Crosby, Stills & Nash - Just A Song Before I Go / Dark Star - Houston, TX, 1977

"Just a Song Before I Go" is a song from Crosby, Stills and Nash that appeared on the 1977 album CSN. It was also released as a single and made it to number seven on the Billboard singles charts and ended up being the band's highest climbing hit.
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, waiting for the rain to stop before leaving the house. The opening line came from the question: "You've got half an hour, why don't you just write a song before you go?"[1]
"Just a Song Before I Go" is lyrically straightforward about the situation Nash was in at the moment he wrote it, and there is also an undercurrent of regret towards rootlessness, a feeling that Nash - born and raised in England, a resident of the United States who had lived in California and was now living in Hawaii - might very well have had at the time.
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.
In 2008, drummer Russ Kunkel and the group Chateau Beach covered the song from their album "Rivage."[2]

[@carlosmontana8840]

Everyone talks about Stephen stills guitar playing but the dude could sing now.

[@yungghost5889]

These guys were so underrated…

[@Young-if1jz]

Not by anyone here in the comments section. 😊

[@Wheelhouseprojects]

Stills’ tone with that Gibson Firebird is so cool. Aside from the vocal harmonies it’s the most intoxicating sound in the song.

[@marypapak5759]

True that, I had just finished focusing on the sound when I read your comment😊

[@Jonathan-mt9up]

My guess is it's a univibe into a chorus pedal.

[@lucidnightmares2121]

Rest In Power Mr. Crosby 🦿✌️

[@LarsDcCase]

Rest in Power? Hmm. Never heard that one before.

[@amputeemarksman]

I was right out of HS the summer of 77. These songs were on the 8 Track player in my 64 Dodge Dart all the time. Bench seat with my girlfriend right next to me in the front with Just A Song Before I Go blasting. Great memories. Never forget those times.

[@LarsDcCase]

Yep Those were simpler and better times, and, we got along just fine without cell phones or computers. 😀

[@LarsDcCase]

I've listened to a lot of CSN&Y music over the years, but this is the first time I've heard Dark Star. This song really rocks !👍 That Gibson Firebird has a great sound. 😀 R.I.P. David.

[@michaellawrencemaag7480]

Joe Vitale from Canton Ohio.. Drummer... Rock On Joe..

[@brendalogan1801]

I was at this concert! Thank you!

[@rickhaigwood1079]

ME TOO!!!! 😁

[@paulisaac78]

One of my favorite songs. I love the lyrics!

[@sidewaypoookenji3297]

Paul Isaac g

[@ninarizzo7312]

Beautiful song and harmonies. Lovely 😍👍❤️❤️❤️🤗👏👏👏👏👏

[@leighpulcher2880]

takes me to a place in my heart that is his and mine alone

[@brianhilbush7836]

Two of their best! OMG!

[@spookedhorse]

Flawless performance.

[@billm.2578]

Two Fantastic tunes that never grow old.

[@hectormacias3495]

Amen.

[@dougthePogingguitarist]

love this song

[@slbolfing56]

I was at this concert (1st song)! Unfortunately, my memory is a little foggy...

[@Billwillie57]

Steven deserves to be in the Hall.

[@RustedTelevisione]

He is. 2x. Buffalo Springfield & CSN.

[@Billwillie57]

@@RustedTelevisione You are correct, I mean as a solo artist.

[@joegreatmusicfirstweir9646]

Crosby stills and Nash that was some great Harmony on those two songs and great rhythm those guys could make the guitar talk David Crosby one of the best David rest in peace David you. Are inmusic heaven as we speak you guys played at Woodstock I wish I could have been there I was too young my parents would have l my parents would have let me win anyway

[@joegreatmusicfirstweir9646]

🎶🎵🎶🎵🎶🎶🎵🎶🎵🎶🎵🎵🎶🎵🎶🎵🎶🎵🎶♥️❤️

[@schizzamerda]

fabulos!!!!!!

[@edgarhugomanriquecostilla5]

jamas me cansare de escuchas estas canciones ....

[@davidborkin7045]

We’re u there ? I saw CSN back in 77 @ Alpine Valley , fantastic concert 👍✌️, (1) of the best concerts 👍👈

[@vieiracelina]

Que maravilha

[@piter.ramirei]

Perfecto, pura calidad !!!

[@stevebarrett2106]

truly haunting.

[@macelarm50]

Tampa,Fl. Boy Stills

[@eldievalenciano7967]

Legends at Work !!!!!!!!!!!$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

[@paulhuntley4227]

They are legons. They wheir great. C. S . n. Gods..of.muisice hey who went to school back.then .??

[@joriah69]

Wow

[@leighpulcher2880]

something about those airport reunions. ..so many

[@Thundergod129]

Don't know for sure but it was on the same album. Saw them live in '77 and the only real disappointment was they didn't play Dark Star. There is a Dvd from 1983 called Daylight Again worth checking out....

[@triptoyourheart]

The year is wrong, this is from the 1977 tour. Houston, Texas ´77.

[@triptoyourheart]

+triptoyourheart But Dark star is from 1983, indeed.

[@RustedTelevisione]

+triptoyourheart thanks! updated!

[@slbolfing56]

2 different concerts/dates

[@josephmarshall7943]

Have a beer and I'll be right back

[@calebcampbell6849]

4:16 Dark Star

[@josephmarshall7943]

noon berets go go

[@stevenlayer8756]

Fucking great!

[@markukkerd]

4:16

[@HankFinkle11]

Not bad for three coked up musicians.

[@alvogeljr]

Studio wizards. Mediocre live band