Crosby, Stills & Nash – Daylight Again (1982)
Daylight Again is the fourth studio album by Crosby, Stills & Nash, released in August 1982. Coming five years after CSN (1977), the album combines the trio’s trademark harmonies with a contemporary 1980s rock and pop sound. Featuring hits like Wasted on the Way and Southern Cross, it blends introspective lyrics, social commentary, and melodic craftsmanship, appealing to both longtime fans and a new generation.
Album Overview
Title: Daylight Again
Release Date: August 23, 1982
Label: Atlantic Records
Producer: Crosby, Stills & Nash, Stanley Johnston
Genre: Folk rock, soft rock, pop rock
Length: 42:11
Format: Vinyl, cassette, CD
Sales: Over 2 million copies, certified Platinum
The album balances reflective ballads, social commentary, and mid-tempo rock tracks, maintaining the trio’s signature harmonies while embracing the production polish of the early 1980s.
Tracklist
-
Daylight Again – 4:43
-
Southern Cross – 4:42
-
Into the Darkness – 4:23
-
Wasted on the Way – 3:51
-
See the Changes – 3:53
-
Delta – 3:26
-
Tougher Love – 3:31
-
You’re So Vain (live) – 4:45
-
Behind the Lines – 3:33
-
Chicago – 5:04
Mini Review
Daylight Again features a mix of introspection and optimism, capturing the trio’s refined songwriting and vocal interplay.
Highlights include Southern Cross, a nautical-themed anthem that became a radio staple, and Wasted on the Way, reflecting on lost time and missed opportunities. The album also contains live tracks like You’re So Vain, demonstrating the band’s stage presence. Production is sleek but still leaves room for the natural warmth of their harmonies, giving the album a timeless quality.
Album Credits
David Crosby: vocals, rhythm guitar
Stephen Stills: vocals, guitars, keyboards, bass
Graham Nash: vocals, rhythm guitar, keyboards
Guest Musicians:
-
Craig Doerge – keyboards
-
Russ Kunkel – drums
-
Danny Kortchmar – guitars
-
Leland Sklar – bass
Engineering: Stanley Johnston
Photography: Henry Diltz
Album Design: Gribbitt!
Fun Facts & Trivia
-
Southern Cross was inspired by Stills’ experiences sailing the Caribbean and South Pacific.
-
Wasted on the Way became one of the trio’s biggest 1980s hits, peaking at No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100.
-
The album marked the first time in several years that all three members fully collaborated after pursuing solo projects.
-
Daylight Again includes portions of the unreleased Neil Young collaboration, though he does not appear as a performer on the album.
-
The cover photography by Henry Diltz captures a sunrise over a coastal scene, reflecting the album’s themes of renewal and reflection.
Did You Know?
-
The title track Daylight Again was originally recorded during the 1970s but was reworked for this album.
-
Chicago references the political climate of the 1960s and 1970s, particularly the events surrounding the Democratic National Convention protests.
-
The album’s mix of live and studio tracks mirrors the approach of their earlier So Far compilation, blending energy and polish.
Cultural Impact
Daylight Again reaffirmed Crosby, Stills & Nash’s relevance in the 1980s rock scene. Hits like Southern Cross became enduring classics on classic rock and adult contemporary radio. The album’s reflective lyrics and polished harmonies helped bridge the folk-rock legacy of the 1970s with the production sensibilities of the early 1980s.
Conclusion
Daylight Again demonstrates that CSN could evolve with the times while keeping their core sound intact. From the reflective Wasted on the Way to the nautical anthem Southern Cross, the album balances introspection, melody, and harmony. For fans of folk-rock and harmony-driven music, this record remains a key part of the CSN legacy.
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young Full Discography