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Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young — Helpless
Album: Deja Vu
Avg rating:
8

Your rating:
Total ratings: 2543









Released: 1970
Length: 3:30
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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There is a town in north Ontario,
With dream comfort memory to spare,
and in my mind I still need a place to go,
All my changes were there,

Blue, blue windows behind the stars,
Yellow moon on the rise,
Big birds flying across the sky,
Throwing shadows on our eyes.

Helpless, helpless, helpless
Baby can you hear me now?
The chains are locked and tied across the door,
Baby, sing with me somehow.

Blue, blue windows behind the stars,
Yellow moon on the rise,
Big birds flying across the sky,
Throwing shadows on our eyes.
Comments (165)add comment
 nightdrive wrote:

Not actually because I keep it simple. Everything I like gets 10, like this one.


Not that anyone asked but I only rate 8, 9 or 10. This, of course, is a 10.
Posted 11 months ago by bimmerfan739    [ Reply ]
What is there not to love about this track and much of Deja Vu
Posted 1 year ago by prs    [ Reply ]
Always heartbreakingly beautiful to me..
Posted 1 year ago by GingerandMe    [ Reply ]
C, S, N, yes.

Y, no.
Posted 2 years ago by jelgator    [ Reply ]
 spunkyboy62 wrote:

Does anyone else find it difficult to rate these classics? It's like being asked to rate your children.


Not actually because I keep it simple. Everything I like gets 10, like this one.
Posted 2 years ago by nightdrive    [ Reply ]
There's no accounting for taste. I'll account for this track by giving it 0.
Posted 2 years ago by BonzoWiltsUK    [ Reply ]
Missing Neil on Spotify. Nice to hear him on RP. And so timely with the war in Ukraine. Feeling helpless.
Posted 2 years ago by jnhashmi    [ Reply ]
Its not really in North Ontario. Omemee is a little town north of Toronto, quaint, quiet. went to school just down the road, met Neils Dad, Scott once..  All my changes were there...
Posted 2 years ago by mtnman8888    [ Reply ]
Classical Beauty.
Posted 2 years ago by tudorinf    [ Reply ]
Excuse me work... I need a minute with my eyes closed.
Posted 2 years ago by sunybuny    [ Reply ]
 gertjanvdb wrote:

This is one of those songs where you here the first few notes and think: no, not again. 


I'm with you so far . . .
Posted 2 years ago by acolt    [ Reply ]
 gertjanvdb wrote:

This is one of those songs where you here the first few notes and think: no, not again. 
And four seconds later you are already enjoying it for the millionth time and softly singing the words with the music...




Gertjan, een perfecte beschrijving.
Posted 2 years ago by TheKing2    [ Reply ]

Big Bird's flying across the sky!
Posted 3 years ago by Hippostar    [ Reply ]
 stephen.king12101 wrote:

Always love Neal Young



Neal is the real deal!

Posted 3 years ago by justin4kick    [ Reply ]
This is one of those songs where you here the first few notes and think: no, not again. 
And four seconds later you are already enjoying it for the millionth time and softly singing the words with the music...
Posted 3 years ago by gertjanvdb    [ Reply ]
 xcranky_yankee wrote:

One of my first 'favorite Neil Young tunes'!

hahaha i just "liked" my own comment! must be good - the tune, not my comment

Posted 3 years ago by xcranky_yankee    [ Reply ]
 rhlrstn wrote:

Nope. Nope. Just never want to hear Neil Young. Ugh.



And you've only yourself to blame if you do.
Posted 3 years ago by 2and4    [ Reply ]
this is a hymn
Posted 3 years ago by LaurieinTucson    [ Reply ]
 rednred wrote:

I agree. I was there at The Last Waltz . I had just moved to San Francisco in May 1976, six months before a friend and I took each other to Winterland for our November birthdays, and had Thanksgiving dinner with 5,000 people. In the Martin Scorcese directed film of the concert you can see the back of my head from right in front of the stage when Bob Dylan is singing "Forever Young"!


That's REALLY cool, Rednred. I've heard that you could see coke on Dylan's mustache??
Posted 3 years ago by mattenuttall    [ Reply ]
 teleskialaska wrote:

I am always amazed at the comments of the critical people. I actually feel bad for the critics, but perhaps they get more air play on Radio Paradise than Neil or CSNY.....I for one think it is a beautiful song.



Just what makes you tap your toes, music is art
Posted 3 years ago by wmpj2017    [ Reply ]
Crosby, Stills, Nash &Young,
Dallas Taylor (drums) and Greg Reeves (bass)
DEJA VU

Posted 3 years ago by sfyi2001    [ Reply ]
 expatlar wrote:
The only reason I don't turn it up is because my wife is in the room and y'know, it's Neil Young. :-)

 
       And he wrote this.
(Young wrote 'Helpless')
Posted 3 years ago by sfyi2001    [ Reply ]
The only reason I don't turn it up is because my wife is in the room and y'know, it's Neil Young. :-)
Posted 3 years ago by ExpatLarry    [ Reply ]
 xray38 wrote:
Neil wasn't a geography major.  His home town that he references as being in "northern Ontario" is actually in south-central Ontario. But I know, it's a song.
 
I'm from Europe and have never been to Ontario. But I know that if I want to go to Perth, West Australia, I should travel East.  
Posted 3 years ago by Pjesnik    [ Reply ]
 rhlrstn wrote:
Nope. Nope. Just never want to hear Neil Young. Ugh.
 
Sooooo, have you turned to Christian Rock to avoid Neil?  That, and sports talk radio are the only places you won't hear him.
Posted 3 years ago by countyman    [ Reply ]
 Paddy_Hannan wrote:
Bettered only by Neil's performance of this from The Last Waltz concert. Outstandingly good. 9/10
 
I agree. I was there at The Last Waltz . I had just moved to San Francisco in May 1976, six months before a friend and I took each other to Winterland for our November birthdays, and had Thanksgiving dinner with 5,000 people. In the Martin Scorcese directed film of the concert you can see the back of my head from right in front of the stage when Bob Dylan is singing "Forever Young"!
Posted 4 years ago by rednred    [ Reply ]
Bliss
Posted 4 years ago by Racquel    [ Reply ]
One of my first 'favorite Neil Young tunes'!
Posted 4 years ago by xcranky_yankee    [ Reply ]
Bettered only by Neil's performance of this from The Last Waltz concert. Outstandingly good. 9/10
Posted 4 years ago by Paddy_Hannan    [ Reply ]
Neil wasn't a geography major.  His home town that he references as being in "northern Ontario" is actually in south-central Ontario. But I know, it's a song.
Posted 4 years ago by xray38    [ Reply ]
 teleskialaska wrote:
I am always amazed at the comments of the critical people. I actually feel bad for the critics, but perhaps they get more air play on Radio Paradise than Neil or CSNY.....I for one think it is a beautiful song.
 
Don't feel bad for them.  Pity and maybe a little disdain, yes but bad... not worth it.
Posted 4 years ago by h8rhater    [ Reply ]
idiot_wind wrote:
Im lying in a burned out basement, listening to this song.

 On_The_Beach wrote:

Full moon?
 
Maybe it's the star of Bethlehem?
Posted 5 years ago by mattenuttall    [ Reply ]
 kingart wrote:


A classic is always new even when it's 49 years old. 
 

Why thank you!
Posted 5 years ago by linden    [ Reply ]
 unclehud wrote:
Goose bumps, man.  Goose bumps.
 
Right. As a preamble to vomiting.
Posted 5 years ago by BCarn    [ Reply ]
Goose bumps, man.  Goose bumps.
Posted 5 years ago by unclehud    [ Reply ]
Always love Neal Young
Posted 5 years ago by stephen.king12101    [ Reply ]
 henkk wrote:
I've heard this too often. I like new good music.
 

A classic is always new even when it's 49 years old. 
Posted 5 years ago by kingart    [ Reply ]
 rhlrstn wrote:
Nope. Nope. Just never want to hear Neil Young. Ugh.
 
Gee tell me how you really feel about him
Posted 5 years ago by jp33442    [ Reply ]
I am always amazed at the comments of the critical people. I actually feel bad for the critics, but perhaps they get more air play on Radio Paradise than Neil or CSNY.....I for one think it is a beautiful song.
Posted 5 years ago by teleskialaska    [ Reply ]
Love this song, but really don’t love this CSNY version. He’s got a solo version on Live at Massey Hall that’s amazing.
Posted 5 years ago by jukes1    [ Reply ]
Nope. Nope. Just never want to hear Neil Young. Ugh.
Posted 5 years ago by rhlrstn    [ Reply ]
I've heard this too often. I like new good music.
Posted 5 years ago by henkk    [ Reply ]
Sublime beauty of songwriting, harmony and so much just so right in the arrangement and production.

Posted 5 years ago by jwhitney1111    [ Reply ]
Young at his best
Posted 6 years ago by japlath    [ Reply ]
About as evocative of its time as a song can be. 
Jeez. 

Posted 7 years ago by kingart    [ Reply ]
Fantastic song. Hearing KD Lang sing it live summer 2016 was a transformative experience.
Posted 7 years ago by atlas    [ Reply ]
 capandjudy wrote:
After seeing Neil do this with The Band in "The Last Waltz" I couldn't help but think that The Band was a better fit for Neil than CSN although I really didn't care for Joni Mitchell chirping in the background. This is fantastic none the less. 

 
Joni can chirp anywhere she wants. She's more than earned it.
Posted 7 years ago by LowPhreak    [ Reply ]
 idiot_wind wrote:
Im lying in a burned out basement, listening to this song.  
 
Full moon?
Posted 7 years ago by On_The_Beach    [ Reply ]
Im lying in a burned out basement, listening to this song.   
Posted 7 years ago by idiot_wind    [ Reply ]
After seeing Neil do this with The Band in "The Last Waltz" I couldn't help but think that The Band was a better fit for Neil than CSN although I really didn't care for Joni Mitchell chirping in the background. This is fantastic none the less. 
Posted 7 years ago by capandjudy    [ Reply ]
RP's love for Neil Young—amongst many other artists—is what makes me feel at home listening to this station.  {#Notworthy}
Posted 7 years ago by icculus    [ Reply ]
 iloveradio wrote:
Who are the other two guys on the cover?

 
Dallas Taylor and Greg Reeves
Posted 7 years ago by Ghiaap    [ Reply ]
Who are the other two guys on the cover?
Posted 7 years ago by iloveradio    [ Reply ]
 justin4kick wrote:

Bill, can we have a Post Something Different-button to skip to a comment we do like?  

 
Hahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!!
Posted 7 years ago by Ghiaap    [ Reply ]
 boontonite wrote:
This is just one of the outstanding songs and performances on a truly classic album. Really captures the spirit of the time.

 
Did not Zeps make III in response to this album?
 
Posted 8 years ago by Pjesnik    [ Reply ]
This is the finest song on that album, in my opinion.  And what an album!
Posted 8 years ago by mardisoninnc    [ Reply ]
Very{#Bananajam} nice! 
Posted 8 years ago by helgigermany    [ Reply ]
वाह
Posted 8 years ago by Abhishekraiji    [ Reply ]
This is just one of the outstanding songs and performances on a truly classic album. Really captures the spirit of the time.
Posted 8 years ago by boontonite    [ Reply ]
 PockettVenus wrote:
Can't stand it. Whiney, repetitive, indulgent. If only psd worked on Tune In. 
{#No} 
 
Bill, can we have a Post Something Different-button to skip to a comment we do like?  
Posted 8 years ago by justin4kick    [ Reply ]
We are not helpless we are men
What lies between us
It can be set aside and ended
~~Stephen Stills
Posted 8 years ago by Skydog    [ Reply ]
Damn Good.
Posted 8 years ago by Kaisersosay    [ Reply ]
 Stefen wrote:
Buffy St. Marie does a great cover of this.  It's actually better than Neil Young's original.

 
How can it be better than Neil Young?
Posted 9 years ago by Bert7    [ Reply ]
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh
That's nice     {#Cheers} 
Posted 9 years ago by DanFHiggins    [ Reply ]
Buffy St. Marie does a great cover of this.  It's actually better than Neil Young's original.
Posted 9 years ago by Stefen    [ Reply ]
One of the recordings in the movie, "Strawberry Statement".  A good cult flick for those that need a refresher on the days of student unrest in the late 60's... you might check it out.  It kinda coincided with my experiences at Portland State University during that time.
Posted 9 years ago by Larry_Rosenow    [ Reply ]
I love this song.....but mainly because I get such a kick out of wailing along to it.

Helpless, helpless helpless............... 
Posted 9 years ago by handyrae    [ Reply ]
 PockettVenus wrote:
Can't stand it. Whiney, repetitive, indulgent. If only psd worked on Tune In.
 
If only psd worked on your whiny, indulgent post.
Posted 9 years ago by On_The_Beach    [ Reply ]
A real classic! {#Music}
Posted 9 years ago by hlx5    [ Reply ]
 PockettVenus wrote:
Can't stand it. Whiney, repetitive, indulgent. If only psd worked on Tune In. 
{#No} 
 
What is it with Radio Paradise and all the Neil. Awful.
Posted 9 years ago by GreggH    [ Reply ]
What an amazing song by a band that should not have existed.
We are so very lucky that they did.
Thank you to contrary things.
Posted 10 years ago by number7    [ Reply ]
 ScottN wrote:
My favorite rendition of this song.  Some others, imo,  including some covers, simply don't catch young Neil's essence of the song.

 
no other voice quite like his and csn just made him sound better with their beautiful harmonies...band made in heaven.
Posted 10 years ago by KaraokeVox    [ Reply ]
Cracks me up every time I hear it...  genius
Posted 10 years ago by Boy_Wonder    [ Reply ]
Can't stand it. Whiney, repetitive, indulgent. If only psd worked on Tune In. 
{#No} 
Posted 10 years ago by PockettVenus    [ Reply ]
Always a 10!
Posted 10 years ago by helgigermany    [ Reply ]
 bill-1956 wrote:
This is my all time favorite song.
 
Then bill-1956, you are clearly a righteous dude!  {#Cheers}
Posted 10 years ago by On_The_Beach    [ Reply ]
My favorite rendition of this song.  Some others, imo,  including some covers, simply don't catch young Neil's essence of the song.
Posted 10 years ago by ScottN    [ Reply ]
How could something so simple......
......be so perfect?
Posted 10 years ago by linzie    [ Reply ]
This song always renders me so... helpless. 



                               Picture pink silos set on a Missouri sunset on a balmy, summer afternoon with some cow fertilizer wafting through your nostrils..trying not to be too offended  ;)


The time confusion is quite natural after a while...you tend to put future things into the past.
it's all based upon individual experience.  You'll end up where you began as the years go by..?



Quite..
Posted 10 years ago by coolpeople_rule    [ Reply ]
 DeeCee1109 wrote:




Lyrics: 9
Music: 9
Lead Vocals: -3
I just can't enjoy Neil's voice.
 
So... a 15?  I guess you'll just have to round it down to a 10.
Posted 10 years ago by h8rhater    [ Reply ]
 Cynaera wrote:
All I can do when I hear this song is sit and let the emotion wash over me. It's so sublime, so ethereal, so absolutely perfect... I can breathe now. {#Meditate}{#Sunny}

 
What she said.
Posted 10 years ago by unclehud    [ Reply ]
 capandjudy wrote:

I hear you on that one.

 
We WERE there, weren't we? Chills down my spine...
Posted 10 years ago by SanFranGayMan    [ Reply ]
 skyguy wrote:
Classic and beautiful. I wonder if they will be playing Beyonce in 41 years?

 
Who?
Posted 10 years ago by colt4x5    [ Reply ]
 ozzie1313 wrote:
I could break down and cry.  This song brings it all to the surface, all 60 years worth.

 
I hear you on that one.
Posted 10 years ago by capandjudy    [ Reply ]
Very good song from Neil, but i prefer the version on the last waltz with Joni Mitchell.
Posted 10 years ago by helgigermany    [ Reply ]

Neil at his most whiny. How can you not love this man and his music!


Posted 10 years ago by ScottishWillie    [ Reply ]
One of my favorite renditions of this song.  Understated-- in a good way.
Posted 11 years ago by ScottN    [ Reply ]
Meh........
Posted 11 years ago by jagdriver    [ Reply ]
Reminds me of an old friend, who used to play this album a lot. He moved to Syracuse and I lost track of him.

Hope you're doing well, "Crash", wherever you are.   {#Wave}
Posted 11 years ago by LowPhreak    [ Reply ]
12 Points!

very very godlike! {#Notworthy} 
Posted 11 years ago by BMTR    [ Reply ]
 Chi_Editrix wrote:
I can forgive this man a lot for this one song. But does anyone else picture Big Bird flying across the sky?

 
Heh. I know exactly what you mean about forgiving an artist for their occasional missteps.

The background harmonies by Stills, Nash and Crosby are just wonderful, always my favorite part of this song. 
Posted 11 years ago by nagsheadlocal    [ Reply ]
I've heard the various Neil Young versions of this song so many times, I'd completely forgotten about this one.  This is what the "10" rating is  all about.
Posted 11 years ago by rickinstlouis    [ Reply ]
This one will only make sense to very select group of Australian listeners who remember d-gen the late show but I prefer the Grassby Grills Nudge and Plum version
Posted 11 years ago by Sloggydog    [ Reply ]

Dull, does nothing for me...unlike Neil whom I could at least listen to some songs :-)


Posted 11 years ago by spiggy    [ Reply ]
I live in Ontario, on Rideau River, outside of Ottawa. Fall and spring the sky is full of migrating geese. So is the river. I still wake up earlier to watch them organize and flying off. This tunes often pops into mind.
Posted 11 years ago by martinc    [ Reply ]
 Chi_Editrix wrote:
I can forgive this man a lot for this one song. But does anyone else picture Big Bird flying across the sky?
 
Well, not until now......thanks for that....not.
Posted 11 years ago by tkelley    [ Reply ]
 Antigone wrote:
How is it possible that I have not rated this song before today?

Nine.
 

Maybe like me you thought this was a Neil Young song, and not a CSNY song...you prolly rated the former.
Posted 11 years ago by rdo    [ Reply ]
 bill-1956 wrote:
This is my all time favorite song.
 
Too right!
Posted 11 years ago by EdmoJoe    [ Reply ]
This is my all time favorite song.
Posted 11 years ago by bill-1956    [ Reply ]
How is it possible that I have not rated this song before today?

Nine.
Posted 11 years ago by Antigone    [ Reply ]
I know it's probably sacrilege to say but the K D Lang version is nearly as good as this.
Posted 12 years ago by merkin_muffley    [ Reply ]
I can forgive this man a lot for this one song. But does anyone else picture Big Bird flying across the sky?
Posted 12 years ago by Chi_Editrix    [ Reply ]
Man, I'm a fan for life.  Love this tune and so many more from CS&N.  (& Young)  {#Guitarist}
Posted 12 years ago by MirageRF    [ Reply ]
very nice!
Posted 12 years ago by helgigermany    [ Reply ]
 skyguy wrote:
Classic and beautiful. I wonder if they will be playing Beyonce in 41 years?
 



Lyrics: 9
Music: 9
Lead Vocals: -3
I just can't enjoy Neil's voice.
Posted 12 years ago by DeeCee1109    [ Reply ]
 skyguy wrote:
Classic and beautiful. I wonder if they will be playing Beyonce in 41 years?
  who? ;)


Posted 12 years ago by LongGoneDaddy    [ Reply ]
Classic and beautiful. I wonder if they will be playing Beyonce in 41 years?
Posted 12 years ago by skyguy    [ Reply ]
Sums up a lot.
Posted 12 years ago by Dahlia_Gumbo    [ Reply ]
It sounds like electric country but in reality Neil was one of the first Astral travellers.
Posted 12 years ago by westslope    [ Reply ]
Why is CSN & Y's version of Helpless on RP twice?
Posted 12 years ago by 2cats    [ Reply ]
Classic with only 3 notes

Posted 12 years ago by michaelc    [ Reply ]
 beset wrote:
Has anyone read "Shakey" by Jimmy McDonough? I'm on page 519 of 738 pages - not counting the "(Very) Selected Bibliography", pp 739 to 759. I'm thoroughly enjoying this Neil Young biography. When Jimmy "shows" what Neil's saying, it sounds pretty real to me. There's much use of the four-letter F word, and not just from Neil.
This is a deeply revealing story of Neil and many others who were touched by him and vice versa. I didn't know 'til I read this book that Nicolette Larson passed away. Reportedly, she died on December 16, 1997 of complications from cerebral edema. "Nicki" had a nickname for Neil: "Changeable Charlie".
He's a very talented, complex person. He's human, that's for sure. I'm a longtime fan of Neil, and that probably won't change, as it appears he's never "sold out"! 
 
Yes, I read the exhaustive bio a couple years ago. I thought the last, say, 100 pages got a bit tedious, but overall an excellent read. My only complaint would be that McDonough takes too much credit for Neil's career moves. ("I told Neil to do this or that, blah, blah"; yah, right.)

Posted 12 years ago by On_The_Beach    [ Reply ]
I could break down and cry.  This song brings it all to the surface, all 60 years worth.
Posted 12 years ago by ozzie1313    [ Reply ]
There is a town in North Ontario...and also a long dry spell since we last heard Neil croon this oldie but goodie.

Posted 13 years ago by treatment_bound    [ Reply ]
All I can do when I hear this song is sit and let the emotion wash over me. It's so sublime, so ethereal, so absolutely perfect... I can breathe now. {#Meditate}{#Sunny}
Posted 13 years ago by Cynaera    [ Reply ]
I'm a Neil Young mark and one of his best.

{#Clap}





Posted 13 years ago by mapman    [ Reply ]
I was humming this song just a few minutes ago while brew some coffee, up here in Northern Ontario!  Thanks!
Posted 14 years ago by Gutter    [ Reply ]
oh how this brings back memories.....
Posted 14 years ago by debimast    [ Reply ]
Great song!{#Cheers}
Posted 14 years ago by sirdroseph    [ Reply ]
This song has meant so many different things to me at different times in my life. Now it just makes me think of the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.{#Cry}
Posted 14 years ago by melissa    [ Reply ]