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.
Tiffany Queen
The Byrds Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She was sitting in my kitchen with a face I can't forget
She was looking my direction and calling with her eyes
I was trying to do an interview and telling them all lies
Last year in the summer with a Tiffany lamp over her head
They were asking what I thought about the 50's rock n roll
Then they got into their limousine and fell into a holeI moved into the kitchen and I quickly fell in love
The warden came along and asked me what I was thinking of
Last year in the summer with a Tiffany lamp over her head
Well I grabbed her by the hand and with a few things I could
The warden said
The lyrics of The Byrds' song Tiffany Queen describe a moment of unexpected joy and love that the singer experiences on the day he meets an unnamed woman. He describes her unforgettable face and her alluring gaze as she silently calls to him from across the room while he attempts to conduct an interview. The singer acknowledges that he had been lying during the interview, showing a level of self-awareness and vulnerability. The second verse reveals that the encounter took place last summer, when the woman had a Tiffany lamp hanging over her head. The final two lines of the verse, "They were asking what I thought about 50's rock n roll / Then they got into their limousine and fell into a hole," suggest that the singer is imagining a scenario in which the people conducting the interview experience a tragic accident, leaving him alone with the woman he is falling in love with. The final verse describes the singer being approached by a warden, possibly suggesting that he is in prison. He expresses his love for the woman and tells the warden that he wants to leave with her. However, the warden's response is left unsaid.
Line by Line Meaning
Happiness hit me on the first day we met
I felt an overwhelming sense of joy and contentment on the day that I first encountered this woman.
She was sitting in my kitchen with a face I can't forget
This woman had a captivating presence, and her charm made a lasting impression on me.
She was looking my direction and calling with her eyes
There was an intense attraction between us, and I could feel her desire for me through her gaze.
I was trying to do an interview and telling them all lies
I was distracted by her beauty and couldn't focus on the task at hand, so I resorted to falsehoods to cover up my lack of attention.
Last year in the summer with a Tiffany lamp over her head
This encounter took place during the summer of the previous year, while she was sitting under the warm glow of a Tiffany lamp.
They were asking what I thought about the 50's rock n roll
The people conducting the interview were curious about my opinions on music from the 1950s.
Then they got into their limousine and fell into a hole
Shortly after the interview, the people abruptly left and experienced some sort of unfortunate mishap or accident.
I moved into the kitchen and I quickly fell in love
After the interview, I couldn't resist the urge to spend more time with this woman and began to develop strong feelings for her.
The warden came along and asked me what I was thinking of
A figure of authority (perhaps a prison warden or guard) questioned my intentions and motivations in pursuing a relationship with this woman.
Last year in the summer with a Tiffany lamp over her head
This event occurred during the summer and while the woman was sitting under the warm glow of a Tiffany lamp -- a detail that seems to hold special significance to the artist.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ROGER MC GUINN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@hjue44
My father died recently. He was a musician and when i put on his main cd player, this album started playing. Never heard of this band before, but damn, this is great
@maxmerry8470
December 24th, 1971, Virgin Records, Birmingham, UK, import rack! Snapped up the album, featuring this gem, and hurried home! Made my Christmas that year.....
@ericsimon9937
- TOTAL HAPPINESS !!!!!! This song is a GEM.
@monicacouto4575
this reminds me of good times sitting in this guys kitchen way back in high school
@stanedwards3731
happiness hit me , /love this byrds gem
@solaroberto7435
Love Byrds
@edwardprice140
2024 Just heard this for the first time on WTSQ.
@richard5th
In the days when it was first realised I was dismissive of its quality compared to other releases of the group, now I recognise several great songs/recordings such as Bugler, Lazy Waters and Farther Along, given that most LPs had a maximum of 2 to 3 memorable songs it must rank higher in my memorable estimations.
@JCStorm76
dick dalek It was before I was born but it’s their most underrated album in my opinion and I find myself returning to it quite a bit and I like just about every song, even the CD bonus tracks
@unstrung65
probably gave Tom Petty the template for his rocking up 'folk- rock ' --- sure worked out for him .