For the group's first album, Adam and David added bassist Matt Malley, multi-instrument talent Charlie Gillingham, and drummer Steve Bowman. David Immergluck served as the second guitarist on the first album, but he did not officially join the band until 1999. Guitarist Dan Vickery was added just as the band set out on their first tour. As stated before, 'August and Everything After' provided the band with a surprise yet very welcome success, garnering them critical praise. Released on September 14, 1993 through Geffen Records, the album hit #2 on Billboard's Heatseekers chart, showing that their tunes had tapped into something.
Counting Crows, with their intimate and confessional yet smooth, often catchy musical approach, achieved a large fan base among melodic rock fans over the years. Their 90s acclaim reflected that a significant music scene looked for something different from the raging guitars of the Seattle-based grunge movement as well as from either boilerplate pop music or the budding electronic music subgenres. The group kept on releasing new songs into the new millennium.
The band's more recent successes include the 2004 hit song "Accidentally In Love", which was featured on the Shrek 2 soundtrack (that has sold over 1,000,000 copies). That song has also garnered nominations for a Grammy Award, a Golden Globe Award, and an Academy Award. That same year, the band released their first ever best of set, which they titled 'Films about Ghosts'. That album features songs from every phase of the Counting Crows' recording career. To date, the band has sold over 20 million albums worldwide.
The group made the news when 'Saturday Nights & Sunday Mornings' was released on March 25th, 2008. In addition, on January 16, 2008, the band released a digital EP as a free download on their official web site, consisting of the songs "1492" and "When I Dream Of Michelangelo". The lead single from the album was "You Can't Count On Me", which was released for radio play on February 4, 2008.
The album itself is thematically and stylistically divided into two parts: the first, more rock-influenced Saturday Nights, and the second, more country-influenced Sunday Mornings. Theme changes along with style; in the Sunday Mornings portion of the album, songs become more reflective. The iTunes release contains several bonus tracks, including a track-by-track interview with Duritz.
Members of the band:
Adam Duritz - lead vocals, piano, wurlitzer, tamborine
David Bryson - guitars, dobro, vocals
Charles Gillingham - piano, organ, accordion, mellotron, vocals
Dan Vickery - guitars, sitar, banjo, vocals
David Immergluck - guitars, bass, electric sitar, mandolin, vocals
Jim Bogios - drums, percussion loops, vocals
Millard Powers - bass guitar, upright bass, piano, vocals
Ex-members of the band:
Matt Malley - guitars, double bass, vocals
Ben Mize - drums, percussion, tambourine, bulbs, vocals
Steve Bowman - drums, vocals
Ben Ulrich - drums
Marty Jones - bass guitar
Lydia Holly - keyboards
Toby Hawkins - drums
Albums
August And Everything After - (September 14, 1993)
Recovering The Satellites - (October 14, 1996)
Across a Wire - Live in New York City - (1998)
This Desert Life - (November 1, 1999)
Hard Candy - (July 8, 2002)
Films About Ghosts: The Best Of - (November 25, 2003)
*New Amsterdam: Live At Heineken Music Hall - (June 19, 2006)
August And Everything After, Deluxe Edition - (Fall 2007)
Saturday Nights & Sunday Mornings - (March 25, 2008)
Somewhere Under Wonderland - (September 2, 2014)
Sister Golden Hair
Counting Crows Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That I got so damn depressed,
That I set my sights on Monday,
And I got myself undressed,
I ain't ready for the altar,
But I do agree there's times,
When a woman sure can be a friend of mine.
Sister golden hair surprise,
And I just can't live without you,
Could you see it in my eyes?
I been one poor correspondent,
I been too, too hard to find,
But it doesn't mean you ain't been on my mind.
Will you meet me in the middle?
Will you meet me in the air?
Will you love me just a little?
Just enough to show you care?
Well I tried to fake it,
I don't mind sayin'
I just can't make it.
I keep on thinkin' 'bout you,
Sister golden hair surprise,
And I just can't live without you,
Could you see it in my eyes?
I been one poor correspondent,
I been too, too hard to find,
But it doesn't mean you ain't been on my mind.
Will you meet me in the middle?
Will you meet me in the air?
Will you love me just a little?
Just enough to show you care,
Well I tried to fake it,
I don't mind sayin'
I just can't make it.
The lyrics of Counting Crows’s song “Sister Golden Hair” depict a man who is struggling to cope with his loneliness and finds solace in the memory of a past relationship. He is feeling depressed on Sunday and gets undressed preparing himself for Monday. He confesses that he is not ready for commitment but there are times when he could use a friend, probably implying that he is unable to find comfort in his current relationships. He continues to think about “Sister Golden Hair Surprise” and expresses how much he needs her in his life. He acknowledges that he has been a poor correspondent and hard to find but assures her that she has been on his mind. He pleads with her to meet him halfway, love him just a little, and show him that she cares. He admits that he tried to fake it but he just can't make it, probably meaning that he cannot pretend anymore to be alright without her.
The song’s lyrics are quite relatable as we have all gone through a tough time in our life where we need someone to lean on. The song speaks to the universal struggle of loneliness and the need for companionship. The chorus’s repetition of “Sister Golden Hair Surprise” conveys the hopelessness of the situation, where the man doesn’t quite know how to articulate what he is feeling but can’t help returning to her in his thoughts.
Line by Line Meaning
Tried to make it Sunday,
I attempted to have a relaxing day, but instead I became very sad.
That I got so damn depressed,
It reached the point where I became deeply upset.
That I set my sights on Monday,
I started to look forward to the next day instead.
And I got myself undressed,
I undressed myself in the midst of my melancholy.
I ain't ready for the altar,
I am not yet prepared for marriage.
But I do agree there's times,
However, I do believe there are moments.
When a woman sure can be a friend of mine.
When a woman can truly be a close friend.
Well, I keep on thinkin' 'bout you,
I cannot stop thinking about you.
Sister golden hair surprise,
My dear, surprising golden-haired sister.
And I just can't live without you,
I cannot bear the thought of living without you.
Could you see it in my eyes?
Is it evident in my eyes?
I been one poor correspondent,
I have not been a good communicator with you.
I been too, too hard to find,
I have been very difficult to locate.
But it doesn't mean you ain't been on my mind.
But that does not imply that you have not been in my thoughts.
Will you meet me in the middle?
Can you compromise with me?
Will you meet me in the air?
Can we make amends and reconcile our differences?
Will you love me just a little?
Can you show me a small amount of love?
Just enough to show you care?
Enough to prove that you care for me?
Well I tried to fake it,
I attempted to feign how I really feel.
I don't mind sayin'
I do not mind admitting
I just can't make it.
that I simply cannot do it alone.
Contributed by Allison K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@marieblue
America’s first single, “A Horse With No Name,” reached the #1 spot in 1972. In 1975, they scored another #1 with “Sister Golden Hair,” another enigmatic track full of harmony. It was penned and performed by Gerry Buckley, who says that it was based on a composite of different girls.
The piece starts with this line :
“Well, I tried to make it Sunday, but I got so damn depressed”
Beckley stated : “I’d like to point out that you can have a #1 record with a line that enters that darkly. That’s kind of my thing : I try to mix these emotions and I think ‘Sister’ was a great example. Pretty good message in there. JOHN LENNON famously said, ‘WE DON’T KNOW WHAT THESE SONGS ARE ABOUT TILL PEOPLE TELL US.’ So all our songs, including ‘Horse,’ are open to interpretation. But ‘Sister’ was a relationship song and there is a variety of elements. We always combine them as songwriters so that they’re not verbatim, word for word, for a particular circumstance. Poetic license we call it.”
George Martin, the fifth Beatle, produced “Sister Golden Hair” and the rest of the “Hearts” album (1975). It was Martin’s 20th US #1 as a producer, and his first one away from The Beatles‼️ 💛🎵💛
@houstonfirefox
Easily a melodic masterpiece that effortlessly captures the essence of longing and self-discovery. The lyrics evoke a longing for connection and a search for identity—a feeling all of us can relate to. The song's protagonist is in search of a love that feels genuine, authentic, and true—a love that will stand the test of time. To me, it's a quest for a connection that goes beyond the superficial, a desire to find that golden thread of understanding and kinship with another soul.
As it plays on, it carries an irresistible blend of wistfulness and hopefulness. The gentle strumming of the acoustic guitar, the warm harmonies, and the infectious melody all come together to create a musical landscape that mirrors the emotions expressed in the lyrics. There's a certain vulnerability in the way the song is delivered, a vulnerability that resonates with me on a profound level.
To me, "Sister Golden Hair" is a reminder of the universal longing we all share—to find someone who truly understands us, to feel a sense of belonging, and to discover our own place in the world. It speaks to the journey of self-discovery and the pursuit of authentic connections that define our lives. It captures the bittersweet nature of searching for love, knowing that it may come with its own challenges and uncertainties.
Listening to "Sister Golden Hair" is like taking a step back in time, enveloped in a warm embrace of nostalgia. It reminds me of the complexities of human relationships, the joy of self-discovery, and the emotional rollercoaster that often accompanies our quest for love and understanding.
For me, "Sister Golden Hair" is a beautifully crafted song that speaks to the deepest corners of our hearts. It serves as a gentle reminder that the journey of finding ourselves and meaningful connections is an ongoing one. It's a song that continues to resonate with me, capturing the timeless essence of human emotions and reminding me of the beauty and complexities of life.
Defintely worth being on my playlist! 🙂
@junglisan
Well, I tried to make it Sunday, but I got so damn depressed
That I set my sights on Monday and I got myself undressed
I ain't ready for the altar but I do agree there's times
When a woman sure can be a friend of mine
Well, I keep on thinkin' 'bout you
Sister Golden Hair surprise
And I just can't live without you
Can't you see it in my eyes?
I've been one poor correspondent
And I've been too, too hard to find
But it doesn't mean you ain't been on my mind
Will you meet me in the middle?
Will you meet me in the air?
Will you love me just a little?
Just enough to show you care?
Well, I tried to fake it
I don't mind sayin', I just can't make it
Well, I keep on thinkin' 'bout you
Sister Golden Hair surprise
And I just can't live without you
Can't you see it in my eyes?
Now I've been one poor correspondent
And I've been too, too hard to find
But it doesn't mean you ain't been on my mind
Will you meet me in the middle?
Will you meet me in the air?
Will you love me just a little?
Just enough to show you care?
Well, I tried to fake it
I don't mind sayin', I just can't make it
@Coasterdude02149
When I was a 9 year old kid, my folks drove to Florida to take me to Disney World. I remember this song playing during the 3 day journey and my mum and I singing along to it. I'm now 54 and just bought a house in Florida this past June, moved halfway down the coast and am still singing along to this. Cheers mum and dad...until we meet again soon. Thanks for all you did for me. Love you both.
@chip9649
Your parents sounded awesome
@justing5842
I get it brother. Only a young 28 here haha. NY/NJ native, this is the first song I remember hearing in the car with my parents as a young child... maybe 2 years old? Lol. My sister moved to Florida 2 months ago, parents following her later this year. Life is truly a gift, so thankful I have the old days to look back on.
@sarahshouse1890
Nice.🫠
@robdog0606
Me & my friend, David Frank, drove to Miami in his deep blue TR-6 in June, 75 to visit his Grandma. We hooked up with 2 girls & went picking shrooms in the N Miami cowfields. This song kept playin’ my head cuz I truly was with “Sister Golden Hair” with green eyes! Crazy times yet still a great song for my memories! 😎✌️🎶🎸🪕
@cynthiabradley4237
@@robdog0606😢 bring back memories
@llawliet7118
Oh my god. I've been looking for this song for sixteen years. My parents used to play this to help me sleep when I was a baby; it reminds me of them. ☺️❤️
@walterharrell4717
Me 2
@barbarahernandez8700
Aawhhh Super Sweet !!!!
@JessJoanne
Very sweet. Reminds me of my childhood. Born in 79