The band's original lineup consisted of Neil Young (vocals, guitar), Stephen Stills (vocals, guitar), Richie Furay (vocals, guitar), Bruce Palmer (bass) and Dewey Martin (drums). Palmer left the band in 1968 and was replaced by Jim Messina. The band's only Top 40 single, "For What It's Worth", was released in 1967. The band split in 1968. Despite lasting for under 25 months, the band was massively influential on many later folk rock and country rock artists and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997.
The band only released three albums in its short life, "Buffalo Springfield" (1966), "Buffalo Springfield Again" (1967) and "Last Time Around" (1968). "For What It's Worth", which peaked at #7 in early 1967, was the band's only Top 40 single in the United States. 1967's "Rock 'n' Roll Woman" came the closest to giving the band a second Top 40 entry, peaking at #44.
Stills and Young would go on to perform with David Crosby and Graham Nash in the hugely popular rock act Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young shortly after Buffalo Springfield's demise. Furay and Messina went on to found country-rock group Poco, before Furay embarked on his own solo career. After Messina left Poco, he formed Loggins and Messina with singer/songwriter Kenny Loggins.
On October 23 and 24, 2010, Young, Furay and Stills, along with drummer Joe Vitale and Rick Rosas (replacing the deceased Dewey Martin and Bruce Palmer, respectively) reunited for two performances for the Bridge Schools Benefit concert in Mountain View, California.
The band played six concerts starting in Oakland, CA, on June 1, 2011, followed by dates in Los Angeles and Santa Barbara, before moving on to play the 2011 Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival in Manchester, Tennessee. A proposed full tour in 2012 never took place. On February 27, 2012, founder member Furay announced that the band was on indefinite hiatus.
A Child`s Claim To Fame
Buffalo Springfield Lyrics
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Now I wonder why
You and I, keep telling lies
I can't believe that what you say
My lonesome crying
Make believe that's all you know
And to make believe is a game
A child's rein, you've changed your name
So sadly I watched the show
I watched you became, truth is the shame
Yeah, too much pain
The lyrics of Buffalo Springfield's "A Child's Claim to Fame" describe the emotional distress brought about by lies and deceit. The singer expresses their disbelief in what the other person is saying, and how they cannot be pacified by the promise of a better tomorrow. The reference to "tomorrow's lullaby" suggests that they have heard these false promises many times before and no longer find comfort in them.
The line "Make believe that's all you know" highlights the idea that the other person is living in a world of illusions, where truth is not important. The metaphor of "a child's rein" emphasizes the idea of childishness and immaturity, which is associated with deceiving and lying. The singer reveals that they have seen through the charade and watched helplessly as the other person changed and became untruthful.
The final line, "Yeah, too much pain" shows the emotional turmoil and hurt caused by the deception, as well as the futility of believing in promises that will never be fulfilled. The lyrics of the song suggest that the lies and deceit have caused irreparable damage and that trust is hard to regain once it's been broken.
Line by Line Meaning
Well there goes another day
The day has passed, and I can't help but think about how time flies.
Now I wonder why
I'm questioning the motives behind our actions and decisions.
You and I, keep telling lies
We're constantly deceiving each other, and I can't help but feel like I can't trust you.
I can't believe that what you say
Your words are hard to believe because they often turn out to be false.
'Cause tomorrows lullaby can't pacify
Even though you're telling me sweet lies to comfort me for the time being, they won't be enough to ease my future pain.
My lonesome crying
I'm feeling lonely and sad, and all I can do is cry.
Make believe that's all you know
You're accustomed to pretending things are fine when they're really not.
And to make believe is a game
Acting like everything is alright is a way of life for you.
A child's rein, you've changed your name
You're acting like a child, as if you were still playing make-believe. You've also changed the way you present yourself.
So sadly I watched the show
I'm watching everything unfold, and it's making me very sad.
I watched you became, truth is the shame
I've seen you change, and it's a shame that you've become less honest and trustworthy.
Yeah, too much pain
All of this deception and sadness is causing too much pain for me to bear.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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