Wikipedia

Just a Song Before I Go

"Just a Song Before I Go" is a song by Crosby, Stills and Nash that appeared on the 1977 album CSN. It was also released as a single and reached number 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 for two consecutive weeks ending August 27 and September 3, 1977,[1] becoming the band's highest-charting hit. It is also one of the band's shortest songs, with a running time of only 2:14. In Canada, it peaked at number 10.[2]

"Just a Song Before I Go"
Single by Crosby, Stills & Nash
from the album CSN
B-side"Dark Star"
ReleasedJune 17, 1977
Genre
Length2:14
LabelAtlantic
Songwriter(s)Graham Nash
Producer(s)David Crosby
Stephen Stills
Graham Nash
The Albert Brothers
Crosby, Stills & Nash singles chronology
"Our House"
(1970) 		"Just a Song Before I Go"
(1977) 		"Fair Game"
(1977)

Background edit

The song was written by Graham Nash about leaving loved ones behind before going on a concert tour. It was written in Hawaii in about 20 minutes at the piano while Nash and Leslie Morris were staying with a friend, later revealed to be a rather "low-level drug dealer". Nash had a little while to get to the airport to head back to his home in Los Angeles. The dealer queried Nash something along the lines of "You're a big shot song writer, I bet you can't write a song just before you go." After Nash asking how much the dealer was betting, he responded $500.[3] In a February 25, 2016, interview on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Nash stated that he still has that $500. This song came in the nick of time, because an upcoming hurricane was about to wreak havoc on the island.

Billboard praised the "hypnotically soothing orchestration" and the vocal harmonies.[4] Cash Box said that "an unmistakable vocal blend and Stephen Stills' smooth electric guitar licks are here" and called the melody "gentle."[5] Record World called it "a quiet, melodic song with a dreamy air."[6]

Crosby, Stills and Nash arranged "Just a Song Before I Go" as a straight ballad, with mostly acoustic textures anchored by two electric guitar solos from Stephen Stills.

Personnel edit

Additional musicians edit

Charts edit

Weekly charts edit

Chart (1977) Peak
position
Australia (Kent Music Report)[7] 59
Canadian Top Singles (RPM)[2] 10
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[8] 23
U.S. Billboard Hot 100 7
U.S. Cash Box Top 100[9] 8
United States (Record World Singles)[10] 12

Year-end charts edit

Chart (1977) Position
U.S. Billboard Hot 100[11] 47

Cover versions edit

  • In 2008, drummer Russ Kunkel and the group Chateau Beach covered the song on their album "Rivage."[12]

References edit

  1. ^ The Hot 100, Week of September 3, 1977 – Billboard. Retrieved September 30, 2021
  2. ^ a b RPM Top 100 Singles: September 3, 1977
  3. ^ Zimmer, Dave and Diltz, Henry, Crosby, Stills & Nash: The Authorized Biography, Da Capo Press, 2000 ISBN 978-0-306-80974-3 p 190
  4. ^ "Top Single Picks" (PDF). Billboard. May 28, 1977. p. 80. Retrieved 2020-07-12.
  5. ^ "CashBox Singles Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. May 21, 1977. p. 26. Retrieved 2021-12-26.
  6. ^ "Hits of the Week" (PDF). Record World. May 21, 1977. p. 1. Retrieved 2023-02-16.
  7. ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 77. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  8. ^ "Crosby, Stills & Nash – Just A Song Before I Go" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved April 6, 2021.
  9. ^ "Cash Box Top 100 10/31/70". Archived from the original on 2016-10-09. Retrieved 2016-09-28.
  10. ^ "RECORD WORLD MAGAZINE: 1942 to 1982". worldradiohistory.com. Retrieved 2020-12-28.
  11. ^ "Top 100 Hits of 1977/Top 100 Songs of 1977". Musicoutfitters.com. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
  12. ^ "Rivage overview". Allmusic.com.

Other sources edit

  • Liner notes from the 1991 box set Crosby, Stills and Nash: CSN. The commentary on the songs's genesis is from David Crosby.
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