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
Long Time Gone
Crosby Stills & Nash Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's goin' to be a long time gone
And it appears to be a long
Appears to be a long
Appears to be a long
Time, yes, a long, long, time before the dawn
Turn, turn any corner
Something, something, something's goin' on around here
They surely, surely won't stand the light of day
And it appears to be a long
Appears to be a long
Appears to be a long
Long, long, long, long time before the dawn
Speak out, you got to speak out against the madness
You got to speak your mind
If you dare
But don't no don't now try to get yourself elected
If you do you had better cut your hair
Cause it appears to be a long
Appears to be a long
Appears to be a long
Time, such a long long long long time before the dawn
It's been a long time comin'
It's goin' to be a long time gone
But you know
The darkest hour is always
Always just before the dawn
And it appears to be a long, appears to be a long
Appears to be a long
Time before the dawn
And it appears to be a long
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 © BMG Rights Management
Written by: David Crosby
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