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CSNY Songs For Acoustic Guitar

Here on this CSNY songs page you'll find a collection of demo covers, free pdf chord sheets, rhythm tips, and if required,  full lesson tutorials for a small fee.

CSNY Songs On The Acoustic Guitar

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CSNY Songs -  Tutorials

1. Daylight Again - The Cost Of Freedom

daylight again guitar lesson

Daylight Again is a track by the American rock band Crosby, Stills & Nash (CSN). It was released in 1982 as the title track of their album "Daylight Again". The song was written by Graham Nash and Craig Doerge. This was a top 10 album but was their last as a trio.

The song features the signature harmonies of Crosby, Stills & Nash, as well as their acoustic guitar-driven sound. It was released as a single and reached #30 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart

This particular song came about from Stephen Stills just picking some guitar riffs while they told stories about the Civil War. It them combined with the song Cost Of Freedom. 

  • Drop D Tuning = Yes
  • Capo = No
  • Rhythm = down down up down up and repeat
  • Picking = Yes
  • Chords = Dm, A+, C
Chords & Lyrics

 

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2. Helplessly Hoping

helplesslyhoping

Helplessly Hoping is a song by Crosby, Stills & Nash (CSN), released in 1969 on their self-titled debut album "Crosby, Stills & Nash". The song was written by Stephen Stills.

The lyrics of "Helplessly Hoping" are a poetic portrayal of the pain of unrequited love. The song tells the story of a man who is hopelessly in love with a woman who does not feel the same way.

Musically, "Helplessly Hoping" features the signature harmonies of Crosby, Stills & Nash, as well as Stills' fingerpicking guitar style. The song has a gentle, melancholic feel that is characteristic of much of the group's early work.

"Helplessly Hoping" is considered one of Crosby, Stills & Nash's most beloved and enduring songs. It has been covered by many other artists over the years, and is often cited as an example of the group's exceptional vocal harmonies and songwriting.

This song was the B-Side to the song Marrakesh Express and was also covered by the Bluegrass band JD Crow and The New South covered the song in 1986.

  • Drop D Tuning = No
  • Capo = No
  • Rhythm = root down root up down up will work here
  • Picking = No
  • Chords = Am, C, G, D, Csus2/maj7, F, C/G
Chords & Lyrics

 

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3. Hero - David Crosby

hero

David Crosby recorded this song called "Hero" for his 2016 solo album "Lighthouse".

"Hero" is a slow, contemplative ballad that features Crosby's distinctive voice and acoustic guitar playing. The lyrics of the song are a reflection on the nature of heroism and what it means to be a hero. Crosby sings about the heroic qualities of ordinary people who go unnoticed and unappreciated, and how their actions can have a profound impact on others.

The song has a nostalgic and wistful feel, with Crosby's vocals conveying a sense of wisdom and experience. Musically, it is sparse and understated, with Crosby's guitar and vocals accompanied by subtle touches of piano and percussion.

His last three singles released in 1993, 2014 and 2016 failed to chart.

Chords & Lyrics

 

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4. Johnny's Garden

johnnysgarden

Johnny's Garden is actually a song that was written by Stephen Stills and included on the self-titled debut album of his band Manassas, which was released in 1972.

The song features Stills' lead vocals and acoustic guitar playing, as well as the distinctive harmonies and eclectic instrumentation that were characteristic of Manassas' music. The lyrics of "Johnny's Garden" describe a peaceful, idyllic place that serves as a refuge from the chaos and turmoil of the world.

"Johnny's Garden" is widely regarded as one of the standout tracks on the Manassas album, and it remains a fan favorite among Stills' solo and collaborative work. The song showcases Stills' impressive songwriting and musical abilities, as well as his skill at blending diverse genres and styles into a cohesive and compelling sound.

Chords & Lyrics

 

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5. Long May You Run

long may you run guitar lesson

Long May You Run is credited to the Stills Young band of 1976 as CSNY were on separate career paths with David Crosby and Graham Nash working together and Young and Still on separate projects.

Long May You Run was recorded during the summer of 1976 and released in the fall.  After 9 dates on tour with Stephen Stills, Neil Young dropped out of the duos tour to promote the album. The song was released ahead of the album and peaked at #71 in the UK.

I'm giving credit as a CSNY song as the four of them have performed the song many times together. The song hails from the album of the same name.

  • Drop D Tuning = No
  • Capo = No
  • Rhythm = root down root up down up and repeat
  • Picking = Yes
  • Chords = D, Dmaj7, G, Bm, A7, A7sus, A, A#, C
Chords & Lyrics

 

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6. Long Time Gone

longtimegone

Long Time Gone can be found on the Crosby Stills and Nash debut album from 1969. David Crosby wrote this song but Stephen Stills had control of the recording session and sent Crosby home.

He and drummer Dallas Taylor laid down some guitar tracks and Crosby was convinced when he returned to the studio that he liked what they did with the song. They played this one on the Tom Jones Show along with Neil Young. 

  • Drop D Tuning = No
  • Capo = No
  • Rhythm = 
  • Picking = No
  • Chords = Am, D, G, Fmal7 
Chords & Lyrics

 

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7. Love The One You're With

love the one youre with guitar lesson

Love The One You're With of course is a single by Stephen Stills but I thought it belonged in this section. stills went solo in 1970 and this song was from that first album "Stephen Stills".

The song reached #14 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1971. David Crosby and Graham Nash sang backup in this track.

  • Drop D Tuning = No
  • Capo = No
  • Rhythm = use a shuffle rhythm using up and down
  • Picking = No ... but a few bass riffs
  • Chords = A, Gbm, E, D, G 
Chords & Lyrics

 

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8. Our House

ourhouse

Our House was another Graham Nash composition song and CSNY recorded if for their 1970 Deja Vu album. The hit hit #30 on Billboard and #20 on the Cash Box chart. Living with Joni Mitchell in LA at the time, they had just purchased a vase on Ventura Blvd.

While Joni was out in the garden getting flowers for it, Graham was at her piano, and wrote this song in about an hr. The song was also a top 20 in Canada, The Netherlands and New Zealand.

  • Drop D Tuning = No
  • Capo = 2nd fret
  • Rhythm = down down down down up ... down down down down up and repeat
  • Picking = No
  • Chords = G, G7, D/Gb, Em, C, G6, Am7, D7, A# 
Chords & Lyrics

 

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9. Southern Cross

southern cross guitar lesson

Southern Cross is a song by Crosby, Stills & Nash (CSN). It was released in 1982 on their album "Daylight Again" and was written by Stephen Stills, Michael Curtis, and Richard Curtis.

The lyrics of "Southern Cross" are a meditation on love, travel, and the search for personal meaning and fulfillment. The song's title and chorus refer to the constellation Crux, also known as the Southern Cross, which is visible in the southern hemisphere.

Musically, "Southern Cross" is characterized by its driving acoustic guitar riff and catchy vocal melody, as well as the signature harmonies of Crosby, Stills & Nash. The song also features prominent percussion, including congas and bongos, which give it a distinctive rhythmic feel.

"Southern Cross" became one of Crosby, Stills & Nash's biggest hits, reaching #18 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It remains a fan favorite and is often cited as one of the group's most iconic and enduring songs.

Video was just coming of age around this time so the group decided to shoot a sailing type video to accompany the song.

  • Drop D Tuning = Yes
  • Capo = 2nd fret
  • Rhythm = use a shuffle rhythm and watch the quick chord jumps
  • Picking = No
  • Chords = D, C, G
Chords and Lyrics

 

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10. Suite Judy Blue Eyes

suitejudyblueeyes

Suite Judy Blue Eyes was written by Stephen Stills and released on their (CSN) self-titled debut album in 1969.

The song is a multi-part suite that features different musical sections and styles, including folk, rock, and Latin rhythms. The lyrics are a love song to Judy Collins, a singer-songwriter and Stills' former girlfriend, and the different sections of the song are said to represent different aspects of their relationship.

Musically, "Suite: Judy Blue Eyes" is characterized by its intricate vocal harmonies, intricate guitar work, and diverse instrumentation, including keyboards, percussion, and bass. The song's structure and use of different musical styles and sections make it one of Crosby, Stills & Nash's most ambitious and complex compositions.

"Suite: Judy Blue Eyes" became one of the group's signature songs and a staple of their live performances. It has been covered by several other artists over the years and remains a fan favorite and a classic of the late 1960s and early 1970s rock scene.

It reached #21 on the Pop charts in the US and #11 in Canada. Stephen Stills ex-girlfriend at the time, Judy Collins, eft him for actor Stacy Keach. After hearing the song for the first time Judy said she cried, but told Stephen it wasn't going to bring her back.

  • Drop D Tuning = Yes
  • Capo = 2nd fret
  • Rhythm = steady up and down
  • Picking = No but a few sliding riffs blended into the rhythm
  • Chords = G, D, A, Am
Chords and Lyrics

 

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11. Teach Your Children

teach your children guitar lesson

Teach Your Children is a song by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young (CSNY) song,  written by Graham Nash and released on their album "Deja Vu" in 1970.

The song's lyrics are a message of encouragement and guidance from parents to their children, urging them to learn from their mistakes and find their own way in life. The song's memorable chorus features the lines "Teach your children well, their father's hell did slowly go by, and feed them on your dreams, the one they pick's the one you'll know by."

Musically, "Teach Your Children" is characterized by its gentle acoustic guitar intro, harmonized vocals, and upbeat, folky melody. The song's instrumentation includes acoustic and electric guitars, bass, drums, and pedal steel guitar, which gives it a distinctive country-rock feel.

"Teach Your Children" became one of CSNY's most popular and enduring songs, reaching #16 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. Its message of intergenerational communication and understanding resonated with audiences, and the song remains a beloved classic of the folk rock genre.

Jerry Garcia, from the Grateful Dead, played steel guitar on the track in exchange that CSNY would help them improve their harmonies for an upcoming album.

  • Drop D Tuning = Yes
  • Capo = No
  • Rhythm = root down root up down up and repeat
  • Picking = Yes
  • Chords = G, D, A7, Bm, C, C#
Chords & Lyrics

 

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12. Wasted On The Way

wastedntheway

Wasted On The Way was a #9 hit song on Billboard Charts back in 1982 by CSN and their first top 10 song in 5 years. Timothy B Schmit (The Eagles) sang harmony on this track and this track did not feature Neil Young. This was strictly a CSN song.

This song hails from the Daylight Again album and was the last time this group had a top 10 album in the charts.

  • Drop D Tuning = No
  • Capo = 2nd fret
  • Rhythm = root down root up down up
  • Picking = Yes
  • Chords = D, Dsus, Dsus2, Bm, A7, G, A, Gbm, D7
Chords & Lyrics

 

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13. Woodstock

woodstock guitar lesson

Woodstock was written by Joni Mitchell and several covers were released in 1970, including one from CSNY. Their version came out ahead of Mitchell's version from their Deja Vu album.

Mitchell could not perform at the Woodstock Festival of 1969 but Nash did, and realyed the events to her, which inspired the song.

A British group called Matthews Southern Comfort had a #1 in the UK with their version. 

  • Drop D Tuning = No 
  • Capo = No
  • Rhythm = downstrokes
  • Picking = a little
  • Chords = Gm, C, A#, F
Chords & Lyrics

 

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Thanks for stopping by this CSNY songs page and I hope the info here was useful.

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The Official Neil Young Website - (none for CSNY)


CSNY - Legends




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