Almost Cut My Hair

Zoo Freaks, get ready to let your freak flags fly as we spin "Almost Cut My Hair" by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young from their iconic 1970 album Déjà Vu! This track, penned by David Crosby, captures the hippie spirit with its raw energy and rebellious vibe. Unlike most songs on the album, the whole band—David Crosby, Stephen Stills, Graham Nash, Neil Young, plus studio musicians Dallas Taylor on drums and Greg Reeves on bass—recorded this one live in the studio on January 9, 1970, at Wally Heider Studios. The result? A gritty, emotional performance with Crosby’s hoarse solo vocals and some of the fiercest guitar dueling ever laid down by Stills and Young. Fun fact: this was one of only two Déjà Vu tracks Neil Young played on, despite not writing it. The song almost didn’t make the cut—Stephen Stills thought Crosby’s vocal was subpar, but Crosby fought to keep it, telling Rolling Stone, “I probably brought it down by sticking to my guns on one thing.”

The lyrics reflect a real dilemma for hippies back in the day: to chop their long hair or keep it as a symbol of defiance. Crosby borrowed the phrase “freak flag” from Jimi Hendrix’s 1967 song “If 6 Was 9,” turning it into a counterculture anthem. While some praise it as a bold stand for individualism, others, including Crosby himself, have called it out for its simplicity. He once admitted, “It was the most juvenile set of lyrics I’ve ever written, and it’s certainly not great poetry, but it has a certain emotional impact.” Social media posts on Reddit show fans still vibe with it—one user shared how the song inspired them to keep their long hair for an extra year, while another recounted using the line “Almost Cut Your Hair Today” in a 1994 personal ad that led to a 28-year marriage! There’s even an early version of the song on the Déjà Vu 50th Anniversary Deluxe Edition, which ClassicRock fans call a total jam.

Now, let’s rewind to how Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young came to be. The supergroup formed in 1968 when David Crosby, fresh from being booted from The Byrds, Stephen Stills, after Buffalo Springfield split, and Graham Nash, who’d left The Hollies, found magic harmonizing at a party hosted by Joni Mitchell. As Graham Nash told Music Radar, their voices clicked instantly, birthing a band from the ashes of their former groups. Neil Young, also ex-Buffalo Springfield, joined in 1969, adding his darker, raw edge to the mix. Their intricate vocal harmonies and politically charged folk-rock made them a force, rivaling even The Beatles in popularity during the late ’60s and early ’70s. Despite their talent, the band’s internal drama was legendary—Déjà Vu’s 800 hours of recording were mostly solo sessions due to clashing egos, with Crosby recalling in a Red Beard interview how the others were more focused on the “Crosby, Stills and Nash trip” than including Young’s work.

For more on the band, check out their official site at csny.com. You can also follow their legacy on Facebook, Instagram, and X. Fans keep the love alive at sites like 4WaySite, a dedicated CSNY fan hub, and on Facebook groups like the “Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young Fans” community, where Zoo Freaks can connect and share their passion for the band’s timeless tunes. So, crank up “Almost Cut My Hair,” let your hair flow, and keep the counterculture spirit alive!