About the song
The Everly Brothers and their heart-wrenching ballad, “That’s Just Too Much”. This 1960 gem, nestled on their album “A Date with the Everly Brothers”, perfectly captures the raw vulnerability and despair of a love on the rocks.
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The Everly Brothers, those impossibly harmonious siblings, Don and Phil, were pioneers of rock and roll. They rose to fame in the late 1950s with infectious tunes like “Bye Bye Love” and “Wake Up Little Susie,” their voices intertwining with a sweetness that masked a hint of teenage rebellion.
But “That’s Just Too Much” showcases a different side of the Everlys. Here, the music transcends the playful pop of their earlier hits, venturing into a territory of deeper emotions.
The song opens with a lone, melancholic guitar figure, setting the stage for the narrator’s lament. The Everly brothers’ signature close harmonies are present, but they are no longer joyous and carefree. Instead, they are tinged with a desperate plea, a shared pain echoing through the lyrics. The melody itself is deceptively simple, relying on a series of descending chords that mirror the sinking feeling of a love lost.
“That’s Just Too Much” delves into the devastating realization that the love you held so dear has faded. The lyrics paint a picture of a relationship that has lost its spark, where tender touches have turned cold, and cherished words now ring hollow. The narrator grapples with the weight of this disillusionment, questioning if the love ever existed at all. “To think you loved me all this time,” he sings, his voice cracking with disbelief.
This emotional vulnerability is what makes the song so powerful. The Everly Brothers don’t shy away from portraying the raw agony of heartbreak. It’s a stark contrast to the bravado of some rock and roll anthems, offering a more honest and relatable perspective on love’s complexities. “That’s Just Too Much” is a testament to the Everly Brothers’ musical evolution, showcasing their ability to navigate not just the joy of young love, but also the profound depths of heartbreak.