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.
Reason Why
The Byrds Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If she was here or she was there
But I guess I didn't go by the rules
'Cause she really made me look like a fool
I shouldn't have let it hurt me at all
'Cause I know the price you pay when you fall
But I couldn't believe it was true
And the reason why I cry
I wish I knew
My friends told me about her
When they saw me hold her hand
But I didn't think they knew her
So how could they understand
I couldn't hear a word they were saying
'Cause inside my head the music was playing
But I found out it was all true
When she told me we were through
And the reason why I cry
I wish I knew
I couldn't hear a word they were saying
'Cause inside my head the music was playing
But I found out it was all true
When she told me we were through
And the reason why I cry
I wish I knew.
Oh yeah I wish I knew
Oh yeah I wish I knew
The Byrds' song, The Reason Why, is a classic example of folk rock music characteristic of the 1960s. The opening lines of the song talks about the singer's emotional vulnerability even though he wishes to appear strong in front of everyone. His weakness towards his partner is evident when he loses his composure upon realizing that she has left him. The singer is devastated by the sudden break-up and finds himself questioning the reason behind it. The chorus repeats, "the reason why I cry, I wish I knew," indicating that he is unsure of the cause of the split and the emotions that he is going through.
The second verse talks about how the singer's friends tried to warn him about his partner's true nature, but he was too consumed with his love for her to pay attention. The phrase "inside my head the music was playing" refers to the strong hold that love can have on a person's thoughts and decisions. The singer was oblivious to the relationship's shortcomings, and the break up was a rude awakening for him that led to his emotional breakdown.
Overall, the lyrics of The Reason Why are about the emotional journey of a person dealing with a breakup. The singer is struggling to come to terms with the loss of his relationship, and his vulnerability is palpable. The lyrics capture the pain, confusion, and desperation that people often feel in such situations.
Line by Line Meaning
If I was strong then I wouldn't care
If I was emotionally strong, I wouldn't care whether my significant other was present or absent.
If she was here or she was there
It wouldn't matter to me whether my significant other was here or there.
But I guess I didn't go by the rules
But I didn't follow the norms and expectations of how I should act in this situation.
'Cause she really made me look like a fool
Because my significant other embarrassed me and made me look foolish.
I shouldn't have let it hurt me at all
I shouldn't have allowed my significant other's actions to hurt me emotionally.
'Cause I know the price you pay when you fall
Because I understand the consequences of letting myself become emotionally invested and vulnerable in a relationship.
But I couldn't believe it was true
However, I couldn't accept that my significant other had broken up with me.
When she told me we were through
When my significant other informed me that we were no longer in a relationship.
And the reason why I cry
The cause of my tears.
I wish I knew
I desire to understand the exact reason behind my emotional turmoil.
My friends told me about her
My friends informed me about my significant other's reputation or actions.
When they saw me hold her hand
When my friends observed me holding hands with my significant other.
But I didn't think they knew her
But I didn't believe my friends had an accurate understanding of my significant other.
So how could they understand
Therefore, I believed my friends were unable to comprehend the dynamics of our relationship.
I couldn't hear a word they were saying
I was unable to perceive or process the information my friends were sharing with me.
'Cause inside my head the music was playing
Because I was preoccupied with my own thoughts and emotions, and was not listening to my friends.
But I found out it was all true
However, I eventually learned that what my friends told me about my significant other was accurate.
When she told me we were through
When my significant other ended our relationship, confirming what my friends had warned me about.
Oh yeah I wish I knew
Repeated desire to know the reason for the singer's emotional distress.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: LEONARD LEE, SHIRLEY GOODMAN
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