Originally a blues-based band noted for their signature "rave-up" instrumental breaks, the Yardbirds broadened their range into pop, pioneering psychedelic rock and early hard rock; and contributed to many electric guitar innovations of the mid-1960s. Some rock critics and historians also cite their influence on the later punk rock, progressive rock and heavy metal trends. Following the band's split in 1968, Relf and McCarty formed Renaissance and guitarist Jimmy Page formed Led Zeppelin - the latter of which was initially intended as a direct successor to the Yardbirds.
The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992. They were included at number 89 in Rolling Stone's list of the "100 Greatest Artists of All Time" and ranked number 37 on VH1's 100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock.
The Yardbirds re-formed in the 1990s, featuring drummer Jim McCarty and rhythm guitarist Chris Dreja as the only original members. Dreja left the band in 2012, leaving McCarty as the sole original member of the band in the present lineup.
The band formed in the south-west London suburbs in 1963. Relf and Samwell-Smith were originally in a band named the Metropolitan Blues Quartet. After being joined by Dreja, McCarty and Top Topham, they performed at Kingston Art School in late May 1963 as a backup band for Cyril Davies. Following a couple of gigs in September 1963 as the Blue-Sounds, they changed their name to the Yardbirds. McCarty claims that Relf was the first to use the name; he may have got it from Jack Kerouac's novel On the Road, where it referred to rail yard hobos. He adds that Topham identified it as a nickname for jazz saxophonist Charlie "Yardbird" Parker.
The quintet achieved notice on the burgeoning British rhythm and blues scene when they took over as the house band at the Crawdaddy Club in Richmond, succeeding the Rolling Stones. Their repertoire drew from the Chicago blues of Howlin' Wolf, Muddy Waters, Bo Diddley, Sonny Boy Williamson II and Elmore James, including "Smokestack Lightning", "Good Morning Little School Girl", "Boom Boom", "I Wish You Would", "Rollin' and Tumblin'", "Got Love if You Want It" and "I'm a Man".
Original lead guitarist Topham left and was replaced by Eric Clapton in October 1963. Crawdaddy Club impresario Giorgio Gomelsky became the Yardbirds manager and first record producer. Under Gomelsky's guidance the Yardbirds toured Britain as the back-up band for blues legend Sonny Boy Williamson II in December 1963 and early 1964, recording live tracks on 8 December and other dates. The recordings would be released two years later during the height of the Yardbirds popularity on the album Sonny Boy Williamson and the Yardbirds.
After the tours with Williamson, the Yardbirds signed to EMI's Columbia label in February 1964, and recorded more live tracks on 20 March at the legendary Marquee Club in London. The resulting album of mostly American blues and R&B covers, Five Live Yardbirds, was released by Columbia nine months later, and it failed to enter the UK Albums Chart. Over time, Five Live gained stature as one of the few high-quality live recordings of the era and as a historical document of both the British rock and roll boom of the 1960s and Clapton's time in the band.
Along with John Mayall's Bluesbreakers, The Yardbirds were part of the British blues scene of the 1960s. As the blues rock genre developed, some acts like Chicken Shack were playing a louder and more aggressive style, while the Yardbirds emphasized instrumental textures and extended instrumental improvisations. They covered blues classics like Howlin' Wolf's Smokestack Lightning (1956) and Bo Diddley's I'm a Man (1955) which had a repetitive structure where instrumental solos were brief breaks between repetition of verses. The Yardbirds often extended these instrumental sections into "heavy jams".
I Can't Make Your Way
The Yardbirds Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Silly men, they all get worried
Live their life so worthlessly
Troubled, bothered, flustered, hurried
They should take a look at me
Taxman, rent man, they all chase me
I ain't home when they come 'round
That's the best way I have found
I can't make your way
I can't make your way
I can't make your way
Is that me I hear you calling?
Do I hear you call my name?
It ain't me that will be falling
Ten years time, I'll be the same
I can't make your way
I can't make your way
I can't make your way
I can't make your way
I can't make your way
The Yardbirds’s song “I Can't Make Your Way” explores the concept of individuality and the consequences that come with it. The lyrics describe how society can be shallow and place importance on meaningless things, such as worrying about things that are unimportant or chasing after materialistic desires. The singer suggests that everyone should take a look at the way they live their lives and learn from someone who doesn't fit into conventional norms. The singer feels free because they do not conform to society’s expectations and live their life without chasing after money or things that aren't important. The repetition of the phrase “I can’t make your way” is a way of saying that each person must find their own path and cannot be told how to live their life.
The chorus of “I Can't Make Your Way” has a catchy melody and phrase that sticks with the listener. Although it is repetitive, it conveys a message that is worth repeating. The lyrics in the verses contrast the chorus and further develop the idea of social expectations and the importance of individuality. If one were to look at the lyrics in isolation, they may not have much meaning, but when we examine the lyrics as a whole, we can see a deeper message about the pressure people face to conform and how some people feel truly happy when they break from these societal expectations.
Line by Line Meaning
I can't make your way.
I cannot live my life the way you want me to.
Silly men, they all get worried,
Other people worry too much and lead an aimless life.
Live their life so worthlessly,
Their lives are devoid of meaning.
Troubled, bothered, flustered, hurried,
They are anxious and in a hurry all the time.
They should take a look at me.
They should consider following my example.
Taxman, rent man, they all chase me,
I am in debt and being chased by creditors.
I ain't home when they come round.
I avoid them by not being home when they come to collect the debt.
Got no money, live my life free,
I choose to live without money, and enjoy the freedom that it brings.
That's the best way, I have found.
This is the most satisfying way to live my life according to my personal experiences.
Is that me I hear you calling?
Are you calling me or do I hear things?
Do I hear you call my name?
Do you address me by my name?
It ain't me that will be falling,
I am not the one who will fail or fall behind.
Ten years time, I'll be the same.
I will still be living my life the same way even ten years from now.
I can't make your way. [Repeat: x5]
I cannot conform to your lifestyle, and I repeat that again.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Jeff Beck, Chris Dreja, Jim McCarty, Keith Relf, Paul Samwell-Smith
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Anonymous
on Boom Boom
Please note: All the lyrics below were taken from the actual album 1988 Eric Clapton Crossword.
Enjoy
Anonymous
on Boom Boom
01 Eric Clapton and The Yardbirds - Boom Boom Lyrics - From the Album - CD01 1988 - Eric Clapton - Crossroads
Boom, boom, boom, boom
I'm gonna shoot you right down
Knock you off your feet
And take you home with me
Put you in my house
Boom, boom, boom, boom
Boom, boom, boom, boom
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
I love to see you strut
When you're walking to me
When you're talking to me
That knocks me out
Now let's go
Musical Interlude
Boom, boom, boom, boom
You know I like it like that
With your baby-talk
Oh and the way that you walk
You know it knocks me right down
Knocks me off my feet
Boom, boom, boom, boom
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Oh, oh, oh, oh
How, how, how, how
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Now, now, now, now
Musical Outro
Anonymous
on Boom Boom
02 Eric Clapton and The Yardbirds - Honey In Your Hips Lyrics - From the Album - CD01 1988 - Eric Clapton - Crossroads
When I get out on the dancing floor,
There ain't no stopping for an hour or more,
I go rocking up and down and around and round,
I go reeling to the beat of that crazy sound.
I can't stop, I want to kiss your pretty lips,
'Cause I know, pretty babe, you got honey in your hips.
I can't stop my feet and I can't stop my hands,
When I hear the sound of a rock 'n' roll band.
Gotta rock, gotta roll, gonna jump and shout;
Nobody better come and turn me out.
I'm staying all night till I get my kicks,
'Cause you know, pretty babe,
You got honey in your hips.
Musical Interlude
I want you and you want me,
We're gonna dance all night till we both feel free,
We'll shake and we'll shimmy right across the floor,
When it gets late, we'll dance out the door.
You better get ready with your pretty lips,
'Cause you know, pretty babe, you got honey in your hips.
Musical Outro
Anonymous
on Boom Boom
03 Eric Clapton and The Yardbirds - Baby What's Wrong? Lyrics - From the Album - CD01 1988 - Eric Clapton - Crossroads
Oh baby, honey what's wrong with you?
Well now baby, honey what's wrong with you?
Well, you don't treat me, baby, like you used to do.
I can't help it, baby, if I'm acting strange.
I'm just hoping, baby, I'm not going insane.
Well baby, honey what's wrong with you?
Well now, you don't treat me, baby, like you used to do.
Musical Interlude
I can't help it, baby, if I'm acting strange.
I'm just hoping, baby, I'm not going insane.
Well baby, honey what's wrong with you?
Well now, you don't treat me, baby, like you used to do.
Oh baby, honey what's wrong with you?
Well now baby, honey what's wrong with you?
Well, you don't treat me, baby, like you used to do.
Musical Outro
Anonymous
on Boom Boom
04 Eric Clapton and The Yardbirds - I Wish You Would Lyrics - From the Album - CD01 1988 - Eric Clapton - Crossroads
Early in the morning, 'bout the break of day,
That's when my baby went away.
Come back, baby, I wish you would,
Try and love me, you won't do no good.
Walking and a-kissing late at night;
I tell you now baby, I feel just right.
Come now baby, whatcha trying to do?
Trying to love me and some other man, too.
Come now baby, give me one more chance.
You know I still love you, want to give you romance.
Yeah romance, all night long, in my arms, woah yeah.
Musical Interlude
Early in the morning, 'bout the break of day,
That's when my baby went away.
Come back, baby, I wish you would,
Try and love me, you won't do no good.
You know baby that I love you so.
You know, pretty baby, it hurts me to see you go.
Oh yeah, oh yeah.
Anonymous
on Boom Boom
05 Eric Clapton and The Yardbirds - A Certain Girl Lyrics - From the Album - CD01 1988 - Eric Clapton - Crossroads
There's a certain girl I've been in love with a long, long time.
(What's her name?) I can't tell you. (No!)
I can't reveal her name until I've got her.
(What's her name?) I can't tell you. (No!)
Well, I've tried to get her time and time again.
We just end up as nothing but friends.
And there's a certain girl I've been in love with a long, long time.
(What's her name?) I can't tell you. (No!)
Well, there's a certain chick I've been sweet on since I met her.
(What's her name?) I can't tell you. (No!)
I can't repeat her name until I get her.
(What's her name?) I can't tell you. (No!)
Well one day, I'm gonna wake up and say,
"I'll do anything just to be your slave."
And there's a certain girl I've been in love with a long, long time.
(What's her name?) I can't tell you. (No!)
Musical Interlude
Well, I've tried to get her time and time again.
We just end up as nothing but friends.
And there's a certain girl I've been in love with a long, long time.
(What's her name?) I can't tell you. (No!)
There's a certain chick I've been sweet on since I found her.
(What's her name?) I can't tell you. (No!)
I can't reveal her name until I get her.
(What's her name?) I can't tell you. (No!)
Well now one day, get her time and time again.
We just end up as nothing but friends.
And there's a certain girl I've been in love with a long, long time.
(What's her name?) I can't tell you. (No!)
I can't tell you. (No!)
I can't tell you. (No!)
I can't tell you.
Anonymous
on Boom Boom
06 Eric Clapton and The Yardbirds - Good Morning Little Schoolgirl Lyrics - From the Album - CD01 1988 - Eric Clapton - Crossroads
Good morning, little schoolgirl
Good morning, little schoolgirl
Can I go home with you
Won't you let me go home with you
So I can hug, hug, squeeze, squeeze
If you let me I can tease you baby
Hey, hey hey hey. Hey hey hey hey. Hey, yeah
Let's dance, little schoolgirl
Let's dance, little schoolgirl
Won't you let me take you to the hop, hop
Have a party at the soda shop
So we can do the twist, do the stroll
To the music of the rock 'n' roll
Hey, hey hey hey. Hey hey hey hey. Hey, yeah
Musical Interlude
Good morning, little schoolgirl
Good morning, little schoolgirl
Can I go home with you
Won't you let me go home with you
So I can hug, hug, squeeze, squeeze
If you let me I can tease you baby
Hey, hey hey hey. Hey hey hey hey. Hey, yeah
Good morning, little schoolgirl
Good morning, little schoolgirl
Can I go home with you?
Won't you let me go home with you?
Tell your mama and your papa that I love you
Tell your sisters and your brother that I love you
Hey, hey hey hey. Hey, hey hey hey
Hey, hey hey hey. Hey, hey hey hey
Anonymous
on Boom Boom
07 Eric Clapton and The Yardbirds - I Ain't Got You Lyrics - From the Album - CD01 1988 - Eric Clapton - Crossroads
I got a Maserati G.T.
With snakeskin upholstery.
I got a charge account at Goldblatt's
But I ain't got you.
I got a closet full of clothes,
But no matter where it goes,
It keeps a ring in the nose,
But I ain't got you.
I got a tavern and a liquor store.
I play the numbers, yeah, four forty-four.
I got a mojo, yeah, don't you know,
I'm all dressed up with no place to go.
I got women to the right of me.
I got women to the left of me.
I got women all around me,
But I ain't got you.
No, I ain't got you.
Musical Interlude
I got a tavern and a liquor store.
I play the numbers, yeah, four forty-four.
I got a mojo, yeah, don't you know,
I'm all dressed up with no place to go.
I got women to the right of me.
I got women to the left of me.
I got women all around me,
But I ain't got you.
No, I ain't got you.
No, I ain't got you
Anonymous
on Boom Boom
08 Eric Clapton and The Yardbirds - For Your Love Lyrics - From the Album - CD01 1988 - Eric Clapton - Crossroads
For your love.
For your love.
For your love.
I'd give you everything and more, and that's for sure.
For your love.
I'd bring you diamond rings and things right to your door.
For your love.
To thrill you with delight,
I'll give you diamonds bright.
There'll be things that will excite,
To make you dream of me at night.
For your love.
For your love.
For your love.
For your love, for your love,
I would give the stars above.
For your love, for your love,
I would give you all I could.
For your love.
For your love.
For your love.
I'd give the moon if it were mine to give.
For your love.
I'd give the stars and the sun 'fore I live.
For your love.
To thrill you with delight,
I'll give you diamonds bright.
There'll be things that will excite,
To make you dream of me at night.
For your love.
For your love.
For your love.
For your love.
Anonymous
on Boom Boom
09 Eric Clapton and The Yardbirds - Got To Hurry Lyrics - From the Album - CD01 1988 - Eric Clapton - Crossroads
This is an Instrumental