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.
Time Between
The Byrds Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't say you care
You're so far away
Telephone communication
Only a three minute elation
When I hear your voice
Through love and trust it's gonna work out fineThe only pain I feel is all this time between
You and me, you and me
All the days have turned to years
Only emphasize my fears
Since you said goodbye
I can hear your voice at night
I can read the words you write
It's only love
Through love and trust it's gonna work out fine
The only pain I feel is all this time between
You and me, you and me
Through love and trust it's gonna work out fine
The only pain I feel is all this time between
You and me, you and me
You and me
The Byrds’ “Time Between” illustrates the pains of long-distance relationships, highlighting the drawbacks of maintaining long-distance relationships. The song opens with a plea not to make promises that are impossible to keep. The first two lines establish the tone for the entire song: “Don't say you love me/Don't say you care.” The singer acknowledges that while they can communicate through phone calls or letters, it’s not enough to bridge the vast distance between them. The lyrics suggest a certain level of cynicism on the singer's part, having lost hope that the relationship can succeed: “Only a three-minute elation/ When I hear your voice.”
The singer then relates to how difficult it is to carry on a relationship over time: “All the days have turned to years/ Only emphasize my fears/ Since you said goodbye.” They’re struggling to be patient, waiting for time to elapse so they can be together. They’re stuck in limbo, unable to move forward or backward. The singer points out that despite the distance, the love still exists: “It's only love/ Through love and trust, it's gonna work out fine/ The only pain I feel is all this time between/ You and me, you and me.”
Overall, “Time Between” expertly captures the difficulties of long-distance relationships, with the lyrics painting an evocative picture of the distance and isolation they can create.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't say you love me
Please do not express your love for me
Don't say you care
Please do not express your care for me
You're so far away
You are geographically distant from me
Telephone communication
We only communicate through phone calls
Only a three minute elation
Our joy is temporary, lasting only for the duration of a three-minute phone call
When I hear your voice
I feel happiness when I hear your voice
Through love and trust it's gonna work out fine
Our relationship will be successful if we have love and trust
The only pain I feel is all this time between
The only thing causing me distress is our distance from each other
You and me, you and me
Referring to our relationship
All the days have turned to years
We've been separated for a significant amount of time
Only emphasize my fears
The time apart amplifies my worries
Since you said goodbye
Since we parted ways
I can hear your voice at night
I think of you at night and can hear your voice in my head
I can read the words you write
I read your messages or letters
It's only love
Our relationship is founded on love
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: CHRISTOPHER HILLMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@TM-cb2te
This is my favorite song by the Byrds.
@mrtriffid
Clarence White channelling Don Rich, bluegrass pollinates "The Bakersfield Sound." And it's right up there in the mix!!!!!! Just another great sound we owe to the '60s!
@markpatterson2507
Mr Don Rich.....guitar AND first rate vocals too!
@weavercu
😊😊😊😊
@terrywilliamson5599
When this song first came out I had never heard of Clarence White on lead guitar. WOW!
@ladylight66
I love the Byrds and this was one of my favorite albums by them
@ramberification
If you're looking for Bakersfield country jam mixed with melancholy psychadelic rock, you've come to the right place.
@chetpogostin34
This song and 'The Girl With No Name' are previews of Sweetheart of the Rodeo where the Byrds pioneered what became known as "country rock." McGuinn and the others, especially Chris Hillman were already moving in that direction by late 1966.
@petjobedet4650
I had no idea in 1967 how incredible the guitar work was on this tune, and on the entire album- it is masterfully epic- all analog to boot!
@stephengorin2685
Another Chris Hillman gem from "Younger Than Yesterday".