"Helplessly Hoping" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Single by Crosby, Stills, and Nash | ||||
from the album Crosby, Stills & Nash | ||||
A-side | " Marrakesh Express" | |||
Released | June 1969 | |||
Recorded | December 1968 | |||
Studio | Wally Heider's Studio 3 | |||
Genre | Folk rock / Country music | |||
Label | Atlantic | |||
Songwriter(s) | Stephen Stills | |||
Producer(s) | Paul Rothchild | |||
Crosby, Stills, and Nash singles chronology | ||||
|
"Helplessly Hoping" is a song released in 1969 by the American folk rock group Crosby, Stills, and Nash written by Stephen Stills. It was first recorded by Stephen Stills on a 1968 demo album released in 2007: Just Roll Tape. Crosby, Stills, and Nash first recorded the song at Wally Heider's Studio 3, Hollywood in December 1968 during their first recording session as a group, with producer Paul Rothchild. [1] [2] The song was first released by Atlantic Records on Crosby, Stills, and Nash's eponymous debut album on May 29, 1969. [3] In June 1969, they released it as the B-side of their debut single " Marrakesh Express". [4] [2].
The song was written for Judy Collins [5] and is about Stephen Stills' struggles after their break-up. It uses both alliteration and wordplay in its lyrics:
"Helplessly Hoping, Her Harlequin Hovers",
"Gasping at Glimpses, of Gentle...",
"Wordlessly Watching he Waits by the Window",
"Heartlessly Helping, Himself to Her..."
"Stand by the Stairway, you'll See Something Certain".
In the chorus, numbers have dual meaning. The harmonic voicing is also linked to these numbers, with every new line adding an extra voice:
They are One Person,
They are Two (Too) Alone,
They are Three (Free) Together,
They are Four (For) Each Other.
"Helplessly Hoping" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Single by Crosby, Stills, and Nash | ||||
from the album Crosby, Stills & Nash | ||||
A-side | " Marrakesh Express" | |||
Released | June 1969 | |||
Recorded | December 1968 | |||
Studio | Wally Heider's Studio 3 | |||
Genre | Folk rock / Country music | |||
Label | Atlantic | |||
Songwriter(s) | Stephen Stills | |||
Producer(s) | Paul Rothchild | |||
Crosby, Stills, and Nash singles chronology | ||||
|
"Helplessly Hoping" is a song released in 1969 by the American folk rock group Crosby, Stills, and Nash written by Stephen Stills. It was first recorded by Stephen Stills on a 1968 demo album released in 2007: Just Roll Tape. Crosby, Stills, and Nash first recorded the song at Wally Heider's Studio 3, Hollywood in December 1968 during their first recording session as a group, with producer Paul Rothchild. [1] [2] The song was first released by Atlantic Records on Crosby, Stills, and Nash's eponymous debut album on May 29, 1969. [3] In June 1969, they released it as the B-side of their debut single " Marrakesh Express". [4] [2].
The song was written for Judy Collins [5] and is about Stephen Stills' struggles after their break-up. It uses both alliteration and wordplay in its lyrics:
"Helplessly Hoping, Her Harlequin Hovers",
"Gasping at Glimpses, of Gentle...",
"Wordlessly Watching he Waits by the Window",
"Heartlessly Helping, Himself to Her..."
"Stand by the Stairway, you'll See Something Certain".
In the chorus, numbers have dual meaning. The harmonic voicing is also linked to these numbers, with every new line adding an extra voice:
They are One Person,
They are Two (Too) Alone,
They are Three (Free) Together,
They are Four (For) Each Other.