They began writing and recording their own music in 1956, and their first hit song came in 1957, with "Bye Bye Love", written by Felice and Boudleaux Bryant. The song hit No. 1 in the spring of 1957, and additional hits would follow through 1958, many of them written by the Bryants, including "Wake Up Little Susie", "All I Have to Do Is Dream", and "Problems". In 1960, they signed with the major label Warner Bros. Records and recorded "Cathy's Clown", written by the brothers themselves, which was their biggest selling single. The brothers enlisted in the United States Marine Corps Reserve in 1961, and their output dropped off, though additional hit singles continued through 1962, with "That's Old Fashioned (That's the Way Love Should Be)" being their last top-10 hit.
Long-simmering disputes with Wesley Rose, the CEO of Acuff-Rose Music, which managed the group, a growing drug usage in the 1960s, as well as changing tastes in popular music, led to the group's decline in popularity in its native U.S., though the brothers continued to release hit singles in the U.K. and Canada, and had many highly successful tours throughout the 1960s. In the early 1970s, the brothers began releasing solo recordings, and in 1973 they officially broke up. Starting in 1983, the brothers got back together, and would continue to perform periodically until Phil's death in 2014. Don died seven years later.
The group was highly influential on the music of the generation that followed it. Many of the top acts of the 1960s were heavily influenced by the close-harmony singing and acoustic guitar playing of the Everly Brothers, including the Beatles, the Beach Boys, the Bee Gees, and Simon & Garfunkel. In 2015, Rolling Stone ranked the Everly Brothers No. 1 on its list of the 20 Greatest Duos of All Time. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as part of the inaugural class of 1986, and into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2001. Don was inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum in 2019, earning the organization's first Iconic Riff Award for his distinctive rhythm guitar intro to the Everlys' massive 1957 hit "Wake Up Little Susie".
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Everly_Brothers
Jezebel
The Everly Brothers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If ever the devil was born without a pair of horns
It was you, Jezebel, it was you
If ever an angel fell, Jezebel, it was you
Jezebel, it was you
If ever a pair of eyes promised paradise
Jezebel, it was you
If ever the devil's plan was made to torment man
It was you, Jezebel, it was you
Could be better that I never know a lover such as you
Forsaking dreams and all for the siren call of your arms
Like a demon, love possessed me, you obsessed me constantly
What evil star is mine, that my fate's design should be Jezebel?
If ever a pair of eyes promised paradise
Deceiving me, grieving me, leaving me blue
Jezebel, it was you
If ever the devil's plan was made to torment man
It was you, Jezebel, it was you, night and day, every way
Jezebel, Jezebel, Jezebel!
The Everly Brothers’ song “Jezebel” portrays the character of Jezebel as a seductive woman who deceives men with her beauty and leads them to destruction. The lyrics describe her as an angel who fell from grace and became a devil incarnate, tormenting men with her love. The song’s opening line sets the tone for the rest of the lyrics, “If ever the devil was born without a pair of horns, it was you, Jezebel, it was you.”
The lyrics go on to highlight Jezebel’s power and control over the singer. Her eyes promise paradise but mislead and hurt him, leaving him blue. He is trapped in her siren call and forsakes all his dreams to be with her. The lyrics paint a picture of a man who is possessed and obsessed by Jezebel and seems to have no control over his fate. He questions the stars and his own destiny, wondering why he was fated to meet Jezebel.
Overall, the song “Jezebel” portrays the danger of falling in love with someone who is alluring but ultimately destructive. The lyrics warn against the seductive power of beauty and the importance of being cautious in love.
Line by Line Meaning
Jezebel, Jezebel
The singer is addressing Jezebel twice, suggesting disdain and wishing to distance himself from her.
If ever the devil was born without a pair of horns
Jezebel is compared to the devil and described as sinister and untrustworthy.
It was you, Jezebel, it was you
The repetition of Jezebel's name implies blame and indicates that the singer is holding her responsible for something specific.
If ever an angel fell, Jezebel, it was you
Jezebel is portrayed as a fallen angel, further emphasizing her deception and betrayals.
If ever a pair of eyes promised paradise
Jezebel's eyes are described as tempting and alluring, but ultimately untrustworthy and leading to disappointment.
Deceiving me, grieving me, leaving me blue
Jezebel is accused of deliberately leading the singer astray, causing him emotional pain and suffering.
If ever the devil's plan was made to torment man
Jezebel is likened to the devil again, and her actions are depicted as intentionally causing harm and misery to others.
Could be better that I never know a lover such as you
The artist wishes that he had never become involved with Jezebel or experienced the pain she caused him.
Forsaking dreams and all for the siren call of your arms
The artist sacrificed his own aspirations and desires in order to be with Jezebel, who is compared to a seductive and dangerous siren.
Like a demon, love possessed me, you obsessed me constantly
Jezebel's hold on the artist is described as demonic and intense, indicating that he was unable to resist her.
What evil star is mine, that my fate's design should be Jezebel?
The singer questions his own luck or destiny, wondering why he ended up with someone as toxic as Jezebel.
It was you, Jezebel, it was you
The repetition of Jezebel's name reiterates her culpability and the artist's disgust with her.
Night and day, every way
Jezebel's negative impact on the singer is constant and overwhelming, affecting him both day and night.
Jezebel, Jezebel, Jezebel!
The repeated use of Jezebel's name emphasizes the singer's emotional reaction to her and reinforces her significance in his life.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Wayne Shanklin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@nealfig
Apparently, they had enlisted in the United States Marine Corps Reserve in 1961. Hence the uniforms and haircuts.
@philvaclavik6890
Never knew that they’re Marines.
@wittwittwer1043
Both of them appear in dress blues as privates. Both have marksman shooting badges. In this appearance, their hair has grown out quite a bit. In boot camp ALL the hair is shaved off.
@diegos.loayza3706
More everly brothers' videos?! Omg thank you so much!
@zoiyarcole6999
Never heard the Everly’s sing this before it’s brilliant ,Phil voice is best ever.thanks
@bigcountry4539
Fine outstanding young men, singers, and US Marines here... too bad this kinda patriotic service amongst our youth and stars alike is lost forever... smh!
@mysticwine
Un freaking wild
@hanno-erdmanntietz8424
Interesting live version of this song, which was first recorded by Frankie Laine in 1951.
@dennissalisbury496
The Everly Brothers were the Marine Corps' best recuiters.
@kevinfan726
Phil was so cute, even with way too short hair. Don has a fabulous voice and kinda cute as well.