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.
Lay Lady Lay
The Byrds Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Lay, lady, lay, lay across my big brass bed
Lay, lady, lay, lay across my big brass bed
Whatever colors you have in your mind
I'll show them to you and you'll see them shine
Lay, lady, lay, lay across my big brass bed
Stay, lady, stay, stay with your man awhileUntil the break of day, let me see you make him smile
His clothes are dirty but his hands are clean
And you're the best thing that he's ever seen
Stay, lady, stay, stay with your man awhile
Why wait any longer for the world to begin?
You can have your cake and eat it too
Why wait any longer for the one you love?
When he's standing right in front of you
Lay, lady, lay, lay across my big brass bed
Stay, lady, stay, stay while the night is still ahead
I long to see you in the morning light
I long to reach for you in the night
Stay, lady, stay, stay while the night is still ahead
Lay, lady, lay, lay across my big brass bed
The Byrds’s “Lay Lady Lay” is a love song that is an invitation to a woman to stay with the man singing the song. The title of the song is a reference to the way the man asks the woman to lay across his big brass bed. The man assures the woman that she can have whatever colors she has in her mind, and he will show them to her. This implies that the man is willing to support and fulfill the woman's desires and aspirations.
The chorus of the song is an appeal to the woman to stay with her man for a while. Through the song, the man compliments the woman and tells her that she is the best thing that he has ever seen. However, the man also acknowledges that the woman's partner might not be perfect, but he emphasizes that at least his hands are clean. The song suggests that the woman should not wait any longer for the world to begin or for the one she loves because the man is already standing right in front of her.
Line by Line Meaning
Lay, lady, lay, lay across my big brass bed
Come lay down with me on my grand brass bed
Whatever colors you have in your mind
Tell me what you're thinking, I want to know everything about you
I'll show them to you and you'll see them shine
I will paint visions for you that will make you feel alive and bright
Stay, lady, stay, stay with your man awhile
Stay here with me, be my partner for some time
Until the break of day, let me see you make him smile
Make him happy until the morning light, let me witness your love
His clothes are dirty but his hands are clean
He may look rough, but his heart is pure
And you're the best thing that he's ever seen
He loves you more than anything he's ever known
Why wait any longer for the world to begin?
Don't waste any more of your time, let's enjoy our lives together
You can have your cake and eat it too
You can have the best of both worlds if you choose wisely
Why wait any longer for the one you love?
There's no sense in waiting - the one you love is right here with you
When he's standing right in front of you
He's right here, right now, so embrace him
Stay, lady, stay, stay while the night is still ahead
Stay here with me, let's enjoy each other's company late into the night
I long to see you in the morning light
I look forward to waking up next to you, seeing the light shine on your face
I long to reach for you in the night
I want to hold you, to be there for you when you need me
Lay, lady, lay, lay across my big brass bed
Come lay down with me on my grand brass bed
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Bob Dylan
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