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.
Laughing
Crosby Stills Nash & Young Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't leave no message 'round her back door
They say the old laughin' lady been here before
She don't keep time, she don't count score
You can't have a cupboard if there ain't no wall
You got to move, there's no time left to stall
They say the old laughing lady dropped by to call
See the drunkard of the village falling on the street
Can't tell his ankles from the rest of his feet
He loves his old laughing lady 'cause her taste is so sweet
But his laughing lady's loving ain't the kind he can keep
There's a fever on the freeway, blacks out the night
There's a slipping on the stairway, just don't feel right
And there's a rumbling in the bedroom and a flashing of light
There's the old laughing lady, everything is alright
The song "Laughing" by Crosby Stills Nash & Young talks about a variety of characters and situations, with the common thread being the presence of the "old laughing lady". The lyrics start off by stating that you shouldn't contact someone named Peggy, as she is no longer able to hear you. Next, we are introduced to the "old laughing lady", who apparently has been to this place before. She is described as someone who doesn't keep time or count score, indicating that she lives without worry or restraint.
The song then moves on to discuss the idea that you cannot have a "cupboard" (likely a metaphor for stability or security) if there is no wall to support it. There is a sense of urgency, with the singer saying that "there's no time left to stall" and implying that change is imminent. The old laughing lady visits again, and when she leaves there is nothing left behind.
We then hear about a drunkard who loves the old laughing lady but cannot keep her love. The final verse describes a chaotic scene: there is a fever on the freeway, slipping on the stairway, and rumbling in the bedroom. But through it all, the old laughing lady remains, and everything is alright.
Overall, the song seems to be about transience and impermanence, with the old laughing lady representing something intangible and fleeting. The other characters in the song struggle to find stability and meaning in a world where everything is constantly changing.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't call pretty Peggy, she can't hear you no more
Don't try to contact Peggy because she is no longer alive.
Don't leave no message 'round her back door
Do not leave messages for Peggy in any manner.
They say the old laughin' lady been here before
It is said that someone called the old laughing lady has been here earlier as well.
She don't keep time, she don't count score
She doesn't care about time or keeping a tally of scores.
You can't have a cupboard if there ain't no wall
You can't have a cupboard if there's no support from a wall or any other source.
You got to move, there's no time left to stall
You need to be on the move as there's no time to waste.
They say the old laughing lady dropped by to call
Reports suggest that the old laughing lady made a visit.
And when she leaves, she leaves nothing at all
The old laughing lady leaves without any trace once she's gone.
See the drunkard of the village falling on the street
Observe the drunken man in the village who has fallen on the street.
Can't tell his ankles from the rest of his feet
Due to his drunken state, it's hard to distinguish between his ankles and the other parts of his feet.
He loves his old laughing lady 'cause her taste is so sweet
The drunkard is fond of the old laughing lady because he is intoxicated and her flavor is delicious.
But his laughing lady's loving ain't the kind he can keep
Despite his affection for the old laughing lady, the drunkard can not retain her attention.
There's a fever on the freeway, blacks out the night
There's a strange energy on the freeway that is causing darkness and hindrance.
There's a slipping on the stairway, just don't feel right
The experience of slipping on a staircase isn't comfortable.
And there's a rumbling in the bedroom and a flashing of light
There's an eerie sound coming out of the bedroom with the flickering of lightning.
There's the old laughing lady, everything is alright
The old laughing lady is present, making everything feel better than it was before.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC
Written by: Neil Young
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind