Right Between the Eyes

Album: 4 Way Street (1971)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Graham Nash wrote this song. He told Rolling Stone: "I was seduced by a beautiful woman down in Long Island. She was married. The song is a confession to a friend."
  • "Right Between The Eyes" didn't appear on a studio album; it was released on the 1971 Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young live album 4 Way Street, recorded on their tour in 1970. By the time it was released, the band had fractured but were immensely popular. The album went to #1 in America, where it sold over 4 million copies. Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young didn't tour together again until 1974.

Comments: 6

  • Kc Ramsey from PennsylvaniaNash has said this song was his message to a fellow musician whose wife Graham had slept with. It's a well-known musician. Might be John Sebastian. It's in the bio books somewhere. But the person who brought Jesus into the discussion is a complete idiot. Absolutely complete.
  • Toad from ClawsonLeave it to a superstitious knucklehead to distort someone else's art as a way to pump up his own insane delusions. Isn't there a Q meeting somewhere in Stockton for you to attend?
  • The Real Mark Palmer from FloridaI’m sorry. Sometimes I’m a complete delusional ignoramous. I should keep my imagination to myself.
  • Tyler from Planetactually, you are wrong Mark Palmer. the song is about an affair Graham had with a separated women.
  • Mark Palmer from Stockton CaliforniaThe song is very catchy but a total lie. It is a mockery of Christ Jesus and of His followers. Dear Graham, please, one way or another you will meet Jesus face to face and won't need any faith. Odds are that you will not witness His breaking "forth out from yonder sky". Repent and believe amigo because the "pain that you've experienced" will not compare to the wailing and gnashing of teeth that will begin and continue for eternity, concerning you and all unbelievers, after His coming. Come out from amongst them Graham.
  • Ken from Philadelphia, PaThis is actually a beautiful song... that I was always shocked didn't become a hit.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Band Names

Band NamesFact or Fiction

Was "Pearl" Eddie Vedder's grandmother, and did she really make a hallucinogenic jam? Did Journey have a contest to name the group? And what does KISS stand for anyway?

Don Brewer of Grand Funk

Don Brewer of Grand FunkSongwriter Interviews

The drummer and one of the primary songwriters in Grand Funk talks rock stardom and Todd Rundgren.

Wolfgang Van Halen

Wolfgang Van HalenSongwriter Interviews

Wolfgang Van Halen breaks down the songs on his debut album, Mammoth WVH, and names the definitive Van Halen songs from the Sammy and Dave eras.

N.W.A vs. the World

N.W.A vs. the WorldSong Writing

How the American gangsta rappers made history by getting banned in the UK.

Brandi Carlile

Brandi CarlileSongwriter Interviews

As a 5-year-old, Brandi was writing lyrics to instrumental versions lullabies. She still puts her heart into her songs, including the one Elton John sings on.

Ian Gillan of Deep Purple

Ian Gillan of Deep PurpleSongwriter Interviews

Deep Purple frontman Ian Gillan explains the "few red lights" in "Smoke On The Water" and talks about songs from their 2020 album Whoosh!