American singer-songwriters Stephen Stills and Dave Crosby formed a new group with British singer-songwriter Graham Nash in 1968. I doubt, at the time, they could have expected the success that would follow.
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They wrote some great material, one of which is the songs we are looking at today. We will try and unravel the meaning behind “Southern Cross” by Crosby, Stills & Nash. Interestingly, the meaning of “Southern Cross” by CSN is more varied than you might imagine.
Forming this new band was a bit of a risk…
Stills’ previous band, the much-loved Buffalo Springfield, had folded. Nash was a few thousand miles away with The Hollies in the UK. Crosby had been asked to leave The Byrds for reasons that are well-documented and are not necessary to drag out again. It could very easily have all gone wrong. I suppose you could argue that, eventually, it did.
Folk-Rock
They initially formed the band along Folk-Rock lines and were well-known for their clever, and at times, stunning vocal harmonies. Unfortunately, they later became better known for the internal problems that were happening regularly rather than their considerable musical prowess.
My first time hearing them was on their second album, Deja Vu, released in 1970. This was the first album after Neil Young had joined them. It was impressive. Especially the song Graham Nash wrote, “Teach Your Children“.
However, the track we are looking at, “Southern Cross,” came a few years later from the 1982 album, Daylight Again. This was a Stills, Crosby, and Nash recording as Neil Young had made the first of his departures from the band. The song was written by Stills, along with Michael and Rick Curtis. It was released as a single in 1982 and reached #18 on the American chart.
Personnel
Stephen Stills takes the lead vocal, and Graham Nash joins in on the second verse. But, at the time of recording, there were only two of them available. Crosby wasn’t there. He was serving an 8-month prison sentence for drug-related crimes and wasn’t released until the album was almost completed. So, they had to bring in some outside vocal help for most of the tracks on the album.
They needed voices to fill the hole left by Crosby. One of the people brought in was the soon-to-be Eagles bassist and high tenor. The excellent Timothy B Schmidt. “Southern Cross” was the group’s last entry into the American Top 40.
The Meaning Behind “Southern Cross” by Crosby, Stills & Nash – Context
The song arrived with Stephen Stills after quite a journey. Michael and Rick Curtis wrote a song, “Seven League Boots“ that talks about a magical pair of boots.
The idea of the story is found in several European fairy tales and folk songs. Stills was going through a difficult time in his life. It was a time immediately after his divorce from Veronique Sanson, a French singer-songwriter. He thought the lyrics on the Curtis brother’s version to be a little cumbersome. So, he decided to rewrite them using his recent experiences.
Now the song had another meaning while keeping its nautical theme. But, in Stills’ song, the navigation required was not for a boat but to find your way around love. He loved the song, though, and later said, “I was given a gem, and all I did was cut and polish it.”
The Inspiration for Stills’ Words
Having rewritten the lyrics and come up with a different chorus, we can see the meaning of “Southern Cross” by Crosby, Stills, and Nash come to the fore.
After his divorce, Stills wanted to get away and regroup. So. he went on a long boat trip around French Polynesia. A change of scenery and culture helped him put his life into some form of perspective and to find the lyrics to “Southern Cross” by Crosby, Stills, and Nash.
Expanded Meaning
He is quite open about the effects that his boat trip had on his creation of a new set of words for the song. He says that he realized the power that the universe holds to heal you psychologically. Therefore, the meaning behind Crosby Stills, and Nash’s “Southern Cross” reflects his realization.
But, The Song Was Renamed “Southern Cross”?
The Southern Cross, or to give its more formal name, the Crux Constellation, has been a part of our existence for thousands of years. It was an important symbol for the ancient Egyptians. They believed that the sun-goddess Horus was crucified there.
To the Aborigines in Australia and Maoris in New Zealand, it symbolizes the spirits so essential in their ancestral beliefs. Furthermore, the Southern Cross is depicted on the national flags of both Australia and New Zealand.
To the sailors and seamen, before they had efficient navigational systems, it provided a hugely important navigation aid. We can relate these facts to the meaning of the song “Southern Cross.” When we do, then we can also see that song’s meaning is about showing the way to go, or the path to follow.
What Is The Southern Cross?
The Southern Cross or Crux Constellation is an iconic visual that can be seen in the sky at night, especially to those in the Southern Hemisphere.
The four brightest stars in the constellation form the shape of a cross. These stars can be seen every night, visibility permitting, and they shine so brightly that they are easily discernible. Sailors would plot their course using the Southern Cross.
It can also be seen by people in the Northern Hemisphere if you are far enough south and know where to look. Using the Southern Cross is an excellent metaphor for how Stephen Stills explains the experience of his long boat ride. He found the direction his life should be taking. And pointing the way was what the Southern Cross did.
Interested In The Meaning Of Other Well-Known Songs?
If so, check out our thoughts on The Meaning Behind The Song: I Got A Name by Jim Croce, The Meaning Behind The Song: Unanswered Prayers by Garth Brooks, The Meaning Behind The Song: Blue Sky by The Allman Brothers Band, The Meaning Behind The Song: Dear Prudence by The Beatles, and The Meaning Behind The Song: Everywhere by Fleetwood Mac for more insight and analysis.
The Meaning Behind “Southern Cross” by Crosby, Stills & Nash – Final Thoughts
It is always good to hear lyrics with real meaning behind them. Some songwriters can do this in everything they write. Others, like Stephen Stills, bring it out occasionally.
This song itself is a typical Folk/Soft Rock sound of the time. They perform it well with some excellent vocals. Well, they would be good looking at who was already there and who they brought in to help. It is one of those tracks that made the band and their sound an important part of our music culture. If only for a relatively short while.
Until next time, enjoy the music.
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