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.
Mr. Soul
Buffalo Springfield Lyrics
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For the thought that I caught that my head is the event of the season
Why in crowds just a trace of my face could seem so pleasin'
I'll cop out to the change, but a stranger is putting the tease on
I was down on a frown when the messenger brought me a letter
I was raised by the praise of a fan who said I upset her
Any girl in the world could have easily known me better
In a while will the smile on my face turn to plaster?
Stick around while the clown who is sick does the trick of disaster
For the race of my head and my face is moving much faster
Is it strange I should change?
I don't know, why don't you ask her?
Is it strange I should change?
I don't know, why don't you ask her?
Is it strange I should change?
I don't know, why don't you ask her?
Is it strange I should change?
I don't know, why don't you ask her?
The lyrics of Buffalo Springfield's "Mr. Soul" hold a sense of introspection and self-doubt. The opening lines address the soul, as if it is a separate entity from the singer, suggesting that the soul is an ever-evolving concept that requires nurturing and attention. The next line “I dropped by to pick up a reason” hints at the idea that the singer may be searching for purpose or direction in his life. He is pondering on the thought that his head is the "event of the season" and reflecting on how strange it is that just a trace of his face could be so pleasing to an audience.
The second verse shifts the focus to a message the singer receives from a fan who claims to know him but finds him strange. The fan refuses to let him change, which is intriguing to the singer, as he wonders why she would want him to stay the way he is. The tone of the lyric is ambiguous in nature, questioning whether the changes are good or bad, and whether it is better to remain steadfast or grow and change.
The final verse brings the doubts to a climax. The worries embedded earlier resurface, with the singer questioning whether his smiles and façade will be nothing more than plaster one day. The reference to the "clown" emphasizes the fear that the singer is simply putting on a performance for the world, and perhaps the world is not responding as expected. In the end, the questions posed in the song remain unanswered, creating a sense of unrest and leaving the listener to ponder the unknown.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, hello, Mr. Soul, I dropped by to pick up a reason
I'm here to find an explanation for the feeling I have that I'm the center of attention
For the thought that I caught that my head is the event of the season
I feel like I'm really important and everyone is paying attention to me
Why in crowds just a trace of my face could seem so pleasin'
Even when I'm in a big crowd, people still seem to notice me and like me
I'll cop out to the change, but a stranger is putting the tease on
I'll admit that I've changed, but it wasn't my idea and someone else is leading me on
I was down on a frown when the messenger brought me a letter
I was feeling sad when I received a letter from someone
I was raised by the praise of a fan who said I upset her
I always sought validation from fans, even if it was negative
Any girl in the world could have easily known me better
I realize that any girl could have seen through my facade and known the real me
She said, "you're strange, but don't change," and I let her
A girl I was interested in accepted me for who I was, and I didn't feel the need to change
In a while will the smile on my face turn to plaster?
I worry that my happiness is only temporary and won't last
Stick around while the clown who is sick does the trick of disaster
Stay with me while I try to be funny and distract from my own issues
For the race of my head and my face is moving much faster
My thoughts and emotions are speeding up and I can't keep up
Is it strange I should change?
I don't know, why don't you ask her?
I don't know if it's strange that I'm changing, you should ask the girl who knows me well
Is it strange I should change?
I don't know, why don't you ask her?
I'm still not sure if changing is a good thing, you should ask the girl who knows me well
Is it strange I should change?
I don't know, why don't you ask her?
I'm really uncertain about my changing identity, you should ask the girl who knows me well
Is it strange I should change?
I don't know, why don't you ask her?
I'm seeking advice about my changing identity from someone who knows me well
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Neil Young
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind