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.
Everybody's Been Burned
The Byrds Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Everybody knows the pain
Anyone in this place
Can tell you to your face
Why you shouldn't try to love someone
Everybody know it never works
Everybody knows, and me
I know that doorThat shuts just before
You get to the dream you see
I know all too well
How to turn, how to run
How to hide behind a bitter wall of blue
But you die inside if you choose to hide
So I guess instead I'll love you
The Byrd's song "Everybody's Been Burned" is a melancholic ballad about the pain of love and the fear of being hurt. The opening lines instantly grab the listener's attention by acknowledging that everyone has felt the sting of a past love. The lyrics suggest that this pain is universal and unavoidable. The song then moves on to the idea of cautionary tales. The next few lines indicate that anyone in the singer's position can testify to the pain and warn others to stay away from love. The song suggests that love always ends in heartbreak, and it never seems to work out for anyone.
Towards the end of the song, the tone becomes more hopeful. The singer admits that they are familiar with running away from love, but they also acknowledge that hiding from it ultimately causes internal damage. The final lines reveal that the singer is willing to take the risk of being hurt because, in the end, loving someone is worth the potential pain.
This song showcases The Byrd's signature blend of folk and rock music. The band uses acoustic guitar, harmonica, and a plucked bass to create a folksy feel. The lyrics are introspective and poetic, which is typical of The Byrd's songwriting.
Line by Line Meaning
Everybody has been burned before
All individuals have been hurt in the past
Everybody knows the pain
Everyone is familiar with the feeling of heartbreak
Anyone in this place
Anyone present in this situation
Can tell you to your face
Can express to you in person
Why you shouldn't try to love someone
Why attempting to love someone can be risky
Everybody know it never works
It is commonly understood that love does not always succeed
Everybody knows, and me
I also understand this universal truth
I know that door
I am familiar with the feeling of being shut out
That shuts just before
It is a painful occurrence that happens just before
You get to the dream you see
The realization of your hopes and aspirations
I know all too well
I am intimately familiar with
How to turn, how to run
The action of retreating or avoiding
How to hide behind a bitter wall of blue
Suppressing emotions with a sad demeanor
But you die inside if you choose to hide
It will lead to emotional suffering if you opt to conceal your feelings
So I guess instead I'll love you
Thus, I will choose to love you despite the potential pain
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: DAVID VAN CORTLANDT CROSBY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@비정한세상
[Verse 1]
Everybody has been burned before
Everybody knows the pain
Anyone in this place can tell you to your face
Why you shouldn't try to love someone
[Verse 2]
Everybody knows it never works
Everybody knows and me
I know that door that shuts just before
You get to the dream you see
[Verse 3]
I know all too well how to turn, how to run
How to hide behind a bitter wall of blue
But you die inside if you choose to hide
So I guess instead I'll love you
@michaelneal900
the Byrds recordings of this time were often of a higher fidelity than even the Beatles. This is an exquisite vocal recording.
@davesigmon8144
David Crosby's crowning achievement as a singer-songwriter. The chordal structure of the song is breathtaking as is Roger McGuinn's guitar solo. Croz also helped the Byrds immeasurably with his ear for harmony. RIP David
@larrymiller4
Incredibly fitting and appropriate McGuinn solo, maybe his best. That song haunts me to this day.
@houseofguelph8825
Its the bond theme
@jonsebastian4823
Yeah, Dave killed it with this. His finest track and probably my favourite of all, be played at my funeral
@courtneysands6646
One of his many masterpieces.
@javierocker82
@@larrymiller4 I think the song itself might be reference to David's relationship with Gene Clark. Your right though, if you know the history of the 60's this song sounds very prophetic. Though in reality, its David venting I think his grief over how badly he treated Gene Clark. Renaissance Fair I think is sadder because its set the expectation for The Summer of Love, and that largely didn't work out, so Renaissance Fair is just that "a dream."
@liegebricking
One of the best songs ever
@oej__
rip david. one of the most gorgeous vocals ever.
@liegebricking
This song defines the psychedelic era. Beautiful.