Though The Dillards were already an established bluegrass band, their biggest claim to fame is performing musically as members of the fictional Darling family on The Andy Griffith Show, introducing bluegrass to many Americans who had never heard it. This was a recurring role and the Dillards were led by veteran character actor Denver Pyle as their father and jug player, Briscoe Darling. Maggie Peterson played Charlene Darling, their sister and the focus for the attentions of character Ernest T. Bass, played by Howard Morris. The appearances of the Dillards as the Darlings ran between 1963 and 1966. In 1986, the Dillards reprised the role in the reunion show Return to Mayberry. As part of their current tour, Rodney Dillard answers questions about the TV series. He says the songs such as "Dooley" are about people the family knew.
On the October 1963 episode "Briscoe Declares for Aunt Bee", the Dillards performed the first wide scale airing of the 1955 Arthur "Guitar Boogie" Smith composition Feudin' Banjos (Dueling Banjos).
According to Jim Clark of The Andy Griffith Show Rerun Watchers Club, three albums have been produced with songs performed on the show. Clark says Songs That Make Me Cry is the only one currently available with real performances and has the three songs which included Maggie Peterson, who played Charlene. Back Porch Bluegrass: Live Almost includes five songs that were sung on the show, and Rodney Dillard released another album with the real performances of other songs.
The Dillards are notable for being among the first bluegrass groups to have electrified their instruments in the mid-1960s. They are considered to be one of the pioneers of the burgeoning southern California folk rock, country rock and progressive bluegrass genres, and are known to have directly or indirectly influenced artists such as The Eagles, The Byrds, and Elton John. In 1972, The Dillards joined Elton John on his first American tour. John Paul Jones of Led Zeppelin has also acknowledged their influence, particularly in his decision to play the mandolin.
Rodney Dillard is a founding member of The Dillards - the group he formed with his brother, Douglas Dillard in the late 1950s. Credited throughout the years as the driving force behind the group's musical direction, success, and phenomenal longevity as a working act. Today, Dillard's musical duties include lead and harmony vocals, guitar, and dobro.
Beverly Cotten-Dillard is a native of Morrisville, North Carolina who performed with Janette Carter, Ola Belle Reed, Tommy Jarrell, and Doc and Merle Watson. She has appeared on Hee Haw and the Disney Channel and at Carnegie Hall. Cotten-Dillard is recognized as an authority on the traditional "clawhammer" banjo technique and is a featured member of The Dillards live shows. Her 1981 album Clog-In 'is considered an American folk classic."
George Giddens is a classically trained musician who is an awarded fiddler and mandolin player for the band.
Gary J. Smith was added to the lineup, having recorded double bass in the 2015 studio sessions for the new Dillards album. Smith is well known in Nashville circles after stints with Tom T. Hall, The Brother Boys, Ed Snodderly, and his long-time collaborator, Jeff Gilkinson.
Former member, Dean Webb, died at the age of 81, on June 30, 2018.
Nobody Knows
The Dillards Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Nobody ever knows
No one knows when things will stay the same
She’s in love with you
And you know you love her too
There will come a time when she won’t know your name
There’s a lot of things to die every time the day goes by
There’s a lot of things people cannot explain
You can be in love today
I mean every word you say
Knowing when tomorrow comes a word you say will be a lie
Nobody knows
Nobody ever knows
No one ever knows why love must go away
We played the games
And ever really understood
Never really understand the games we play
Nobody knows
Nobody ever knows
No one knows when things will stay the same
She’s in love with you
And you know you love her too
There will come a time when she won’t know your name
The Dillards's song "Nobody Knows" is a melancholic ballad that speaks of the uncertainties and transient nature of love. The opening lines of "Nobody knows, nobody ever knows, no one knows when things will stay the same" set the tone for the rest of the song, emphasizing how even the most steadfast things can change, fluctuate, and ultimately fall apart. The chorus of "no one ever knows why love must go away" makes the central theme of the song explicit, bringing to the forefront the pain and confusion that can come from losing someone you love.
The line "There will come a time when she won't know your name" is particularly poignant in its simplicity. It suggests a future where even the strongest bonds can be forgotten, and love can fade away. The song also touches on the idea that people are unable to fully understand the mysteries of life and love, as shown in the lines "there's a lot of things people cannot explain" and "never really understand the games we play." The song paints a picture of love as something beautiful but ultimately fragile, emphasizing how it can slip away from us without warning.
Overall, "Nobody Knows" is a touching and reflective song that speaks to the universal feelings of heartache and loss. It reminds us that love is never a certain thing, and that we must cherish the moments we have with those we care about.
Line by Line Meaning
Nobody knows
No one has all the answers
Nobody ever knows
The unknown is a constant in life
No one knows when things will stay the same
Change is inevitable and uncontrollable
She’s in love with you
Someone loves you deeply
And you know you love her too
You share mutual love and affection
There will come a time when she won’t know your name
Love can fade and relationships can change
There’s a lot of things to die every time the day goes by
Life is unpredictable and nothing is forever
There’s a lot of things people cannot explain
The mysteries of life cannot always be solved
You can be in love today
Love exists in the present moment
I mean every word you say
Honesty is important in relationships
Knowing when tomorrow comes a word you say will be a lie
People change and circumstances can affect the truth
No one ever knows why love must go away
The reasons behind the end of love can be unclear
We played the games
Love can involve power dynamics and manipulation
And ever really understood
Love can be confusing and complicated
Never really understand the games we play
The complexities of love are difficult to comprehend
Writer(s): Mitchell F. Jayne, Chad Alan Gracey, R. Dillard, Patrick Dahlheimer, Edward Joel Kowalczyk, Chad David Taylor, M. Jayne, Rodney Dillard Copyright: Mucho Loco Music Ltd., Lynne Green-melincoff D/B/a Lansdowne Music Publishers, Universal/Mca Music Ltd., Lynne Green-melincoff D/B/a Winston Music Publishers
Contributed by Michael L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.