I was on a sailboat in the Grenadines a few years ago. We were headed to St. Vincent, it was getting dark, and the crew put on this tune as the Southern Cross came into view. Unforgettable..
Saw them perform this at Red Rocks. Amazing! It's one of those songs that, when it comes on the car radio, you're instantly annoyed if everyone in the car doesn't just shut up and listen until it's over
I too, saw them at Red Rocks. And so many other groups there. In my opinion Red Rocks is the best place on the planet for an outdoor concert. I love it there. I even made a movie there in 1976 for my film production class in High School , called ''The hazards of drinking at Red Rocks. The short film got an A+. Hanging out in the bat cave up above is cool but spooky at the same time. I don't think they allow you to roam around the grounds like back then though. You know who the best band that played there? I saw them many times there,,,,,,,,,, The Moody Blues. Idk why but the Moody Blues at Red Rocks just sounded and felt so good. The vibes would soak into every pour of your body . The same thing with CSN.
As a retired member of the United States Coast Guard I love any songs that has an ocean or sailing related things Jimmy Buffett comes immediately to mind Southern Cross refers to a constellation that you can only see once you cross south of the Equator the Marquesas Islands are in the South Pacific not far from Tahiti
Check out Heather Nova, many such songs, her younger years spent growing up on a sailboat. 300 Days at Sea is one of my favorite albums of hers, Beautiful Ride, Turn the Compass Round, and Until the Race is Run, 3 of my favorite tracks on that album.
I saw the Southern Cross for the first time: from the Amazon Basin in Peru. I was no longer broken hearted from my failed marriage, but I had been alone. I couldn’t get this song out of my head for the rest of my time there…
This song, and this album, really marked a return to the charts for Crosby, Stills, and Nash after a few years. I love it, and I remember it being on the radio all the time.
Love all the sailing terms and the image of sailing into the southern hemisphere and even hitting Tahiti on the way. And then you discover at the end that the song is also about music saving his life after a terrible relationship loss. Beautiful, wonderful song.
@rubroken Hmmm, for me. I loved it because I understood all of it, being an amateur sailor who always dreamed of feeling everything one day and just traveling the world on a sailboat. But I can understand why another person might feel that way about the lyrics.
@@rubroken It would have been pretentious if a non-sailor was "jargoning," like you or Charles. Stills and Crosby, though, were both frequent and avid sailors. I have sailed a few times, and I don't know what some of those terms mean, but I don't begrudge them their hobbies because of that.
@@rubroken Pretentious??? Just because you are ignorant of terms and places that the writer of the song actually uses and experienced does not make it pretentious. Stop trying to denigrate others for knowledge and experience you don't have and educate yourself!
This song grows on me with every passing year. It is one of CSN's very best, up there with Wooden Ships. 82 and they could still bring it. A very creative use of so many different musical tools: harmony, minimalism followed by expansive sound, rests and even the very short guitar bursts that break through just give it a timeless feel. It doesn't feel 80s or 70s, it just feels right. Listen again as you get older boys.
S tier for me. The harmony is so lush. Also a great break-up song which harmonizes with my own experience. Also I love sailing and "get" the sailing terms.
Next up from them, CATHEDRAL. you’ve got to hit Cathedral. The storytelling, the vocals, the instrumentation, the BUILD < > Open up the gates of the church and let me outta here!!!!!
This one touches me emotionally. You can hear the pain, regret, resolve, surrender and touch of hope. Some songs you sing along with. Some songs you sing. I feel this one when I sing it.
I was fortunate enough to see these gentlemen perform twice. The first time was on the tour supporting this album (Daylight Again) and the second time was in early '94 with mt fiancee, who was pregnant with my firstborn daughter. The baby was so moved by the music she began dancing in utero. My fiancee took my hand and placed it on her belly, showing me that the baby had inherited my love of music. CSN (and sometimes Y) remain a favorite to this day.
The pristine harmonies just raise any CSN (&Y) song to extraordinary levels. This has to be one of my favorite Steven Stills written songs...I know there were others but his signature is clearly on this one
Originally, the album this song came from was to be a Stills & Nash release. Crosby didn’t join the recording sessions until after this song was completed, so his vocals aren’t on this one. Timothy B. Schmit (The Eagles) and longtime CSN keyboard player Mike Finnigan provide the other backing vocals on this track.
This is one of my all-time favorites for the harmonies alone. The rest of the song is great, but it's the vocals on this one that do it for me. Absolute S-tier in my book.
I walked into a record store in the early 2000's looking for the group and the name of the song hoping to hear it again after hearing it only once before. They didn't know what I was talking about and I went away sad. Since then I found it of course, and I never get tired of hearing it. It's one of those songs that the lyrics reveal more as you hear it over the years. The numbers in the song (8(0), 12, 2 for "twice") just happen be in the formula for the supposed circumference of earth, seemingly a reference to sailing around the world to see the Southern Cross.
CSNY were all avid sailors, and all of them wrote about their experiences on the water. Besides this one by Stills, Crosby wrote Lee Shore, Nash wrote Wind On The Water and Young wrote Through My Sails (which all four sang on, although it's on Young's album Zuma). The video for the radio edit of Southern Cross includes shots of Stills sailing his yacht. In his autobiography, Crosby wrote that sailing was an excellent way for them to lose their egos. He noted that while the ocean isn't out to get you, it is incredibly unforgiving and will allow you two mistakes at best, and usually only one. He added, "The ocean never heard of Crosby, Stills & Nash (or Young). It doesn't give a damn".
Thanks for sharing the insight. "While the Ocean is not out to get you, it's incredibly unforgiving and will allow you two mistakes at best. and usually only one." "The Ocean has never heard of you, & it does not give a damn." My other favorite is from E. Hemingway back in the 60's- "Auto Racing & Mountain Climbing are the only REAL sports. - The rest are just games..."
I got their greatest hits and when looking at the credits I realized that my favorites were all written by Stills. You need to check out Treetop Flyer from his solo album Stills Alone. Great acoustic song.
There you guys go again taking me down memory lane, I don't know how I could have forgotten that I loved these guys so much, saw them at Red Rocks Colorado in the early nineties, amazing song hope you guys enjoy✌
This have been one of my favourite songs since it came out. Never get sick of listening to it. As for Crosby & Stills, it's no wonder that David Gilmour (yes that one) has had them on stage to sing with him.
I'm so glad you're doing this song! I haven't watched yet. I have been listening to music for almost all of my 60 years, many different genres, and this just might be my all time favorite song! I've always said that to my hubby.
One of my favorite songs of all time. It's S tier for me.
Agree 100%
Totally agree. This tune transports me.
I like it, but it isn't S tier, they went yacht rock easy-listening, their older stuff is so much better.
yup!
I was "looking for that woman girl". I found her. It was wonderful. Then I lost her. The love still lives.
This is "our song". ⛵️
I was on a sailboat in the Grenadines a few years ago. We were headed to St. Vincent, it was getting dark, and the crew put on this tune as the Southern Cross came into view. Unforgettable..
I envy you !
What a moment that must have been!
Their harmony was second to none. Perfect blending of voices.
It’s only Nash and Stills. Sounds good anyway.
Beach Boys, Beatles
@@jameskinchen2148 It's also Cristopher Cross and Art Garfunkel...just saying.
@@ndlouder It’s SN
Eagles are up there as well. Oh and The Bangles
From great pain comes great music. Written after Still's terrible divorce.
Amen!! ❤
Great Song! Check out “Crazy Love” by Poco …another top rated!
This was my favorite song for months after it was released. This one is S tier for me, always has been.
Saw them perform this at Red Rocks. Amazing! It's one of those songs that, when it comes on the car radio, you're instantly annoyed if everyone in the car doesn't just shut up and listen until it's over
Anytime a csny plays its the same . It seems the radio stations don't play them enough.
I too, saw them at Red Rocks. And so many other groups there. In my opinion Red Rocks is the best place on the planet for an outdoor concert. I love it there. I even made a movie there in 1976 for my film production class in High School , called ''The hazards of drinking at Red Rocks. The short film got an A+. Hanging out in the bat cave up above is cool but spooky at the same time. I don't think they allow you to roam around the grounds like back then though. You know who the best band that played there? I saw them many times there,,,,,,,,,, The Moody Blues. Idk why but the Moody Blues at Red Rocks just sounded and felt so good. The vibes would soak into every pour of your body . The same thing with CSN.
Expressed perfectly
hah! agree
Red Rocks is just about the best place to see a concert. Such a perfect venue.
Sometimes it's easy to forget how good these guys were.
The Southern Cross is easy to see in the New Zealand night sky pretty much any time, and every time I see it I think of this song.
yeah mate, same! I can't see it up in Maine, but love it.
Yeah, always been my favorite CSN maybe it's a NZ thing.
Helplessly Hoping is one of my favorites by these three. Talk about beautiful harmony…!!!
One of the prettiest recorded songs of all time. Love this.
As a retired member of the United States Coast Guard I love any songs that has an ocean or sailing related things Jimmy Buffett comes immediately to mind Southern Cross refers to a constellation that you can only see once you cross south of the Equator the Marquesas Islands are in the South Pacific not far from Tahiti
Check out Heather Nova, many such songs, her younger years spent growing up on a sailboat. 300 Days at Sea is one of my favorite albums of hers, Beautiful Ride, Turn the Compass Round, and Until the Race is Run, 3 of my favorite tracks on that album.
Thank you for your service, sir.
Semper Paratus, my brother! I concur...especially as a Parrothead.
I saw the Southern Cross for the first time: from the Amazon Basin in Peru. I was no longer broken hearted from my failed marriage, but I had been alone. I couldn’t get this song out of my head for the rest of my time there…
Calypso by John Denver's another great sailing-related song.
Heard it so many times; still has the power to give me goosebumps.
This will be a guaranteed S tier song if there ever was one!
Absolutely!
A & A+
Oh definitely
I get chills every time I hear their harmonies. Beautiful.
A&A, you'll love their "Marrakesh Express" and "Wasted On The Way" !!
Yes, both!
Have they covered Wooden Ships? Awesome song
This song, and this album, really marked a return to the charts for Crosby, Stills, and Nash after a few years. I love it, and I remember it being on the radio all the time.
It's so perfectly beautiful, almost makes me cry. ❤
It's often hard to pick their best song, but this one in particular somehow tugs at me. An absolute masterpiece! ❤❤❤
Masterpiece. Who among us hasn’t gone through a CS&N obsession?
Love all the sailing terms and the image of sailing into the southern hemisphere and even hitting Tahiti on the way. And then you discover at the end that the song is also about music saving his life after a terrible relationship loss. Beautiful, wonderful song.
I love the song, but the early sailing jargon was off-putting to me.......pretentious
This
@rubroken Hmmm, for me. I loved it because I understood all of it, being an amateur sailor who always dreamed of feeling everything one day and just traveling the world on a sailboat. But I can understand why another person might feel that way about the lyrics.
@@rubroken It would have been pretentious if a non-sailor was "jargoning," like you or Charles. Stills and Crosby, though, were both frequent and avid sailors. I have sailed a few times, and I don't know what some of those terms mean, but I don't begrudge them their hobbies because of that.
@@rubroken Pretentious??? Just because you are ignorant of terms and places that the writer of the song actually uses and experienced does not make it pretentious. Stop trying to denigrate others for knowledge and experience you don't have and educate yourself!
It was a happy day in Laurel Canyon when these 3 voices were joined.
Unless you were a Holly, a Buffalo Springfield, or a Byrds😂😂
By far my favorite CSN song. Pain and suffering causes amazing music to be written sometimes.
The definition of Yacht Rock. ⛵🎸
Nicely making way!
For me, this is as good as anything CSN made. An absolutely great piece of music.
One of their top 5 songs. Written by Stephen Stills, it is one of his best. He is one of the best singer, songwriters, guitarist ever.
S tier, not least because of the powerful poetic heart-rending lyrics.
Omg! One of my favorite songs! Absolutely great memories! I'm sorry you guys couldn't enjoy it back in the day!!! What a great song!!!
The "call and response" part is what I'm here for.
Never knew what to call that!
This was a comeback for the group. They had only one hit between 1970 and 1982 and that was in 1977 with "Just a Song Before I Go".
Their vocal harmonies are top tier.
This song grows on me with every passing year. It is one of CSN's very best, up there with Wooden Ships. 82 and they could still bring it. A very creative use of so many different musical tools: harmony, minimalism followed by expansive sound, rests and even the very short guitar bursts that break through just give it a timeless feel. It doesn't feel 80s or 70s, it just feels right. Listen again as you get older boys.
This is S tier all the way... perfection
Is on my list of 100 perfect songs
This was a huge hit for them! Love the harmonies and solos.
My husband was in the Navy. He said this song reminded him of me. ❤
This was one of the gems of 1982
S tier for me even after 42 years.
It's my tradition to play this song as we launch our boat away from the dock setting sail to the southern islands 🏝
Can I come with! Love being on a sailboat more than anything
@Meandmymirror yes please all are welcome. We will be back to St Petersburg to prep the boat in January.
Where do you sail? Charters? I love st Pete. Hope it’s recovering. Can we go to ft myers beach?
@@Meandmymirror ft myers is on the way to the Bahamas n VIs. When departure is out of st Pete
LOVE LOVE this song. This chorus is sung at the top of my lungs.
S tier for me. The harmony is so lush. Also a great break-up song which harmonizes with my own experience. Also I love sailing and "get" the sailing terms.
Always loved this one.
Though I recall every choice on the poll was great!!
Haven't watched this reaction yet, but this better be an S tier. Looking forward to watching.
ahhh...disappointing
Love this tune. Absolutely awesome. We hit it up in the men's quartet immediately. Loved the jam.
Great song! Also from the same album 'Wasted on the Way' Can relate to that song now that I have a few years on the odometer!
Thank you for playing this odd little American masterpiece. '80s was best decade - clothes, hair, music and movies!
CATHEDRAL! Melody is incredible….lyrics……legendary.
This is one of their best, absolutely beautiful 😍 makes you want to sail ❤
One of their best songs. Beautiful & intelligent & graceful. CSN have always been an incredible trio. Love their offerings. Well done!
Boy I sure miss these guys. There will never be anyone like them. Crystal.
My favorite CS&N song! The lyrics have special meaning to me. ✌️❤️
I used to sail from Redondo Beach to Avalon on Catalina Island and the imagery in this song is spot on ! I can almost smell the sea...
Hard to believe after so many years doing reactions there are still these great songs you're just getting to.
Hi guys. I'm glad you did the full version. A lot of reactors react to the video version, which edits out the all-important final verse. Great job!
Getting old is rough but at least we were around when this was new. Still incredibly beautiful.
Definitely A+ or S for me, I’ve loved this song so much from the first day it came out! These guys have been amazing since the 60’s!
Next up from them, CATHEDRAL. you’ve got to hit Cathedral. The storytelling, the vocals, the instrumentation, the BUILD < >
Open up the gates of the church and let me outta here!!!!!
Love that song! From the same album 'Fair Game' - way back in the day ran into a girl like that!
Excellent choice and one not heard enough
I love Stills voice. So unique. Thanks for doing this.
And a super guitarist
Genius ! My late Dad born in 1929 loved this song !
This one touches me emotionally. You can hear the pain, regret, resolve, surrender and touch of hope. Some songs you sing along with. Some songs you sing. I feel this one when I sing it.
The harmonies are S tier all by themselves.
I LOOOOOOOOOOOVE THIS SONG
I was fortunate enough to see these gentlemen perform twice. The first time was on the tour supporting this album (Daylight Again) and the second time was in early '94 with mt fiancee, who was pregnant with my firstborn daughter. The baby was so moved by the music she began dancing in utero. My fiancee took my hand and placed it on her belly, showing me that the baby had inherited my love of music. CSN (and sometimes Y) remain a favorite to this day.
Stills and Nash initially were not going to include Crosby on this 1982 album, but the executives at Atlantic Records insisted on his involvement.
Tim, Timothy B Schmit of The Eagles was taking the part of David Crosby on that whole album in 1982 !!
They did this song live on the Johnny Carson show 1987..SO good. They didn’t miss a beat.
Johnny Carson was a big sailor. He probably appreciated it.
The imagery conveyed within this song makes you feel as if you're actually there!! It has a good slow pace, too.....
I still remember hearing this song for the first time when it was released. Stunned. That's all I can say.
I cried like a big baby the first time I heard this!
Don't forget our house! Great song!
@@elaineh7993 I know Madness did a song called "Our House." Did CSN do one, too?
@@sallyphillips9175 yes! It's so great! I love CSN!
This song is actually enhanced by watching the video ...
But it cuts off the song before it's over.
They all are!
This was a big comeback album for them at the time, "Wasted on the Way" was another hit single from it.
Now we’re talkin
"80 feet of waterline and nicely making way" has always been a favorite, evocative lyric to me.
Absolute perfection! The tight harmonies and Stephen Stills moving lyrics get me every time, I just knew you two would love it!!!🤓
Hope y’all fared well with Milton. I’m in Plant City and we had some bad flooding. This is a great song that y’all will enjoy.
The pristine harmonies just raise any CSN (&Y) song to extraordinary levels. This has to be one of my favorite Steven Stills written songs...I know there were others but his signature is clearly on this one
Originally, the album this song came from was to be a Stills & Nash release.
Crosby didn’t join the recording sessions until after this song was completed, so his vocals aren’t on this one.
Timothy B. Schmit (The Eagles) and longtime CSN keyboard player Mike Finnigan provide the other backing vocals on this track.
Never knew that. Fooled by the video. Then props to TBS and Finnigan for complementing the phenomenal vocals of Stills and Nash in the chorus
This is one of my all-time favorites for the harmonies alone. The rest of the song is great, but it's the vocals on this one that do it for me. Absolute S-tier in my book.
It's worthy to take a look at Manassas first double album. Incredible stuff written by Stephen Stills in 1972.
Manassas is one of my desert island picks.
Alex's "comedy" is on point in this one. "Waves doing most of the work... I'm doin' great"? Haha! Dude.
I walked into a record store in the early 2000's looking for the group and the name of the song hoping to hear it again after hearing it only once before. They didn't know what I was talking about and I went away sad. Since then I found it of course, and I never get tired of hearing it. It's one of those songs that the lyrics reveal more as you hear it over the years. The numbers in the song (8(0), 12, 2 for "twice") just happen be in the formula for the supposed circumference of earth, seemingly a reference to sailing around the world to see the Southern Cross.
CSNY were all avid sailors, and all of them wrote about their experiences on the water. Besides this one by Stills, Crosby wrote Lee Shore, Nash wrote Wind On The Water and Young wrote Through My Sails (which all four sang on, although it's on Young's album Zuma). The video for the radio edit of Southern Cross includes shots of Stills sailing his yacht.
In his autobiography, Crosby wrote that sailing was an excellent way for them to lose their egos. He noted that while the ocean isn't out to get you, it is incredibly unforgiving and will allow you two mistakes at best, and usually only one. He added, "The ocean never heard of Crosby, Stills & Nash (or Young). It doesn't give a damn".
Thanks for sharing the insight.
"While the Ocean is not out to get you, it's incredibly unforgiving and will allow you two mistakes at best. and usually only one."
"The Ocean has never heard of you, & it does not give a damn."
My other favorite is from E. Hemingway back in the 60's-
"Auto Racing & Mountain Climbing are the only REAL sports. - The rest are just games..."
70's 80's era was, I'd say, one of, if not the best era for harmony groups.
I got their greatest hits and when looking at the credits I realized that my favorites were all written by Stills. You need to check out Treetop Flyer from his solo album Stills Alone. Great acoustic song.
When I hear a beautiful song like this, one, I know I could never write it. I just wonder how they were so inspired to write such a masterpiece.
Steven Stills is my favorite person in this group! A great song that they do great harmonies in is Helplessly Hoping.
You guys ever think about how this journey has changed you as people, as musicians? I've been watching you for years, and oh how you have grown.
Thanks to Andy and Alex! 💎
This song is so satisfying. So good. And yes! That call and response just makes this song.
This was after a lung transplant this guy could belt lyrics out RIP, thanks guys.
There you guys go again taking me down memory lane, I don't know how I could have forgotten that I loved these guys so much, saw them at Red Rocks Colorado in the early nineties, amazing song hope you guys enjoy✌
Classic yacht-rock, one of my favorites along with the Beach Boys "Sloop John B".
My gosh the banter today very funny. Made my morning.
This song plays often on the yacht rock channel I listen to.
Great tune. I also love Crosby's "Delta" from the same LP.
This have been one of my favourite songs since it came out. Never get sick of listening to it. As for Crosby & Stills, it's no wonder that David Gilmour (yes that one) has had them on stage to sing with him.
I'm so glad you're doing this song! I haven't watched yet. I have been listening to music for almost all of my 60 years, many different genres, and this just might be my all time favorite song! I've always said that to my hubby.
This song will always send me, Never gets old.
Saw them live on this tour and they were so good. Harmonies were perfect…I love this song! ❤
2:43 I love Nash’s harmony here.
Nash's harmonies are some of the best moments on their songs!
One of my favorite songs all time. Gorgeous.
Love this since it came out. Smooooth and carries you away. 🎶
my favorite later era song - everything was perfect; Stills guitar, the harmonies, etc