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.
Suite: Judy Blue Eyes
Crosby Stills Nash & Young Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I am sorry
Sometimes it hurts so badly I must cry out loud
I am lonely
I am yours, you are mine, you are what you are
You make it hard
Remember what we've said and done and felt about each other
Oh, babe have mercy
I am not dreaming
I am yours, you are mine, you are what you are
You make it hard
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Tearing yourself away from me now you are free
And I am crying
This does not mean I don't love you I do that's forever
Yes and for always
I am yours, you are mine, you are what you are
You make it hard
Something inside is telling me that I've got your secret
Are you still listening?
Fear is the lock and laughter the key to your heart
And I love you
I am yours, you are mine, you are what you are
You make it hard
And you make it hard
And you make it hard
And you make it hard
Friday evening
Sunday in the afternoon
What have you got to lose?
Tuesday morning
Please be gone I'm tired of you
What have you got to lose?
Can I tell it like it is? (Help me I'm sufferin')
Listen to me baby
It's my heart that's a sufferin' it's a dyin' (help me I'm dyin')
And that's what I have to lose (to lose)
I've got an answer
I'm going to fly away
What have I got to lose?
Will you come see me
Thursdays and Saturdays?
What have you got to lose?
Chestnut brown canary
Ruby throated sparrow
Sing a song, don't be long
Thrill me to the marrow
Voices of the angels
Ring around the moonlight
Asking me said she so free
How can you catch the sparrow?
Lacy lilting lady
Losing love lamenting
Change my life, make it right
Be my lady
Que linda me la traiga Cuba
La reina de la Mar Caribe
Cielo sol no tiene sangreahi
Y que triste que no puedo vaya oh va, oh va
The lyrics to Crosby Stills Nash & Young's song Suite: Judy Blue Eyes are complex and explore the depth and complexity of a relationship that has gone through a lot of ups and downs. The first verse of the song talks about how the singer is "no fun anymore" and how lonely he is. He acknowledges that he and his lover have had their share of difficulties but urges her not to be bogged down by the past. He professes his love for her and how difficult it is to maintain their relationship at times. The fear is the "lock" in her heart, and laughter is the "key" that can unlock it.
The second verse is more intense, with the singer admitting that he is suffering and struggling to keep his feelings for his lover alive. He asks her if she is still listening, indicating that he feels unheard and ignored. The fear of losing her is causing him immense pain, and he doesn't know how to cope with it. The singer then suggests a solution - that he will "fly away" - effectively absolving himself of the responsibility of maintaining the relationship.
The final verse is a poetic flight of fancy that touches on various themes - love and loss, hope and despair, and even political upheaval. The mention of "Chestnut brown canary, Ruby throated sparrow" are evocative of nature, while the line "Que linda me la traiga Cuba" is a nod to the Cuban Revolution. The overall theme of the song seems to be one of profound emotional complexity, with the singer struggling to reconcile his feelings with the realities of his situation.
Line by Line Meaning
It's getting to the point where I'm no fun anymore
I am sorry
Sometimes it hurts so badly I must cry out loud
I am lonely
I am yours, you are mine, you are what you are
You make it hard
Remember what we've said and done and felt about each other
Oh, babe have mercy
Don't let the past remind us of what we are not now
I am not dreaming
Tearing yourself away from me now you are free
And I am crying
This does not mean I don't love you I do that's forever
Yes and for always
Something inside is telling me that I've got your secret
Are you still listening?
Fear is the lock and laughter the key to your heart
And I love you
Friday evening
What have you got to lose?
Sunday in the afternoon
What have you got to lose?
Tuesday morning
Please be gone I'm tired of you
Can I tell it like it is? (Help me I'm sufferin')
Listen to me baby
It's my heart that's a sufferin' it's a dyin' (help me I'm dyin')
And that's what I have to lose (to lose)
I've got an answer
I'm going to fly away
Will you come see me
Thursdays and Saturdays?
Chestnut brown canary
Sing a song, don't be long
Ruby throated sparrow
Thrill me to the marrow
Voices of the angels
Asking me said she so free
Ring around the moonlight
How can you catch the sparrow?
Lacy lilting lady
Change my life, make it right
Losing love lamenting
Be my lady
Que linda me la traiga Cuba
La reina de la Mar Caribe
Cielo sol no tiene sangreahi
Y que triste que no puedo vaya oh va, oh va
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Written by: Stephen Stills
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@amandanegrete1306
I saw CSN the same summer I saw Santana.
1993 I believe just outside St Louis. This has been one of my favorite songs since hearing it live at 17 years old.
OMG, I used to play this song OVER and OVER and BACK to BACK at the bar when I was drinking.
By the grace of God I’m sober today. It’s a great song but not everyone wants to listen on loop for hours 🙃
I listened to this album for days back then and do the same now.
I will never stop listening to the amazing harmony and talent of CSN.
@kevinjackson4237
Danced to this with my beautiful daughter in the sunshine in my garden after I recovered from cancer. I`ll never forget the best moment of my life. xxx
@cgibbs5584
Make sure she knows "Teach Your Children" and "Wooden Ships". Suite Judy Blue Eyes has been a top ten of mine for decades. Such a great song. Hope all is going well in your recovery!!!
@blinkie1114
Aw that’s so sweet. Bless you and your family!
@raydonato4884
I told you so 😀😎
@raydonato4884
I got a song for you I'm sjcool 😎 baby spinning them up
@singerofsongs468
I danced with my mom around the kitchen to this song in the early 2000s. To this day it reminds me of her <3 If your daughter and I are anything alike, she’ll treasure this song forever.
@MorningView4
My mom took me to see Crosby, Stills, & Nash in 2003 when I was 15. This was my first “real” concert. They played this. I just recall this wave of emotion hit me like a tidal wave. Since then, I’ve seen hundreds of shows in the last almost 20 years. Stephen Stills is one of the best guitarists I’ll ever see in my lifetime. Thanks mom.
@lukejposadas
RIP
@ejjlaw98
Life is about creating memories ...what a great mother!
@sixfootben4892
Great show! I remember it being the first time I've ever been shushed at a concert🤣 I get it though. I was a 26 year old at a 66 year Olds concert. Their harmonies were so amazing. David could sing with a fart at make it sound beautiful