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.
It's All Over Now Baby Blue
The Byrds Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You think will last
But if there's something you wish to keep
Better grab it fast
Yonder stands your orphan with his gun
Crying like a fire in the sun
Look out for who, the saints are comin' through
The highway is for gamblers, better use your sense
Take what you have gathered from coincidence
The empty-handed painter from your streets
Is drawing crazy patterns on your sheets
The sky too is foldin' under you
And it's all over now, baby blue
All your seasick sailors, they are goin' home
Your empty-handed armies, they are goin' home
Your lover who just walked out the door
Has taken all his blankets from the floor
The carpet too is movin' under you
And it's all over now, baby blue
It's all over now, baby blue
It's all over now, baby blue
The song "It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue" by The Byrds is a poetic masterpiece that speaks of the end of a relationship, but also serves as a metaphor for the political and cultural turmoil of the 1960s. The first verse addresses the person who is leaving and advises them to take everything they want to keep before their time is up. The orphan with the gun represents the impending danger and violence that is coming, with the saints being a metaphor for societal upheaval. The use of the sun as a symbol of the power and intensity of cryings gives the verse an ominous tone.
In the second verse, the highway is used symbolically as a place of chance where gamblers take risks. This represents the risks of life and how one can only use what they have learned to navigate and succeed in it. The use of the "empty-handed painter" symbolises someone who is struggling to make sense of the world around them and feels as though they have nothing to hold onto. The sky folding under represents the anxiety and fear of what the future holds.
In the final verses, the sailors and armies returning home symbolise the end of an era and the change that is coming. The lover leaving takes everything with them, even the blankets from the floor. This represents the complete severance of the love that was shared. The carpet moving underfoot represents a final moment of upheaval and change, which emphasises the complete and utter end of everything that has gone before.
Line by Line Meaning
You better go now, take what you want
You think will last
If there's something you value, you better grab it quick before it goes away.
But if there's something you wish to keep
Better grab it fast
If there's something you value, you better grab it quick before it goes away.
Yonder stands your orphan with his gun
Crying like a fire in the sun
Look out for who, the saints are comin' through
And it's all over now, baby blue
There's someone in distress who needs your help, but there are also forces coming that will make everything change and come to an end.
The highway is for gamblers, better use your sense
Take what you have gathered from coincidence
We ought to be smart with the opportunities we get and learn from what they teach us, instead of ignoring reality and hoping fate will guide us.
The empty-handed painter from your streets
Is drawing crazy patterns on your sheets
The sky too is foldin' under you
And it's all over now, baby blue
The world around us is unpredictable and changing in ways we can't control, which might have a significant impact on our lives.
All your seasick sailors, they are goin' home
Your empty-handed armies, they are goin' home
Your lover who just walked out the door
Has taken all his blankets from the floor
The carpet too is movin' under you
And it's all over now, baby blue
Everything around us is changing and moving on, and it's about to end. Even people who seemed steady and reliable are leaving.
It's all over now, baby blue
Everything has come to an end, and we need to accept it and move on.
It's all over now, baby blue
Everything has come to an end, and we need to accept it and move on.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Bob Dylan
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@mugsypea
A brilliant rendition that is the essence of the Southern California country music of the late 60’s and 70’s. Outstanding and timeless!
@bendbadgersteve
My fave, followed by the 13th Floor Elevators. Elegant, sublime and wistful harmonies. Great lead vocal by McGuinn and then C.W. beautifully twists your brain.
@jeromemarino2787
Best version of the song.
@georgefelton669
One of the high points of the late-period Byrds. Cool that they slowed the song way down.
@dang2443
Them is the best
@charleswinkler5814
Clarence envelopes this great tune, much in the way Pete Kleinow did to the Burrito song "Colorado". Both geniuses. Way, way ahead of their time. Both irreplaceable. Like a whole orchestra unto themselves. I miss them both very much.
@elizabethloranger4757
As a college student in Boston in the late 60's, the Byrds were one of the local faves at bars and pubs that we saw on a regular basis. Now THOSE were the 'good old days'!!! :)
@mistergrampy6452
I enjoyed listening to WBZ at night in those days...heard the Byrds a lot.
@timjohnson1199
Yes! Those were the days. There's a bar I meet some friends at to chat and catch a game. But. At about 8 or 9 they drive us out of the place with this truly awful rap
"Music".
@timjohnson1199
@@mistergrampy6452 WBEZ ?