Woodstock

by

Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young

Album: Déjà Vu     Released: 1970

US Chart: 11     

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This song is about the famous music festival in 1969. Joni Mitchell wrote it after hearing the group talk about their experience there. Mitchell did not attend the festival (she was scheduled to perform, but couldn't make it), but Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young did, playing an acoustic set followed by an electric set. They took the stage around 3am Monday morning. The festival was scheduled to end at midnight, but it ran long, culminating with a legendary Jimi Hendrix set that most people didn't stay to see.

According to two biographies, the reason Joni Mitchell had "transportation problems" keeping her from Max Yasgur's farm was that James Taylor was supposed to give her a lift up the Thruway from her hotel in New York City. Taylor was in a bad motorcycle accident on Martha's Vineyard, breaking both arms and keeping him out from behind the wheel and away from the guitar for months. That was it for Joni's trip to Woodstock. (thanks, Joel - toms river, NJ)

Joni Mitchell released this the same year on Ladies of the Canyon. It was also the B-side to her song "Big Yellow Taxi." Her version is much more basic than the CSN&Y release.

Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young's performance at Woodstock was only their second show together. Before forming the band, Crosby had been a member of The Byrds, Nash was with The Hollies, Stills and Young were members of Buffalo Springfield. Neil Young played with the group for only part of the set.

CSN is one of the only groups to play the original Woodstock and return to play Woodstock '94.

Neil Young is not seen in the Woodstock movie even though he was there for part of the set. He strongly disagreed with the idea of the movie, so he declined to appear in it. If he were to play any songs in the movie, he'd have to be cropped out of frame. (thanks, Jeff - Kendall Park, NJ)

The opening lyrics are a reference to the book of Matthew in which it says, "Blessed are those who try to make peace for they will be called children of God." (thanks, mike - new london, NH)

In the UK the best known version is the more Country Rock flavoured recording by Matthews Southern Comfort, which topped the British singles and peaked at #23 in the US. Ian Matthews had been the lead singer with Fairport Convention, leaving in 1969 to form Matthews' Southern Comfort. He recalled in 1000 UK #1 Hits by Jon Kutner & Spencer Leigh: "I had bought Joni Mitchell's album and we had to do four songs on a BBC lunchtime show. We worked up an arrangement for 'Woodstock' and the response was so good that we put it out as a single. Crosby, Stills & Nash's record had just come out and so we waited to see what happened to that first." In 1978 Matthews had a #13 hit in the US as a solo artist with "Shake It."

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Comments:

And the fact about Neil Young refusing to be in the Woodstock movie...I respect him but sometimes his view is too narrow. The movie itself was the only thing the promoters had to recover any of the millions the lost just putting the show on. Sometimes you just have to put your personal BS aside and just do what is expected of you. Its easy to be idealistic when you get paid upfront.
- KWC , Rocky Mount, NC

Tony, I would have to put the Eagles in the running on that one. I could never decide though. Brilliant harmony is the foundation of both groups.
- KWC , Rocky Mount, NC

An alternate take of the song is featured during the closing credits of the movie WOODSTOCK. Stephen Stills' vocal is different, as well as the guitar solos.
- Barry , New York, NC

CSN&Y are the best harmonizers in Rock history!!! Anyone disagree?
- Tony , Delran, NJ

As they said when they opened their set: "This is only the second time we've performed in front of people. We're scared sh**less"
- Billy , Gilbert, AZ

Larry, Woodstock was not signaling the end of the Hippie Generation. The Hippie movement we are most familiar with really came into being in San Francisco in 1967. It continued on through the late 60's, moving on into the 1970's. That's a fact, look it up.
- Joy , Indianapolis, IN

Joni Mitchell was the girlfriend of Graham Nash at the time of Woodstock. That is how she got the info on the festival. Joni was known in Topanga as the "lady of the canyon". Neil also owned a home in Topanga in the Fernwood area. In 1974, Neil Young, Joni Mitchell and The Eagles played the famous Topanga Corral and the admission was $4.
- Val , Topanga, CA

The song in that clip is long time gone by crosby,stills,nash and young by the way its not woodstock
- craig , ny, NY

cladrastis, James taylor performed that on Howard Stern. I looked for it as well and couldn't find it..but he did a great job at it!
- Mellonskull , Parkland, FL

Ive heard a version of woodstock on the radio and it sounds like James Taylor singing it but I cant find any version by him. anyone know who it would be??
- cladrastis , earth, MA

I bought the Woodstock 45 single back in 1970. This is the most hardest rockin' number that CSN&Y never played. Incredible uplifting vocals and brilliantly played lead guitar. I thought that this was by far their best song and the greatest rock single ever produced. I wish that CSN&Y had done more in this style. The kings of soft rock doing hard rock.
- scott , Mandurah, Australia

Heather, you heard wrong: Guinevere was written for David Crosby's fiancee Christine Hinton, who died in a traffic accident.
- Ekristheh , Halath, United States

Yes, Galina, I have heard of the song "Guenevere". It is very pretty but I don't know the words and it doesn't get much airtime here. I heard on the radio a member of the band saying it was based on a Groupie.
- Heather , Los Angeles, CA

Joni Mitchell couldn't go because she was scheduled to appear on "The Dick Cavett Show",.but her managers decided that she couldn't if she went to Woodstock.
- Sara , Greenville, AL

The line "We are stardust, we are golden, we are billion year old carbon" is literally true. Get a copy of the August 2007 "Sky and Telescope," go to page 102, and read.
- Pat , Albuquerque, NM

Crosby, Stills, and Nash are in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame however, Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young have not been inducted.
- Ashley , Somerset, KY

Matthew's Southern Comfort did a much better job with their sweetly sung cover of Neil's "Tell Me Why", which appears on a compilation album called "MCA Sound Conspiracy". ... Neil reportedly threatened to El Kabong anyone who came near him with a camera at Woodstock, saying he detested the way Stephen was mugging and playing up to the camera instead of concentrating on the music. ... Neil can be seen in a fan film shot at Woodstock with Stephen playing "Mr. Soul" which circulates among music downloaders. One of my colleagues refers to this as "Neil vs. Stephen, Guitar Death Match".
- Ekristheh , Halath, United States

This song rocks on!
- Mali , New York, NY

I believe Joni didn't make it because transportation issues forced her to choose between the festival and a TV appearance, and her manager advised the latter. Lots of interesting guitar work on the CSNY version. There's a "swampy" lead that I believe is Stills and a frenetic lead that I think is Neil. There's also an interesting sounding rhythm gtr that I wonder if it's Stills or Crosby. Any ideas out there?
- fyodor , Denver, CO

Yay Johnny!! I agree, "Carry On' is a great song!
- Stefanie , Rock Hill, SC

Larry hve you heard Jonie Mitchell's version? I'm not sure if I have heard the one by Mathew's southern Comfort, but i think I have.
- Stefanie , Rock Hill, SC

Where's Carry On? Please make it, someone!
- Johnny , Los Angeles, CA

The version by Matthews Southern Comfort band is much easier to understand the lyrics to than the CSNY version. Besides, the slower mode seems to fit the inner meaning of the song better such as when he says "got to get back to the land, try to set my soul free". Additionally, the lyrics "We are stardust, we are golden" seem to fit the situation at that time as Woodstock was signaling the end of the hippie generation, unfortunately. The MSC version just gets inside my head more deeply than the CSNY version.
- LARRY , NEWTON, NC

I heard that same story Robert.
- Stefanie , Rock Hill, SC

I have listened to those songs Galena, but I don't have the So FAr album. I have a greatest hits compilations that contains all of those songs, and they're great ones I might add. They should put them on the website.
- Stefanie , Rock Hill, SC

The story goes that Joni was in Hollywood, talking to CSN, who were at Woodstock. They described the scene to her, and she wrote the song based on what they told her. I think it worked out pretty well for everyone.
- robert , Santa Barbara, CA

I like the song because it tells a story, as like most of their songs do, and makes me wish I were alive back then so I could go......
- Galina , New London, CT

Has anyone ever heard of "Our House" or "Wooden Ships (on the water)" or "Guineviere" (sp?)? They are on the 'So Far' album.
- Galina , New London, CT

Well Taraa, I heard that she never got to go to Woodstock at all.
- Stefanie , Rock Hill, SC

I heard that this song was written by Joni cause she got stuck and didn't make it to Woodstock "ontime". Something about getting stuck in traffic and staying at a hotel the first night. It makes sense if you listend: "By the time we got to Woodstock we were a half a million strong......". So take it as you want it.
- Tara , Palmyra, NJ

For those who appreciate acoustic folk, Joni's dreamlike, THC-saturated version evokes the spirit of the festival's spectators beautifully. The CSNY version echoes the mind-blowing electric grooves from Hendrix and many of the other performers. If you like Matthew's Southern Comfort's version, try their lovely cover of Neil Young's "Tell Me Why".
- Ekristheh , Halath, United States

The "Matthew's Southern Comfort" version blows, as does Joni Mitchell's. CSNY nail this song, just like the Doobie Brothers nailed "Jesus is Just Alright." The Doobie blew the original out of the water.
- Nessie , Sapporo, Japan

Great song. My favorite version is Joni mitchell's though.
- Stefanie magura , Rock Hill, SC

"Deja Vu" is an amazin album
- Brett , Watertown, SD

Probably the most commercially successful version of this song turned out to be a one hit wonder by a band named "Matthew's Southern Comfort".
- Dan , Auckland, New Zealand

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