Commonly referred to by their initials CSNY, the band is primarily known for their four-part vocal harmonies. They were one of the few North American groups that rivaled the Beatles in popularity in the late 1960s and early 1970s.
After the 1970 shootings at Kent State University in Kent, Ohio, Neil Young wrote "Ohio", a tribute to the four students who were shot by the Ohio National Guard. Many radio stations would not play the song "Ohio" because of the anti-war tone of the song. Even so, largely because of its topical nature, "Ohio" bumped "Teach Your Children", released three weeks earlier, from its ascent in the charts, replacing it on the popularity climb, ending at number fourteen, while "Teach Your Children" ended at number sixteen.
In the early seventies, each member released solo albums and by 1972, the band had essentially split up. Nash and Crosby began to perform as a duo and recorded and toured as Crosby & Nash (or, alternatively, Crosby-Nash). A 1974 CSNY reunion tour was a massive success, but attempts to make a second CSNY album ended with another split and separate albums from Crosby & Nash and The Stills-Young Band, both in 1976. After a falling-out between Stills and Young, CSN reformed to release CSN and has been the primary configuration since. CSNY finally returned in 1988 with American Dream, and again in 1999 with Looking Forward. Subsequent material has mostly been from Crosby, Stills & Nash, with the exception of live releases featuring all four members.
It is important to note that on their most famous album, Déjà vu, nearly every song features the trio configuration. Neil Young joins only on a handful of songs he didn't write (guitar on "Woodstock," "Almost Cut My Hair"). Neil Young is absent on "Teach Your Children," "Our House," "Carry On," "Déjà Vu" and therefore the most famous work by the group can be credited to the original trio configuration.
In 1991, Crosby was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the Byrds. Neil Young was inducted in 1995 as a solo artist. Stephen Stills was inducted in 1997 as both a member of Buffalo Springfield (along with Young) and Crosby, Stills & Nash (with Crosby & Nash), Graham Nash was inducted in 2010 as a member of The Hollies.
Almost Cut My Hair
Crosby Stills Nash & Young Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's gettin' kind of long
I could've said it was in my way
But I didn't and I wonder why
I feel like letting my freak flag fly
And I feel like I owe it, yeah ... to someone, yeah
Well, must be because I had the flu this Christmas
Oh, yeah and I'm not feeling up to par
Yeah, like looking in my mirror and seeing a police car
Well, well, I'm not, I'm not giving in an inch to fear
Well, you know I've promised myself this year
Well, I feel oh, like I owe it, I owe, I owe it to someone
Oh ... like I owe it to someone
[Instrumental (Electric Guitar)]
Oh, yes when I get myself together
Yeah, you can find me in that sunny southern weather, yeah
I'm goin' to find a space inside a laugh, yes
Separate the wheat from some chaff
Oh, and I feel ...
Like I owe it, yeah ... to someone
[Ending (Electric Guitars)]
Crosby Stills Nash & Young’s song “Almost Cut My Hair” describes the internal conflict of the singer at a time when issues of personal identity and self-discovery were becoming prevalent. The opening line “happened just the other day, it's getting kind-of-long” presents a typical teenage issue –long hair. The singer contemplates whether to cut his hair or let it grow, and although he feels that it's in his way, he decides not to, wondering why.
The phrase "letting my freak flag fly” is a form of protest against the social norms that restrain individual expression. The act denotes the courage of people who were perceived as different to go beyond the mainstream beliefs and lifestyles, and at the same time, challenge contemporary assertions of masculinity through long hair. The singer feels the need to let his guard down and be himself.
The verse “must be because I had the flu this Christmas, oh, yeah, and I'm not feeling up to par. Oh, I tell you baby this increases my paranoia, yeah, like looking in my mirror and seeing a police car” represents a period of introspection marked by paranoia. As the singer looks into the mirror and sees a “police car,” he feels that his growth and eccentricity sully his reputation or endanger his life.
Line by Line Meaning
Happened just the other day
Recently, I had a realization that I need to cut my long hair.
It's gettin' kind of long
My hair has grown to the point where it is becoming inconvenient.
I could've said it was in my way
I could have made an excuse and blamed my hair for my problems.
But I didn't and I wonder why
Instead, I chose to reflect on my decision to keep my long hair and why I made that choice.
I feel like letting my freak flag fly
I feel like expressing myself and being true to who I am, regardless of societal expectations or norms.
And I feel like I owe it, yeah ... to someone, yeah
I believe that I owe it to someone or something, such as myself or my own values, to be authentic and true to myself.
Well, must be because I had the flu this Christmas
I attribute my newfound perspective to my recent illness and time spent alone with my thoughts.
Oh, yeah and I'm not feeling up to par
The illness has left me feeling weak and unwell, physically and mentally.
Oh, I tell you baby this increases my paranoia
These feelings have also sparked some anxiety or worry within me.
Yeah, like looking in my mirror and seeing a police car
This anxiety is akin to seeing a police car when looking in the rearview mirror while driving.
Well, well, I'm not, I'm not giving in an inch to fear
Despite these feelings, I refuse to succumb to fear and let it dictate my actions or decisions.
Well, you know I've promised myself this year
I made a promise to myself this year to be true to myself and not to let fear guide me.
Well, I feel oh, like I owe it, I owe, I owe it to someone
I feel strongly that I owe it to someone or something, such as myself or my own values, to be true to myself and not be held back by fear.
Oh ... like I owe it to someone
This feeling of owing it to someone is pervasive and ongoing.
[Instrumental (Electric Guitar)]
Electric guitar instrumental.
Oh, yes when I get myself together
Once I work through my thoughts and feelings, gain clarity, and get healthy again
Yeah, you can find me in that sunny southern weather, yeah
I plan to go to the southern United States, where the climate is warm and sunny.
I'm goin' to find a space inside a laugh, yes
I hope to find joy and humor in life, and create a positive space for myself mentally.
Separate the wheat from some chaff
I plan to distinguish between what truly matters in life and what does not, and focus on the former.
Oh, and I feel ...
I continue to feel strongly
Like I owe it, yeah ... to someone
That I owe it to someone or something, such as myself or my own values, to be true to myself and not be held back by fear.
[Ending (Electric Guitars)]
Electric guitars play during the song's ending.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: David Crosby
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@venatricessagitta9089
My dad died this august...two weeks after a unexpected diagnosis of stage four colon cancer, right after his 64th birthday. He wore his hair long in the 60s and 70s when his parents hated it, and when his older brothers were in Vietnam. He dropped acid and played rock records when he was going to the college I'll be attending this fall. He blasted this song when he felt down, as a kid it scared me. Now I crank this song up and sob. I love you dad, I miss you so much.
@deansimpson6618
Nice tribute !
@djfuller1169
Very sorry for your loss. Your Dad and I sound like we had a lot in common. RIP
@japzbene1562
Only one way to play this song LOUD! RIP to your pops ! I miss Mine as well and he lives through me as well in the musical taste he left in me! RIP SWEET ALBIE 494
@venatricessagitta9089
@@djfuller1169 Thank you, I appreciate your kindness
@venatricessagitta9089
@@japzbene1562 Agreed. And thank you, my respects to yours too.
@denisecarl5519
RIP, David Crosby. Thank you for your passion, rebellion, and the beautiful harmonies.
@randallkerr6378
My brother in New York got tickets for CS&Y at the Fillmore East in Sept.'69. I flew down from Montreal. Fact can be more beautiful than fiction. Thank you Cros for everything you gave.
@kahlesjf
Oh Wow. This is the first I heard of his death. I had to double-check it, thinking it must be a mistake. One of those guys who has been around so long, you get lulled into thinking he will always be there.
@imaramblins
And your fiendish LOVE for crack cocaine!!! 🙃😘🤪🤪🤪🤪