Today in Music (1967): Buffalo Springfield Again released

Again Buffalo Springfield

Released: October 30, 1967 Peak: 44 US, -- UK, -- CN, -- AU Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): --, 2.67 EAS Genre: classic rock/folk rock

Tracks: Click on a song title for more details. Mr. Soul [2:48] A Child’s Claim to Fame [2:09] Everydays [2:38] Expecting to Fly [3:39] Bluebird [4:28] Hung Upside Down [3:24] Sad Memory [3:00] Good Time Boy [2:11] Rock & Roll Woman [2:44] Broken Arrow [6:11] Total Running Time: 34:07 Other Songs from This Era: Down to the Wire [2:25] The Players: Stephen Stills (vocals, guitar, keyboards) Neil Young (vocals, guitar) Richie Furay (vocals, rhythm guitar) Bruce Palmer (bass) Dewey Martin (vocals, drums)

Rating: 4.037 out of 5.00 (average of 23 ratings) Awards: (Click on award to learn more).

About the Album “The blending of the Springfield’s folk-rock and country roots with a harder rock sound would be a major influence on the next generation of West Coast rock groups, most obviously The Eagles.” RD The Rock and Roll Hall of Famers boasted an impressive roster of talent that went on to even bigger ventures. Neil Young launched a successful solo career in 1968 that saw him inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame a second time. Stephen Stills would also become a double inductee for his work with Crosby, Stills & Nash. Richie Furay became a founding member of Poco, another influential group in the development of country rock. Unfortunately, all that talent in one band led to problems. They were just “too full of singer/songwriters to survive.” RD “Stills and Young were competing fiercely for time and space, edging out the less competitive Furay.” RD They were now “less a group than a collection of individuals, each of whom concentrated on their own songs.” RD That meant that Buffalo Springfield’s second album was “a slightly uneven record that did not feature the entire band on several cuts.” AM Young and Bruce Palmer were in and out of the group. However, the album “doesn’t suffer for that in the least – indeed, the group continued to make major strides in both their songwriting and arranging, and this record stands as their greatest triumph.” AM “The high points were so high and plentiful that its classic status cannot be denied.” AM Stephen Stills’ Bluebird and Rock & Roll Woman were masterful folk-rockers that should have been big hits (although they did manage to become small ones).” AM They were also “typical of the later Stills approach – powerful vocals over a rich blend of bright, clear acoustic and tough electric guitars.” RD “His lesser-known contributions Hung Upside Down and the jazz-flavored Everdays were also first-rate.” AM “Young contributed the Rolling Stones-derived Mr. Soul, as well as the brilliant Expecting to Fly and Broken Arrow.” AM The latter two “employed lush psychedelic textures and brooding, surrealistic lyrics that stretched rock conventions to their breaking point.” AM They “provided clues to future musical directions” RD with their “ambitiously orchestrated soundscapes by Young and Jack Nitzsche, who later worked with the singer on several solo projects, including Harvest.” RD

Down to the Wire Buffalo Springfield

Writer(s): Neil Young Lead Vocal(s): Neil Young Recorded: 3/28/1967 to 4/18/1967 at Gold Star Studios & Columbia Recording Studio in Hollywood, California Released: Decade (compilation: 1977) Peak: 22 DF Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): -- Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, -- video, 1.92 streaming About the Song: Neil Young recorded this song with fellow Buffalo Springfield members Stephen Stills and Richie Furay as well as New Orleans pianist Dr. John. It was slated for Stampede, a Buffalo Springfield album that was intended for a summer of ’67 release but never saw the light of day. WK

Mr. Soul Buffalo Springfield

Writer(s): Neil Young Lead Vocal(s): Neil Young Recorded: 1/9/1967 at Atlantic in New York City Released: Buffalo Springfield: 6/15/1967 (B side of “Bluebird”), Again (1967); Neil Young: Decade (compilation: 1977), 2/5/1983 (single), Trans (1983) Peak: 8 CL, 14 AR, 12 DF Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): -- Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, -- video, 50.74 streaming

Awards: (Click on award to learn more).

About the Song: “This is a Neil Young tour de force. Neil takes the lead vocal, amply backed up by Stephen and Richie, with Stephen also supplying superb, free-flowing psychedelic guitar.” OG-42 “The rhythm section sets up a relentless rhythm that really motors, a pace that is heightened by Neil’s superb, highly original raucous guitar work” OG-42 although he also plays a riff ripped off from the Rolling Stones’ “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction).” OG-42 Stephen comes in later with “a burst of scintillating strident guitar…This type of spontaneous, intricate guitar work characterized the brilliance of Stephen and Neil’s intuitive jousting and is the hallmark of their work. They gel to bring out the best in each other.” OG-42 “Neil’s lyrics are also teasingly brilliant.” OG-42 It is “a song of defiance and drama.” DT He wrote this “cynical and weary look at the music business” TC while in the hospital recovering from an epileptic attack. TC “Neil is already sick of being a performing seal in the travelling circus of a pop band. He is not sure about the screaming fans and the part he is playing in the band as the weird one…In many ways, the track documents the demise of the band.” OG-42 Otis Redding came to the recording session with an eye on recording the song himself, but Young didn’t want to give up the song. TC

A Child’s Claim to Fame Buffalo Springfield

Writer(s): Richie Furay Lead Vocal(s): Richie Furay Recorded: 1/9/67 to 9/18/67 at Columbia, Sunset Sound and Gold Star in Los Angeles; Atlantic in New York City Released: 9/30/1967 (B side of “Rock & Roll Woman”), Again (1967) Peak: -- Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): -- Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, -- video, 6.40 streaming About the Song: “Richie Furay (who had not written any of the songs on the debut) takes tentative songwriting steps with three compositions, although only A Child’s Claim to Fame, with its memorable dobro hooks by James Burton, meets the standards of the material by Stills and Young; the cut also anticipates the country-rock direction of Furay’s post-Springfield band, Poco.” AM “The lyrics, which could be interpreted as being aimed at a girl, are actually directed at Neil Young, who frustratingly keeps leaving and rejoining the band, and reflect Richie’s annoyance and frustration with Neil’s behavior.” OG-42

Everydays Buffalo Springfield

Writer(s): Stephen Stills Lead Vocal(s): Stephen Stills Recorded: 1/9/67 to 9/18/67 at Columbia, Sunset Sound and Gold Star in Los Angeles; Atlantic in New York City Released: 12/16/1967 (B side of “Expecting to Fly”), Again (1967) Peak: -- Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): -- Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, -- video, 3.55 streaming About the Song: Stephen Stills, who wrote and sang this, “creates a different mood on this experimental number, with its sultry, jazzy feel. His soft voice is exceedingly mellow with bluesy overtones.” OG-42 “Stephen’s poetic, mystical lyrics about life passing us by are crooned over the top of this jazzy backing to create a warm ambience.” OG-43 Neil comes in playing feedback, which “creates a drone that extends throughout. The effect supposedly occurred accidentally in the studio, but they liked it enough to retain it throughout the track.” OG-42-3 Bruce Palmer had been deported to Canada because of drug offenses when Buffalo Springfield recorded this so they brought in bassist Jim Fielder from Blood, Sweat, & Tears. OG-42

Expecting to Fly Buffalo Springfield

Writer(s): Neil Young Lead Vocal(s): Neil Young Recorded: 5/6/1967 at Sunset Sound in Hollywood, California Released: Buffalo Springfield: 12/16/1967 (single), Again (1967); Neil Young: Decade (compilation: 1977) B Side: “Everydays” Peak: 98 BB, 99 CB, 91 HR, 28 CL, 12 DF Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): -- Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, -- video, 14.30 streaming

Awards: (Click on award to learn more).

About the Song: This is “probably the most ambitious and successful track on the album. It clearly shows why the band were prepared to put up with Neil’s bullshit and health problems and keep accepting him back.” OG-43 “Neil’ wraithlike vocals and guitar are eerie and supernatural, with sobbing strings and guitar creating a soft, haunting melody.” OG-43 “The lyrics are a lament to a past love…a nostalgic opus to loss and possibility.” OG-43 Neil actually recorded without any members from Buffalo Springfield, but with the famed L.A. session musicians The Wrecking Crew. He recorded it during one of his departures from the band and thought it might end up on his planned solo album. OG-43 “It’s a track full of innovation that was masterfully arranged by the late great Jack Nitzsche.” OG-43 They worked on the track for 30 straight days. OG-43 “Jack’s arrangements and use of strings and oboe took the track to new heights not heard before.” OG-43

Bluebird Buffalo Springfield

Writer(s): Stephen Stills Lead Vocal(s): Stephen Stills, Richie Furay Recorded: 4/4/1967 at Sunset Sound in Hollywood, California Released: 6/15/1967 (single), Again (1967) B Side: “Mr. Soul” Peak: 58 BB, 68 CB, 63 HR, 16 CL, 18 DF Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): -- Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, -- video, 9.07 streaming About the Song: “This is a love song for Stephen’s flighty, blue-eyed lover Judy Collins. Their relationship was always difficult, with her not wishing to be tied down. In the end, she flew away; Stephen likens her to a beautiful bluebird.” OG-44 When Stephen recorded this song, “it looked as if Buffalo Springfield were no more.” Neil had left the band and Bruce Palmer was in Canada, thanks to his deportation over drug problems. However, Neil returned to the fold and overdubbed “Stephen’s elaborate acoustic guitars” OG-44 with his “mammoth electric overdubs.” OG-44 “The rest of the band put in an equally effective performance. Dewey’s stead drumbeat sets a fast pace and Bobby West provides a bass that throbs and then burbles along underneath like a flowing river. The falsetto voice section is exceptional as it adds a wraithlike quality.” OG-44

Hung Upside Down Buffalo Springfield

Writer(s): Stephen Stills Lead Vocal(s): Richie Furay, Stephen Stills Recorded: 1/9/67 to 9/18/67 at Columbia, Sunset Sound and Gold Star in Los Angeles; Atlantic in New York City Released: Again (1967) Peak: -- Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): -- Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, -- video, 1.40 streaming About the Song: “It seems that everything is getting to Stephen, probably Judy Collins leaving him, but also the disintegration of the band and the strange days of the lates sixties.” OG-44 Stephen was “confused and and not seeing a way forward, feeling depressed and sorry for himself. When you’re in that kind of mood, it usually makes for a great burst of creativity – as we see here.” OG-44 “Richie takes the lead on this Stills classic.” OG-44 his “vocals are warm and expressive, creating a mellow, melancholy mood. The song builds toward a storming instrumental section of interweaving guitars.” OG-44 “Richie’s singing becomes more insistent and intense, with a hint of optimism, as the song builds toward an instrumental climax, finishing with the same Neil Young guitar riff.” OG-44

Sad Memory Buffalo Springfield

Writer(s): Richie Furay Lead Vocal(s): Richie Furay Recorded: 1/9/67 to 9/18/67 at Columbia, Sunset Sound and Gold Star in Los Angeles; Atlantic in New York City Released: Again (1967) Peak: -- Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): -- Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, -- video, 1.19 streaming About the Song: Richie Furay first recorded this solo. It is “a nostalgic love song delivered poignantly by Richie, with a simple acoustic guitar accompaniment.” OG-45 His voice “is gently lilting, so full of sadness and regret, as he looks back at the idyll of the past and lost love.” OG-45 Neil was the only other member involved in recording. His “electric guitar suits the track effectively, beautifully crafted as a soft, ethereal series of notes, kept in the background and unobtrusively adding to the mood.” OG-45

Good Time Boy Buffalo Springfield

Writer(s): Richie Furay Lead Vocal(s): Dewey Martin Recorded: 1/9/67 to 9/18/67 at Columbia, Sunset Sound and Gold Star in Los Angeles; Atlantic in New York City Released: Again (1967) Peak: -- Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): -- Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, -- video, 0.91 streaming About the Song: Drummer Dewey Martin took a rare turn at the mic for this song written by Richie Furay. “His raspy voice lacks the warmth of Richie’s, the unique quirkiness of Neil’s or the power of Stephen’s, but it seems to suit the up-tempo, good-time song.” OG-45 The track “bounces along, raucous and loud, complete with an R&B brass section reminiscent of Blood, Sweat & Tears.” OG-45 “In terms of subject matter, it’s rather straightforward: Dewey claims to be a good-time man and that’s about it. He’s never going to be true. Get used to it.” OG-45

Rock & Roll Woman Buffalo Springfield

Writer(s): Stephen Stills, David Crosby Lead Vocal(s): Stephen Stills Recorded: 1/9/67 to 9/18/67 at Columbia, Sunset Sound and Gold Star in Los Angeles; Atlantic in New York City Released: 9/30/1967 (single), Again (1967) B Side: “A Child’s Claim to Fame” Peak: 44 BB, 52 CB, 32 GR, 39 HR, 12 CL, 18 DF Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): -- Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, -- video, 9.89 streaming About the Song: This song, which is an ode to Jefferson Airplane’s Grace Slick, “is most reminiscent of the first album, starting with a repeating acoustic guitar refrain that is then picked up by the backing vocals. Stills’ powerful, soulful voices performs the eulogy; the wonder of that voice is clear when the instruments drop out, leaving the rest of the band to provide layers of harmony.” OG-45 “The amazing bass line lays down a meaty foundation and, appropriately for the subject matter, it builds to a rocky conclusion, with organ filling out the sound and a catching backing vocal chorus.” OG-45 This song is also significant because it features David Crosby on backing vocals. He co-wrote the song with Stills, offering a glimpse of their future collaboration in Crosby, Stills & Nash.

Broken Arrow Buffalo Springfield

Writer(s): Neil Young Lead Vocal(s): Neil Young, Richie Furay Recorded: 1/9/67 to 9/18/67 at Columbia, Sunset Sound and Gold Star in Los Angeles; Atlantic in New York City Released: Buffalo Springfield: Again (1967); Neil Young: Decade (compilation: 1977) Peak: 32 CL, 12 DF Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): -- Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, -- video, 4.39 streaming

Awards: (Click on award to learn more).

About the Song: “Neil has crammed so much into this six-minute epic, a surreal medley of sections pasted together with enigmatic, cinema-esque trickery. The plaintive vocal and melancholy music draws out the emotions in this tapestry of evocative metaphors.” OG-46 The song “starts with a slab of ‘Mr. Soul’ being played live in front of a barrage of screams (actually taken from a Beatles concert). This then segues into what sounds like an orchestra opening as the tone is sustained, before marching drums lead into the first verse, with the words delivered in a melancholy manner.” OG-46 Eventually, though, “the show’s over; no more screams. They are left with the emptiness – the reality.” OG-46 “The piece seems to chart the history of America” OG-46 although “the words are poetically obscure enough to allow many interpretations.” OG-46 “It begins with Neil’s own disillusionment with fame and proceeds to identify with the plight of the Native American Indians…The lone Indian with the empty quiver and broken arrow…represents all of his people and the way of life that is lost. The song relates that to the emptiness of fame.” OG-46 The song also includes “a verse about families, loss, a brother, perhaps a casualty of Vietnam.” OG-46 “It takes us to the loss of hope with the death of JFK.” OG-46

Resources/References: AM AllMusic.com review by Richie Unterberger TC Toby Creswell (2005). 1001 Songs: The Great Songs of All Time. Thunder’s Mouth Press: New York, NY. Pages 77-8. RD Robert Dimery (2006). 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die. Quintet Publishing Limited: New York, NY. Page 103. OG Opher Goodwin (2024). On Track…Neil Young 1963-1970. Sonicbond Publishing: United Kingdom. DT Dave Thompson (2011). 1000 Songs That Rock Your World. Krause Publications: Iola, WI. Pages 114 and 167. Related DMDB Pages: First posted 5/29/2008; last updated 9/13/2026.