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.
Whatever Happened To Saturday Night
Buffalo Springfield Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When windy week-end warnings
tell me summer teases?
When I first saw her with another,
My world fell,
and I stumbled for a while.
I stumbled for a while.
Don't know what I'm going through,
Look everything is new,
Each time I turn around,
Feels like I'm falling down.
How can I tell her that I love her,
When windy week-end warnings
tell me summer teases?
When I first saw her with another,
My world fell,
and I stumbled for a while.
I stumbled for a while.
Whatever happened to Saturday night?
Back home, look around,
Leaves falling on the ground,
Changes since I've been gone,
Don't know if I belong.
Spoke to her yesterday,
Couldn't think of much to say,
She said that by the winter...
She'd be gone...
The lyrics to Buffalo Springfield's song "Whatever Happened To Saturday Night" express a sense of confusion, uncertainty, and loss as the singer tries to grapple with his feelings for someone he loves. The song is a reflection on a failed relationship, and it captures the melancholy feeling of nostalgia that comes with looking back on the past. The opening lines of the song express the singer's struggle to tell the person he loves how he feels about them, and how the changing seasons create a sense of instability and unpredictability.
As the song continues, the singer reflects on his memories of a previous Saturday night that represented an idealized moment of youth and freedom. He feels lost and adrift in a world that seems to be constantly changing, and he can't seem to find his place in it anymore. The final verse of the song paints a picture of a desolate and lonely landscape, where everything has changed and the singer's sense of belonging has been shattered.
Overall, "Whatever Happened To Saturday Night" is a poignant and introspective song that captures the experience of lost love and the longing for a simpler time.
Line by Line Meaning
How can I tell her that I love her,
Expressing feelings of love towards someone when there is a sense of uncertainty and hesitancy.
When windy week-end warnings tell me summer teases?
Having doubts about the sincerity of the relationship due to environmental factors that may affect one's mood.
When I first saw her with another, My world fell, and I stumbled for a while.
Experiencing a significant emotional setback when discovering a romantic interest with someone else.
Whatever happened to Saturday night?
Questioning the meaning of a past event, specifically referring to Saturday nights.
Don't know what I'm going through, Look everything is new, Each time I turn around, Feels like I'm falling down.
Feeling overwhelmed and out of place due to situations that are beyond one's control.
Back home, Look around, Leaves falling on the ground, Changes since I've been gone, Don't know if I belong.
Feeling unsure of one's place in the world and questioning the changes that have occurred since being away.
Spoke to her yesterday, Couldn't think of much to say, She said that by the winter, She'd be gone...
Feeling a sense of helplessness and sadness when finding out that a loved one will soon be leaving.
Contributed by Muhammad B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
PsyVen
A little gem. So glad that this song, and others from the abortive STAMPEDE sessions, finally got "officially" released, and can be found on YouTube. The Springfield didn't last long, but they produced some astonishing material in their two-year run, and seeded the rock world with great solo talents. Truly one of California's best rock bands ever!
Matthew Meaney
Neil Young songs sung by Richie Furay make an unbeatable combination.
Anton Nikitin
That must be the most true thing I've ever heard in my life.
TheJudgeraye
@Anton Nikitin no That must be the most true thing I've ever heard in MY life.
King Of All Mediums
Should have been Neil Young’s designated singer 😂
Matthew Meaney
@King Of All Mediums IIRC, that was the producers’ intent, but Neil was not to keen on it. I don’t think anyone else could have done Mr. Soul, though.
Dick Keenan
I've been saying that for years. great songs, terrific voice
William Meier
This is a mere indication of what a completed version of this song would have brought us. Neil's original concept was to record, I believe, two separate halves, each one in a different studio. This was as far as that
concept had gotten. It's brilliant as it is, but one can't help but wonder how
much better a finished version would be.
Artie Withers
One of rock’s greatest singers. Richie.
Frank Holdman
One of their best songs!