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
Shadow Captain
Crosby Stills & Nash Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You've been hiding from the start.
Did some lover steal your heart,
Or did the full moon make you mad?
Oh, captain, why these speechless seas
That never seem to land?
Oh I need to understand.
I can see your hands are roughened
By the wheel and the rope.
I'd like to look to you for hope,
I think it's hiding there.
This boat is blacked out like a city
Awaiting bombers in the night.
Oh you hold your helm so tight,
And yet the sky seems so fair.
Who guides this ship
Dreaming through the seas
Turning and searching,
Whichever way you please?
Speak to me, I need to see your face,
Shadowy captain, in a darkened space.
If I were to spy a city
Floating just above the sea,
Could we stop
And look for me
Among those playing on the pier?
Or would you turn away knowing,
It was still a ways away,
And if I was there today
you could not see me all that clear.
Shadowy captain of a charcoal ship,
Trying to give the light the slip
The song Shadow Captain by Crosby Stills & Nash is a melancholic reflection on life's journey, specifically focusing on the role of a leader or captain. The opening lines pose a question to the captain, asking what it is that they are hiding from, and pointing out that they have been hiding since the beginning. The lyrics suggest that the captain may have been hurt by a previous lover or perhaps driven insane by the full moon. The sea is also questioned, as it remains speechless and never seems to land, creating a sense of unending journey and confusion.
The singer then reaches out to the captain, looking for hope, understanding, and light. The captain's rough hands provide evidence of their experience and dedication, yet the boat is darkened, like a city blacked out in the anticipation of a bombing. The captain holds the helm tightly, yet the sky seems fair. The lyrics continue to explore the relationship between the singer and the captain, as the singer seeks guidance and yearns to see the face of the shadowy captain, amidst the darkness.
Overall, Shadow Captain is a reflective and emotive song that explores the themes of leadership, loss, and hope. The lyrics are full of questions and musings, and the music is often slow and melancholic, helping to convey the sense of longing and confusion within the song.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, captain, what are we hiding from?
What troubles are you concealing as our leader?
You've been hiding from the start.
Your secrecy has existed since the beginning.
Did some lover steal your heart,
Does a former partner have ownership of your heart?
Or did the full moon make you mad?
Perhaps insanity was brought by the influence of the full moon?
Oh, captain, why these speechless seas
Why are the oceans so silent?
That never seem to land?
Why is there seemingly no end to these seas?
Oh I need to understand.
I require comprehension of this situation.
Could a little light be that bad?
Would a small amount of illumination be harmful?
I can see your hands are roughened
Your hands appear to be damaged from work.
By the wheel and the rope.
The cause may be due to steering and hoisting sails.
I'd like to look to you for hope,
I desire to find hope in your leadership.
I think it's hiding there.
I suspect hope exists within you.
This boat is blacked out like a city
The ship is as dark as a city during a blackout.
Awaiting bombers in the night.
It almost seems as though this ship is waiting for an attack.
Oh you hold your helm so tight,
You grasp the ship's wheel so firmly,
And yet the sky seems so fair.
Despite this, the sky is clear and bright.
Who guides this ship
Who navigates this vessel?
Dreaming through the seas
Sailing aimlessly across the oceans,
Turning and searching,
Constantly seeking out direction,
Whichever way you please?
Going in any direction you choose?
Speak to me, I need to see your face,
Please communicate with me, I must see your countenance,
Shadowy captain, in a darkened space.
As the captain of a gloomy ship, within a somber environment.
If I were to spy a city
If I happened to observe a city,
Floating just above the sea,
Hovering just beyond the waves,
Could we stop
Would we pause,
And look for me
To search for my presence,
Among those playing on the pier?
Among the individuals enjoying themselves on the seaside dock?
Or would you turn away knowing,
Perhaps you would disregard this sighting,
It was still a ways away,
Due to the great distance.
And if I was there today
Even if I were present presently,
you could not see me all that clear.
I may still not be visible to your sight.
Shadowy captain of a charcoal ship,
The dark skinned captain of a dark vessel,
Trying to give the light the slip
Attempting to evade being seen by any sources of light.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: CRAIG DOERGE, 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