Carry On

Zoo Freaks, get ready to vibe with some far-out trivia about "Carry On" by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young from their iconic Déjà Vu album! This track, penned by Stephen Stills, was a last-minute addition to the album, born out of a need for a killer opener. Graham Nash, in a 2021 Mojo interview, recalled telling Stills they needed a song as gripping as "Suite: Judy Blue Eyes" from their debut. Stills, thinking Nash meant a musical suite, whipped up "Carry On" overnight, combining two song ideas with parts of a recent jam session. The next morning, he played it for Nash, who went wild for it, and the band nailed the recording in just eight hours from conception to final master—talk about cosmic flow! The song’s bridge, with its a cappella harmonies, shifts from a fast to a slower tempo, giving it that hypnotic CSNY magic.

Another groovy tidbit: "Carry On" wasn’t just a standalone hit; it’s got roots in Stills’ past. The second half incorporates his earlier song "Questions," written for Buffalo Springfield’s Last Time Around. Stills revealed on X in 2022 that he originally planned to use "Carry On" for a solo album, but the band insisted it belonged on Déjà Vu. He’d even worked out harmony parts for David Crosby and Graham Nash, but they refused to touch it, leaving the track to stand alone in its raw glory. The song’s creation was a contrast to the album’s grueling 800-hour recording process, with Stills noting in a 1971 Hit Parader interview that while "Déjà Vu" took 100 takes, "Carry On" came together effortlessly, proving the band’s ability to channel pure inspiration amidst personal turmoil, like Crosby’s grief over losing his girlfriend Christine Hinton.

Now, let’s rewind to how Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young came to be, Zoo Crew style. The supergroup formed in 1968 when three musical misfits—David Crosby, Stephen Stills, and Graham Nash—found their voices blending like a psychedelic dream. Crosby had been booted from The Byrds in 1967 for his outspoken vibe and musical clashes. Stills was fresh off the breakup of Buffalo Springfield, where he’d been a driving force alongside Neil Young. Nash, feeling creatively stifled in The Hollies, left the British pop scene behind. Legend has it, the trio’s harmony was discovered at a party—possibly at Joni Mitchell’s or Mama Cass’s Laurel Canyon pad—when they sang together informally and realized they’d struck gold. Their self-titled debut in 1969 was a smash, but Stills played most instruments, so they needed a fuller band for touring. Enter Neil Young, Stills’ Buffalo Springfield bandmate, suggested by Atlantic Records’ Ahmet Ertegun. Young joined as a full member in 1969, alongside drummer Dallas Taylor and bassist Greg Reeves, transforming the trio into the quartet that dropped Déjà Vu in 1970.

Zoo Freaks, you can keep up with CSNY’s legacy on their official website, where you’ll find updates on releases like the remastered Déjà Vu 50th anniversary set. Connect with the band on Facebook, Instagram, and X for the latest vibes. Fans are grooving in online spaces too—check out the Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young Fans Facebook group for some far-out discussions. For more deep dives, the fan-run 4waysite.com is a treasure trove of CSNY history, discographies, and news. So, crank up "Carry On," let those harmonies wash over you, and keep it freaky, Zoo Crew!