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 See You
The Byrds Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Under there behind your hair
Everywhere, I see you
I see you
Turned on eyes can't tell lies
Empathize, I see you
Warm sliding sun through the cave of you hair
I see you
I know you,
Met before seventh floor,
First world war
I know you
Who lives there?
Tell old fair I'm aware
That she cares, who lives there?
Green specks bright spiralling out in the sky
Catch my mind, turn my head, have to look, don't know why
Who lives there
We thought talked
For a while they just smile just a silent thought talk
I see you
Sun is there behind your hair
Everywhere, I see you
I see you
The song "I See You" by The Byrds has lyrics that convey the message of deep understanding and empathy towards a person. The chorus emphasizes the idea of seeing beyond the physical boundaries and recognizing the person for who they truly are on the inside. The opening lines, "I see you, under there behind your hair, everywhere I see you", speak to the idea that people often hide behind their physical appearance, but through empathy and understanding, we can see beyond that.
The following lines, "Turned-on eyes can't tell lies, empathize I see you", highlight that the singer is perceptive and can read the emotions and thoughts of the person they are speaking to. The line "Sun sliding through the cave of your hair, wind washing fields kind of space living there" might suggest that the person being addressed is a free-spirited and independent individual.
The verse "Green specks bright spiraling out in the sky, catch my mind, turn my head, have to look, don't know why, who lives there?" expresses that the singer is struck by the beauty of the world around them and wonders who else is experiencing it with them.
Overall, the song "I See You" showcases The Byrds' ability to convey deep emotions through their music and poetry.
Line by Line Meaning
I see you
I am aware of your presence
Under there behind your hair
I can see you despite your hair obstructing the view
Everywhere, I see you
You seem to be present and visible in multiple locations
Turned on eyes can't tell lies
Your eyes reveal your true emotions and feelings
Empathize, I see you
I am able to understand and relate to your emotions
Warm sliding sun through the cave of your hair
The sunlight gently streaming through your hair creates a warm and inviting atmosphere
Wind washing fields kind of space living there
There is a sense of openness and freedom within you
I know you
I am familiar with you
Met before seventh floor, First world war
We have met before, possibly during the First World War on the seventh floor of a building
Who lives there?
I am curious about who resides in a certain place
Tell old fair I'm aware that she cares, who lives there?
Please pass on the message to the kind woman that I am aware of her concern, and I am still curious about who lives there
Green specks bright spiralling out in the sky
There are bright green objects that are spiralling towards the sky
Catch my mind, turn my head, have to look, don't know why
The green objects catch my attention, causing me to turn my head and look, despite not knowing why
We thought talked, for a while they just smile, just a silent thought talk
We communicated through silent thoughts and smiles during our conversation
Sun is there behind your hair, everywhere, I see you
Your presence is illuminated by the sunshine present in your hair, and I continue to see you everywhere
I see you
I am aware of your presence
Lyrics © RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: DAVID CROSBY, ROGER MCGUINN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
tropicwave1
I See You The Byrds I see you
Under there behind your hair
Everywhere, I see you
I see you
Turned on eyes can't tell lies
Empathize, I see you
Warm sliding sun through the cave of you hair
Wind washing fields kind of space living there
I see you
Who lives there?
Tell old fair I'm aware
That she cares, who lives there?
We thought how
For a while they just smile
Just a silent thought
I see you
Sun is there behind your hair
Everywhere, I see you
I see you
Songwriters: DAVID CROSBY, ROGER MCGUINN I See You lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC, HORI PRO ENTERTAINMENT GROUP, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Max Merry
Byrds were way ahead of the pack on this. Post-Gene Clark and sipping from a kind of folk/garage-punk/acid rock/Coltrane brew. And yet, it seems somehow timeless, standing up well, even over 50 years later!! Great vocal mix from McGuinn and Crosby, manic atonal guitar (before anyone had even heard of Velvet Underground), and GREAT drumming from Mike Clarke....
David Beckey
I agree with you on all points, spot on!
Busywave
And listen to where Yes took the song on their first album in 1969. I heard the Yes version first but both are awesome.
Kazoo Fum
GREAT drumming from Mike Clarke, yeah, i'm not sure he realised at the time how cool he played in this? there was the joke that the byrds drummer couldnt even keep tempo
Gordon Campbell.
RIP : David
CurlyWyn
I like the atonal guitar better when The VU do it. This is just hippie nonsense.
Byron Fortier
Wow, what a song. The incredible drive of this, coupled with the glorious harmonies, plus the great guitar work. The Byrds at their most progressive. Easily up there with what the Beatles were doing at this time.
Wim van Rietschoten
A great song for ever
joseph lemko
One of The Byrds best songs.
tuxguys
Amazing stuff, from what started out, a year or so before, as one of the most British-sounding American bands:
This item marks a year before the Summer of Love, when things got seriously Psychedelic.
The dichotomy between the Hard Rock (yet swingin') rhythm section, the almost Free Jazz guitar fills, and the satin-y vocals with Crosby, et. al. astonishes me.
God, the original version of this band was 'way ahead of its time.