So Begins The Task

Album: Manassas (1972)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Stills put "So Begins The Task" together for the Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young album Déjà Vu, but the band didn't feel it fit on the album and the song floated around in limbo for a few years. It finally found a home on the debut album of Stills' band Manassas.

    He wrote the song about his breakup with Judy Collins; that same lost romance was fodder for "Suite: Judy Blue Eyes" and "You Don't Have to Cry." "So Begins the Task" is believed the first song Stills wrote about/for Collins.

    Collins was living in New York City, and Stills wanted her to come live with him in California. She wanted to say on the east coast to tend to her budding music career, but also to continue with her psychotherapy.

    Collins did visit Stills around that time. She watched him and the band perform in the studio and was blown away by how good they are. She couldn't stay, though, because she could already feel that the whole scene would trigger her alcoholism and lead to her self-destruction. So, she elected to return to New York, and her relationship with Stills ended.
  • While talking to Rolling Stone in 1971, Stills discussed why so many of his songs are about Collins.

    "Well," Stills replied, "there are three things men can do with women: love them, suffer for them, or turn them into literature. I've had my share of success and failure at all three."
  • Jerry Garcia is rumored to have played pedal steel guitar on this song (among others on Manassas).

Comments: 2

  • Ronzo from Halifax, NsI didn't know the song before hearing it on Jango but I had to look up as I recognized Steve Stills voice but knew that was Garcia playing. I never heard that Stills and Jerry played together and see here that's its 'rumoured'. Well, I'd be my last dollar on that 'rumour'!
  • Jimbo from Long Island NyPerhaps an uncredited Timothy B. Schmitt singing harmony?
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Narada Michael Walden - "Freeway of Love"

Narada Michael Walden - "Freeway of Love"They're Playing My Song

As a songwriter and producer, Narada had hits with Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey and Starship. But what song does he feel had the greatest impact on his career?

Andrew Farriss of INXS

Andrew Farriss of INXSSongwriter Interviews

Andrew Farriss on writing with Michael Hutchence, the stories behind "Mystify" and other INXS hits, and his country-flavored debut solo album.

Classic Metal

Classic MetalFact or Fiction

Ozzy, Guns N' Roses, Judas Priest and even Michael Bolton show up in this Classic Metal quiz.

Charlie Benante of Anthrax

Charlie Benante of AnthraxSongwriter Interviews

The drummer for Anthrax is also a key songwriter. He explains how the group puts their songs together and tells the stories behind some of their classics.

Pete Anderson

Pete AndersonSongwriter Interviews

Pete produced Dwight Yoakam, Michelle Shocked, Meat Puppets, and a very memorable track for Roy Orbison.

Wherefore Art Thou Romeo Lyric

Wherefore Art Thou Romeo LyricMusic Quiz

In this quiz, spot the artist who put Romeo into a song lyric.