Buffalo Springfield was a folk rock band which formed in 1966 in Los Angele… Read Full Bio ↴Buffalo Springfield was a folk rock band which formed in 1966 in Los Angeles, California, United States. The band split in 1968 and reformed briefly in 2010. On February 27, 2012, founder member Richie Furay announced that the band was on indefinite hiatus.

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.

Come On
Buffalo Springfield Lyrics

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Come on
Lover
Can't you see that the time is late?
Let's run
For cover
I want you and I just can't wait

Please decide

Don't try to hide
Love me you can make the time
Don't pretend everybody's your friend
Just pick one and explore them eyes

And don't try
To figure out why
It's just the night and some chemistry, hey quit
Stalling 'cause I think I'm
falling in love with you
Like it's supposed to be

Come on
Lover
Can't you see that the time is late?
Let's run

For cover
I want you and I just can't wait

Overall Meaning

The lyrics in Buffalo Springfield's song, "Come On," feature an individual who is eager to connect with their lover and explore their chemistry. The song sets a romantic and passionate mood while urging the lover to not shy away and to follow their instincts. The repeated call to action implies impatience with the situation and puts pressure on the lover to make a decisive move before the moment passes.

The phrase, "Don't pretend everybody's your friend," speaks to the need for the lover to look beyond the surface-level relationships and pursue the deeper connection with the singer. The chorus features an appeal to their lover to take action, because time is fleeting, and their opportunity to express love may pass them by. Overall, the song is an invitation to fully embrace love and not let chances pass by.

Line by Line Meaning

Come on
Encouragement to take a chance

Lover
Affectionate term for significant other

Can't you see that the time is late?
Time is short, let's not waste it

Let's run
Escape from the world around us

For cover
Find a secret place where we can be together

I want you and I just can't wait
Expressing a strong desire for intimacy

Please decide
Asking for a commitment

Don't try to hide
Be honest with your feelings

Love me you can make the time
If you love someone, you'll find time for them

Don't pretend everybody's your friend
Be wary of false relationships

Just pick one and explore them eyes
Focus on getting to know one person deeply