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.
Nothing Was Delivered
The Byrds Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I tell this truth to you
Not out of spite or anger
But, simply 'cause it's true
Now you must provide some answers
For what you sell has not been received
And the sooner you come up with them
Nothing is better, nothing is best
Take care of your health and get plenty of rest
Nothing was delivered
And it's up to you to say
Just what you had in mind
When you made everybody pay
Now I hope you won't object to this
Giving back all that you owe
But the sooner you come up with them
And the sooner you can go
Nothing is better, nothing is best
Take care of your health and get plenty of rest
No, nothing was delivered
I can't say I sympathize
With what your fate is going to be
Yes, for telling all those lies
No, nothing was delivered
Yes, and someone must explain
But as long as it takes to do this
Then that's how long you'll remain
Nothing is better, nothing is best
Take care of your health and get plenty of rest
The Byrds' song "Nothing Was Delivered" seems to be about someone who has failed to deliver on their promises. The singer is frustrated because they have paid for something that they have not received. They are not angry, just upset about the lack of accountability from the person who failed to deliver. The singer believes that the person responsible must provide answers for their actions and return what has been paid for.
The lyrics suggest that the situation is not unique to the singer, but that many people have been affected by this individual's inability to deliver. It is a cautionary tale for those who make promises without considering the consequences of failing to come through.
The singer tells the person responsible for the lack of delivery that they must provide answers and return what has been paid for. The singer also encourages them to take care of their health and get some rest, possibly suggesting that the person has been overextending themselves and failing as a result.
Overall, the song seems to be a criticism of people who make promises they cannot keep and highlights the importance of accountability and honesty.
Line by Line Meaning
Nothing was delivered
The promised goods or services didn't reach the recipient
And I tell this truth to you
The singer is being honest with the listener
Not out of spite or anger
There is no ill will behind the singer's words
But, simply 'cause it's true
The artist is motivated by the truth of the matter
Now you must provide some answers
The seller is now obligated to explain why the delivery did not occur
For what you sell has not been received
The payment has been made, but the goods or services promised have not been delivered
And the sooner you come up with them
The seller needs to explain the situation promptly
And the sooner you can leave
The quicker the seller resolves the issue, the quicker they can move on
Nothing is better, nothing is best
There is no better solution or outcome
Take care of your health and get plenty of rest
An unrelated statement advising the listener to take care of themselves
And it's up to you to say
The seller is responsible for explaining what happened
Just what you had in mind
The seller needs to describe their original intent
When you made everybody pay
The payment was made by many people, therefore, the seller owes an explanation to all
Now I hope you won't object to this
The singer hopes the seller doesn't take offense to the request for an explanation
Giving back all that you owe
The seller is required to return the money paid by the buyers
But the sooner you come up with them
The seller must explain the situation promptly to expedite the resolution
And the sooner you can go
The faster the seller resolves this matter, the faster they can leave
I can't say I sympathize
The singer doesn't empathize with the seller's position
With what your fate is going to be
The seller will be held accountable for not making the delivery
Yes, for telling all those lies
The artist believes the seller was dishonest
Yes, and someone must explain
The requirement for an explanation remains unchanged
But as long as it takes to do this
The seller will remain until they explain the situation
Then that's how long you'll remain
The seller's stay is determined by the time needed to provide an explanation
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Bob Dylan
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@rickenbackerboy4123
As an 8th grader in 1968 when "Sweetheart" was released, all of us Beatles-And-Byrds fans were a little puzzled at their new "direction". We liked the fact that it was innovative ... the quality we MOST admired The Beatles for ... and we liked that it was AMERICAN !! But the "country" thing confused us because American country-western was upsettingly pro-Vietnam and pro-segregation and pro-good-ol'-boy and all that jazz. But ... over time this album has become SUCH a treasure. Having recently read Chris Hillman's autobiography, I'm feeling incredibly lucky these days to have lived through this little bit of music history ❤
@thomasrobinson182
This is country-rock.
@mikesaunders4775
The most recognisably Byrds style song on the album.
@brysonsmusicreviews5594
The extremally underrated Kevin Kelley on drums.
@chrispaul6290
Written by Bob Dylan. Roger McGuinn (lead vocal), Lloyd Green (pedal steel guitar), Gram Parsons (piano, organ).
@phillipph9882
earl p ball on honkytonk piano, i think the organ sound is from lloyd greene's steel, bleeding into the other channel. listen to the coda from 2'55 to the way too premature crescendo. but usher coulda added a background overdub: there are 3 credited organ players, and usher had exp too
@gaspersignorelli3724
Great song, great arrangement, great lead vocal and harmony, and rhythm wise a wonderful easy swing, and then with the refrain, it soars and rocks. A great finale to one of the great LP's.
@ol55afterthethrillisgone
The greatest opening lick i've ever heard, even beats Ramblin man by the Allmans
@robangelo8460
that pedal steel intro just FUCKING DESTROYS ME...................... ;)
@thirdofaman
Thank you for this classic album.