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Crosby, Stills & Nash — Southern Cross
Album: Daylight Again
Avg rating:
7.9

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1904









Released: 1982
Length: 4:34
Plays (last 30 days): 0
Ooh, ooh, ooh-ooh
Ooh, ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh

Got out of town on a boat goin' to Southern islands
Sailing a reach before a followin' sea
She was makin' for the trades on the outside
And the downhill run to Papeete

Off the wind on this heading lie the Marquesas
We got 80 feet of the waterline nicely making way
In a noisy bar in Avalon I tried to call you
But on a midnight watch I realized why twice you ran away

Think about
Think about how many times I have fallen
Spirits are using me, larger voices callin'
What heaven brought you and me cannot be forgotten

(I've been around the world) I have been around the world
(Lookin') Lookin' for that woman girl
(Who knows she knows) Who knows love can endure
And you know it will

When you see the Southern Cross for the first time
You understand now why you came this way
'Cause the truth you might be runnin' from is so small
But it's as big as the promise, the promise of a comin' day

So I'm sailing for tomorrow, my dreams are a-dyin'
And my love is an anchor tied to you, tied with a silver chain
I have my ship and all her flags are a-flyin'
She is all that I have left, and music is her name

Think about
Think about how many times I have fallen
Spirits are using me, larger voices callin'
What heaven brought you and me cannot be forgotten

(I've been around the world) I have been around the world
(Lookin') Lookin' for that woman girl
Who knows love can endure
And you know it will
And you know it will

Ooh, ooh, ooh-ooh
Ooh, ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh
Ooh, ooh, ooh-ooh
Ooh, ooh, ooh-ooh

So we cheated and we lied and we tested
And we never failed to fail, it was the easiest thing to do
You will survive being bested
Somebody fine will come along, make me forget about loving you
And the Southern Cross
Comments (174)add comment
Love this song! Wondering why I haven't heard it more over the years. The joys of Radio Paradise!
Having sailed the South Pacific to Tahiti aboard my own vessel I can say this song captures the peace one experiences of a trade wind voyage night watch under a clear starry sky.
Never understood why he was looking for a that “bovine girl” but, you know, whatever gets you off.
Being relentlessly overplayed usually gets a song relegated to the lower scores on my favs list. But this song transcends that rule. Love it.
I walk out my back door and the Southern Cross fills the sky

No lights ... just a zillion diamonds on black velvet

Sometimes you make good choices

Good song, but it got played to death on the local Top-40 station in Lexington Park, Maryland. My immediate memory is hearing it on everyone's clock radio in my dorm freshman year. I'm not sure that there's a CSN song I DON'T like. 
Yacht Rock!!!!
"(I've been around the world) I have been around the world "

One of my all time favorite phrasings!!!
Who would have ever thought that the Byrds, Buffalo Springfield and the Hollies would have contributed some of their best to create one of the all time greatest Super-Groups?
Still love 'em!
 (anonymous) wrote:


This song is soooo gooood for the ears...  love it...

 

ten 10 ten 10 ten 10 ten
According to the Graham Nash biography, this rather cheesy illustration (IMO) was used because a photo of the band was out of the question, Crosby being in such bad shape from freebasing coke that he looked like death.
I'm wondering if there is a single song by CSN & Y that I wouldn't rate with at least a 7.  Their harmonies alone rank them as one of the very best vocal combinations of the rock and roll era!
For sailors.... such a great description.
You just know Crosby is thinking through the whole song, "Ain't gonna play jack sh*t good on this one. Ain't MY song."

http://bit.ly/2tLLmBH
My brothers are so gonna LTAO for life at me for this, what's new, but giving Southern Cross a 10. Pure payback for defacing my Rod Stewart poster in 1978. 
 Shaken_Bake wrote:

Not quite, BBoyes; Boston's first album was released in 1976.   I'm from Boston.  I know these things.

 

BBoyes wrote:

UFOs eerily similar to those from Boston. Both albums released in 1982. Both UFOs appear in triplicate. Coincidence or ?

Boston UFO Daylight Again album cover

 

 
Goooooooo Boston !!!!,,,,,  Technically,,,, the illustration is very different,,,, I mean there's whole crapload of guitars leaving an exploding planet vs 3 glowing blue alien ships. Its all very different ...... 
Another great song I have not heard in a while
Just a good o'l song... Takes me back. Beautiful singing and good playing. Every song can't have the same gravitas and groovitas as "Stairway to Heaven," eh?
 Wilfrue wrote:
I don't see how people consider these schlocky lyrics.
"So we cheated and we lied and we tested; And we never failed to fail; It was the easiest thing to do; We will survive being bested;               {'Til }somebody fine will come along; Make me forget about loving you; In the southern cross." 
This is a beautiful and emotional song.
As to the overproduction that some have pointed to as a negative: Legend has it that this song had to be multi-tracked to within an inch of its life because Crosby, deep in the doldrums of substance abuse was, shall we say, not at his vocal peak. 
Don't know if that's true or apocryphal, but it sure is plausible.
Solid 9. 


 great song, and very well recorded.



Not quite, BBoyes; Boston's first album was released in 1976.   I'm from Boston.  I know these things.

 

BBoyes wrote:

UFOs eerily similar to those from Boston. Both albums released in 1982. Both UFOs appear in triplicate. Coincidence or ?

Boston UFO Daylight Again album cover

 


UFOs eerily similar to those from Boston. Both albums released in 1982. Both UFOs appear in triplicate. Coincidence or ?

Boston UFO Daylight Again album cover
 Wilfrue wrote:
I don't see how people consider these schlocky lyrics.
"So we cheated and we lied and we tested; And we never failed to fail; It was the easiest thing to do; We will survive being bested;               {'Til }somebody fine will come along; Make me forget about loving you; In the southern cross." 
This is a beautiful and emotional song.
As to the overproduction that some have pointed to as a negative: Legend has it that this song had to be multi-tracked to within an inch of its life because Crosby, deep in the doldrums of substance abuse was, shall we say, not at his vocal peak. 
Don't know if that's true or apocryphal, but it sure is plausible.
Solid 9. 

 
I second that emotion, Wilfrue.  While a latter-day CSN tune, it's one of their best, with a classic Stills guitar lead near the end.  Sorry folks find these lyrics schlocky, as it seems to be one from the heart for Stills, both in his love of blue water sailing and his continuing heartbreak over losing Judy Collins so many decades back.  Haters can piss off.
 h8rhater wrote:
If using tired cliches is what your award system is based upon, feel free. 
For my part, banality need not be awarded or rewarded.
 
It's OK for people to joke around, really.
Maybe get out for a walk in the fresh air?
I don't see how people consider these schlocky lyrics.
"So we cheated and we lied and we tested; And we never failed to fail; It was the easiest thing to do; We will survive being bested;               {'Til }somebody fine will come along; Make me forget about loving you; In the southern cross." 
This is a beautiful and emotional song.
As to the overproduction that some have pointed to as a negative: Legend has it that this song had to be multi-tracked to within an inch of its life because Crosby, deep in the doldrums of substance abuse was, shall we say, not at his vocal peak. 
Don't know if that's true or apocryphal, but it sure is plausible.
Solid 9. 
 
 Hannio wrote:
Any song about sailing gets at least an 8 from me.  I don't care if it's Popeye the Sailor Man.
 
rdo wrote:


Oh yeah?  What about Come Sail Away (by Styx)? 

 
On_The_Beach wrote:

The judges are going to award this one to rdo.

 

If using tired cliches is what your award system is based upon, feel free. 

For my part, banality need not be awarded or rewarded.

And we never failed to fail; it was the easiest thing to do...

I wish I had written that. 

MUSIC IS HERE NAME.

 


Oh yeah, always love this one.
damn I love hearing this song (Damn, I'm turning into an old white fucker, oh well cheers ; )
{#Bananajam}First song I ever learned on the guitar.  (Drove my parents nuts with repetition and the wrong lyrics...even though they introduced me to CSN(andY)  They will always be my favorite.
Outstanding!
Love this tune! 
...just lovely....and I can see the Southern Cross out my window tonight
 On_The_Beach wrote:

I'm with you on this song but I've always found Styx unbearable.

 
First couple of Styx albums were good, then they went pop or what ever you want to call what they played.

This on the other hand is almost god like.  Lyrics are a bit cheesy now but boy could those guys sing together.

Keeping it at a 9. 
this could be good if the over-production sound of the early eighties didn't pull it down so. i liked this when it came out but it sounds so awful to me now. hate that over-baked born in the USA drum sound.
I'll be singing this when I finally see the Southern Cross's celestial jewels through my telescope. I am definitely beside myself!
Old and over-played
sounds like a jimmy buffet tune to me.{#Sunny}

Everybody in my mushrooming multitude of churches be dancing buck ass naked all over the world like bowlegged gypsy muleskinners...  love this song...  love sex, drugs, and rock 'n roll...
 kcar wrote:
Styx was cheesy, even back in the day. And like this CSN song, "Come Sail Away" felt cliched at points. But both songs have an energy that still comes through. I don't need to hear them all that often. But right now, with a glass of Flemish sour red ale in me, "Southern Cross" still works. 
Obvious thought: these guys could really sing. 
 
I'm with you on this song but I've always found Styx unbearable.
 On_The_Beach wrote:

The judges are going to award this one to rdo.

 
Styx was cheesy, even back in the day. And like this CSN song, "Come Sail Away" felt cliched at points. But both songs have an energy that still comes through. I don't need to hear them all that often. But right now, with a glass of Flemish sour red ale in me, "Southern Cross" still works. 

Obvious thought: these guys could really sing.  
 shakitten wrote:
I love CSN...but I think this is one of the most bland tracks they ever made. Tired and uninspired. 
 
You know, I feel the same way (and I'm a sailor!) ... except that every time this appears in range of my ears, I stop, listen, and wait for the goosebumps and emotion.  Eighty feet of waterline, nicely making way on the nighttime run to Papete ... and I seem to understand why some of my women friends ran away.

It may be tired and bland and schlock, but it goes straight to my heart and hits something vital.

Yes, I remember when they played this on tour...  absolutely brilliant song...
 

Everybody in my church loves this song...

 rdo wrote:
Oh yeah?  What about Come Sail Away (by Styx)? 
 
The judges are going to award this one to rdo.
 Hannio wrote:
Any song about sailing gets at least an 8 from me.  I don't care if it's Popeye the Sailor Man.
 

Oh yeah?  What about Come Sail Away (by Styx)? 
Instant homesickness
Greetings from New Zealand.  The song is great and the Southern Cross is overhead.    {#Cheesygrin}
Oh gawd that was great to hear that. Again!
 TJS wrote:
I guess we'll have to make "alittle" a word too?  Yeah, that space sure is a pain in the ass to type all the time.
 
"alittle"?  I like it.  It sounds like Old English.

And can I recommend spelling it "painintheass"?  {#Roflol} (yes, I DO have a small mind....)
I love CSN...but I think this is one of the most bland tracks they ever made. Tired and uninspired.
One of the best  latter-day CSN cuts.  Surprised to read the Curtis Bros. info below.  Always thought this song was 110% Stills.
 The_Enemy wrote:

English is an evolving language. We can just decide that "alot" is a word. The staff at the Oxford Dictionary do that alot and it's not like thatlot have been appointed by anyone to have special authority over the language.
 

I guess we'll have to make "alittle" a word too?  Yeah, that space sure is a pain in the ass to type all the time.

It was so interesting to read your post. I lived in Capistrano Beach at the exact time you're talking about. I had always heard that a “Hoosier” had something to do with writing this song… and since moving back to Indiana, I heard that Micheal in fact lived back in the area also and was suppose to be performing at a show around here but could never confirm either..."rumor".  But if either turn out to be true I’ll letchano… my brother/roomate at the time in 1983 still lives out there… more inland now…ValleyCenter, CA. Anyway thanks for the info.. although I haven’t got that link you provided to work(my computer is messed up though:-( ), Anyway, I know I found some info that also confirmed them working with Crazy Horse of Neil Young fame at one point.... oh I even found an old “video” of one of their songs… I’ll see if I can’t find it again… yeah check this out https://indiana-bands-60s.blogspot.com/2010/09/these-vizitors-goshen.html   <-looks like the "hyperlink" doesn't work but a copy and paste into a browser should...


 
KurtfromLaQuinta wrote:

JrzyTmata
(The Garden State, NJ)
Posted: Jun 17, 2003 - 11:14 < Reply >

Originally Posted by KevinM:
According to AMG songwriting credits are for Curtis/Curtis/Stills Don't know who the heck Curtis/Curtis are

The Curtis Brothers
found this link from the CSN amg page

Link is no good anymore.
Try this one instead...  The Curtis Brothers

I met Michael Curtis at The Golden Bear in Huntington Beach, California around 1983 at a Chris Hillman/ Al Perkins show.
I got to go back stage to meet Chris and Al, and Michael was there.
He was Sugar Hill records at that time. Chris Hillman's label. Still is?
Michael and I struck up a quick conversation.
I told him I love to collect unique music.
So he told me to look for his album "The Curtis Brothers" and let him know if i found one.
We exchanged phone numbers.
He even sent me some out of print LP's I was looking for.

Two years later, I found that album in a cut out bin at an old record store around the block from The Golden Bear!
And I still lived in La Quinta!
I called him up and told him the story and I enjoyed his LP.

They also wrote "Blue Letter" by Fleetwood Mac.

 


 Stratocaster wrote:
But, "ALOT" is not a word in the English language.
 
English is an evolving language. We can just decide that "alot" is a word. The staff at the Oxford Dictionary do that alot and it's not like thatlot have been appointed by anyone to have special authority over the language.
 

MTV .. turned to crap about 10 years ago and I hven't watched it since.

Patti wrote:
Loved the video  of this song.  Remember when MTV use to actually show videos (isn't that what the "V" stands for?)?
 


Loved the video  of this song.  Remember when MTV use to actually show videos (isn't that what the "V" stands for?)?
 Stratocaster wrote:

I agree that it is one of their best, if not THE best.

But, "ALOT" is not a word in the English language.

 
What do you know, you're not from round here. {#Cheesygrin}
 dookie wrote:
easily their best.
and that is saying alot.

 
I agree that it is one of their best, if not THE best.

But, "ALOT" is not a word in the English language.


 crockydile wrote:
I have always loved this song...as long as I can remember. Haven't yet seen the Southern Cross. Someday. {#Sunny}
 
There was a merchant liner with the same name and when she was getting near her end she had difficulty getting a full crew so all the sailors who were ''DR'ed ( declined to report) from other lines ended up on this ship, she became known as ''The Suffering Cross'' as the engines were something to behold, Black smoke belching from her stack.. and yes I did have a  trip on her.

What a fine song..
Lots of CSN on RP today — two CSN songs and one David Crosby song have been played in the past 6 hours. What's up with that?
Lookin' for that four-eyed girl! {#Wink}

(One of many mondegreens.)

  
JrzyTmata
(The Garden State, NJ)
Posted: Jun 17, 2003 - 11:14 < Reply >

Originally Posted by KevinM:
According to AMG songwriting credits are for Curtis/Curtis/Stills Don't know who the heck Curtis/Curtis are

The Curtis Brothers
found this link from the CSN amg page

Link is no good anymore.
Try this one instead...  The Curtis Brothers

I met Michael Curtis at The Golden Bear in Huntington Beach, California around 1983 at a Chris Hillman/ Al Perkins show.
I got to go back stage to meet Chris and Al, and Michael was there.
He was Sugar Hill records at that time. Chris Hillman's label. Still is?
Michael and I struck up a quick conversation.
I told him I love to collect unique music.
So he told me to look for his album "The Curtis Brothers" and let him know if i found one.
We exchanged phone numbers.
He even sent me some out of print LP's I was looking for.

Two years later, I found that album in a cut out bin at an old record store around the block from The Golden Bear!
And I still lived in La Quinta!
I called him up and told him the story and I enjoyed his LP.

They also wrote "Blue Letter" by Fleetwood Mac.

 DaveInVA wrote:
I love this song but it sounds like he is singing "looking for my 4 eyed girl"
 

Hey, chicks with glasses can be sexy!!  {#High-five}
wow. that could be the weakest album cover ever. either way the song gets a 9!
Timeless beauty.
Sweet!{#Clap}
I want 80' of waterline.... Crosby is quite an accomplished sailor....
 crockydile wrote:
I have always loved this song...as long as I can remember. Haven't yet seen the Southern Cross. Someday. {#Sunny}
 
Amen, amen and amen.
Not bad.
southern africa is where i have seen it....bright and beautiful!
 macadavy wrote:
Outward bound for Tahiti!


 


That's where I first saw the Southern Cross. On my honeymoon.



I have always loved this song...as long as I can remember. Haven't yet seen the Southern Cross. Someday. {#Sunny}
And you know love will endure

And it will.
Mmmm...    {#Music}
I love this song but it sounds like he is singing "looking for my 4 eyed girl"
Years ago in an interview with Rolling Stone, David Crosby said something to the effect that Stills's real trip was when he sang. IMHO I think this is a fine example of Stills's passion—when he sings. Were it that easy for the rest of us.

I understand Crosby is selling the Mayan.  I saw her last year in Santa Barbara.  Beautiful boat.  I'll bet he'll miss her.


Just what I needed right now, great song!


i love this song...for so many reasons....especially the bit about spirits, and larger voices calling.....


 Panama_Floyd wrote:
Not my fave CSN, but at least I'm not gonna rate it low like some of the other folks do with stuff they don't care for.

I don't get it.  You don't like something, but you don't rate it low ... do you only rate songs that you like?  Every song would be a 10 if only fanboys expressed themselves.  Dissention is healthy.  Rate honestly / rate often.

Why is there so much anger around here these days? 

Same as it ever was


So we cheated and we lied
And we tested
And we never failed to fail
It was the easiest thing to do.
You will survive being bested.
Somebody fine
Will come along
Make me forget about loving you.





 ArbiterOfGoodTaste wrote:
Somehow the version consisting of a few hundred of my fellow summer campers in coastal Oregon all belting this one out in unison in the dining hall will always sound better than the original. I don't know how that, or a lot of songs, got into the songlist for a Jewish summer camp, but this was and I believe still remains just about the #1 favorite for campers year after year.
 
Very cool... 

One of their absolute best.
 Panama_Floyd wrote:
Not my fave CSN, but at least I'm not gonna rate it low like some of the other folks do with stuff they don't care for. Why is there so much anger around here these days?

 

not my favorite either (suite judy blue eyes) but i think the anger is missplaced from the economy, housing, jobs, lack of God in people's lives, etc. how else can you explain a father killing his wife and children? which has happened several times in recent month's in cali, and doubtlessly other places...just stay strong, and safe....we will get through this time, humbled, and doubtlessly stronger {#Pray}
 philinnz wrote:
their best, and I see the southern cross almost everyday (well nighttime) - so there! {#Nyah}
 

I've never seen it.  In fact I've never been off this continent!  {#Sad}
Hannio wrote:
Any song about sailing gets at least an 8 from me. I don't care if it's Popeye the Sailor Man.

I yam what I yam!

 Panama_Floyd wrote:
Not my fave CSN, but at least I'm not gonna rate it low like some of the other folks do with stuff they don't care for. Why is there so much anger around here these days?

 

I'd prefer people to rate things honestly than to rate it good just to be nice despite the fact that they really do not like the song. Don't think "anger" has much to do with it. We simply to not all share the same tastes in music.
Any song about sailing gets at least an 8 from me.  I don't care if it's Popeye the Sailor Man.
Not my fave CSN, but at least I'm not gonna rate it low like some of the other folks do with stuff they don't care for. Why is there so much anger around here these days?

their best, and I see the southern cross almost everyday (well nighttime) - so there! {#Nyah}
Sucker for the opening line..."Got out of town on a boat..." That says it all!!!! I'm hooked from there! HAHA!!
Somehow the version consisting of a few hundred of my fellow summer campers in coastal Oregon all belting this one out in unison in the dining hall will always sound better than the original. I don't know how that, or a lot of songs, got into the songlist for a Jewish summer camp, but this was and I believe still remains just about the #1 favorite for campers year after year.
POE wrote:
On the 192K stream, this song sounds very muddy... Bill, you may need to find a better source and re-encode this one.
good idea ... but thanks for playing it Bill
dookie wrote:
easily their best. and that is saying alot.
Sweet, sweet melody baby. I agree with whoever it was that said this MP3 seems to be a little muddy. Still having quite a hard time not singing out loud at my desk here.
Grammarcop wrote:
I had wanted to see the Southern Cross since I was a kid. I got my chance on a 1992 trip to Phuket Island, Thailand, but was disappointed - it was just too hazy every night. After dinner on our last night on Phuket, my wife and I took a walk down the beach and the sky cleared. There it was! The Southern Cross! We found a couple of chairs and we sat under the dark sky, and I poured my heart out about how much this moment meant to me. This was one of the special moments of my life. I sat quiet for a moment waiting for my wife to speak. Finally I heard from her. It was a long, loud snore. Yes, she had fallen asleep.
I too always wanted that joy. Got it in Australia a few years ago. And CSN are SO right I believe it has the power to change...
I had wanted to see the Southern Cross since I was a kid. I got my chance on a 1992 trip to Phuket Island, Thailand, but was disappointed - it was just too hazy every night. After dinner on our last night on Phuket, my wife and I took a walk down the beach and the sky cleared. There it was! The Southern Cross! We found a couple of chairs and we sat under the dark sky, and I poured my heart out about how much this moment meant to me. This was one of the special moments of my life. I sat quiet for a moment waiting for my wife to speak. Finally I heard from her. It was a long, loud snore. Yes, she had fallen asleep.
Sheer bliss...
easily their best. and that is saying alot.
Outward bound for Tahiti!
Easily my favorite CSN song, this guys can take a very simple tune and make it sound truly great.
I was ready to blast this song as being old, boring and tired but then I realized the guitars sound a lot like the background music that's played at the bowling alley when you bowl on the Wii. That redeems this some!
One of the more tolerable tracks from this grossly over-hyped group. But man, that drummer is bloody awful.
One of my all-time favorite songs. "Nicely making way..." And they are.
buck-arkansas wrote:
This song is a perfect 10.
Amen
On the 192K stream, this song sounds very muddy... Bill, you may need to find a better source and re-encode this one.
Always loved this song. Never seem to grow tired of it.
shakitten wrote:
IMHO, not one of their best. Kinda watered down, a la '80's style. What was up with the '80's? So many awesome artists (Elton John, CSN, Stevie Wonder, etc.) just seemed to hit the 80's and whimper out, only to return again to their former greatness in the 90's and present day. The 80's were just SO weird....
I primarily agree with you. As well, artists like the Kinks, The Who, Yes, Steve Winwood, Genesis et al. all seemed to trade in their progressive chops for a comfortable idle mode in the 80s. However, CSN continued their laid back compositions fairly well.
Great harmonies...horrible song
shakitten wrote:
IMHO, not one of their best. Kinda watered down, a la '80's style. What was up with the '80's? So many awesome artists (Elton John, CSN, Stevie Wonder, etc.) just seemed to hit the 80's and whimper out, only to return again to their former greatness in the 90's and present day. The 80's were just SO weird....
Elton John and Stevie Wonder? Redeemed in the 90's and now? No way! They, especially, never recovered. But I agree this is watered-down CSN. Competent, not great. Like the pastel colors that were so popular in the 80's.
Excellent CSN album through and through...
This song is a perfect 10.
Love the sailing language. Tune not so great. But it sure makes me want to be on the boat instead of where I am right now.
I've always adored Stevens' unique guitar skills.
shakitten wrote:
IMHO, not one of their best. Kinda watered down, a la '80's style. What was up with the '80's? So many awesome artists (Elton John, CSN, Stevie Wonder, etc.) just seemed to hit the 80's and whimper out, only to return again to their former greatness in the 90's and present day. The 80's were just SO weird....
This can best be explained as realizations of the ebb and flow formula of the music biz as distilled in VH1's Behind the Music - rise, fall and redemption. The 80's were the "fall" period for all the big stars of the previous decades, exemplified by drug rehab, bankruptcy and evangelism. Now we're catching them in the redemption phase. Soon we'll hear more about the tragic fall period of such 80's and 90's luminaries as Dexy's Midnight Runners and Flock of Seagulls, then soon thereafter, those seagulls will soar once again to their previous hights. Just you wait.
easily my favorite CSNY. speaks to me. then, now.
IMHO, not one of their best. Kinda watered down, a la '80's style. What was up with the '80's? So many awesome artists (Elton John, CSN, Stevie Wonder, etc.) just seemed to hit the 80's and whimper out, only to return again to their former greatness in the 90's and present day. The 80's were just SO weird....