 Deja Vu (1970) [ larger cover art ] |
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Well, I came upon a child of God
He was walking along the road
And I asked him, Tell 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 walk 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,
But then 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 jet 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.
He was walking along the road
And I asked him, Tell 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 walk 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,
But then 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 jet 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.
| helgigermany (Germany) | Posted: May 24, 2013 - 13:53 1970, one of the best years in modern music buisness. |
| joempie (Switzerland) | Posted: Apr 23, 2013 - 05:51 OK, so they can play their instruments, but I think people shouldn't sing about music or concerts. Sounds phony. Either you were there or you weren't, but don't sing about it - typically results in bad lyrics... |
| coloradojohn (A Mile High and then some, Cherry Creek, Denver) | Posted: Mar 22, 2013 - 18:27 Would have been interesting, for sure! in The Last Waltz, Neil glares and cuts in and does everything he can to keep Robbie Robertson away from her on stage — and Lord only knows and some very fine songs have hinted at what all went on in real life among and between all of them in those wild days! gjeeg wrote: I always thought Joni should have joined the band. CSMNY! Imagine her up there ~ rocking out, transcendental angelic front woman, with the four boys on the wings. and as for this song: TIMELESS ROCKER! CRANK IT, SING ALONG, and DANCE THIS BLAZE ELECTRIC! |
| gjeeg (Syracuse, New York) | Posted: Mar 22, 2013 - 18:23 " A shitty mess, I'll tell you!" |
| gjeeg (Syracuse, New York) | Posted: Mar 22, 2013 - 18:23 I always thought Joni should have joined the band. CSMNY! Imagine her up there ~ rocking out, transcendental angelic front woman, with the four boys on the wings. |
| zepher | Posted: Feb 19, 2013 - 08:10 My new Woodstock name is "Stardust"......  "Wait here while I use the port-o-san."  Remember —->  |
| flyboy50 (Ohio Valley) | Posted: Dec 18, 2012 - 16:00 Hey!! All you hippies. Get off my lawn! |
| bachbeet | Posted: Oct 16, 2012 - 22:45 Not my favorite from this album but still good. I do prefer Joni's original though. |
| Krispian (Vancouver, BC) | Posted: Aug 14, 2012 - 22:01 coloradojohn wrote: In my opinion, one of the finest and most justly Beatified songs — and groups — of all time... The intriguing contrasts and playful rocking dialogue between the Stills and Young guitars (and strumming of Crosby's too), the amazing harmonies of Nash and all the voices, the keyboards, the percussion, the bass, only added to the stellar songwriting of Joni Mitchell, and well, it's just hard to beat all THAT, and every time I hear it I REJOICE! I too rejoice |
| jadewahoo | Posted: Jul 14, 2012 - 11:35 I remember it well... I turned 19 that year, at Woodstock. |
| coloradojohn (A Mile High and then some, Cherry Creek, Denver) | Posted: Jun 12, 2012 - 20:37 In my opinion, one of the finest and most justly Beatified songs — and groups — of all time... The intriguing contrasts and playful rocking dialogue between the Stills and Young guitars (and strumming of Crosby's too), the amazing harmonies of Nash and all the voices, the keyboards, the percussion, the bass, only added to the stellar songwriting of Joni Mitchell, and well, it's just hard to beat all THAT, and every time I hear it I REJOICE! |
| philbertr (Roch New York) | Posted: Apr 10, 2012 - 08:03 I just watched a YouTube stream of movie about Wavy Gravy that provided another extremely interesting look at Woodstock and a lot of other things that were happening then. This was an amazing period of time with an incredible explosion of musical and artistic creativity. Sure, there was a lot of junk created then, but that always happens in the arts (and probably in other areas of human endeavor, as well): When there is any kind of cultural explosion, it creates good and bad elements—the normal distribution curve might be as close to a universal law as we any we have. But that doesn't in any way detract from the lasting brilliance that also came from that time, and the lasting changes to society. This song is a good example of that brilliance, lyrically, musically and philosophically. |
| Misterfixit (Nashville) | Posted: Apr 10, 2012 - 07:58 Every time I hear this I wonder what happened to Mr Yasgur? Did he ever receive his rent money for the field? Anyway, Godlike is my rating. |
| rdo (DC) | Posted: Mar 09, 2012 - 15:43 Wow. I had no idea Joni wrote this. I love how I can just go right over to YouTube and see and hear anything I want when I want. |
| helgigermany (Germany) | Posted: Feb 06, 2012 - 22:43 Very nice! |
| juanos (Somewhere between the US and Guatemala) | Posted: Dec 05, 2011 - 08:39 sfoster66 wrote: For me, as a certified Generation X'er, this song is hard...I get the brilliance, I understand the feeling it inspires, but I simply don't like it much...so, am I rating it on its historical relevance in the musical encyclopedia or whether it makes my ears happy? Hmmm...not often I get stuck like this... I'm with you... this song, for me at least... have to be on the right mood... not this morning!  |
| WBOB (Oshkosh (b'gosh) Wisconsin) | Posted: Dec 05, 2011 - 08:37 All time classic. Album has genuine nuggets that bring back high school. |
| unclehud (300 feet above the planet) | Posted: Dec 05, 2011 - 08:34 Amen, brothers and sisters. |
| treatment_bound (Duluth to Madison) | Posted: Nov 03, 2011 - 18:07 Thanks Max, for letting us invade your space.  Respectfully, The Nation  |
| Cynaera (Kenneth's Frequency) | Posted: Sep 01, 2011 - 18:57 I've read so many pro and con comments regarding Joni vs. CSNY - and I couldn't address them all, so I'll offer this: I LOVE the song. CSNY rocks it and grabs a listener by the ears. Joni doesn't rock it - she just states it as it was, and anyone who was there can appreciate both versions of the song. The message is the message. |
| Alexandra (Here and Now) | Posted: Aug 01, 2011 - 08:55 sirdroseph wrote: Ya know there is a reason this is the version that became a hit. I cannot stand Joni Mitchell's version even though it is her song!  Hey, we agree!  I did this one at karaoke once. It was so fun to really belt it out!  |
| macbags (atlanta) | Posted: Jul 01, 2011 - 01:25 Ya know there is a reason this is the version that became a hit. I cannot stand Joni Mitchell's version even though it is her song! Sir d , very well said, couldn't have said it any more complete. |
| JBarDom (Mexico) | Posted: Apr 28, 2011 - 18:59 Déjà Vu, indeed... |
| sirdroseph (Yes) | Posted: Mar 28, 2011 - 04:19 nerakdon wrote: This is the only time you'll ever hear me say this, but... the Joni Mitchell version is better. Ya know there is a reason this is the version that became a hit. I cannot stand Joni Mitchell's version even though it is her song! |
| kurtster (sometimes the statue and sometimes the pigeon) | Posted: Feb 24, 2011 - 17:24 Mugro wrote: Coming up on the 40th anniversary. Yes, I broke down and bought the new box set with the directors cut movie. I got the anniversary edition, too. Gotta say I like the original version of the movie much better though. The anniversary comes off more as a documentary. The original is more about the music. |
| alaken (Missoula, MT) | Posted: Jan 24, 2011 - 11:09 One of a handful of albums my parents played constantly when I was growing up, which left an indelible mark on me:
My tastes are very wide-ranging, and it's remarkable how this small group of albums laid the groundwork for so much of my taste and appreciation over the decades. |
| Proclivities (Carrboro, NC) | Posted: Jan 24, 2011 - 11:06 nerakdon wrote: This is the only time you'll ever hear me say this, but... the Joni Mitchell version is better. Well, it certainly applies to her version of "Big Yellow Taxi" as well. |
| calypsus_1 | Posted: Nov 25, 2010 - 21:45 Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young - two songs, Live Aid"The version of the cost of freedom is just brillant! absolutely beautiful!" keo774 "Badly underrehearsed, no backing musicians, just voice and acoustic guitars with Croz really ill...couldn't hear themselves,,,,,and they still rock......if only Jimi had been alive to play ! The guitar interplay with Neil and Stephen is brilliant,,,,,Springfield again. I bet Jimi would have played with these guys...now that would have been some band...especially with Mitch and Noel/Billy on bass." magslyfarnham1 |
| HazzeSwede (Vinyl Land) | Posted: Nov 22, 2010 - 09:28 What !!!!!!!!!!!!  .... .... |
| keller1 (In A Gadda Da Vida, Baby) | Posted: Oct 21, 2010 - 17:59 nerakdon wrote: This is the only time you'll ever hear me say this, but... the Joni Mitchell version is better. Completely agree. |
| nerakdon (Colorado) | Posted: Oct 21, 2010 - 17:18 This is the only time you'll ever hear me say this, but... the Joni Mitchell version is better. |
| sfoster66 (Haida Gwaii, BC, Canada) | Posted: May 15, 2010 - 09:52 For me, as a certified Generation X'er, this song is hard...I get the brilliance, I understand the feeling it inspires, but I simply don't like it much...so, am I rating it on its historical relevance in the musical encyclopedia or whether it makes my ears happy? Hmmm...not often I get stuck like this... |
| calypsus_1 | Posted: Apr 25, 2010 - 23:30 Crosby, Stills and Nash - "Woodstock" Live (2009) "We are stardust, we are golden.....Woodstock.....a Joni Mitchell classic. One of many. Thank you Joni for your fantanstic songs." catanlorca "Steven Stills can still rock! " |
| helgigermany (Germany) | Posted: Mar 13, 2010 - 00:25 Nice!! |
| GeneP59 (From the State that asks: What can Brown do 4 U?) | Posted: Feb 09, 2010 - 11:22 Ahhhhhhh today is kinda a CSNY day. |
| DaveInVA (In a crumbling Queen Anne mansion in Damnville, VA) | Posted: Nov 07, 2009 - 06:36 Good Stuff! |
| Mugro (Lane Village, Red Sox Nation) | Posted: Aug 04, 2009 - 16:59 Coming up on the 40th anniversary. Yes, I broke down and bought the new box set with the directors cut movie. |
| Stefen (West Hollywood, CA) | Posted: Aug 04, 2009 - 16:59 An anthem. |
| redstorm (East Coast!........ Lou!) | Posted: May 01, 2009 - 12:06 "By the time we got to Woodstock, we were half a million strong!"....sends shivers!...Will the young people of today EVER feel like that? That they have the power to coalesce and have a SAY about what happens to the world? What HOPE we had! of course it's a 9 |
| Wizzuvvoz (Land of Nod. East of Eden on Route 66.) | Posted: May 01, 2009 - 12:02 toterola wrote: No mistaking this song, from the first note. One of the best albums ever.  yep 10 if there ever was one |
| jagdriver (Tunin' in from the aptly-named Grass Valley, CA) | Posted: Feb 27, 2009 - 10:31  |
| WonderLizard (2,755.46 mi. due east of Paradise) | Posted: Jan 26, 2009 - 20:46 WonderLizard wrote: Recall Rolling Stone's lukewarm review of Deja Vu and the closer: "Hey, let's do something heavy!" "Yeah! How about something by Joni Mitchell?" Self-edit: And they kicked ass with it. Stills's vocals at their best. |
| toterola (Further) | Posted: Jan 26, 2009 - 20:45 No mistaking this song, from the first note. One of the best albums ever. |
| BoneRoller (Western North America) | Posted: Jan 26, 2009 - 20:43 musikalia wrote: Classic song. A good 9. But I prefer the Joni Mitchell version. Love joni but prefer this version by FAR |
| songbirdfemme (syracuse ny) | Posted: Sep 22, 2008 - 11:18 big_gare wrote: Not bad songwriting considering that Joni didn't even attend the "Aquarian Festival" itself. Great Tune! Yes, I love the Joni shout out! What a great song writer! |
| DeeCee1109 (People's Republic of A2) | Posted: Sep 22, 2008 - 11:09 Good-looking dog on the cover. |
| WonderLizard (2,755.46 mi. due east of Paradise) | Posted: Sep 22, 2008 - 11:09 Recall Rolling Stone's lukewarm review of Deja Vu and the closer: "Hey, let's do something heavy!" "Yeah! How about something by Joni Mitchell?" |
| big_gare (Cloverdale, BeeCee, Canada) | Posted: Sep 22, 2008 - 11:08 Not bad songwriting considering that Joni didn't even attend the "Aquarian Festival" itself. Great Tune! |
| coy (san antonio) | Posted: May 30, 2008 - 14:21 'We are stardust, we are golden We are ten billion year old carbon And we got to get ourselves back to the garden' never more appropriate than now |
| macadavy (Cascadia's attic, eh?) | Posted: May 30, 2008 - 14:20 Love this tune, but I wonder why the best song on this album (IMHO) has never yet been played on RP. Here's hoping we soon hear 'Teach Your Children'! |