Roger, along with the other Byrds members, was honored with an induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1991.
You Bowed Down
Roger McGuinn Lyrics
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Why I'm making contact
With acqaintances scattered
All over the land
I'd promise you now and again
That I'd honor the contract
If it hadn't crumbled away in my hand
Well we broke that vow independently now
You bowed down
You bowed down
When you first looked away
I might say it was really a kindness
I must have hurt to see how dreams sour
Now they say that justice and love
Are the next things to blindness
Well you're getting plenty
Of both of them now
And so you parade where
Appointments are made
And never meant to be kept
Unless you accept
You'll value the burnt amber of falling leaves
And you'll long to delay
You feel their breath as they whisper
It won't hurt you now to betray
If you just bow down
And now every time that we meet
On the edge of hysteria
You're helping them sell off
Some new party line
I remember a time when you
Would have seemed so superior
Now you say "will you please
Meet this good friend of mine"
So you're in demand as long
As you kiss their hand
But all the applause
Is for their name not yours
In Roger McGuinn's song "You Bowed Down," he expresses his disappointment in a former friend who has seemingly sold out to the establishment. The song begins with McGuinn explaining his decision to reconnect with old acquaintances despite the fact that their original agreement has crumbled. He accuses his friend of betraying their shared principles, but the friend denies it. McGuinn sings, "But I don't know why you absolutely deny. You bowed down."
Through the course of the song, McGuinn paints a picture of this friend as someone who has become enamored with the trappings of power and is willing to compromise their values in exchange for a place at the table. He sings, "And so you parade where appointments are made and never meant to be kept unless you accept. You'll value the burnt amber of falling leaves and you'll long to delay."
McGuinn's disappointment is palpable throughout the song, especially when he sings, "I remember a time when you would have seemed so superior. Now you say 'will you please meet this good friend of mine.' So you're in demand as long as you kiss their hand. But all the applause is for their name not yours."
Overall, "You Bowed Down" is a scathing critique of those who sacrifice their principles in order to gain power and influence. It is a reminder that true success is measured not by the accolades of others, but by the integrity with which we live our lives.
Line by Line Meaning
I suppose you're entitled to know
I acknowledge that you have a right to know the reason behind my communication
Why I'm making contact
The purpose of my communication needs to be explained to you
With acquaintances scattered
I am trying to connect with people I know from different places/circumstances
All over the land
These people live throughout the country
I'd promise you now and again
I may have made promises to you from time to time
That I'd honor the contract
I intended to keep my obligations as per the agreement we had
If it hadn't crumbled away in my hand
But the contract has fallen apart
Well we broke that vow independently now
Both of us broke the promise independently of each other
But I don't know why you absolutely deny
But I cannot comprehend the reason why you totally refuse to acknowledge it
You bowed down
You submitted to someone in authority
You bowed down
You submitted to someone in authority
When you first looked away
At the outset, you acted kindly to me
I might say it was really a kindness
You may have done that favorably
I must have hurt to see how dreams sour
It must have been painful for you to see my aspirations die
Now they say that justice and love
There is a notion that justice and love
Are the next things to blindness
Can lead one to become blinded after a certain point
Well you're getting plenty
You are now receiving a lot of
Of both of them now
Both of those things are prevailing in your life
And so you parade where
You go on to brag where
Appointments are made
Meetings or arrangements are set up
And never meant to be kept
That were never intended to be fulfilled
Unless you accept
Unless you agree to submit
You'll value the burnt amber of falling leaves
You will appreciate the beauty of autumn foliage
And you'll long to delay
You will yearn to delay or extend
You feel their breath as they whisper
As if you are being encouraged by an unseen force
It won't hurt you now to betray
It will not harm you to break a promise or turn on someone now
If you just bow down
If you simply submit or comply
And now every time that we meet
Whenever we come across each other these days
On the edge of hysteria
When the situation is almost out of control
You're helping them sell off
You are assisting them to convince/market/promote
Some new party line
A new policy or idea
I remember a time when you
I recall the days when you
Would have seemed so superior
You appeared so much better or admirable
Now you say "will you please
But now you are requesting or pleading
Meet this good friend of mine"
To meet a friend of yours
So you're in demand as long
You are in great demand as long as
As you kiss their hand
You flatter or respect them
But all the applause
All the admiration or respect
Is for their name not yours
Is for them alone and not for you
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ELVIS COSTELLO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind