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.
Why
The Byrds Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Keep sayin' no to her, not even maybe
Why?
Why?
You say there's a limit there, she can't go past that
She don't believe you, she don't think that's where it's at
Why?
Say she can't change that, it's the way you've always done it
She don't care about that, she thinks you've just begun it
Why?
Why?
You say it's a dead old world, cold and unforgiving
I don't know where you live but you're not living
Why?
Why?
Keep sayin' no to her since she was a baby
Keep sayin' no to her, not even maybe
Why?
Why?
The Byrds's song Why is a poignant and thought-provoking exploration of the divide between generations and the persistence of stubborn attitudes that can hinder growth and progress. The lyrics suggest a conversation between an older person and a younger person, likely a parent and child. The older person is depicted as being resistant to change and determined to maintain the status quo. They have been saying no to the younger person since they were a baby and continue to do so, rejecting their ideas and aspirations outright. The repeated question of “Why” highlights the younger person’s confusion and frustration with this situation, as they struggle to understand why their ideas and desires are being dismissed without any meaningful explanation.
The song also touches on issues of perceived limitations and the power of self-belief. The older person tells the younger that there is a limit to what they can achieve or aspire to, but the younger person refuses to accept this, convinced that they can go further and do more than they are being allowed to. They reject the idea that things must always be done a certain way just because that is how they have always been done.
Overall, Why is a moving and insightful commentary on the challenges of communication and understanding between different generations, and a call to question our assumptions and embrace change.
Line by Line Meaning
Keep sayin' no to her since she was a baby
You have been denying her requests since she was a child
Keep sayin' no to her, not even maybe
You have consistently refused her without any hesitation
Why?
What is the reason behind your constant denial?
You say there's a limit there, she can't go past that
You have set a limit for her and believe that she cannot exceed it
She don't believe you, she don't think that's where it's at
She does not trust your judgement and thinks the limit is not accurate
Why?
What is the justification for this limitation?
Say she can't change that, it's the way you've always done it
You state that it is impossible to modify the limit because it has always been that way
She don't care about that, she thinks you've just begun it
She disregards your claim and believes that you are making it up as you go along
Why?
What is the real reason for your reluctance to change?
You say it's a dead old world, cold and unforgiving
You see the world as bleak, lifeless, and merciless
I don't know where you live but you're not living
I don't understand how you could have such a pessimistic view on life
Why?
What makes you see the world in such a negative light?
Keep sayin' no to her since she was a baby
You have been refusing to grant her wishes for as long as she can remember
Keep sayin' no to her, not even maybe
You remain unwavering in your decision to deny her, without any possibility of reconsideration
Why?
Why are you so resolute in your unwillingness to accommodate her?
Lyrics © DistroKid, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: JAMIE JONES, JASON R. PENNOCK, COREY CLARK, SOLOMON RIDGE JR., CLARENCE R. BLAYLOCK III
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
roberts letelier
You keep sayin' no to her
Since she was a baby
You keep sayin' no to her
Not even maybe
Why?
Why?
You say there's a limit there
She can't go past that
She don't believe you
She don't think that's where it's at
Why?
Why?
You say she can't change that
It's the way you've always done it
She don't care about that
She thinks you've just begun it
Why?
Why?
You say it's a dead old world
Cold and unforgiving
I don't know where you live
But you're not living
Why?
Why?
Василий Зайцев
Keep sayin' no to her since she was a baby
Keep sayin' no to her, not even maybe.
Why? Why?
You say there's a limit there, she can't go past that
She don't believe you, she don't think that's where it's at.
Why? Why?
Say she can't change that, it's the way you've always done it
She don't care about that, she thinks you've just begun it.
Why? Why?
You say it's a dead old world, cold and not living
I don't know where you live but you're not living.
Why? Why?
Keep sayin' no to her since she was a baby
Keep sayin' no to her, not even maybe.
Why? Why?
Daniel Jones - East London Blues
the brilliance and invention of this album is just crazy. i love every Byrds album, but this has to be my favourite at the moment...
David Zimmerli
More than a half century after the Byrds recorded their mid 60's LPS, and they still sound futuristic.....
David Zimmerli
@Lare Clark Thanks for your reply, Lare, but don't you mean "hasn't caught up yet"...LOL...I have an older sister, who will never catch up....she still prefers Bobby Rydell and Bobby Vinton...LOL.....
Lare Clark
Yep. The world has caught up yet.
David Zimmerli
@John Hobley II Sorry I'm a year late in saying thanks for your response........I'm a bit slow......
John Hobley II
David Zimmerli EXACTLY,it’s rather amazing,innit? Now carry on,as you were...\m/
Bookie's Club 870
A tighter arrangement and better solo than the single version from March '66. I'm glad they decided to re-do it for "Younger Than Yesterday". Quite possibly their best album-closing song.
ragpicker006
I much prefer the single version. Different strokes etc.
Jim Mcintyre
66 version has much more power..but this is ok
Lare Clark
This version is crisper and tighter than the B side but I miss Genes vocals here. In my opinion this could have been a single. Smooth sexy and original with lots of forward motion and a streak of the exotic thanks to McGuinn's exciting edgy guitar solo.