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.
I'll Feel a Whole Lot Better
The Byrds Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
After what you did I can't stay now
And I'll probably feel a whole lot better when you're gone
Baby for a long time (baby for a long time) you had me believe (you had me believe)
That your love was all mine (that your love was all mine) and that's the way it would be
But I didn't know (but I didn't know) that you were putting me on
And I'll probably feel a whole lot better when you're gone, when you're gone
Now I gotta say (I gotta say) that it's not like before (that it's not like before)
And I'm not gonna play your games any more (and I'm not gonna play)
After what you did (after what you did)I can't stay on
And I'll probably feel a whole lot better when you're gone
Oh, when you're gone, oh when you gone,oh when you gone
"I'll Feel a Whole Lot Better" is a breakup song about a relationship that has turned sour. The singer is convinced that it's time to let go of the relationship and move on, as they can't stay in a toxic relationship after what the other person has done. The song is primarily about the cognitive dissonance that one feels after a breakup - on the one hand, there are lingering feelings of love and attachment, but on the other hand, the hurt and toxicity of the relationship demands that the singer let go.
The opening lines of the song, "The reason why oh, I can't say I have to let you go, baby and right away" indicate that the singer has finally come to the realization that the relationship is no longer working, but is unsure of the exact reasons why. The next lines, "After what you did I can't stay now, And I'll probably feel a whole lot better when you're gone," suggest that the other person's actions have made it impossible for the relationship to continue.
The second verse continues with the cognitive dissonance theme, as the singer reflects on the past: "Baby for a long time (baby for a long time) you had me believe (you had me believe) That your love was all mine (that your love was all mine) and that's the way it would be." These lines show how the singer believed that the relationship was solid and long-lasting, but eventually realizes that this was not the case. In the final verse, the singer asserts that they will not be played by their ex-partner anymore, and reiterates that they will feel better once the relationship has ended.
Line by Line Meaning
The reason why oh, I can't say I have to let you go, baby and right away
I can't explain why, but I know I have to break up with you immediately.
After what you did I can't stay now
Your actions have made it impossible for me to continue being with you.
And I'll probably feel a whole lot better when you're gone
I anticipate that my emotional state will significantly improve once you are out of my life.
Baby for a long time (baby for a long time) you had me believe (you had me believe)
You made me think for an extended period that your love was genuine.
(that your love was all mine) and that's the way it would be
You made me believe that you would always be mine.
But I didn't know (but I didn't know) that you were putting me on
I was unaware that you were deceiving me.
And I'll probably feel a whole lot better when you're gone, when you're gone
Once you leave, I expect to feel much happier.
Now I gotta say (I gotta say) that it's not like before (that it's not like before)
I need to tell you that our relationship is not the same as before.
And I'm not gonna play your games any more (and I'm not gonna play)
I won't let you manipulate me anymore.
After what you did (after what you did)I can't stay on
It's impossible for me to continue being with you after what you've done.
And I'll probably feel a whole lot better when you're gone
I am confident that my emotional state will greatly improve once you're out of my life.
Oh, when you're gone, oh when you gone,oh when you gone
I'm looking forward to the day when you're no longer in my life.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Gene Clark
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
rockosur
No razonar
Desaparecer
Cuando tenías que estar
Te echaste a correr
Lo que hiciste en mí
No tiene perdón
Y yo sé que me siento
Mucho más fuerte sin tu amor
Mucho tiempo atrás
Me hiciste sentir
Que nuestro amor era más
Y de esa forma vivi
No sé más quién soy
De qué te reís?
Y ahora sé que me siento
Mucho más fuerte sin tu amor
No sé más que hacer
No sé qué decir
Cuando tenías que estar
Te echaste a reír
Lo que hiciste en mí
No tiene perdón
Y ahora sé que me siento
Mucho más fuerte sin tu amor
Y yo sé que me siento
Mucho más fuerte sin tu amor
Oh, sin tu amor
Michael Wright
Today I am 72 and I will never stop listening to 60’s rock. It’s like they say
Rock and Roll never forgets
Dan Simpson
Same here in st. Louis
Lorie Ward
I'm also 72 and I agree most whole heartedly!
Joel Babb
Why the hell would you stop ? It is what keeps me going …,
George Bowen
Me too 👍
Eric Tansley
A fellow Bob Seger fan ! I have been listening to a lot of his work recently and the honesty and grittiness really speaks to me. "Back in 72" is my favourite Seger album.
BrianRocks
This song is one of the best pop songs of all time, and it shows that the decade was the best era in the history of rock and the history of modern popular music.
Mike Stidham
And to think this was actually a B-side!
BrianRocks
@L Thompson The great influence of the byrds were the beatles and the searchers were more influential with their hit needles and pins
OGballer
@BrianRocksthe guitar on this song sounds like if I needed someone