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
The First in Line
The Everly Brothers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And maybe it's strong enough
But should you ever, change your mind
Let me be the first in line
For I would give my heart to you
With a love pure and true
And it would last, till the end of time
If your new love should make you blue
And you want somebody who
Will treat you tender, treat you kind
Let me be the first in line
And if someday he sets you free
I pray that you will consider me
I would give, all that is mine
Just let me be the first in line
Let me be the first in line
The Everly Brothers' "First in Line" is a classic love song, and has been a popular request at weddings for many years. The song is about a man who is in love with a woman who has found someone new. He tells her that if she ever changes her mind, and if her new love should make her unhappy or if he sets her free, he will be waiting, and will give her his heart, with a love that is pure and true, until the end of time. He wants to be the first in line for her love and affection.
The song's lyrics, and its gentle melody, are beautifully tender, and capture the essence of a profound love that transcends all else. The lyrics speak to the unbridled passion that many of us feel when we find that special someone, and the unshakeable faith that we hold in the power of love to persevere through all obstacles. Additionally, these lyrics touch on the theme of unrequited love, and the hope that one day, the object of our affection might come to realize the depth of our devotion.
Interestingly, this song was released in 1957 as the B-side to "Keep A-Knockin'," but became more popular than the A-side, and it peaked at number 12 on the charts. This song helped to establish the Everly Brothers as one of the leading acts of the late 1950s and early 1960s. "First in Line" has remained a beloved classic in the years since its release, and has been covered by many artists, including Elvis Presley and Cliff Richard.
Line by Line Meaning
They say that you have found a love
It has been told that you have discovered a new love
And maybe it's strong enough
Perhaps it is a love that is strong and true
But should you ever, change your mind
In the event that you change your feelings in the future
Let me be the first in line
Allow me to be the first person you consider
For I would give my heart to you
I would dedicate my whole heart to you
With a love pure and true
My love would be honest and genuine
And it would last, till the end of time
I would love you forever
So let me be the first in line
Therefore, I hope to be your first choice
If your new love should make you blue
In case your new lover causes you sadness
And you want somebody who
If you are looking for someone who
Will treat you tender, treat you kind
Will take care of you and show you love and affection
Let me be the first in line
Please consider me first
And if someday he sets you free
And if one day you are no longer with him
I pray that you will consider me
I hope you think of me
I would give, all that is mine
I would offer everything that I have
Just let me be the first in line
Please remember me as your first choice
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: THOMAS JONSSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ReginaSchumacher-kf6sk
Was für ein wundervolles Lied. Ich könnte es immerzu hören. Ich liebe die Musik der Everlys.
@wally1435
Danke ! 😊
@EverlyLove
In my opinion, this is one of their most beautiful songs from the lyrics to the melody to the exquisite vocals and harmony. Why wasn't this a huge hit? I think by the 1980's, people were unwilling to give these legends a chance. I recall an interview where Don said that in the late 60's to 70's, he NEVER heard one of their songs on the radio. They were better than anyone around in those days as well as today. Too bad they are no longer touring or recording; it saddens me.
@davidwestbrook8537
Two Legends!! What beautiful ❤️ harmony!
@gregorylee888
Why are songs like this not on Country Radio when ....this album came out back in 1984 they wouldnt play it ....what a loss ...this is as good as music gets ..Albert Lee on guitar ...Larry Londin on drums I think ....or maybe Ronnie Tutt ....
@Chiselnyc
This winning song should've been a hit for them.
@wondersdontcare
Voices like angels, no one comes close
@ruthkahler6334
One of my favorite songs by the Everly Brothers! My favorite Brothers of course, I love them! 💕
@Flashhand1
Harmony at it's best!!! They do it so well..beautifully smooth singing!!
@cak8132
Love, love, love this song. Wonderful album, too.