"Just a Song Before I Go" is a song by Crosby, Stills & 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" | |||
| Released | June 17, 1977 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 2:14 | |||
| Label | Atlantic | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Graham Nash | |||
| Producer(s) | David Crosby Stephen Stills Graham Nash The Albert Brothers | |||
| Crosby, Stills & Nash singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Background
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
- David Crosby – vocals, acoustic guitar
- Stephen Stills – vocals, electric guitar
- Graham Nash – vocals, piano
Additional musicians
- Joe Vitale – electric piano
- Tim Drummond – bass
- Russ Kunkel – drums, percussion
Charts
Weekly charts
| 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
| Chart (1977) | Position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100[11] | 47 |
Cover versions
- In 2008, drummer Russ Kunkel and the group Chateau Beach covered the song on their album "Rivage."[12]
References
Other sources
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