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.
Do I Have To Come Right Out And Say It
Buffalo Springfield Lyrics
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And say it,
Tell you that you look so fine?
Do I have to come right out
And ask you to be mine?
If it was a game I could play it,
Trying to make it
But I'm losing timeI got to bring you in,
You're overworking my mind.
Indecision is crowding me,
I have no room to spare
And I can't believe she cared
Like a dream she has taken me
And now I don't know where
And a part of me is scared
The part of me I shared,
Once before.
Do I have to come right out and say it,
Tell you that you look so fine?
Do I have to come right out
And ask you to be mine?
Indecision is crowding me,
I have no room to spare
And I can't believe she'd care.
Like a dream she has taken me
And now I don't know where
And a part of me is scared
The part of me I shared
Once before.
Do I have to come right out and say it girl,
Tell you that you look so fine?
Do I have to come right out,
And ask you to be mine?
If it was a game I could play it,
Trying to make it
But I'm losing time.
I got to bring you in,
You're overworking my mind.
Do I have to come right out and say it, girl
Tell you that you look so fine?
The song “Do I Have to Come Right Out and Say It” by Buffalo Springfield appears to be about an individual who is uncertain about how to approach someone that they are interested in romantically. The song’s lyrics are filled with indecision and fear, which are common emotional experiences for those experiencing unrequited love. The first verse juxtaposes the singer’s interest in the person with their hesitancy to confess their feelings outright. He wonders whether he should bluntly state how attractive he thinks the individual looks or make a more concerted effort to woo them.
The chorus is a repetition of this internal debate - does he have to “come right out and say it” and confess his feelings or is he able to play a more subtle game and hope that the other person picks up on his romantic interest? The second verse then delves deeper into the singer’s internal conflict. He feels as though he has no room to spare for indecision but at the same time, feels overwhelmed and scared by the thought of being vulnerable to someone else. Ultimately, the singer is in a state of emotional turmoil and seems unable to confidently express his romantic feelings.
Line by Line Meaning
Do I have to come right out
Must I be so blunt
And say it,
And vocalize my emotions
Tell you that you look so fine?
Share with you my admiration for your beauty
Do I have to come right out
Is there no other way
And ask you to be mine?
To express my desire to be with you
If it was a game I could play it,
If this were a contest I'd try harder
Trying to make it
Striving to succeed
But I'm losing time
Running out of opportunities
I got to bring you in,
You must be mine
You're overworking my mind.
I can't stop thinking about you
Indecision is crowding me,
I'm uncertain
I have no room to spare
I'm overwhelmed
And I can't believe she cared
I'm surprised you're interested in me
Like a dream she has taken me
I'm entranced by your beauty
And now I don't know where
I'm lost in my own feelings
And a part of me is scared
I'm fearful of rejection
The part of me I shared,
I've been vulnerable before
Once before.
And it didn't end well
Lyrics © Broken Arrow Music, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC
Written by: NEIL YOUNG
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind