The trio's first eponymous album was released in May 1969 and was an immediate hit, spawning two Top 40 hit singles and receiving key airplay on the new FM radio format.
In late summer 1969, the trio expanded to a quartet with Neil Young with the name changing to Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young (commonly referred to by their initials CSNY).
In the years since, they have reformed as Crosby, Stills & Nash for several albums and tours.
http://youtu.be/0YGTPvDoJyM
Helplessly Hoping
Crosby Stills & Nash Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Her harlequin hovers nearby
Awaiting a word
Gasping at glimpses
Of gentle true spirit
He runs, wishing he could fly
Only to trip at the sound of good-bye
He waits by the window
And wonders
At the empty place inside
Heartlessly helping himself to her bad dreams
He worries
Did he hear a good-bye? Or even hello?
They are one person
They are two alone
They are three together
They are for-or each other
Stand by the stairway
You'll see something
Certain to tell you confusion has its cost
Love isn't lying
It's loose in a lady who lingers
Saying she is lost
And choking on hello
They are one person
They are two alone
They are three together
They are for-or each other
In "Helplessly Hoping", Crosby Stills & Nash sing about a deeply emotional and complex relationship between two individuals who are struggling to communicate and connect with each other. The lyrics paint a picture of a man and a woman who are both desperately trying to express their love and affection for each other, but are hindered by their own fears and insecurities. The man is represented as a harlequin, or jester, who hovers nearby and waits anxiously for a sign of affection or recognition from the woman. The woman, on the other hand, is depicted as a gentle and spiritual being who is gasping for breath in the midst of her own emotional turmoil.
The chorus of the song is particularly poignant, as it describes the couple's shared existence and their intertwined fates. "They are one person", the lyrics state, "they are two alone, they are three together, they are for each other". This encapsulates the idea that, while these two individuals may be struggling to connect with each other and to communicate effectively, they are nonetheless bound together by a deep and abiding love that transcends their individual struggles.
The verses of the song explore the particular difficulties that the couple is facing in their relationship. The man, for example, is shown to be waiting wordlessly by the window, consumed by his own doubts and fears about the relationship. Meanwhile, the woman is haunted by bad dreams and feeling lost and choked up in the midst of her own emotional confusion. Despite these challenges, however, the two characters are clearly drawn to each other, and the song ends on a note of hope and promise, with the suggestion that they will continue to strive towards connection and understanding in the face of adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
Helplessly hoping
Feeling completely powerless and vulnerable while wishing for something desperately.
Her harlequin hovers nearby
She is indecisive and he is standing close to her, not interfering but waiting for her to make a move.
Awaiting a word
He is patiently waiting for her to say or do something, anything.
Gasping at glimpses
He is taken aback by moments where he sees her gentle true spirit shining through.
Of gentle true spirit
Her innermost being is gentle and true, and it sometimes shines through, gaining his admiration.
He runs, wishing he could fly
He wishes he could move faster, be more helpful, or even fly – anything to make things better for her.
Only to trip at the sound of good-bye
But even his best intentions sometimes backfire, and he fails to help her in the moments when she needs him most.
Wordlessly watching
He is silently observing, hoping to discern what she needs from him without pushing her too much.
He waits by the window
He is patiently enduring the waiting, always close by, watching for any opportunity to help her.
And wonders
He is pondering the vague and unknown future, unsure of what it holds and how to help her through it.
At the empty place inside
There is something missing from both of them, leaving them feeling incomplete and unsure of how to fill that void.
Heartlessly helping himself to her bad dreams
Even though she's tormented by nightmares, he is unable to help her because he, too, is suffering.
He worries
He remains concerned about the uncertainties and unanswered questions surrounding their relationships.
Did he hear a good-bye? Or even hello?
He is unsure if she has already given up on their relationship or if she is just being shy and waiting for him to do something.
They are one person
Despite the vast differences that divide them, they are still connected to each other as if they were one person.
They are two alone
At times, they feel isolated and as though they are the only ones who understand each other's struggles.
They are three together
Even though they are two separate people, they come together and can create something greater than themselves when they're with each other.
They are for-or each other
Despite everything, they still hold onto the hope that they will find a way to help each other and stay together.
Stand by the stairway
Look to the future and observe changes, and try to act accordingly.
You'll see something
You will notice something is not right or something has changed.
Certain to tell you confusion has its cost
The confusion and uncertainties will inevitably have consequences, and they could be high.
Love isn't lying
True love is always honest and has no hidden agendas or deceit involved.
It's loose in a lady who lingers
Love is not bound or stifled by expectations or social norms, and can linger in someone who is committed to it.
Saying she is lost
Still, even though love is present, she may still be trapped or lost in her thoughts and unsure of what to do next.
And choking on hello
Even saying the simplest things can be difficult, and she may feel overwhelmed or constricted by her own emotions.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, O/B/O DistroKid, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Stephen A. Stills
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Pauline Hall
on Unequal Love
Saw Graham Nash last week in Gateshead, he sang this song.
Absolutely beautiful, possibly about his love for Joni Mitchell.
His voice still amazing