Nash was born in Blackpool, England, during World War II. His mother was evacuated from the Nashes' hometown of Salford (now in Greater Manchester ), where Graham grew up. In the early 1960s he was a leading member of The Hollies, one of the UK's most successful pop groups ever. Although recognised as a key member of the group, he seldom sang lead vocals, although he did write many of the band's songs, most often in collaboration with Allan Clarke. Best known in the US for their 1965 hit "Bus Stop", the Hollies also scored with "Look Through Any Window" in 1965, "Stop, Stop, Stop" in 1966, "Carrianne", and "On a Carousel " in 1967, among others. Nash was pivotal in the forging of a sound and lyrics showing an obvious hippie influence on The Hollies' album Butterfly, a collection that brought differing opinions on the band's musical direction to the fore.
In 1968, after a visit to the US during which he met David Crosby in Laurel Canyon and began recreational drug use, Nash left The Hollies at the height of their fame to form a new group with Crosby and Stephen Stills. A threesome at first, Crosby, Stills & Nash later became a foursome with Neil Young: Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young (CSNY). With them, Nash went on to even greater worldwide success. Nash, nicknamed "Willy" by his band mates in CSNY, has been described as the glue that keeps their often fragile alliances together. A mark of this is the loyalty and support Nash showed to his best friend, Crosby, during Crosby's well-documented period of drug addiction ending in the mid 1980s. Nash's solo career has often been shelved in favour of reunions on stage and in the studio with either Crosby and Stills or Crosby, Stills and Young. His own solo work shows a love of melody and ballads. His solo recordings have experimented with jazz and electronic percussion but tend not to stray too far from a pop format with well-defined hook lines.
Nash became very politically active after moving to California to join with David Crosby and Stephen Stills, as reflected such in Nash songs as "Military Madness" and "Chicago (We Can Change the World)". His song "Immigration Man", Crosby and Nash's biggest hit as a duo (see below), arose from a tiff he had with a US Customs official while trying to enter the country. Nash became an American citizen on August 14, 1978.
Starting in 1972, Nash teamed with Crosby, the two continuing as a successful recording and performing duo until the more or less permanent reformation with Stills for the CSN album of 1977. The pair reunited for another Crosby & Nash studio album in 2004, and a legitimate release of music from a 1970s Crosby-Nash tour as on a widely circulated bootleg appeared in 1998.
In 1979, Nash co-founded Musicians United for Safe Energy.
In 2005, Nash collaborated with Norwegian musicians a-ha on the songs "Over the Treetops" (penned by Paul Waaktaar-Savoy) and "Cosy Prisons" (penned by Magne Furuholmen) for the Analogue recording.
In 2006, Nash worked with David Gilmour and David Crosby on the title track of David Gilmour's third solo album, On an Island. In March of 2006, the album was released and quickly reached #1 on the UK charts. Nash and Crosby subsequently toured the UK with Gilmour, singing backup on "On an Island", "The Blue", "Shine On You Crazy Diamond", and "Find the Cost of Freedom".
Nash is part of the No Nukes group which is against the expansion of nuclear power. In 2007 the group recorded a music video of a new version of the Buffalo Springfield song "For What It's Worth".
Graham Nash has been putting the finishing touches on a 65-song career-retrospective box set, Reflection, due in February 2008.
Nash became an early collector of photographs beginning in the 1970s. The sale of his collection in 1990 by Sotheby's became an important milestone in establishing the market for fine-art photography. Proceeds of the sale funded charitable causes and provide the means for Nash to co-found Nash Editions, a digital fine-arts printmaking firm that used some of the most advanced scanning and printing equipment in early days. The company continues to operate today. Starting with an IRIS printer, a device initially designed for color-proofing for commercial printing, Nash experimented in the late 1980s with creating large-scale digital photos. Using image management software written by Nash and Holbert, a hand-built scanner, and an IRIS Graphics IRIS 3047 printer, they developed methods to adapt the printer's output to the fine-arts printing of black-and-white photographs on archival-paper substrates. In August 2005, Nash and colleague Mac Holbert donated that IRIS 3047 printer to the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History.
Nash has also exhibited a collection of his photographs at the Museum of Photographic Arts in San Diego and elsewhere. In 2004, he released a catalog of his photography as a book entitled Eye to Eye.
Liar
Graham Nash Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I'll always be there
I can honestly tell you
That I really don't care
If all the babies are broken
And the old folks are blind
There's a hole in my heart
But I know you don't mind
And I cry for the clowns
And I welcome the madness
That I see coming down
And I have no opinions
So I feel no remorse
I can see the Black Knight
Riding up on his horse
And there's fire in his nostrils
And blood in his eyes
And he's looking at you, kid
As he races on by
So watch out for his hooves
They're going to kill you for sure
He's got some kind of sickness
That no man can cure
And his breath it will burn you
And put out your eyes
He'll tear out your tongues
So you can't even cry
That your body is broken
And your spirit is dead
And you hope against hope
That it's a bad dream you had
About a meeting with Elvis
At the back of the store
You're both shoveling plastic ware
Right out of the door
And the men who control you
Keep yelling for more, more, more, more
You pay all your taxes
But you don't know what for
'Cause nothing seems to get better
Things seem to get worse
We're all living in danger
From a politician's curse
All promises have been broken
All lips have been read
Well the mouth has spoken
But nothing's been said
The dream has been shattered
The flags have been burned
You better make up your minds
From whatever you've learned
About your family values
And the way they've been scorned
Some babies have been battered
Way before they've been born
Some call me a liar
Some call me a thief
But the way that I look at things
I can't get no relief
So I went to a meeting
Spoke out of fear
They said Thank you for sharing
Now why are you here?
I said everything's shaking
Including myself
I keep all my feelings
High up on a shelf
And I can't seem to reach them
But I know they were there
I'm trapped in this vacuum
And I'm gasping for air
Some people get better
Some people just fall
Some people rise above it
Or so I've been told
So I started to leave
I was searching for more
They caught a hold of my sleeve
But I slipped through the door
I ran back to the office
With my back to the wall
When I came to my senses
I had no one to call
So I called up the doctor
He told me to lie
He said Get out of this nightmare
Or you surely will die
So I forced myself to wake up
And opened my eyes
But the man in the mirror
Was there in disguise
He was playing his part
Living in a trance
Sentenced to be a witness
'Cause he had no defense
The anesthetic is wearing thin
And you're starting to sweat
And you finally realize
That it ain't over yet
'cause the way you've been feeling
They must have hit a nerve
I know it's not what you want
But it's what you deserve
The operation is over
Listen to me please
I'm begging forgiveness
Down on my knees
Coming back to consciousness
I was out of my head
And the dream is over
I'm back in my bed
I have always been here
And I'll always be there
I can honestly tell you
That I really do care
I gotta tell you the truth
About the sadness I find
I have opened my heart to you
And I hope you don't mind
The song "Liar" by Graham Nash is a thought-provoking and introspective piece about the disconnect between one's true emotions and the façade that we often put up for others. The lyrics explore a variety of topics, including the hypocrisy of society, the disillusionment of dreams, and the struggle to find oneself amidst overwhelming pressure. The opening lines, "I have always been here and I'll always be there, I can honestly tell you that I really don't care," set the tone for the song, suggesting a sense of detachment and apathy towards the world.
As the song progresses, Nash delves further into the themes of societal issues, expressing disdain towards the mistreatment of vulnerable groups such as babies, old people, and the disabled. He speaks of the impending madness that he sees coming down, and the political corruption that plagues the country. Furthermore, he talks about the loss of his own emotions and opinions, saying "And I have no opinions, so I feel no remorse," suggesting a sense of emptiness and detachment from the world.
Overall, "Liar" is a powerful exploration of the human condition and the struggle to cope with societal pressures and personal emotions. Nash's lyrics are thought-provoking and insightful, offering a unique and introspective look into the human psyche.
Line by Line Meaning
I have always been here
I have existed and been present throughout
And I'll always be there
And I will continue to be present
I can honestly tell you
I can sincerely express to you
That I really don't care
That I genuinely have no concern
If all the babies are broken
Even if the innocence of children is shattered
And the old folks are blind
And the elderly are unable to see
There's a hole in my heart
A void exists within my emotions
But I know you don't mind
But I understand that it doesn't bother you
If I laugh at the cripples
If I find amusement in the disabled
And I cry for the clowns
And I shed tears for those who entertain
And I welcome the madness
And I embrace the chaos
That I see coming down
That I perceive approaching
And I have no opinions
And I hold no personal beliefs
So I feel no remorse
Therefore, I experience no guilt or regret
I can see the Black Knight
I can observe the ominous figure
Riding up on his horse
Traversing on his steed
And there's fire in his nostrils
And his breath emits flames
And blood in his eyes
And his eyes are filled with rage
And he's looking at you, kid
And he is fixating his gaze upon you, youngster
As he races on by
While he swiftly moves past
So watch out for his hooves
Therefore, be cautious of his horse's feet
They're going to kill you for sure
As they will surely cause your demise
He's got some kind of sickness
He possesses an ailment
That no man can cure
That is incurable by any individual
And his breath it will burn you
And his breath will scorch you
And put out your eyes
And extinguish your ability to see
He'll tear out your tongues
He will rip out your tongues
So you can't even cry
So you cannot even shed tears
That your body is broken
Due to the fact that your physical form is damaged
And your spirit is dead
And your soul has perished
And you hope against hope
And you hold onto optimism despite the odds
That it's a bad dream you had
That it is a disturbing nightmare you experienced
About a meeting with Elvis
Regarding an encounter with Elvis Presley
At the back of the store
At the rear of the establishment
You're both shoveling plastic ware
You both engage in menial work involving plastic utensils
Right out of the door
Directly outside the entrance
And the men who control you
And the individuals who manipulate you
Keep yelling for more, more, more, more
Persistently demand an increasing amount
You pay all your taxes
You fulfill your financial obligations to the government
But you don't know what for
However, you are unaware of the purpose
'Cause nothing seems to get better
Because improvements appear to be unattainable
Things seem to get worse
Situations appear to deteriorate
We're all living in danger
We all exist in a state of peril
From a politician's curse
Due to the malevolent influence of a politician
All promises have been broken
All commitments have been violated
All lips have been read
All words have been deciphered
Well the mouth has spoken
However, the singer has communicated
But nothing's been said
Yet, no meaningful information has been conveyed
The dream has been shattered
The desired outcome has been completely destroyed
The flags have been burned
The symbols of pride and unity have been set ablaze
You better make up your minds
You ought to decide definitively
From whatever you've learned
Based on the knowledge you have acquired
About your family values
Regarding the principles cherished by your family
And the way they've been scorned
And the manner in which they have been criticized
Some babies have been battered
Certain infants have been physically assaulted
Way before they've been born
Even prior to their birth
Some call me a liar
Some individuals label me as dishonest
Some call me a thief
Some individuals accuse me of being a criminal
But the way that I look at things
However, my perspective on matters
I can't get no relief
Does not provide me any solace
So I went to a meeting
Therefore, I attended a gathering
Spoke out of fear
Expressed myself due to a state of apprehension
They said Thank you for sharing
They responded by expressing gratitude for my disclosure
Now why are you here?
Now, what is the reason for your presence?
I said everything's shaking
I replied that everything is in a state of instability
Including myself
Including my own being
I keep all my feelings
I suppress all of my emotions
High up on a shelf
Placed in an elevated position on a shelf
And I can't seem to reach them
And I am unable to access them
But I know they were there
However, I am aware that they existed
I'm trapped in this vacuum
I am confined within this emptiness
And I'm gasping for air
And I am desperate for breath
Some people get better
Certain individuals experience improvement
Some people just fall
While others simply decline
Some people rise above it
Some individuals surmount the challenges
Or so I've been told
As I have been informed
So I started to leave
Therefore, I began to depart
I was searching for more
I was seeking something greater
They caught a hold of my sleeve
They managed to grab onto my clothing
But I slipped through the door
However, I managed to escape
I ran back to the office
I hurriedly returned to the workplace
With my back to the wall
With my back pressed against the wall
When I came to my senses
When I regained my rationality
I had no one to call
I had nobody to contact
So I called up the doctor
Therefore, I contacted the doctor
He told me to lie
He advised me to deceive
He said Get out of this nightmare
He said Escape from this horrifying situation
Or you surely will die
Or else you will certainly perish
So I forced myself to wake up
Therefore, I compelled myself to regain consciousness
And opened my eyes
And uncovered my vision
But the man in the mirror
However, the reflection in the mirror
Was there in disguise
Appeared disguised as someone else
He was playing his part
He was fulfilling his role
Living in a trance
Existing in a state of detachment
Sentenced to be a witness
Condemned to observe
'Cause he had no defense
Because he lacked any means of protection
The anesthetic is wearing thin
The sedative is losing its effectiveness
And you're starting to sweat
And you are beginning to perspire
And you finally realize
And you eventually comprehend
That it ain't over yet
That the situation is not yet resolved
'cause the way you've been feeling
Because of the emotions you have been experiencing
They must have hit a nerve
They must have struck a sensitive area
I know it's not what you want
I know it is not your desire
But it's what you deserve
But it is what you merit
The operation is over
The procedure has concluded
Listen to me please
Pay attention to my words, I implore
I'm begging forgiveness
I am pleading for forgiveness
Down on my knees
With my body lowered to the ground
Coming back to consciousness
Returning to a state of awareness
I was out of my head
I was mentally distraught
And the dream is over
And the illusion has ended
I'm back in my bed
I am once again in my sleeping area
I have always been here
I have consistently existed
And I'll always be there
And I will perpetually remain present
I can honestly tell you
I can genuinely inform you
That I really do care
That I truly have concern
I gotta tell you the truth
I must convey the truth to you
About the sadness I find
Regarding the sorrow I encounter
I have opened my heart to you
I have vulnerably exposed my emotions to you
And I hope you don't mind
And I trust that you are not bothered by it
Lyrics © ESTATE OF JEAN RITCHIE PICKOW, Spirit Music Group
Written by: NASH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@sambrannan7550
Tune is an old folk song called Nottingham Fair or Nottamun Town. Dylan used the same tune for Masters of War.
@petersenoussi2496
It doesn't get any better than this , if you ask me ❤️❤️❤️👌👌👌
@josepha.sojajr.2725
Great song. Lyrics are astounding.
@marshahammondphd158
HERES TO YOU POTUS
@brucehutchison5260
Hey! This is Masters of War!
@sambrannan7550
Same tune but Dylan borrowed it as well.
@deanbreaux5310
Wow
@ialexandris
I do not claim any of the contents of this video
@b.huskins6717
Nash is up with Dylan in song writing
@misisipimike8020
Well Graham did steal the melody from Masters of War for this song.