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.
Right Between The Eyes
Crosby Stills Nash & Young Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
'Tis sacrilege for us to take advantage of the blind
So, tell before you come to me from out of yonder skies
A man's a man who looks a man right between the eyes
And the pain that we can bring to him
I don't think he could beat
Please don't ask me how I know
And all the people living there
Have been silenced by their own lies
A man's a man who looks a man right between the eyes
And talking' from experience I know how he would feel
Waking up and finding that his one love wasn't real
But the age of truth will soon appear, Aquarius arrives
A man's a man who looks a man right between the eyes
The lyrics of Crosby Stills Nash & Young's song Right Between The Eyes are a cautionary tale about the consequences of taking advantage of someone who is vulnerable. The singer's thoughts are heavy with guilt for considering using someone who is blind. He believes it is sacrilege to take advantage of someone in such a way, and he calls on the others not to approach him before looking him right between the eyes. The pain that they can bring to him is immense, and he warns them against it.
The second verse tells of the singer's personal experience with someone who was vulnerable. He had been up that street and seen how living in a world of lies had silenced the people there. He knows that a man is truly a man when he can look another man right between the eyes and not take advantage of him. He talks from experience about the pain that he has seen and warns others against it.
The lyrics overall emphasize the importance of empathy and the need to value the dignity of all, especially those who may be vulnerable. It is a timeless message, as relevant today as it was when the song was written.
Line by Line Meaning
My head is hanging heavy with the thoughts of him in mind
I am consumed with thoughts of the person in question and it is weighing me down heavily.
'Tis sacrilege for us to take advantage of the blind
It is morally wrong for us to exploit people who are unaware or vulnerable.
So, tell before you come to me from out of yonder skies
Before you arrive, please disclose your true intentions and agenda.
A man's a man who looks a man right between the eyes
A person is truly a person when they confront and deal with other people frankly and honestly.
And the pain that we can bring to him
We must be aware that our actions and words can hurt others deeply.
I don't think he could beat
I doubt that he could overcome this difficult situation.
Please don't ask me how I know
I cannot reveal my sources or my intuition that leads me to this conclusion.
I've just been up that street
I have gone through similar experiences before and can relate to his struggles.
And all the people living there
The people in that situation are all suffering due to their own lies and deception.
Have been silenced by their own lies
They are suppressing the truth and living in a state of denial, which is causing them harm.
And talking' from experience I know how he would feel
Based on my own past experiences, I can imagine how he must be feeling right now.
Waking up and finding that his one love wasn't real
Realizing that someone they loved and trusted was not who they thought they were would be devastating for anyone.
But the age of truth will soon appear, Aquarius arrives
A time of greater honesty and transparency is coming, and it is symbolized by the arrival of the Age of Aquarius.
A man's a man who looks a man right between the eyes
Once again emphasizing that true strength and integrity come from being open and honest in our dealings with others.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind