I'll Feel A Whole Lot Better
The Byrds and The Flying Burrito Brothers Lyrics
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After what you did I can't stay now
And I'll probably feel a whole lot better when you're gone
Baby for a long time (baby for a long time) you had me believe (you had me believe)
That your love was all mine (that your love was all mine) and that's the way it would be
But I didn't know (but I didn't know) that you were putting me on
And I'll probably feel a whole lot better when you're gone, when you're gone
Now I gotta say (I gotta say) that it's not like before (that it's not like before)
And I'm not gonna play your games any more (and I'm not gonna play)
After what you did (after what you did)I can't stay on
And I'll probably feel a whole lot better when you're gone
Oh, when you're gone, oh when you gone,oh when you gone
"I'll Feel a Whole Lot Better" is a breakup song about a relationship that has turned sour. The singer is convinced that it's time to let go of the relationship and move on, as they can't stay in a toxic relationship after what the other person has done. The song is primarily about the cognitive dissonance that one feels after a breakup - on the one hand, there are lingering feelings of love and attachment, but on the other hand, the hurt and toxicity of the relationship demands that the singer let go.
The opening lines of the song, "The reason why oh, I can't say I have to let you go, baby and right away" indicate that the singer has finally come to the realization that the relationship is no longer working, but is unsure of the exact reasons why. The next lines, "After what you did I can't stay now, And I'll probably feel a whole lot better when you're gone," suggest that the other person's actions have made it impossible for the relationship to continue.
The second verse continues with the cognitive dissonance theme, as the singer reflects on the past: "Baby for a long time (baby for a long time) you had me believe (you had me believe) That your love was all mine (that your love was all mine) and that's the way it would be." These lines show how the singer believed that the relationship was solid and long-lasting, but eventually realizes that this was not the case. In the final verse, the singer asserts that they will not be played by their ex-partner anymore, and reiterates that they will feel better once the relationship has ended.
Line by Line Meaning
The reason why oh, I can't say I have to let you go, baby and right away
I can't explain why, but I know I have to break up with you immediately.
After what you did I can't stay now
Your actions have made it impossible for me to continue being with you.
And I'll probably feel a whole lot better when you're gone
I anticipate that my emotional state will significantly improve once you are out of my life.
Baby for a long time (baby for a long time) you had me believe (you had me believe)
You made me think for an extended period that your love was genuine.
(that your love was all mine) and that's the way it would be
You made me believe that you would always be mine.
But I didn't know (but I didn't know) that you were putting me on
I was unaware that you were deceiving me.
And I'll probably feel a whole lot better when you're gone, when you're gone
Once you leave, I expect to feel much happier.
Now I gotta say (I gotta say) that it's not like before (that it's not like before)
I need to tell you that our relationship is not the same as before.
And I'm not gonna play your games any more (and I'm not gonna play)
I won't let you manipulate me anymore.
After what you did (after what you did)I can't stay on
It's impossible for me to continue being with you after what you've done.
And I'll probably feel a whole lot better when you're gone
I am confident that my emotional state will greatly improve once you're out of my life.
Oh, when you're gone, oh when you gone,oh when you gone
I'm looking forward to the day when you're no longer in my life.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Gene Clark
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
CCRyder
Best Byrds' song ever (thank you, Gene). If you don't feel like getting up and dancing while listening to this, you must be dead.
Stuart Banks
Gene Clark: although I’ve never seen him play an instrument on stage, I believe he was the principal songwriter of The Byrds and was paid accordingly.
Evariste Galois
My favourite song of all time. Thank you Gene Clark.
Az Indn
Go-go boots and dancers in elevated cages -- so Sunset Strip. Gene Clark's voice - wow. My favorite Byrds tune of all.
Sea Dog
AGREED....
Bryan Palmer
@Martin Fuller I have a CD of the best of his solo years--can remember as a young boy hearing "So you say you lost your baby" on NZ radio on the late 60s--beautiful song
Lastname First
@Greg Lenz gazarri dancers go back to 60s and still dancing today. Go Go Hollywood
Greg Lenz
@Lastname First The Gazarri Go Go dancers. Hollywood a Go Go.
Lastname First
Women in cages-steely dan cant imagine that today. Back then it was almost an honor to be 1 of the gals hired to dance in a cage
Mike Manderfeld
I love Roger McGuinn to death, but without Gene Clark, the Byrds would have never ever been : "The Byrds."