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.
Chicago
Crosby Stills Nash & Young Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I was up in the schooly
Didn't fuck with no whoolies
Thats a word I made for the goofies
I was surrounded by foolies
But I kept my toolie
I promise you gone have to shoot me
Bitches acting all bougie
But now that bitch just wanna do me
I been killing these verses
And writing in cursive
I promise they gone have to sue me
My first video was bon
When it hit more then ten
I got Blocked by king louie
People all on my hitta
Label talking six figures
But I just let all them pursue me
Chops on the block
200 Shots
100 Shots
I wasnt toting no uzis
Now a days
I thank the lord when I wake up
Like a wedding bride
Tryna get the cake up
Wanna have the baddest bitch
With no breakups
Just to tell her you look good without makeup
Wonder would rap help me make it out
Remember nights on 59th
I was Staking Out
Tryna find one of the opps
Just to take him out
And if my brother get locked
I gotta break him out
Now a days everybody wanna be hood
I'm just tryna make it
Where my family sleep good
Know imma make it
If the verse and the beat good
But I put raxx on the hook I know we good
Now it's 10k to meet with my niggas
Can't wait to see myself on tv with my niggas
The only thing I love is to be with my niggas
So when I get On I aint leaving my niggas
The song 'Chicago' by Crosby Stills Nash & Young is an ode to the city of Chicago, which played a crucial role in the evolution of modern American blues. The opening verse of the song pays homage to the blues musicians who migrated from the southern states to Chicago, where they popularized the genre and influenced generations of musicians who followed them. The singer speaks of catching the blues in a blind alley in the rain, near an old ornate theater where he soon will be playing. Living in the city and absorbing the cultural influence of the blues has had an impact on the artist, who feels a connection to the music and the place.
The second verse is more personal, with the singer reminiscing about a previous visit to Chicago. He mentions the rain pounding outside the stage door and how he was singing and drinking with love in his heart. The lyrics suggest that the artist was younger then, with his whole life ahead of him. The repetition of the phrase 'life played it's part' emphasizes how events in life shape one's outlook and perspective. The final verses are a plea for friendship and a warning that love can pass quickly. The message is to cherish your connections with others and to live life with open arms, without putting up too many defenses.
Line by Line Meaning
When the blues moved north, to Chicago they came
Chicago gave birth to the blues and was the epicenter of the genre's growth and development.
And I caught some myself in this blind alley and rain
The singer has experienced the hard-living and struggles of those who play the blues in Chicago.
Close to the L with it's clattering train
The singer is located close to the elevated train, which represents the noisy city life and hustle of Chicago.
Near an old ornate theater where I soon will be playing
The artist is about to perform in a historic Chicago venue, showcasing the importance of the city in the music industry.
So I said hello for you, when I saw a stylish girl
The artist is sharing an experience he had in Chicago with someone else, highlighting the importance of shared experiences.
Walking by on the sidewalk with her hair in a swirl
The girl in question has a carefree and lively spirit, symbolizing the freedom and energy of Chicago.
And I wondered what would be coming my way
The singer is contemplating the future and the possibilities that exist in Chicago and beyond.
You know I been to Chicago, I was here once before
The artist has a personal connection to Chicago and has previously experienced its highs and lows.
And the rain kept on pounding outside the stage door
Chicago is an often-harsh city that can wear a person down, as represented by the constant pounding of rain.
I was singing and drinking with love in my heart
Despite the challenges, the artist still finds joy in performing and living in Chicago and has an optimistic outlook.
I was younger and stronger while life played it's part
The singer has grown and learned from his experiences in Chicago, which have shaped who he is as a person.
Let us not be strangers if we come to know
The artist is open to forming connections and relationships with those he meets in Chicago or elsewhere.
Things about each other that seem to come and go
People are complex and their lives are constantly changing, so it's important to roll with the ups and downs of getting to know someone.
'Cause friendship is everything if love is to last
Building a strong and supportive friendship is crucial if a romantic relationship is going to work in the long run.
And I have my guard down and love passes fast
The singer is being vulnerable, which makes love more likely to come and go quickly, as emotions can be fleeting.
Say hello to Chicago
The song is a tribute to the city of Chicago and all its complexities, joys, and struggles.
Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: Deandre Freeman
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@MrBachfie
The Trial of the Chicago 7 !!
Crosby Stills Nash and Young - "Chicago" !!
Though your brother's bound and gagged
And they've chained him to a chair
Won't you please come to Chicago
Just to sing
In a land that's known as freedom
How can such a thing be fair
Won't you please come to Chicago
For the help that we can bring
We can change the world
Re-arrange the world
It's dying ... to get better
Politicians, sit yourselves down
There's nothing for you here
Won't you please come to Chicago
For a ride?
Don't ask Jack to help you
'Cause he'll turn the other ear
Won't you please come to Chicago
Or else join the other side?
We can change the world
Re-arrange the world
It's dying, if you believe in justice
It's dying, if you believe in freedom
It's dying, let a man live his own life
It's dying, rules and regulations, who needs them
Throw them out the door
Somehow people must be free
I hope the day comes soon
Won't you please come to Chicago
Show your face?
From the bottom of the ocean
To the mountains on the moon
Won't you please come to Chicago?
No one else can take your place
We can change the world
Re-arrage the world
It's dying, if you believe in justice
It's dying, and if you believe in freedom
It's dying, let a man live his own life
It's dying, rules and regulations, who needs them
Throw them out the door
@dannyarchives4336
So your brother's bound and gagged and they've chained him to a chair
Won't you please come to Chicago just to sing
In a land that's known as freedom how can such a thing be fair
Won't you please come to Chicago for the help that we can bring
We can change the world
Rearrange the world
It's dying
To get better
Politicians sit yourselves down there's nothing for you here
Won't you please come to Chicago for a ride
Don't ask Jack to help you 'cause he'll turn the other ear
Won't you please come to Chicago or else join the other side
Yes we can change the world
(Rearrange the world)
Rearrange the world
If you believe in justice
(It's dying)
If you believe in freedom
(It's dying)
Let a man live his own life
(It's dying)
Rules and regulations who needs them
Open up the door
Somehow people must be free I hope the day comes soon
Won't you please come to Chicago show your face
From the bottom of the ocean to the mountains of the moon
Won't you please come to Chicago no one else can take your place
Yes we can change the world
(Rearrange the world)
Rearrange the world
If you believe in justice
(It's dying)
If you believe in freedom
(It's dying)
Let a man live his own life
(It's dying)
Rules and regulations who needs them
Open up the door
@jonmyerstheworldsbestmedia3919
One of the wonderful songs of all-time: The opening riff, the words, the beat. Thank you, Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young!
@dorothysmith7289
It is Graham Nash's song but I hear backup vocals from David Crosby at least. Stephen Stills (who is originally from Dallas) did not want to go to Chicago after the 1968 Democratic Convention. Graham wrote this song to Stephen begging him to "Come to Chicago no one else can take your place, Show your face". They were all anti-war and Graham felt that by going "We can change the world". Powerful stuff that we could use today.
@godfreycaruana1138
this song is credited to crosby & nash only
@godfreycaruana1138
correction-this song is by graham nash
@kevinlarkin2696
CHICAGO
2024 ..
DIMOCRATS ..
@michaelbruce3871
@@godfreycaruana1138you are correct, this was a single by Graham Nash and none of the others in the band appeared on this recording.
@georgevella1141
The struggles continue. I was finishing high school when this first aired. Different age now but the lyrics still resonate.
@robertdubs9466
This song is getting more and more relevant every day. Graham Nash and Neil Young wherever you are, come back. We need you more than ever.
@sassysandie2865
Yeah Young is woke.
@keithlohnes487
@@sassysandie2865 It's sad, you'd think he found wisdom from his songs.