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Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young — Country Girl
Album: Deja Vu
Avg rating:
7.4

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1699









Released: 1970
Length: 4:57
Plays (last 30 days): 0
Winding paths through tables and glass, first flowers bloom.
Now watch the Summer pass so close to you.
Too late to keep the change, too late to pay, no time to stay the same, too young to leave.

"No pass out" sign on the door set me thinking.
Are waitresses paying the price of their winking?
While stars sit at bars and decide what they're drinking.
They stop by to die because it's faster than sinking.

Too late to keep the change, too late to pay, no time to stay the same,
too late to keep the change, too late to pay, no time to stay the same, too young to leave.

Find out that now was the answer to answers that you gave later.
She did the things that we all did before now but who forgave her?
If I could stand to see her crying, I would tell her not to care.
When she learns of all your lying, will she join you there?

Country girl I think you're pretty, got to make you understand.
Have no lovers in the city, let me be your country man.
Got to make you understand, got to make you understand, country girl...
Comments (254)add comment
Would be improved if Young could be edited out. Can't imagine how anguished the others must have been hearing this back.
 idiot_wind wrote:

To be able to harmize on this song. 

Oh my, 

They were at the top of their game. 




I Agree!!
wall of sound, anyone? That takes me back so completely to my junior high school angst
To be able to harmize on this song. 

Oh my, 

They were at the top of their game. 
 ScottFromWyoming wrote:

You know the phrase, "The Whole is Greater than the Sum of its Parts"?

This is the opposite of that. So much talent and charm and grit and so, so unlistenable.

3 on a good day.




I totally agree.  CSNY is a terrific group, but this cut is tedium and tediumer.  I gave it 4, since it was a REALLY good day
 eileenomurphy wrote:
GREAT!!! ICONIC!!!   Even better in FLAC w/ great studio phones, amp & DAC!  



I Agree!!
Hard to imagine a more powerful, raw, naked expose of the bruised ego and all-too-vulnerable feelings after a break-up than this!
This album has made my list of albums I would bring to an island.  It's always made the top 3 on that list since 1976.  
This album changed my perspective entirely when it came out. Still means every bit as much. How can it be less than a "10"?
Songs like "Country Girl" and "Broken Arrow" were touchstones for me as a young man. Neil has created many many great songs since those two, but they remain in my heart. 
"Country girl, I think you're pretty." 
Ahhhhhh. Their best.
Great great album. Those harmonies....CSNY hit the button on this one. Bought it it on the day of release, still love it.
so there here I am WFH in these very strange times with RP playing in B.G and THIS comes on - there is only one thing to do - STOP - turn up the speaker to full volume, close my eyes and remember what life was like just 6 months ago - so thank you Bill
 linzie wrote:
Such a great album....
 
hear, hear!
 What a record! 10!!
Whaaaat ! Formula music, a filler for the album. Contractual crap.
Love the harmonica throughout!
 Piranga wrote:
Timeless. The cover looks like Mifflin Street, Madison, WI, 1968.
 

At a Mifflin Street party, eh? 
Its quite amazing to hear how Neil fits in.

The  other three can blow him away, but they carved out parts for his vocals.

I wish I could harmonize like this.  
You know the phrase, "The Whole is Greater than the Sum of its Parts"?

This is the opposite of that. So much talent and charm and grit and so, so unlistenable.

3 on a good day.
“Are waitresses paying the price of their winking?” I’ve always loved that line.
I've written and erased this comment about seven times.  What can you say about something as magnificent as this recording?

Country Girl, I think you're pretty ...
Timeless. The cover looks like Mifflin Street, Madison, WI, 1968.
 stevesaw wrote:
Frisson!
 

Moi, aussi.  Magnifique! 
A great song from a great album. 10, of course.  
Frisson!
Good album.
Choral vocals in a country rock song.   They got the chops to do it, too. 

Yeah baby! 
 On_The_Beach wrote:

Hey Coffeetraveler, nice post.
I would agree with your "secret sauce" theory, as much as I loved the first CSN album.
There was eventually a second CSNY album, "American Dream" in 1988; it was surprisingly (or some might say predictably) bad.
As for the '74 stadium tour, I am 2/3 of the way through the Crosby bio "Long Time Gone", and he too (well, his co-author actually) claims all those stadiums were sold out.
Rose coloured glasses perhaps, or simply too much cocaine.
I highly recommend the book, in any event.

 
I saw the show in old Cleveland Muni Stadium.  It the set the record for attendance in a single venue at the time of 80,000.  It was sold out.  It was a wonderful late afternoon affair.
My favorite CSNY song, but I gotta tell ya: having the lyrics right there, kind of takes away from the mystique of the song and 40 years of misinterpretation. 


But my gosh....the choral vocals on this song are unmatched.  
Oh gosh, I'm suddenly 80 and drunk.
As written on RP, the last verse starts with: 

Country girl I think you're pretty, got to make you understand.
Have no lovers in the city, let me be your country man.


But it sounds to me like, and it works better as:

Country girl I think you're pretty, got to make you understand.
That no love is in the city, let me be your country man.

"No pass out" sign on the door set me thinking. 
Are waitresses paying the price of their winking?

early sign...#metoo?
Anytime Y takes the dominant position in CSNY, you've got the solo artist Neil Young with a decent set of back up singers.  Strong shades of Broken Arrow in this tune.
{#Devil_pimp} zesty!
A MASTERPIECE. 

Just check out the choral vocals, the harmonies. Powerful. Freaking amazing.

And they leave enough space for Neil to fill in gaps.    

This ain't Arcade Fire!
Sublime Neil, so good for the ears..solid 10.  Don't really care how old it is.
 bking wrote:
I'm ready for this song to end.

 
ha ha ha!  ;)  
I'm ready for this song to end.
 Coffeetraveler wrote:
I've always thought of Neil Young as the "secret sauce" for ths band. They've done some gorgeous vocal harmonies and very pretty songs as CSN but as CSNY there is an entire extra dimension. It's a shame they didn't follow this with another CSNY album. I was privileged to see the first CSNY reunion tour when it hit Rich Stadium in Buffalo NY - summer 1974.  Ace opened the show (Paul Carrack on lead vocals singing their one hit "How Long Has This Been Hoing On."  Jesse Colin Young followed...  then Santana in his first post-Devadip-spiritual phase...  rocking out with two silver bikini clad Brazilian go-go dancers on risers at each side of the stage.  CSNY was good at that show but didn't blwo me away. In his autobiography, Graham Nash claimed that all the shows on that tour were sold out. Uh uh - Rich Stadium was only half full. That was a surprise, given the line-up and the low ticket price.
 
Hey Coffeetraveler, nice post.
I would agree with your "secret sauce" theory, as much as I loved the first CSN album.
There was eventually a second CSNY album, "American Dream" in 1988; it was surprisingly (or some might say predictably) bad.
As for the '74 stadium tour, I am 2/3 of the way through the Crosby bio "Long Time Gone", and he too (well, his co-author actually) claims all those stadiums were sold out.
Rose coloured glasses perhaps, or simply too much cocaine.
I highly recommend the book, in any event.
{#Bananajam}{#Bananapiano}{#Drummer}{#Clap}{#Dancingbanana}
Great song from a great album!
The best song on this magnificent album.

What band from the last 10 years would even try to do something like this?

 
I've always thought of Neil Young as the "secret sauce" for ths band. They've done some gorgeous vocal harmonies and very pretty songs as CSN but as CSNY there is an entire extra dimension. It's a shame they didn't follow this with another CSNY album. I was privileged to see the first CSNY reunion tour when it hit Rich Stadium in Buffalo NY - summer 1974.  Ace opened the show (Paul Carrack on lead vocals singing their one hit "How Long Has This Been Hoing On."  Jesse Colin Young followed...  then Santana in his first post-Devadip-spiritual phase...  rocking out with two silver bikini clad Brazilian go-go dancers on risers at each side of the stage.  CSNY was good at that show but didn't blwo me away. In his autobiography, Graham Nash claimed that all the shows on that tour were sold out. Uh uh - Rich Stadium was only half full. That was a surprise, given the line-up and the low ticket price.
 
ARE WAITRESS'S PAYING THE PRICE OF THIER WINKING? PROB NOT, NICE CALL BILL!
By far the best album CSN&Y ever did.
I think this is one of the best!!! 

The harmonies. The keyboard. The strange lyrics.

These guys were pushing vocals,Freaking wow! But Neil was getting drowned out. Probably why he left the band.  
One of the first headphone songs for me.
Utter immersion. 
 NoEnzLefttoSplit wrote:
Love this for exactly all the right reasons. Also love all the comments below. The magic lies precisely in the tension between the slick perfection of CSN and the rough, out of key but quirkily brilliant Y. 

NY needs to be enshrined in amber and kept for posterity. There's nothing quite like him out there. Sometime he is so utterly perfect and sometime so deliciously off the note. He's one of the guys that keeps me singing and playing guitar. If I measured myself on the perfection of CSY I would have given up long ago. With Neil I think, hell, he fucked it up frequently, just like me. This is enough to motivate me to keep on trying because, maybe once, just once, I might just get it right, like he does.

Of course, my neighbors might not agree.
 
Nice post!  {#Cheers}
Dallas Taylor, RIP ... they're all starting to leave us.
Stands the test of time. Neil is brilliant!  Great Album
Love this for exactly all the right reasons. Also love all the comments below. The magic lies precisely in the tension between the slick perfection of CSN and the rough, out of key but quirkily brilliant Y. 

NY needs to be enshrined in amber and kept for posterity. There's nothing quite like him out there. Sometime he is so utterly perfect and sometime so deliciously off the note. He's one of the guys that keeps me singing and playing guitar. If I measured myself on the perfection of CSY I would have given up long ago. With Neil I think, hell, he fucked it up frequently, just like me. This is enough to motivate me to keep on trying because, maybe once, just once, I might just get it right, like he does.

Of course, my neighbors might not agree. 
Staggering accomplishment, every song on this landmark album by veritable music gods! Stunning lyrics, stellar harmonies, killer jams!
Had this album, listened to it, somehow missed this incredible song.
 linzie wrote:
Such a great album....

 
wore this one out big time
 Cynaera wrote:
 "They drop by to die, 'cause it's faster than sinking..."

Dang, this song is so good it oughtta be illegal...
 
bump
Such a great album....
 Hasan wrote:
I have the impression that NY always played at the extreme limit of capabilities.  On the other hand, someone like Paul McCartney could probably have played circles around Young with no real effort.

Thing is . . . McCartney could, and sure seemed, to shovel anything onto the market and get a truck load of money delivered back to him.  There's a who-gives-a-shit feeling to McCartney's music and I don't like it.

Meanwhile, Young refines his edgy tension and gets better and better.  That,  I do like!

Oh, and "Country Girl"?  Really horrible!  Drugs and sycophants make a poisonous brew.

 
McCartney did put out a lot of puffery back in the 70s. He struck me as the Beatle who worked so hard to be entertaining and cheery--The Entertainer. By the early 80s, he wasn't seen as hip any more. Your description of "a who-gives-a-shit feeling to McCartney's music" fit that time; he was just churning stuff out like "Say Say Say." Cutesy and meaningless. 

I still love this song even though it meanders around a bit and has Neil's voice getting a bit in the way of CSN's amazing harmonies. He often sings like someone is squeezing the last bit of helium out of his lungs. The lyrics? Someone will have to explain them to me; I'm guessing that the guys banged together some bits and pieces they'd been working on...with a help of a few tokes. But the slow, march-like echoing drums and sustained organ and the downward feel (is that a minor key? I know so little about music, I don't even know the right terms)...it really works for me. Even the harmonica at the end! 

 kcar wrote:
Brilliant segue from Arcade Fire's "Deep Blue."
  
 Tana wrote:

Someone on the board for that song mentioned similarities between the songs. Anyone want to describe that for me? I'm not really hearing it. I think Country Girl is gorgeous, among CSNY's best.

  

Just listened to the two songs again...For me, it's the steady, slightly lurching beat to the songs. "Deep Blue" has a piano underpinning the beat whereas "Country Girl" uses an organ. There are other similarities, especially the walls of sound from all the instruments. I think both song use the same keys (ignorance rearing again) and the semi-falsetto singing.  
 eswiley2 wrote:


I agree about it sounding different.  I listened to that album a bazillion times back in the day.  It's burned into my memory banks, and this sounds weird for some reason.

 
I'm not 100% sure, but I think this is the remastered version from Neil Young Archives, Vol. 1. When I jump back and forth between the Deja Vu version and the Archives version on my PC (both 256k AAC, from iTunes), they do sound different, to my ear the remaster is just plain more clear (less muddy). The levels are also a bit higher, but I try to compensate for that. I definitely prefer the Archives version.

Of course listening to vinyl brings in a whole 'nuther set of variables.
Great song from one of the top 10 albums of all time imo.
I will give this artist (Neil Young) and this band (CSN&Y) and this album a perfect 10 every time...  thanks for playing it!
 zepher wrote:
What Is Tinnitus?
The term “tinnitus” comes from the Latin verb “tinnire,” to ring.
 
Tinnitus is the conscious experience of sound that originates in the head of its owner. It is hearing sound without an external, acoustic source.
 
I have inaudible tinnitus. It's a living hell . . . I think.
What Is Tinnitus?
The term “tinnitus” comes from the Latin verb “tinnire,” to ring.
 
Tinnitus is the conscious experience of sound that originates in the head of its owner. It is hearing sound without an external, acoustic source.



Half-way through this song I remembered why I had always loved it.
It is still fresh to me - retains its yearning feeling and depth. 
Please RIP this relic. Hurts
Not the best on the album, but better than a lot of songs!
I have the impression that NY always played at the extreme limit of capabilities.  On the other hand, someone like Paul McCartney could probably have played circles around Young with no real effort.

Thing is . . . McCartney could, and sure seemed, to shovel anything onto the market and get a truck load of money delivered back to him.  There's a who-gives-a-shit feeling to McCartney's music and I don't like it.

Meanwhile, Young refines his edgy tension and gets better and better.  That,  I do like!

Oh, and "Country Girl"?  Really horrible!  Drugs and sycophants make a poisonous brew.
 Cynaera wrote:

 "They drop by to die, 'cause it's faster than sinking..."

Dang, this song is so good it oughtta be illegal...



 
I'm with you, but then this whole album just gives me goose bumps - though have to admit this is towards the top.
 nagsheadlocal wrote:
Oh, gosh, this was the first Neil Young song I really listened to. I can remember sitting in the front room, watching a thunderstorm move in from the west as I tried to decipher the lyrics.

One of the all-time great albums of that period - yet is seems forgotten. I'm glad to hear it's getting more airplay.

Is this a re-mix/remaster? The vocal mix is very different on my old vinyl. 
 

I agree about it sounding different.  I listened to that album a bazillion times back in the day.  It's burned into my memory banks, and this sounds weird for some reason.
 Stingray wrote:

I dunno what a seduction-album is

 

So you have a Cute Young Thing over for a few drinks and you need a little mood music . . . 
Oh, gosh, this was the first Neil Young song I really listened to. I can remember sitting in the front room, watching a thunderstorm move in from the west as I tried to decipher the lyrics.

One of the all-time great albums of that period - yet is seems forgotten. I'm glad to hear it's getting more airplay.

Is this a re-mix/remaster? The vocal mix is very different on my old vinyl. 

Apropos Dinosaurs: The STONES have a new single and John Hiatt a new album!

Stones sound like 50,40,30,20 or 10 years ago. EXACTLY!


 funkyalfonso wrote:
Say what you like but when Deja vu came out, it was the all time seduction album. 
 

I dunno what a seduction-album is, but this album is one of the all-time highlights in modern American music!

NEIL is an incredible musician and composer!

STUNNING!


Say what you like but when Deja vu came out, it was the all time seduction album. 
 fredriley wrote:

You've a poor imagination then, Linzie. I for one listen to RP every workday and a good few times outside work, and enjoy the vast majority of its output. Strange but true: you can dislike Neil Young's voice and still enjoy music. Weird, huh? {#Think}

As I've often written, IMO NY is a great songwriter and I love hearing other artists cover his work, but his voice is physically painful to me. That's my loss I'm sure, but it's how it is. I can no more like NY's voice than I can eat Marmite.
 

'Poor imagination?' If I said I see you tapping your foot to Neil Sedaka, you might say that (although, his voice may cause you less duress?) So unique is NY's voice, which I think is what makes his music so appealing. Yes, he's been covered at great length, it's the ultimate compliment; still, I can't think of one, if any, cover that I'd prefer to listen to more than NY himself.....  I read where CSN all said HIS talent drove them, yet one of your compatriots, couldn't stand the 4 harmonizing?? It's an opinion I guess I equate to the guy sitting @ Yankee Stadium saying he didn't like Babe Ruth cuz he looked outta shape; about a gazillion others there couldn't care less, he wins games, and they love watching him play.   Bob Dylan's voice may have the same affect on some people, but as much as I like Hendrix's version of 'Watch Tower', I like Dylan's just as much...I guess it's the part where you say 'physically painful'? ...too hard to imagine, indeed!
Great Friday afternoon song. Making work more tolerable.
 linzie wrote:

Cant imagine what these two listen to?? 
 
You've a poor imagination then, Linzie. I for one listen to RP every workday and a good few times outside work, and enjoy the vast majority of its output. Strange but true: you can dislike Neil Young's voice and still enjoy music. Weird, huh? {#Think}

As I've often written, IMO NY is a great songwriter and I love hearing other artists cover his work, but his voice is physically painful to me. That's my loss I'm sure, but it's how it is. I can no more like NY's voice than I can eat Marmite.
 kcar wrote:
Brilliant segue from Arcade Fire's "Deep Blue."
 
Someone on the board for that song mentioned similarities between the songs. Anyone want to describe that for me? I'm not really hearing it. I think Country Girl is gorgeous, among CSNY's best.
 franta wrote:
 fredriley wrote:

...shame about the delivery. Neil Young's voice makes me reach for the mute button at some speed, it's so painful to listen to. Positively Pavlovian...

 agree entirely, even worse when harmonising with CSN. If I did not know any better, I would not believe that people listen to this thing for pleasure. Funny how people react differently, it causes me almost physical pain.
 
Cant imagine what these two listen to?? 
Could be one of my favs from them ALL....NY, of course, has me being a tad prejudiced...
Young.............................., Crosby, Stills & Nash would have been more appropriate as a band name.
I can't sing either, but I didn't go and make an album.  damn.  I've liked some of their other stuff.   Maybe everyone was high this day.
 franta wrote:
 fredriley wrote:

...shame about the delivery. Neil Young's voice makes me reach for the mute button at some speed, it's so painful to listen to. Positively Pavlovian...

 agree entirely, even worse when harmonising with CSN. If I did not know any better, I would not believe that people listen to this thing for pleasure. Funny how people react differently, it causes me almost physical pain.
 
Disagree with you both, but obviously it's personal preference. For me, it's like that vintage old VW van; maybe dented and a little rusty now, but you love it even more with its imperfections.

 fredriley wrote:

...shame about the delivery. Neil Young's voice makes me reach for the mute button at some speed, it's so painful to listen to. Positively Pavlovian...

 agree entirely, even worse when harmonising with CSN. If I did not know any better, I would not believe that people listen to this thing for pleasure. Funny how people react differently, it causes me almost physical pain.


I was thinking the same thing! It's a short list but a great one.


HazzeSwede wrote:
The hardest songs to create, is the "Goose Bump" ones.

This is such a song !
 


Brilliant segue from Arcade Fire's "Deep Blue."
Not my fav of this LP but still good!
I heard "American Dream" for the first time yesterday (all 14 agonizing tracks). It was shockingly bad. OK, maybe 3 of the 14 tracks were tolerable, and that's being charitable. I honestly couldn't believe the same 4 guys that created the amazing and timeless DeJa Vu had coughed up such a hairball. No doubt they were offered some obscene amount of money for a "reunion" album and couldn't resist the temptation. Alas. The upside is it made me appreciate songs like this all the more.

100 years later, and I canNOT get enuff of this stuff!!!!!!!! {#Clap} 
 Delawhere wrote:
"while stars sit in bars and decide what they are drinking", kind of us posting comments
 
 "They drop by to die, 'cause it's faster than sinking..."

Dang, this song is so good it oughtta be illegal...


"while stars sit in bars and decide what they are drinking", kind of us posting comments
My favorite song off this Lp

 floydcaveman wrote:

Deja Vu

 



Funny how many posts it took to get to the right answer, though I have to admit I did not "get" the tie-in until I re-bought this album about a year ago. Just took the look for granted. Perhaps I was just distracted by all the great music.

On the other hand, my daughter was going though the CD's the other day and I heard her chuckle and comment on the title/picture pairing- she understood with a glance. Me so dumb.


Truly panoramic. So much like a good movie. Thank you!
The hardest songs to create, is the "Goose Bump" ones.

This is such a song !
One of my favorite collaborations by CSN&Y. 
 fredriley wrote:

...shame about the delivery. Neil Young's voice makes me reach for the mute button at some speed, it's so painful to listen to. Positively Pavlovian...

 

Funny.  I used to put myself to sleep listening to Neil Young on an old mono-player.  Harvest, Journey through the past.

 

Ever travelled the north shore of Lake Superior?


 Alpine wrote:
Absolutely fantastic! I never understood that whole cowboy, civil war dress thing.
 
Deja Vu

One of my favourite cuts from this LP.

Sublime.


Wonderful.  Amazing album, mind-blowing at the time.  Still happy to hear it!
 fredriley wrote:

...shame about the delivery. Neil Young's voice makes me reach for the mute button at some speed, it's so painful to listen to. Positively Pavlovian...

 

Fred  - you are unbelievable.  This is one of the most fabulous examples of great vocal harmony in the rock and roll genre.
Bravisimo.  Need to go back to this great record.
I normally don't care for organs, but this one can stay. From me, that's glowing praise.
 plaice3 wrote:
{#Sunny}
 
I'll see your happy sun and raise you 2 happy suns!
{#Sunny} {#Sunny} {#Sunny}
{#Sunny}
Great song from a great album!!
Still awes me after all these years.One of the best albums of all time.
she did the things we both did before now....but who forgave her?           amazing
 pauleywalnuts wrote:
One of my all time favorite Neil Young songs and the harmonies with CSN are just icing on the cake!  {#Clap}
 
You can count me in on that one!  The organ and piano are just perfect.

who said neil can't sing? amazing
One of my all time favorite Neil Young songs and the harmonies with CSN are just icing on the cake!  {#Clap}
Brilliant
 RadioDoc wrote:
Gather around and listen, children.

This is how it's done.
 
<like>
this sounds real good and I like how it fits in with newer stuff on here that sounds like it a little. Most alt country sprouted from them and the byrds/flying burritos..
One of my few old albums that I have on my ipod.
 Misterfixit wrote:
Man, what a message ...

 
...shame about the delivery. Neil Young's voice makes me reach for the mute button at some speed, it's so painful to listen to. Positively Pavlovian...

There ain't no love in the city.

Gather around and listen, children.

This is how it's done.

Main Entry: magnificent          
Part of Speech: adjective
Definition: glorious, wonderful
Notes: magnificent means characterized by or attended with brilliance or grandeur.

Man, what a message ...