. The lyrics are infused with a sense of longing, as if the singer is pleading with his lover to let him into her life and heart. There is a sense of urgency to the way the lyrics are sung, with the repeated "hey hey yeah" adding a layer of intensity to the plea.
Overall, the lyrics to Let Me Try are a powerful expression of love and commitment, with the singer offering himself fully to his lover in order to prove his devotion. The song is a poignant reminder of the importance of trust and vulnerability in relationships, and a celebration of the transformative power of love.
Line by Line Meaning
I'll be your singer
I will enrich your life by being there for you and supporting you in every possible way.
You'll be my song
You will become the inspiration for everything I do, and I will cherish you completely.
I'll lay you down softly
I will be gentle and kind to you, taking great care to ensure that you feel comfortable and safe.
I'll love you long
My feelings for you are not fleeting, but rather deeply rooted and intense, able to last a lifetime.
I'll be there
Come what may, I will always stand by you and support you with the full strength of my being.
To keep you satisfied
I will go to great lengths to ensure that you are content and fulfilled in every way possible.
If you'll only let me try, hey hey
All I ask is for a chance to prove myself to you and show you the depth of my love for you.
You've been neglected
You may have experienced hardship and adversity in the past, but I am committed to helping you heal and grow stronger.
You've been abused
I recognize the pain you've been through and promise to treat you with the utmost love, care, and respect.
But I'll give you pleasure
Despite your past struggles, I am determined to help you find joy and happiness in life.
Deep inside of you
I want to connect with your soul on a profound level, building a deep and lasting emotional bond.
I'll always be near
You will never have to face the challenges of life alone, as I will be there to support you every step of the way.
Right there by your side
Together, we will weather any storm and emerge stronger and wiser for having faced the challenges of life together.
I'll play you like music
With your guidance, I will create the perfect soundtrack to our life together, expressing our love through the power of music.
I'll sing you like a song
The beauty of our love will inspire me to create melodies and lyrics that capture the essence of our shared experience.
I'll lay you down gentle
Your comfort and well-being are my top priority, and I will handle you with the greatest care and tenderness.
I'll love you strong
My love for you is powerful and unyielding, able to conquer any obstacle that may come our way.
I'll dry your teardrops
When you cry, I will be there to comfort you, offering a shoulder to lean on and a loving embrace to ease your pain.
Each time you cry
Your tears are a sign of your strength and vulnerability, and I honor them by offering my love and support.
Wrap you in my arms
I want to envelop you in a warm, loving embrace that makes you feel safe and cherished at all times.
Set you on fire
Our love is a passionate flame that burns brightly, inspiring us to be our best selves and embrace life to the fullest.
La da da da
This phrase is a vocalization of the joyful, playful nature of the song and its message.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ALLEN SHAMBLIN, CHUCK CANNON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Tim Hurley
on The Pledge Song
Found this outfit called "Sonic Hits" for free streaming.
Pretty impressed with the depth of their catalog and none of those serenity busting ads.