Top 10 Buffalo Springfield Songs
This band’s last album came out 40 years ago. Therefore, I discovered Buffalo Springfield after it had broken up (I started listening to rock music in 1969, and only later backtracked to the Springfield from CSNY), but it was my favorite band growing up, by a wide margin, and still ranks in my top five.
“Expecting to Fly”
Neil Young and Jack Nitzsche put this lush production together without input from the other members. It’s one of the most achingly beautiful songs in the history of rock.
“Out of My Mind”
Neil’s reaction to stardom.
“For What It’s Worth”
A cynical song from Stephen Stills, but what a great sound.
“On the Way Home”
Is Neil singing about a relationship with a woman or with Stills? For decades, the voting has tilted towards the latter.
“Rock & Roll Woman”
Stills’s production is masterful, weaving a rich tapestry of guitars and vocal harmonies.
“Kind Woman”
Sweetly pretty country rock from Richie Furay, with pedal steel by Rusty Young. They would soon found Poco together.
“Mr. Soul”
Neil rocks out in Stonesy fashion.
“Bluebird”
Another gorgeous Stills production.
“A Child’s Claim to Fame”
Furay’s commentary on the Stills-Young bickering.
“The Hour of Not Quite Rain”
Most commentators dismiss this oddity, in which Furay set to music lyrics by a contest winner. But the eerie arrangement still sounds incredibly fresh 40 years later, and the lyrics are actually pretty good.
