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.
Dolphin's Smile
The Byrds Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Floating free from all fear
Every day blowin' spray
In a dolphin's smile
Wind-taut line split the sky
Curlin' crest rollin' by
Floating free aimlessly
Rainbow's end everywhere
Full of life, free as air
Childhood's dream, have you ever seen
A dolphin's smile?
The lyrics to The Byrds's song Dolphin's Smile are about the sense of freedom and joy that comes from being out at sea, surrounded by the natural beauty of the ocean and the creatures that live in it. The first two lines of the song describe the experience of being "out at sea for a year" and feeling "floating free from all fear." This sense of fearlessness is reinforced by the next line, which talks about "blowin' spray" in a dolphin's smile. The image of a dolphin's smile suggests a sense of playfulness and joy, and being able to experience that joy is a sign of freedom and peace.
The second verse of the song continues this theme of freedom and tranquility, as the singer describes the beauty of the ocean itself, specifically the "rainbow's end everywhere" and the feeling of being "full of life, free as air." The final line of the verse asks the listener if they've ever seen a dolphin's smile, implying that this experience is rare and precious, and that those who have had it are lucky to have done so.
Overall, the song is about the beauty that can be found in nature, and the sense of joy and freedom that can come from immersing oneself in that beauty. The image of the dolphin's smile is particularly effective in conveying this sense of playfulness and joy, and the idea that such experiences are rare and precious.
Line by Line Meaning
Out at sea for a year
Spending a year out in the ocean
Floating free from all fear
Free from any anxiety or worry
Every day blowin' spray
Feeling the ocean's mist every day
In a dolphin's smile
Happily swimming alongside a friendly dolphin
Wind-taut line split the sky
A taut rope stretching so high it splits the sky
Curlin' crest rollin' by
The sight of the ocean's waves curling and rolling
Floating free aimlessly
Drifting without any particular destination
In a dolphin's smile
Accompanied by a playful dolphin with a happy expression
Rainbow's end everywhere
Rainbows are visible everywhere in the sky
Full of life, free as air
Feeling full of energy and liberated
Childhood's dream
A long-held aspiration from youth
Have you ever seen
Have you actually experienced this sight?
A dolphin's smile?
The charming grin of a dolphin
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Written by: CHRIS HILLMAN, DAVID VAN CORTLANDT CROSBY, ROGER MCGUINN
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