Revisiting CSNY’s Classic Rock Masterpiece 'Deja Vu'

Revisiting CSNY’s Classic Rock Masterpiece 'Deja Vu'

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Crosby Stills, Nash & Young. Photo by Tom Copi/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images.

This week in 1970, Crosby Stills Nash & Young went to number one on the US album chart with Deja Vu – their first album to feature cantankerous folk icon, Neil Young. We’re revisiting the album's three Top 40 singles, Teach Your Children, Our House and Woodstock, that each remain classics to this day.

With Neil Young added to the lineup, CSNY were undeniably the folk-rock era’s seminal supergroup. Déjà Vu is a sentimental collection that reflects, with crystal vision, the idealistic and optimistic sentiments of the times. Despite what can only be described as a fragile balance of egos between the band’s four members, all legendary in their own rights, the songs come together with a powerful collective acumen, proving that you don’t have to get along to share a path to greatness. 

Perhaps the album (and the band’s) most well-known hit, Teach Your Children was penned by Graham Nash. It surmises the late ’60s with gilded goals of a better future, one not out of reach with the power of foreplanning. 

Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young | 'Teach Your Children'

Another Nash penned single from Deja Vu, Our House pays homage “to countercultural domestic bliss",  and was written when Nash was living with fellow folk icon, Joni Mitchell while recording the album. 

Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young | 'Our House'

Speaking of Joni Mitchell, her own track Woodstock was covered by CSNY and released as a single from Deja Vu. The band gave the song the definitive treatment, with layers of luscious guitars and vocal harmonies that echo Mitchell’s gentle presence. 

Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young | 'Woodstock'

Last year, CSNY celebrated the 50th anniversary of Deja Vu, marking the occasion with an expansive reissue that includes a specially remastered version of the album, plus 38 demos, outtakes, alternate takes and much more. Check it out here.

 

csny deja vu
'Deja Vu' 50th Anniversary Reissue. 

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