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.
Long Time Gone
Crosby Stills Nash & Young Lyrics
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Fucked with my dreams
Now they gone
They Gone
They Gone
Fucked with my dreams
Now they gone
They Gone
Fucked with my dreams
Now they gone
Painting Pictures of a past
Long Gone
Fighting for a future we want
Mask up the memories they haunt
Fuck with my dreams
Now they're gone
Painting Pictures of a past
Long Gone
Fighting for a future we want
Mask up the memories they haunt
Fuck with my dreams
Now they're gone
So far gone
Yeah we so far gone
Slowly they come
yeah slowly they come
Creature of the night
They take what they want
Take what you need
As they creeping in your dreams
What's in my head
Death and disease
Come stay the night
You'll see what I mean
I just popped a bean
Nightmares haunting me
I can't sleep
Without you next to me
Painting Pictures of a past
Long Gone
Fighting for a future we want
Mask up the memories they haunt
Fuck with my dreams
Now they're gone
Painting Pictures of a past
Long Gone
Fighting for a future we want
Mask up the memories they haunt
Fuck with my dreams
Now they're gone
time before the dawn.
The lyrics of Crosby Stills & Nash's song Long Time Gone express the idea that there is something rotten in society and that people need to speak out against it before it's too late. The song acknowledges that this won't be easy, as those who perpetuate this wrongdoing won't want their actions brought to light. Hence, it's going to take a long time to make things right. However, the song encourages people to speak their minds and stand up for what is right. It urges people not to be seduced by the trappings of power, suggesting that this corrupts them and will prevent them from effecting any real change.
The song's message is timeless and has relevance even decades after its initial release. It continues to be a protest song for social and political issues.
Line by Line Meaning
It's been a long time comin'
It's been a while since we've seen changes in society
It's goin' to be a long time gone
It's going to take a while to bring about the changes we need
And it appears to be a long
It seems like there's no end in sight for this struggle
Appears to be a long
It seems like we're stuck in this state of things for now
Appears to be a long
It feels like progress is slow and difficult
Time, yes, a long, long, time before the dawn
There's still a lot of work to be done before we see meaningful change
Turn, turn any corner
Look around and pay attention
Turn and hear to what your friends and neighbors might have to say
Listen to the perspectives of those around you
Something, something, something's goin' on around here
There are concerning things happening in society
They surely, surely won't stand the light of day
These problems can't continue to exist if we bring them to public attention
Speak out, you got to speak out against the madness
We need to voice our opposition to the injustices and problems we see
You got to speak your mind
We need to be honest and open about what we believe is right
If you dare
It can be scary to speak up, but we need to do it anyway
But don't no don't now try to get yourself elected
Don't use speaking out as a means to gain personal power
If you do you had better cut your hair
If you're trying to gain power, you need to conform to societal norms and expectations
Time, such a long long long long time before the dawn
We can't expect to see immediate change, it's going to take a while
But you know
But there is still hope
The darkest hour is always
Things can feel really bleak and hopeless
Always just before the dawn
But sometimes that's when we start to see progress and change
And it appears to be a long, appears to be a long
It still feels like progress is slow and difficult
Appears to be a long
But we have to keep pushing forward anyway
Time before the dawn
It's going to take time and effort to bring about change
And it appears to be a long
It's still going to take a while
Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: Tim Baldwin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind