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.
Forever Young
Crosby Stills Nash & Young Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Red blooded African Rasta)
(Red blooded African Rasta)
(I'm a young nigga trying to get it faster)
(A young nigga trying to get it faster)
(I'm a young nigga, Rasta)
(You know I'm a Rasta)
(Young nigga Rasta)
Young Rai stitched on my hat got it fitted
I ain't been young in a minute
I'm trying to be young forever
I'm poppin', I'm cooking the kettle
I should've been born with feathers
In both of my hands I took matters
A young nigga trying to get it faster
A red blooded African Rasta
A red blooded African Rasta
Spittin' more facts than a pastor
There's expensives stacked up in the hamper
I'm a young nigga trying to get it faster
I'm a young nigga
Better stay up, stay young nigga
I'm a young nigga
Different types of green like a drug dealer
Different types of bread, I need more not less
I protect the queens like I was playing chess
The only thing that gets to me is money
I don't care what a critic says
Always kill my opponent I slit the neck
You can't walk my shoes I really fit them best
Need my dresser to look like a treasure chest
Need my cousins to live the best, that's because
I got a goal and nobody can stop me
I save all the kids in the cage like Harambe
Can't tell the difference between me and the milky way,
When I look in the mirror I stargaze
Red blooded Rasta, there is no mistake
When I walk in the room they know that I'm the darkest
I'm always hitting my target
When I see beef I hit bullseyes, That nigga arches
Where did you find him that nigga the hardest
I'm trying to get it the fastest
I Couldn't be friends with no fucking tortoise
My past life was probably on Mars right before this
I'm like Chuck, I'm cheesing, killing for tokens
Only get head from the women with chokers
That nigga flexing, but that nigga bogus
All that cash in your wallet, I almost stole it
Gotta stay away from the sinning
I gotta stay away from the sinning
I gotta move independent
Cuz all these niggas is not understanding
Keep me a stick like a granny
Keep me a cane like candy
I do not care about the fame
All I wanted was some Benjis
They come in handy
I'm trying to be young forever
Yeah, Rai young forever
I'm trying to get it the fastest
A red blooded African Rasta
A red blooded African Rasta
A red blooded African Rasta
I'm trying to be young forever
Yeah, Rai young forever
Rai younger than ever
(I'm trying to get it the fastest)
(A red blooded African rasta)
(Nigga speaking like a pastor)
(A red blooded African rasta)
(I'm tryna get it the fastest)
I'm a young nigga trying to get it faster
I'm a young nigga
Better stay up, stay young nigga
I'm a young nigga
Different types of green
(Green)
The lyrics to Crosby Stills Nash & Young's song "Forever Young" seem to have been interpreted incorrectly in this case. The provided lyrics do not match the original lyrics to "Forever Young" by Crosby Stills Nash & Young. It is important to note that the artist mentioned in the provided lyrics is Rai, not Crosby Stills Nash & Young. Therefore, it is not possible to provide an insightful interpretation of the lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
Rai younger than ever
I, Rai, am in the prime of my youth
(Red blooded African Rasta)
I proudly represent my African heritage and Rastafarianism
(I'm a young nigga trying to get it faster)
I am a young individual striving to achieve success quickly
(A young nigga trying to get it faster)
As a youth, I am eager to accomplish my goals rapidly
(I'm a young nigga, Rasta)
I am both youthful and embrace the Rastafarian culture
(You know I'm a Rasta)
It is clear that I am a devoted Rastafarian
(Young nigga Rasta)
As a young person, I am also a Rastafarian
Yeah
Expressing agreement or emphasis
Young Rai stitched on my hat got it fitted
I proudly wear a hat with 'Young Rai' stitched on it, perfectly sized
I ain't been young in a minute
I have not experienced youth for a while
I'm trying to be young forever
I desire to maintain a youthful spirit indefinitely
I'm poppin', I'm cooking the kettle
I am vibrant and energetic, like a boiling kettle
I should've been born with feathers
I feel a deep connection to birds and their freedom
In both of my hands I took matters
I actively seized control of my life and circumstances
A young nigga trying to get it faster
I, as a young person, am determined to achieve success quickly
A red blooded African Rasta
I fully embody my African heritage and Rastafarian values
Spittin' more facts than a pastor
I share more truth and knowledge than even a religious leader
There's expensives stacked up in the hamper
I have valuable possessions piling up in my laundry basket
I'm a young nigga trying to get it faster
As a youth, my aim is to achieve success rapidly
I'm a young nigga
I am a young individual
Better stay up, stay young nigga
It is important to stay motivated and remain youthful
Different types of green like a drug dealer
I possess various forms of money, reminiscent of a drug dealer's variety
Different types of bread, I need more not less
I desire different forms of wealth, always seeking more
I protect the queens like I was playing chess
I safeguard and support women as if I were playing a strategic game of chess
The only thing that gets to me is money
Money is the sole source of worry or concern for me
I don't care what a critic says
I pay no attention to the opinions of critics
Always kill my opponent, I slit the neck
I metaphorically defeat my adversaries, ensuring their defeat is comprehensive
You can't walk my shoes, I really fit them best
No one can fully understand or handle the challenges I face; I am most suited to overcome them
Need my dresser to look like a treasure chest
I want my wardrobe to resemble a chest filled with valuable treasures
Need my cousins to live the best, that's because
It is important to me that my relatives experience the highest quality of living, and that's why
I got a goal and nobody can stop me
I have a clear objective, and no one has the power to hinder me
I save all the kids in the cage like Harambe
I metaphorically rescue and try to protect vulnerable children, like the late gorilla Harambe
Can't tell the difference between me and the Milky Way
When I gaze at my reflection, I see myself as majestic and limitless as the vastness of the Milky Way galaxy
When I look in the mirror I stargaze
Gazing at my reflection is like admiring the stars in the night sky
Red blooded Rasta, there is no mistake
I am a true and devoted Rastafarian; my identity is unmistakable
When I walk in the room they know that I'm the darkest
Upon entering a room, it is evident that I possess the deepest skin tone
I'm always hitting my target
I consistently achieve my goals with precision
When I see beef I hit bullseyes, that nigga arches
Whenever I encounter conflicts, I swiftly and accurately strike at the root cause, leaving no room for retaliation
Where did you find him, that nigga the hardest
People wonder where I came from, as I am recognized as one of the most formidable individuals
I'm trying to get it the fastest
I aspire to acquire success at the quickest pace possible
I couldn't be friends with no fucking tortoise
I refuse to associate with slow-paced individuals or anyone lacking ambition
My past life was probably on Mars right before this
I speculate that in a previous existence, I resided on Mars just before being present in my current life
I'm like Chuck, I'm cheesing, killing for tokens
Similar to Chuck Norris, I am constantly smiling and thriving, always earning rewards for my accomplishments
Only get head from the women with chokers
I solely engage in intimate encounters with women who wear chokers as an accessory
That nigga flexing, but that nigga bogus
Although that person flaunts their wealth and success, they are deceptive and dishonest
All that cash in your wallet, I almost stole it
Upon seeing the large sum of money in someone's wallet, I briefly considered taking it
Gotta stay away from the sinning
I must avoid engaging in immoral or sinful behavior
I gotta stay away from the sinning
It is essential for me to distance myself from any wrongdoing
I gotta move independent
I must be self-reliant and act independently
Cuz all these niggas is not understanding
Most people fail to comprehend or grasp my mindset and motivations
Keep me a stick like a granny
I always carry a weapon, similar to how an elderly person might rely on a walking stick
Keep me a cane like candy
I possess a cane, akin to how someone might carry candy as a treat
I do not care about the fame
Celebrity status holds no importance or value to me
All I wanted was some Benjis
My sole desire was to acquire wealth, specifically US $100 bills colloquially known as 'Benjamins'
They come in handy
Having Benjamins is advantageous and useful in various situations
I'm trying to be young forever
My utmost aspiration is to maintain a youthful essence indefinitely
Yeah, Rai young forever
I, Rai, will forever remain youthful
I'm trying to get it the fastest
I strive to achieve success at the most rapid pace possible
A red blooded African Rasta
I am a devoted Rastafarian with strong African heritage
A red blooded African Rasta
Once again affirming my unwavering commitment to Rastafarianism and African culture
A red blooded African Rasta
Reiterating my full embodiment of the values and principles of Rastafarianism and my African roots
I'm trying to be young forever
I relentlessly pursue everlasting youth
Yeah, Rai young forever
I, Rai, will always possess the spirit and vibrancy of youth
Rai younger than ever
I, Rai, am in the prime of my youth and continue to grow even younger
(I'm trying to get it the fastest)
(I am determined to achieve success rapidly)
(A red blooded African Rasta)
(Expressing my unwavering commitment to Rastafarianism and African heritage)
(Nigga speaking like a pastor)
(Articulating my thoughts and wisdom with the authority and conviction of a preacher)
(A red blooded African Rasta)
(Once again emphasizing my strong connection to Rastafarianism and African roots)
(I'm tryna get it the fastest)
(I am passionately striving to achieve success quickly)
I'm a young nigga trying to get it faster
I, as a youth, am persistently working towards rapid success
I'm a young nigga
I am a young individual
Better stay up, stay young nigga
It is crucial to maintain a high energy level and youthful mentality
I'm a young nigga
I am a young individual
Different types of green
Referring to possessing various forms of money
Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: Kumbirai Machisa
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Louie G.
Gracias hermanos del norte!
Do do do do do
do do do do do do.
Do do do do do
do do do do do do.
Qué lindo que me traigas a Cuba,
la reina de la Mar Caribe.
Quiero sólo visitarte allí
y qué triste que no puedo, ¡vaya!
Oh va, oh va.
Viva CUBA LIBRE!!!
Richard Palmer
Love that bass line and three-part harmony. Takes me back to my childhood. Thank's for the memories fellas'.
Jeff King
Absolutely timeless
It still sounds fresh
THADDEUS WILSON
Great music, great lyrics. Very soulful
Bob Winterfeld
One of my favorite tunes of all time. Stills is a genius.
1 w
I like how they have different melodies & tempos in their songs... it's like getting 2 or 3 songs in 1. Lol. I especially love the Spanish at the end!
Anonymous Apocalypse
Perfect description!
Pecan Tan
That’s the best part
C. S.
Ah, my childhood... my dad played this all the time in the car.
Tommygunner 86
Yep mine too always reminds me of him.
powerpooch2000
I don't have a father. Thanks