Their music bridged the gaps between the socially and spiritually conscious folk music of Bob Dylan, the studio trickery of The Beach Boys, and the sardonic rock of The Beatles. Some of their trademark songs include pop versions of Bob Dylan's Mr. Tambourine Man and Pete Seeger’s Turn! Turn! Turn! (To Everything There Is a Season), and the originals I'll Feel a Whole Lot Better, and Eight Miles High. Throughout their career they helped forge such subgenres as folk rock, raga rock, psychedelic rock, jangle pop, and – on their 1968 classic Sweetheart of the Rodeo – country rock inviting Gram Parsons on rhythm guitar.
The original and most successful lineup consisted of Chris Hillman, David Crosby, Michael Clarke, Roger McGuinn and Gene Clark. After several line-up changes (with lead singer/guitarist McGuinn as the only consistent member), they broke up in 1973.
In 1991 they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and several band members launched successful solo careers after leaving the group. The most successful was David Crosby who was inducted again for his work with Crosby, Stills & Nash. Other than The Beatles, the only artist with all members inducted twice are, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young.
Blue Canadian Rockies
The Byrds Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Spring is silent through the trees
And the golden poppies are blooming
'Round the banks of Lake Louise
Now, oh, how my lonely heart is aching tonight
For that girl I left behind
And, oh, what I'd give if I could be there tonight
In the blue Canadian Rockies
Spring is silent through the trees
And the golden poppies are blooming
'Round the banks of Lake Louise
Across the sea they call me
And on and on a love so true
For the blue Canadian Rockies
And the one I love to see
And the one I love to see
The lyrics of The Byrds's Blue Canadian Rockies evoke a sense of nostalgia and longing. The blue Canadian Rockies are presented as a place of natural beauty, where the silence of spring is only broken by the blooming golden poppies around Lake Louise. However, the singer's heart is heavy with homesickness and regret for leaving his beloved behind. He yearns to be reunited with her, and across the sea, she waits for him, their love still strong.
The song's melancholic tone is enhanced by the haunting harmonies of the Byrds, which make it sound like a traditional folk ballad. The use of acoustic instruments such as guitar, mandolin and harmonica also adds to the authentic feel of the song, transporting the listener to the vast, rugged landscapes of Canada.
Overall, Blue Canadian Rockies is a beautiful ode to lost love and the enduring power of nature. It captures a sense of wistfulness and romanticism that has made it a beloved classic of both the folk and country genres.
Line by Line Meaning
In the blue Canadian Rockies
The persona is in the Canadian Rockies region
Spring is silent through the trees
It's springtime but the surrounding environment is peacefully quiet
And the golden poppies are blooming
The sight of yellow poppies in the area is quite remarkable
'Round the banks of Lake Louise
The spring is reflected in Lake Louise, and the surrounding banks are covered with golden poppies
Now, oh, how my lonely heart is aching tonight
The persona is in a lonely state, longing for the woman he left behind
For that girl I left behind
He has left his lover behind and is now regretting it
And, oh, what I'd give if I could be there tonight
The persona desires to be reunited with his lover so badly to the extent he can give up anything for the reunion
With the sweetheart who's waitin' for me
The lover is eagerly anticipating the return of her beloved
Across the sea they call me
The persona is far from the location of his lover and she calls him back home
And on and on a love so true
The love they both share is undeniably real
For the blue Canadian Rockies
His love for the Canadian Rockies region is a testament to the memories he has shared with his lover in course of their relationship
And the one I love to see
He can't wait to see his beloved again
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Cindy Walker
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Noel Salisbury, from England
on John Riley
I always have my eyes brimming with tears , listening to this masterpiece. Thankyou DC & RMg & I hope you two make music together again- "Everybody knows Music is Love" ay, David