Helpless
Crosby Stills Nash and Young Lyrics
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Dream comfort memory to spare
And in my mind I still need a place to go
All my changes were there
Blue, blue windows behind the stars
Yellow moon on the rise
Big birds flying across the sky
Leave us
Helpless, helpless, helpless, helpless
Babe, can you hear me now?
The chains are locked and tied across the door
Baby, sing with me somehow
Blue, blue windows behind the stars
Yellow moon on the rise
Big birds flying across the sky
Throwing shadows on our eyes
Leave us
Helpless, helpless, helpless, helpless
The lyrics of Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young's song Helpless paint a picture of someone reminiscing about a small town in Northern Ontario that they hold dear in their memory. They yearn for the comfort of simpler times and the changes they underwent while living there. The mention of blue windows behind the stars and a rising yellow moon contribute to the sense of nostalgia and dream-like quality. The image of big birds flying across the sky throwing shadows on their eyes further highlights the theme of feeling lost and helpless.
The repetition of the words "helpless" throughout the song emphasizes the feeling of being trapped or stuck. The chains being locked and tied across the door add to the image of being helpless and unable to escape. The plea for someone to sing with them somehow conveys a desire for human connection and comfort in the face of overwhelming emotions.
Overall, Helpless is a song about the power of memory and the longing for simpler times when life felt more manageable.
Line by Line Meaning
There is a town in North Ontario
There is a specific location north of Ontario.
Dream comfort memory to spare
It is a place that provides comfort and is filled with fond memories.
And in my mind I still need a place to go
Even now, the singer longs for this place.
All my changes were there
The town was significant in the artist's personal growth and development.
Blue, blue windows behind the stars
The windows in the sky are blue and hidden behind the stars.
Yellow moon on the rise
The moon is yellow and appears to be moving upward.
Big birds flying across the sky
Large birds are soaring across the sky.
Throwing shadows on our eyes
Their movement is causing shadows to fall over the artist's eyes.
Leave us
This line is a plea for the birds to fly away and stop casting shadows.
Helpless, helpless, helpless, helpless
The artist feels powerless in the current situation.
Babe, can you hear me now?
The singer is asking for their partner's attention and assistance.
The chains are locked and tied across the door
They are physically or figuratively blocked from leaving this place.
Baby, sing with me somehow
The singer is seeking comfort and togetherness through singing with their partner.
Leave us
The singer again asks the birds to leave, either literally or metaphorically.
Helpless, helpless, helpless, helpless
The singer feels powerless and vulnerable in their current situation.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Peermusic Publishing, WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC
Written by: Neil Young
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind