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.
I Am A Child
Buffalo Springfield Lyrics
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You can't conceive of the pleasure in my smile
You hold my hand, rough up my hair
It's lots of fun to have you there
God gave to you, now, you give to me
I'd like to know what you learned
The sky is blue and so is the sea
What is the color?
You are a man, you understand
You pick me up and you lay me down again
You make the rules, you say what's fair
It's lots of fun to have you there
God gave to you, now, you give to me
I'd like to know what you learned
The sky is blue and so is the sea
What is the color, when black is burned?
What is the color?
I am a child, I'll last a while
You can't conceive of the pleasure in my smile
The lyrics to Buffalo Springfield's "I Am A Child" paint a picture of a child grappling with their own existence and their relationship to the adult world around them. The child revels in the simple pleasures of life, such as having their hand held and their hair messed up, yet also possesses a curious mind that seeks knowledge and understanding. The child looks up to the adult figure, recognizing their authority and wisdom, yet also questioning the rules they impose and seeking to learn from them.
The first stanza is the child expressing their innocence and youth. They acknowledge that they will only be a child for a while but are content in the present moment, as shown with "You can't conceive of the pleasure in my smile." The second stanza shows the child's natural curiosity, wondering about the colors created when "black is burned." They recognize the knowledge and life lessons the adult figure possesses, as exemplified in the line "God gave to you, now, you give to me" indicating the cyclical nature of life.
The final stanza reiterates the youthfulness and curiosity of the child, yet also recognizes the importance of having the adult figure around. The line "You make the rules, you say what's fair" highlights the power dynamic between the child and the adult. Despite being curious and seeking knowledge, the child understands that there are rules and boundaries set by the adult to ensure fairness and protection.
Overall, "I Am A Child" depicts a child at a pivotal age, on the cusp of adulthood yet still cherishing their youthfulness and seeking understanding from the adult world around them. The song is a reminder of the beauty in youth and the importance of mentoring and guiding the next generation.
Line by Line Meaning
I am a child, I'll last a while
I am youthful and inexperienced, but I have a long time ahead of me to grow and learn.
You can't conceive of the pleasure in my smile
Even though you are more experienced, you cannot fully fathom the joy and innocence that radiates from me.
You hold my hand, rough up my hair
You playfully interact with me by physically touching me and messing up my hair.
It's lots of fun to have you there
I enjoy spending time with you and having you as a companion and playmate.
God gave to you, now, you give to me
You have received knowledge and guidance from a higher power, and now it is your responsibility to share that with me and teach me.
I'd like to know what you learned
I am curious and eager to learn from your experiences and gained knowledge.
The sky is blue and so is the sea
I understand simple concepts like the colors of the sky and the sea.
What is the color, when black is burned?
I am starting to question and think beyond simple concepts by asking philosophical questions like the color of something when it is burned.
What is the color?
I am still searching for answers and seeking knowledge and understanding.
You are a man, you understand
As an adult and a man, you have more life experience and knowledge which I look up to and respect.
You pick me up and you lay me down again
As a caregiver, you have the physical ability and responsibility to lift me up and put me back down when necessary.
You make the rules, you say what's fair
As an authority figure, you have the power to set rules and make decisions about what is right and fair.
It's lots of fun to have you there
I enjoy spending time with you and being under your guidance and care.
Lyrics © Broken Arrow Music, Peermusic Publishing, WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC
Written by: Neil Young
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind