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.
Out Of My Mind
Buffalo Springfield Lyrics
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And I just can't take it anymore
Left behind
By myself and what I'm living for
All I hear are screams from outside the limousines
That are taking me
Out of my mind
Happy to find
That I don't know what I'm smiling for
Tired of hanging on
If you've missed me, I've just gone
'Cause they're taking me
Out of my mind
Our of my mind
And I just can't take it anymore
Left behind
By myself and what I'm living for
All I hear are screams from outside the limousines
That are taking me
Out of my mind
The lyrics to Buffalo Springfield's "Out of My Mind" seem to express a sense of disillusionment and frustration with the world around them. They speak of feeling left behind and disconnected from the world they once knew. There is a sense of being trapped, both mentally and physically, as they are taken away in a limousine. All they can hear are screams, possibly from their own mind, or maybe from the chaos of the world outside.
The repetition of the phrase "out of my mind" throughout the song emphasizes the feeling of being trapped or disconnected from reality. In the second verse, they see themselves from a distance, as if watching from outside themselves. The line "Happy to find that I don't know what I'm smiling for" suggests a sense of confusion or emptiness, even when things seem good on the surface. The final verse repeats the same sentiments as the first, creating a cyclical sense of despair and unease.
Overall, the song seems to be a reflection on the turmoil and confusion of modern life, and the struggle to find meaning and connection in a world that often feels chaotic and overwhelming.
Line by Line Meaning
Out of my mind
Feeling overwhelmed and losing my sanity
And I just can't take it anymore
I've reached my limit and can't handle it anymore
Left behind
Feeling abandoned by others
By myself and what I'm living for
Feeling alone in pursuing my goals and aspirations
All I hear are screams from outside the limousines
Feeling disconnected from reality and surrounded by chaos and noise
That are taking me
Being taken away from my current state of mind
Through the keyhole in an open door
Gaining a glimpse into a new world or perspective
Happy to find
Initially feeling content and satisfied with what I see
That I don't know what I'm smiling for
Realizing that my happiness is shallow and empty
Tired of hanging on
Feeling exhausted from trying to hold on and make things work
If you've missed me, I've just gone
Leaving without looking back or saying goodbye to those who might care
'Cause they're taking me
Being forced or coerced to leave my current state of mind
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC
Written by: Neil Young
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind