Album: Déjà Vu (1970)

Charted: 11

License This Song 

• Well, I came upon a child of God
  He was walking along the road
  And I asked him, Tell me, where are you going
  This he told me
  
  Said, I'm going down to Yasgur's Farm
  Gonna join in a rock and roll band
  Got to get back to the land and set my soul free
  
  We are stardust, we are golden
  We are billion year old carbon
  And we got to get ourselves back to the garden
  
  Well, then can I roam beside you?
  I have come to lose the smog,
  And I feel myself a cog in somethin' turning
  And maybe it's the time of year
  Yes and maybe it's the time of man
  And I don't know who I am
  But life is for learning
  
  We are stardust, we are golden
  We are billion year old carbon
  And we got to get ourselves back to the garden
  
  We are stardust, we are golden
  We are billion year old carbon
  And we got to get ourselves back to the garden
  
  By the time we got to Woodstock
  We were half a million strong
  And everywhere was a song and a celebration
  And I dreamed I saw the bomber death planes
  Riding shotgun in the sky,
  Turning into butterflies
  Above our nation
  
  We are stardust, we are golden
  We are caught in the devils bargain
  And we got to get ourselves back to the garden Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 47

• Ralph from Paris, FranceThank you for a beautiful look back on Woodstock- the peaceful gathering of like-souls wanting to change so much which impacts today. The legacy rebounds on today, forevermore.
• AnonymousThis song was written by Joni Mitchell... and was covered by the crosby stills and Nash and young.... thanks all
• Deborah from U.kread the book of Enoch .the fallen ones and then you will understand
• Alice Degregori from TexasThis song is actually by Joni Mitchell, who dated Crosby in the 60s.
• Travler from West-by-godLot of varying comments here! To understand the meaning of this song, put yourself into the lyrics as part of the whole happening! And by the time "You" get to WoodStock...you'll understand Joni's intentions! By the By...This tune was "Meant" to be preformed by CSN&Y!
• Lisa from North CarolinaCladrastis: James Taylor’s version has been done twice, and are on YouTube...once on Howard Stern and once for the induction of CS&N into the Rock Hall.
• Chris from Granville Oh UsaI was in HS in the early 70's, so I grew up hearing this song, on the radio mostly. Within the last couple of years, as I've digitized my music, I picked up CSN&Y's compilation album "So Far". I have been listening to "Woodstock" on headphones for the last 40 mins or so. Impressions: it is one of the best "rock" songs ever recorded. Why? The foundation is Joni Mitchell's incredible spiritually- and hope-infused lyrics. Building upon that foundation, CSN&Y used every tool and talent in their possession. The recording is nearly perfect. Everyone excels on the record. Young's and Stills's guitar work: amazing (l think the opening solo is Stills, and all the other solos are unmistakably Young). I am completely fascinated by the rhythm guitar work in the song (I am guessing it's Stills'): it seems perfectly restrained and understated, wonderfully supporting the beat and the melody at the same time. The keyboard work (mostly organ, but you can hear piano in the first verse, too) is just great. And the obvious: Stills' lead vocal, and Crosby and Nash's backing vocals shine as well. And the icing on the cake is that the recording mix is nearly perfect as well. Some songs you can only listen to a couple times in a row and you get bored. Not this one. Truly deserving of the title "Classic".
• Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn March 22nd 1970, Crosby, Stills, Nash, & Young's covered version of "Woodstock" entered Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart at position #68; six weeks later on May 3rd, 1970 it would peaked at #11 for 2 weeks {See next post below}...
  Was track five of side two of the quartet's debut album, 'Deja Vu', and on May 10th, 1970 the album peaked at #1 {for 1 week} on Billboard's Top 200 Albums chart...
  Two other tracks from the album also made the Top 100 chart, "Teach Your Children" {peaked at #16} and "Our House" {reached #30}...
  On June 21st, 1970 "Teach Your Children" was at #33, and that same day the group's "Ohio" entered the Top 100 at #58, eventually it peaked at #14 {for 1 week} and stayed on the Top 100 for 9 weeks.
• Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn August 19th 1969, Joni Mitchell performed "Woodstock" on the ABC-TV program 'The Dick Cavett Show'...
  Seven months later on March 22nd, 1970 C.S.N. & Y.'s covered version would entered Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart at position #68; and on May 3rd, 1970 it peaked at #11 {for 2 weeks} and it also spent 11 weeks on the Top 100...
  Two other covered versions have made the Top 100 chart; Assembled Multitude {peaked at #79 for 1 week on October 18th, 1970} and Matthew's Southern Comfort {reached #23 for 2 weeks on May16th, 1971}
  On October 31st, 1970 Matthew's Southern Comfort's version reached #1 {for 3 weeks} on the United Kingdom's Singles chart {it was Jimi Hendrix's "Voodoo Child" that knocked it out of the top spot}.
• John from Joplin, Mo/queens, Ny, MoI believe the line from the song Woodstock that says "I saw the bomber airplanes flying shotgun in the sky, turned into butterflies across our nation" was related to the fact that when the National Guard was there in the helicopters, they flashed the peace sign to the crowd below from the open doors on the sides of the copters. I was there.
• George from St. Louis, MoI've written a line-by-line personal interpretation of the lyrics as epitomizing hippie movement values here: http://www.thank-a-hippie.com/woodstock-the-song-poetically-expresses-hippie-values/ Hippies may seem a relic of the past, but their best values live on, as they must if the human race is to survive and thrive!
• Staley from Dallas, TxI like Ian Matthews's version better (though CSNY's is OK too, and Joni's). So many rock fans (especially Baby boomers) get all wrapped up in "this band is cool, that group isn't" and lose sight of the fact that different people like different things.
• Kwc from Rocky Mount, NcAnd 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 from Rocky Mount, NcTony, 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.
• Barry from New York, NcAn 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.
• Tony from Delran, NjCSN&Y are the best harmonizers in Rock history!!! Anyone disagree?
• Billy from Gilbert, AzAs 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"
• Joy from Indianapolis, InLarry,
  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.
• Val from Topanga, CaJoni 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.
• Craig from Ny, NyThe song in that clip is long time gone by crosby,stills,nash and young by the way its not woodstock
• Mellonskull from Parkland, Flcladrastis, 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!
• Cladrastis from Earth, MaIve 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??
• Scott from Mandurah, AustraliaI 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.
• Ekristheh from Halath, United StatesHeather, you heard wrong: Guinevere was written for David Crosby's fiancee Christine Hinton, who died in a traffic accident.
• Heather from Los Angeles, CaYes, 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.
• Sara from Greenville, AlJoni 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.
• Pat from Albuquerque, NmThe 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.
• Ashley from Somerset, KyCrosby, Stills, and Nash are in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame however, Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young have not been inducted.
• Ekristheh from Halath, United StatesMatthew'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".
• Mali from New York, NyThis song rocks on!
• Fyodor from Denver, CoI 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?
• Stefanie from Rock Hill, ScLarry 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 from Rock Hill, ScYay Johnny!! I agree, "Carry On' is a great song!
• Johnny from Los Angeles, CaWhere's Carry On? Please make it, someone!
• Larry from Newton, NcThe 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.
• Stefanie from Rock Hill, ScI heard that same story Robert.
• Stefanie from Rock Hill, ScI 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.
• Robert from Santa Barbara, CaThe 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.
• Galina from New London, CtHas anyone ever heard of "Our House" or "Wooden Ships (on the water)" or "Guineviere" (sp?)? They are on the 'So Far' album.
• Galina from New London, CtI 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......
• Stefanie from Rock Hill, ScWell Taraa, I heard that she never got to go to Woodstock at all.
• Tara from Palmyra, NjI 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.
• Ekristheh from Halath, United StatesFor 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".
• Nessie from Sapporo, JapanThe "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.
• Stefanie Magura from Rock Hill, ScGreat song. My favorite version is Joni mitchell's though.
• Brett from Watertown, Sd"Deja Vu" is an amazin album
• Dan from Auckland, New ZealandProbably the most commercially successful version of this song turned out to be a one hit wonder by a band named "Matthew's Southern Comfort".

More Songfacts:

Killing Me SoftlyFugees

One of the most successful cover songs is Fugees' "Killing Me Softly," a 1996 reworking of Roberta Flack's 1973 hit. Originally, Fugees wanted to change the title to "Killing Him Softly" and make it about the dangers of drug abuse.

Foolish BeatDebbie Gibson

Debbie Gibson was 17 years old when "Foolish Beat" topped the Hot 100. This gave her the honor of becoming the youngest artist ever to write, perform, and produce a #1 single.

Little TalksOf Monsters and Men

"Little Talks," released in 2011 during the folk-rock boom, was the big hit for the Icelandic group Of Monsters And Men. The song is delivered as a conversation between a longtime married couple, but the woman might be going crazy and talking to a ghost.

The Candy ManSammy Davis, Jr.

"The Candy Man" is the opening song in the 1971 movie Willie Wonka And The Chocolate Factory, but the version released as a single was by Rat Pack member Sammy Davis Jr. It was a #1 hit and became his signature song even though his audience was very adult.

CompassionLucinda Williams

Lucinda Williams' track "Compassion" is based on a poem by her father, lauded Arkansas poet Miller Williams.

I Guess That's Why They Call It The BluesElton John

"I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues" by Elton John was written for the sister of actress Rene Russo. Bernie Taupin, who wrote the lyrics, was married to Rene's sister, Toni.

Editor's Picks

Which Songs are About Drugs?Fact or Fiction

"25 or 6 to 4" to "Semi-Charmed Life" - see if you can spot the songs that are really about drugs.

Jack Blades of Night Ranger and Damn YankeesSongwriter Interviews

Revisit the awesome glory of Night Ranger and Damn Yankees: cheesily-acted videos, catchy guitar licks, long hair, and lyrics that are just plain relatable.

Harry Wayne Casey of KC and The Sunshine BandSongwriter Interviews

Harry Wayne Casey tells the stories behind KC and The Sunshine Band hits like "Get Down Tonight," "That's The Way (I Like It)," and "Give It Up."

Benny MardonesSongwriter Interviews

His song "Into The Night" is one of the most-played of all time. For Benny, it took him to hell and back.

Edie BrickellSongwriter Interviews

Edie Brickell on her collaborations with Paul Simon, Steve Martin and Willie Nelson, and her 2021 album with the New Bohemians.

Zakk WyldeSongwriter Interviews

When he was playing Ozzfest with Black Label Society, a kid told Zakk he was the best Ozzy guitarist - Zakk had to correct him.