Helplessly Hoping

761 Words2 Pages

The music of David Crosby, Stephen Stills, and Graham Nash is the building block of punk and rock ‘n’ roll, since the time of Woodstock. Crosby, Stills, and Nash or CSN in short is a “super-group” who was formed from three big bands in the 1960s, “The Byrds”, “Buffalo Springfield”, and “The Hollies”. The group later in 1969 expended with Nill Young and became CSNY. Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young released their first album in 1969 with two big hits, “Marrakesh Express”, and “Suite: Judy Blue Eyes”. Their songs convey a strong emotional truths, social awareness and equality. Their song “Helplessly Hoping” from that album describes their persona; Along with the elements of their music, and tune that fit in so well in the song, which emphasizes the meaning of the words they try to convey, and their message about the love of two people. The harmony of the group is perfectly shown in this song. When a person hears it for the first time it sounds like one person sings it. The song opens with hope, “Helplessly Hoping”, that even in despair, there is hope. The word choice in the song is evocative and elegant, but it can have different meanings. The words are full of mystery, and the alliteration can make one’s spirit uplifting. The song is a non-verbal dialogue between a guy who loves a girl, waiting for her, and wonders about her love for him. The guy is being her harlequin, who hovers close to her, so she could notice him. The guy sees the girl’s good qualities, and true and kind spirit she has. Spirit is considered something that flows in the air, so that is why he wished he could fly and grasp her. The song’s intangible spirit changes how they both felt each time. He can see her, but he is speechless, and does not know how to expr... ... middle of paper ... ... it. At the end they bestow the feeling of exposure that in spite of her uncertainty, there is something in her, which keeps her close by. CSNY is profoundly successful in conveying their message in the song by using the right lyrics and vocals accompanied by the tune of the guitars. “Helplessly Hoping” can be interpreted in so many ways that in either way it, nonetheless, will insinuate on the same thing, which is love. As they put it love is not lying, and it will always be around. Listening to the song can put one in an emotional roller-coaster that its theme can be known beforehand. This perplexed relationship describes the essence of love, and its implications. It reflects on how love can be capricious, which gives a sense of mystery. The harmony of the group in the song makes it one of my favorites, and puts it in my top list of love songs in all times.

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