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Crosby, Stills & Nash — Helplessly Hoping
Album: Crosby, Stills & Nash
Avg rating:
8.4

Your rating:
Total ratings: 3229









Released: 1969
Length: 2:33
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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Helplessly hoping 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 goodbye

Wordlessly watching, 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 goodbye?
Or even hello?

They are one person
They are two alone
They are three together
They are four for 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 four for each other
Comments (242)add comment
Gorgeous..
Posted 2 months ago by GingerandMe    [ Reply ]
 stephen.king12101 wrote:

One of the most beautiful songs I’ve ever heard Still brings a tear to my eyes after all these years 10


They are one person, they are two alone, they are three together, they are four each other…
Posted 5 months ago by MelcherStreet    [ Reply ]
Used to love playing this. From 1979.

https://www.awhfmanmusic.com/i...

Posted 5 months ago by awhfman    [ Reply ]
 ai63 wrote:

Can a song actual be perfect? 



Yes. A “10”. 
Posted 7 months ago by keenevision    [ Reply ]
 ai63 wrote:

Can a song actual be perfect? 



Hopefully not.  It would be depressing to have a world in which one song would be the gold standard by which all must be measured.
Posted 1 year ago by agmusci    [ Reply ]
The finest alliteration in songdom. 
Posted 1 year ago by kingart    [ Reply ]
 Silvervanman wrote:

I don't like.

I just find these harmonies grating. Sorry.

I do like Neil Young, he's not in these at this time, obv.




Everybody has different tastes.  I like it!
Posted 1 year ago by joejennings    [ Reply ]
and the engineering tech was basicly basic

Posted 1 year ago by idiot_wind    [ Reply ]
SUPERB!!  I bought this album right after it was released. I was 14yrs old. WNEW FM 102.7  (NYC)  used to play it a lot.  Thanx RP!   
Posted 1 year ago by joejennings    [ Reply ]
Painfully awesome song
Posted 2 years ago by saamusic    [ Reply ]
I don't like.

I just find these harmonies grating. Sorry.

I do like Neil Young, he's not in these at this time, obv.
Posted 2 years ago by Silvervanman    [ Reply ]
William segued to this from Patty Griffin’s What You Are. 
Another brilliant segue that seems so obvious but only after you hear it.
Posted 2 years ago by easmann    [ Reply ]
 idiot_wind wrote:

God, I wish I could  harmonize like this. 

It's  a lost art. 

 



I wish I could alliterate like this. 
Posted 2 years ago by nomnol    [ Reply ]
 DaidyBoy wrote:

I always like to use "shit from pudding".  Makes me chuckle.



"Don't know if your ass was drilled, bored or pecked out by crows." ( must have been in a movie.) 
Posted 2 years ago by cosmicjoe54    [ Reply ]
I doubt that Joe Rogan can harmonize like this.

Ha!
Posted 2 years ago by idiot_wind    [ Reply ]
The B side to Marrakesh Express - two great songs on one 45. No Mr Young whining along, either.
Posted 2 years ago by BonzoWiltsUK    [ Reply ]
 vandal wrote:

Can't stop laughing: "...do not know shit from clay." 

Is that open source? Am I free to use that? 

I always like to use "shit from pudding".  Makes me chuckle.
Posted 2 years ago by DaidyBoy    [ Reply ]
 Easyrider wrote:

Pure and so harmonious ✌️



mesmerizing
Posted 2 years ago by tulfan    [ Reply ]
Brilliant harmonious alliteration much? 
Posted 3 years ago by kingart    [ Reply ]
I just wish for once...I could harmonize like this.

It's how they all nail it at the beginning of each verse.  

This is freaking out of this world.  
Posted 3 years ago by idiot_wind    [ Reply ]
 idiot_wind wrote:

I just wish once...I could harmonize like this


What's the problem?

I do everytime it comes on! 
Posted 3 years ago by DanFHiggins    [ Reply ]
Pure and so harmonious ✌️
Posted 3 years ago by Easyrider    [ Reply ]
Regardless of how much drama went on beyond the scenes when they put down this track, it is superlative harmonizing in all respects.  
Posted 3 years ago by maureennet    [ Reply ]
 Will62 wrote:

If you consider any rating above "6" to be a pass mark, 92 out of 1000+ correspondents do not know shit from clay.
Good to know this site is populated by so many discerning folk.
"10" without any consideration required.


Can't stop laughing: "...do not know shit from clay." 

Is that open source? Am I free to use that? 
Posted 3 years ago by vandal    [ Reply ]
Brings me back to my first concert back in 1974, I was all of 13.  Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, The Beach Boys, Joni Mitchell and Jesse Collin Young.  Roosevelt Raceway, thanks big sis for taking me!!
Posted 3 years ago by strotherhelen    [ Reply ]
This is the track I play when I need to justify the cost of my hi-fi system to my wife. 
Posted 3 years ago by bigtwistee    [ Reply ]
I just wish once...I could harmonize like this

There ain't no fancy filters on this recording

Just pure vocals  
Posted 3 years ago by idiot_wind    [ Reply ]
Not again 
Posted 3 years ago by Silvervanman    [ Reply ]
I agree these are great musicians and singers. But you know when you overuse an effect?
Posted 3 years ago by Silvervanman    [ Reply ]
This is really beautiful
Posted 3 years ago by rpdevotee    [ Reply ]
 ai63 wrote:
Can a song actual be perfect? 
 
Of course! It's called "Gimme Shelter" by the Rolling Stones!
Posted 3 years ago by acolt    [ Reply ]
What a great song. And a fine example of big time alliteration... I can almost picture the songwriting process.
Posted 3 years ago by bluematrix    [ Reply ]
I try to sing along with this song, but can never make it to the end because my throat seizes up with emotion.
Posted 4 years ago by adj7388    [ Reply ]


ProjectGemini07 wrote:
Huge. Needed it.

Heard it used to great effect in the film Annihilation recently.

So many of us "Helplessly Hoping" right now...
And this is 50 years old! can that be right!!

 prs wrote:

And this is 50 years old!  can that be right!!
 

Yep, things were pretty screwed up 50 years ago too.
Posted 4 years ago by opaceo    [ Reply ]
 Dragonfly_Launch wrote:
I will always stop whatever I am doing and stare off into the distance during this song. 
 
Doing that right now. 

I used this song to teach my son and niece how to sing harmony.
Posted 4 years ago by TLynneHenry    [ Reply ]
 nomnol wrote:
Imagine hearing this album when it first was issued, on vinyl? The harmonies! 
 
It was a breath of fresh air when it came out.  Calming after all the crazy that preceded.

Not a bad song on it.  Nice from beginning to end.  Springfield meets The Byrds meets The Hollies.
Posted 4 years ago by kurtster    [ Reply ]
@Bill - pls include The Byrds album if not already in the playlist - always takes me back to cruising around RSA and Lesotho with that album on loop
Posted 4 years ago by jkforde    [ Reply ]
 ProjectGemini07 wrote:
Huge.  Needed it.

Heard it used to great effect in the film Annihilation recently.

So many of us "Helplessly Hoping" right now...
 
And this is 50 years old!  can that be right!!
Posted 4 years ago by prs    [ Reply ]
Huge.  Needed it.

Heard it used to great effect in the film Annihilation recently.

So many of us "Helplessly Hoping" right now...
Posted 4 years ago by ProjectGemini07    [ Reply ]
I don't need to imagine it. ya it was cool.
 nomnol wrote:
Imagine hearing this album when it first was issued, on vinyl? The harmonies!
 

Posted 4 years ago by michaelc    [ Reply ]
Imagine hearing this album when it first was issued, on vinyl? The harmonies! This song has the best alliteration too. 
Posted 4 years ago by nomnol    [ Reply ]
God, I wish I could  harmonize like this. 

It's  a lost art. 

 
Posted 4 years ago by idiot_wind    [ Reply ]
 ai63 wrote:
Can a song actual be perfect? 
 
Yes.  This one is. 10.
Posted 5 years ago by steuss    [ Reply ]
 On_The_Beach wrote:

Ah, so you're the guy who doesn't like CSN(Y).
How adorable. 
 


   He's NOT !
   3

    
Posted 5 years ago by sfyi2001    [ Reply ]
That harmony is unmistakable
Posted 5 years ago by Chewie    [ Reply ]
One of the most beautiful songs I’ve ever heard Still brings a tear to my eyes after all these years 10
Posted 5 years ago by stephen.king12101    [ Reply ]
thanks Bro Bill
Posted 5 years ago by DanFHiggins    [ Reply ]
Another song GN sang at Ally Pally, London - still soooooo good after toooo many years
Posted 5 years ago by prs    [ Reply ]
It's  the best american  music , i love them 
political corekt in this exciting Times 
Posted 5 years ago by Rocktom60    [ Reply ]
This is the first time I've ever heard this song on headphones. It was already amazing... this even better. 
Posted 5 years ago by RabbitEars    [ Reply ]
Une harmonie magnifique. Chanson intemporelle et immortelle.
Posted 5 years ago by yohannmirke    [ Reply ]
In general I do n0t like disparaging posts about the musical opinions of others. . . BUT . . . I have to concede that I agree with this comment 100%!  I had this on vinyl, 8-track, cassette, cd, iPod, and would take it to heaven, but I'm pretty certain God already has an original cut. 

Will62 wrote:
If you consider any rating above "6" to be a pass mark, 92 out of 1000+ correspondents do not know shit from clay.
Good to know this site is populated by so many discerning folk.
"10" without any consideration required.
 
Posted 5 years ago by dandueck07    [ Reply ]
This song still gives me chills each time I hear it. Love love this song. 
Posted 5 years ago by desertbecca    [ Reply ]
Heavenly !
Once owned a Gold audiophile Vinyl Version of DejaVu~~~
What I wouldn't do to have it back ! 
Posted 5 years ago by surfrider4life    [ Reply ]
 Proclivities wrote:
That must really be an awful movie then. 
 
Ah, so you're the guy who doesn't like CSN(Y).
How adorable. 
Posted 6 years ago by On_The_Beach    [ Reply ]
 On_The_Beach wrote:
Used recently in the Natalie Portman movie Annihilation.
The song is better than the movie, in my humble.
 
That must really be an awful movie then.  
Posted 6 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
So amazing to discover this so long ago and be reminded at the amazement so many years later.  The voices just blended perfectly and the musical drive and creativity behind them was beautiful.
Posted 6 years ago by meatmike    [ Reply ]
I will always stop whatever I am doing and stare off into the distance during this song. 
Posted 6 years ago by Dragonfly_Launch    [ Reply ]
Used recently in the Natalie Portman movie Annihilation.
The song is better than the movie, in my humble.
Posted 6 years ago by On_The_Beach    [ Reply ]
Can a song actually be perfect? 
Posted 6 years ago by ai63    [ Reply ]
Is there any other song that makes this kind of use of alliteration?  I can't think of any.
Posted 6 years ago by Typesbad    [ Reply ]
 LinThizzy wrote:
This music brings tear to my eyes.  The defining CSN for me. 10/10/10/10/10
 
Me too!
Posted 6 years ago by leslie    [ Reply ]
Busily working with RP in the background, then this. Full Stop. Drink in the sweet harmonies. Work can wait.
Posted 6 years ago by timiller934    [ Reply ]
This song took me
from puberty to
old
manerty
{#Bananajam}
Posted 6 years ago by DocStrangelove    [ Reply ]
If you consider any rating above "6" to be a pass mark, 92 out of 1000+ correspondents do not know shit from clay.
Good to know this site is populated by so many discerning folk.
"10" without any consideration required.
Posted 6 years ago by Will62    [ Reply ]
This music brings tear to my eyes.  The defining CSN for me. 10/10/10/10/10
Posted 6 years ago by LinThizzy    [ Reply ]
A solid 10.  Chills throughout the entire song.
Posted 6 years ago by steuss    [ Reply ]
And when you listen, you can tell they didn't over-mix, over-produce the vocals. That's the real McCoy. Those are real voices harmonizing, not a sound board.      
Posted 6 years ago by idiot_wind    [ Reply ]
PSD'd from Alanis Morrissette; from the ridiculous to the sublime.
Last play Jan 25?
Let's get this gorgeous classic back in regular rotation!
Posted 8 years ago by On_The_Beach    [ Reply ]
beautiful
Posted 8 years ago by hayduke2    [ Reply ]
Still Godlike to me.
Posted 8 years ago by helenofjoy    [ Reply ]
{#Wave}Outstanding harmonies. imho even better than Simon and Garfunkel. There hasn't been a band to surpass this sound in my lifetime. Thanks for playing this one!
Posted 9 years ago by mach-hog    [ Reply ]
 pinem wrote:
A top ten song of all-time on a top ten album of all-time. Timeless

 
I agree totally, one of the first albums I ever purchased after outgrowing the Monkees.  Then I bought the cassette tape, then the cd and finally the latest release from last year live.  Timeless indeed!
 
Posted 9 years ago by ddstanford    [ Reply ]
 tlew wrote:

Haha, I did the same thing..amazing harmonies

 
Same here...was working on something and simply stopped...truly an auditory treat.
Posted 9 years ago by TravelRat    [ Reply ]
No auto-tune required.
Actual talent; what a concept!
Posted 9 years ago by On_The_Beach    [ Reply ]
Best Harmonies. .when they connected with Neil it was Four and Twenty
 
Posted 9 years ago by hempmandan    [ Reply ]
Pure magic thanks!
Posted 9 years ago by jdseabrook    [ Reply ]
bought it on my first visit to the record store 1970.
like this song very much :) 
Posted 10 years ago by rolfj    [ Reply ]
 scrubbrush wrote:
Wow. the harmonies these guys produced are amazing. This is SUCH a beautiful song i had to stop working and just listen

 
Haha, I did the same thing..amazing harmonies
Posted 10 years ago by tlew    [ Reply ]
A top ten song of all-time on a top ten album of all-time. Timeless
Posted 10 years ago by pinem    [ Reply ]
{#Heartkiss}  ....... nothing but G O D L I K E as a minimum for me
Posted 10 years ago by Peter_Bradshaw    [ Reply ]
 casey1024 wrote:
I don't know what I was thinking - my rating was only a 9.  CLEARLY a 10!

 
Agreed, a true classic in every sense.
Posted 10 years ago by islander    [ Reply ]
just read Graham Nash's memoir so enjoying hearing csn and csny. This is a great song with absolutely beautiful harmonies! all these years later and still ... very enjoyable to put this in the mix!
Posted 10 years ago by tennisgirl03    [ Reply ]
I don't know what I was thinking - my rating was only a 9.  CLEARLY a 10!
Posted 11 years ago by casey1024    [ Reply ]
Just WOW. 


None if any mixing. Just pure unfiltered vocal bliss.


    
Posted 11 years ago by idiot_wind    [ Reply ]
Did I hear, "Her hard lickin' lover's nearby"?
Old joke, but I couldn't resist.
Posted 11 years ago by dejapete    [ Reply ]
Soooo gooooood.  So pure, so excellent.
Posted 11 years ago by helenofjoy    [ Reply ]
Alliteration, meter, rhyme, excellent harmonies, and they NAIL the emotions of hoping helplessly.  A great song.
Posted 11 years ago by unclehud    [ Reply ]
I'm not a CSN fan, but I have to admit I like this one.{#Cheers}
Posted 11 years ago by camatcba    [ Reply ]
 Byronape wrote:
I was helping the inlaws clean out their basement the other day and they found this album on vinyl.  Too bad it was badly scratched, I would have loved to hear it played on a record player.  I love my hi-fi cds, but there really is something about listening to something on vinyl. 
 
I'd left my original vinyl with an ex-wife years ago. Later a friend handed over his entire collection, which included CS&N in the original sleeve. I dutifully cleaned it on a VPI machine and cued it up...oh, lord, it sounded like it had been played with a railroad spike. Simply unlistenable. Well, I still have the vinyl in the sleeve, but today I listen to it on CD. Sigh.
Posted 11 years ago by WonderLizard    [ Reply ]
Oh so God Llke.............10..........
Posted 12 years ago by Jazbo    [ Reply ]
Wow. the harmonies these guys produced are amazing. This is SUCH a beautiful song i had to stop working and just listen
Posted 12 years ago by scrubbrush    [ Reply ]
 Byronape wrote:
I was helping the inlaws clean out their basement the other day and they found this album on vinyl.  Too bad it was badly scratched, I would have loved to hear it played on a record player.  I love my hi-fi cds, but there really is something about listening to something on vinyl. 
 
Embrace the scratches and pops and hiss, like one embraces the scars and wrinkles that define a life well-lived.  Strange to hear this song without scratches and pops, actually.

(Tape a penny to the cartridge if the needle skips a groove — try a nickel if the penny isn't heavy enough — and don't forget to remove them after the record has finished.  You can literally wear out a vinyl LP this way.)
Posted 12 years ago by unclehud    [ Reply ]
My 9th grade English teacher used this song to explain alliteration to us.
Posted 13 years ago by Baby_M    [ Reply ]
 smackiepipe wrote:
Looks like they were using the same photo location and photographer that day:


 
Looks more like you need glasses.................... {#Eek}


Posted 13 years ago by mrdak    [ Reply ]
This song has really grown on me in the last year.
Posted 13 years ago by Dangerpussy    [ Reply ]
Looks like they were using the same photo location and photographer that day:


Posted 13 years ago by smackiepipe    [ Reply ]
I was helping the inlaws clean out their basement the other day and they found this album on vinyl.  Too bad it was badly scratched, I would have loved to hear it played on a record player.  I love my hi-fi cds, but there really is something about listening to something on vinyl. 
Posted 13 years ago by Byronape    [ Reply ]
Thanks for playing this masterpiece!
Posted 13 years ago by jackiebd    [ Reply ]
 DanFHiggins wrote:
MAGIC
 
True!

Posted 13 years ago by madaxeman    [ Reply ]
MAGIC
Posted 13 years ago by DanFHiggins    [ Reply ]
One of my favorite CSN songs of all time....and I especially enjoyed singing it in 3-part harmony with my sisters all these years.
Posted 13 years ago by Alexandra    [ Reply ]
 clickfaster wrote:
My college roommates and I were totally obsessed with this LP as evidenced by this homage.  Nothing beats the first CSN album!

CSN knockoff
 
Ah, keep that safe and show it to the grandkids. Nice work!

Stills was on an internet chat recently talking about that cover - apparently they took it as a spur-of-the moment thing and only later did the cover designer point out that the fellows are in reverse order of the name order. So they went back to the house to re-take the photo and discovered it had been demolished.


Posted 13 years ago by nagsheadlocal    [ Reply ]
Deliciously drifting to happy places of the past....
Posted 13 years ago by casey1024    [ Reply ]
WOOZURBROTHER!!!
Posted 13 years ago by oldviolin    [ Reply ]
 clickfaster wrote:
My college roommates and I were totally obsessed with this LP as evidenced by this homage.  Nothing beats the first CSN album!

CSN knockoff
  Nice work!


Posted 13 years ago by Dave_Mack    [ Reply ]
My college roommates and I were totally obsessed with this LP as evidenced by this homage.  Nothing beats the first CSN album!

CSN knockoff


Posted 13 years ago by clickfaster    [ Reply ]
 Shimmer wrote:
WRONG ALBUM COVER
Please fix
 
DONE!

Great song by the way... simple yet intricate.

Posted 13 years ago by kaybee    [ Reply ]
Great song!  Intelligent and beautiful writing and great harmony. Not enough of these traits in music today.  9 or 10 for sure!

Posted 13 years ago by NicJohn    [ Reply ]
 danuneken wrote:
Is this on Deja Vu?? I've looked on both sides of the CD, but not there...!!
 
It is on the first album, pictured above (finally).
CSN at their best.
Posted 13 years ago by On_The_Beach    [ Reply ]
 Rooney wrote:
ahhh, the alchemy of artistic alliteration and all.  an "a" always.

{#Notworthy}
 
well done, sir.

Posted 13 years ago by govna    [ Reply ]
One of my favorite songs to pick on guitar.
Posted 13 years ago by NigelTufnel    [ Reply ]
Is this on Deja Vu?? I've looked on both sides of the CD, but not there...!!
Posted 13 years ago by danuneken    [ Reply ]
One of my faves from the "So Far" compilation... listened to this album so much back in the day I found myself waiting for for Wooden Ships after this song just ended.
Posted 13 years ago by Forest267    [ Reply ]
 Giselle62 wrote:
this one makes me cry. i remember when my mom got this one; it was played a lot when i was a kid.
 
I as well - makes me stop whatever I'm doing to just sit quietly and listen.

Posted 13 years ago by Johnny-smooth    [ Reply ]
Timeless!
Posted 13 years ago by emmidad    [ Reply ]
love the harmonies~
Posted 14 years ago by muzik    [ Reply ]
Absolutely one of their finest recordings!
Posted 14 years ago by sirdroseph    [ Reply ]
ahhh, the alchemy of artistic alliteration and all.  an "a" always.

{#Notworthy}
Posted 14 years ago by Rooney    [ Reply ]
Ahhhh the days before autotune and computerized poppy-electronic-meat-dress-wearing superstars . . . . 

I wanna live in the analog era.  
Posted 14 years ago by randerse10    [ Reply ]